The Iowa State Patrol has released information about a couple of crashes that occurred Sunday, on Interstate 80 in Cass and Pottawattamie Counties. The first happened in Cass County at around 11:30-a.m., Sunday, near the Elk Horn exit.

Officials say a Recreational Vehicle driven by 33-year old William DeWitt, of Sioux Falls, SD, and a 2012 VW Routan van driven by 19-year old Stevan Dedovic, of Hoffman Estates, IL, were both traveling westbound on I-80, when the van slowed for traffic that had stopped ahead for a backup that was taking place in the construction zone. The RV rear-ended the van, but both vehicles were able to drive from the scene. Damage from the crash amounted to $4,500. Both drivers refused medical attention. DeWitt was cited for Failure to Stop within the assured clear distance.

The second accident happened at around about 75-minutes later, about one-half mile west of the Walnut exit. The Patrol says a 2007 tractor-trailer driven by 49-year old Angela Briggs, of Alger, MI., was traveling eastbound on I-80 and had slowed for traffic ahead that was stopped due to road construction. A 2001 Chevy Venture van driven by 32-year old Jessica Alvarado, of Gilboa, OH., was also eastbound and slowing for the stopped traffic ahead, when she was rear-ended by a 2000 Dodge Ram pickup, that was pulling a trailer. The pickup was driven by 33-year old Jeremy Mangas, of Gilboa, OH.

The impact pushed Alvarado’s van onto the shoulder of the interstate. The pickup and trailer continued forward, and struck the rear of the semi. No injuries were reported. Damaged from the crash amounted to $20,500. Mangas was cited for Failure to Stop in an Assured Distance.

Both accidents caused traffic to be tied up for a good deal of time, while authorities sorted out what happened.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — An eastern Iowa man is accused of committing four bank robberies in Cedar Rapids. Federal prosecutors announced yesterday that 29-year-old Javon Dockery of Cedar Rapids was indicted on four counts of bank robbery and one count of possession of firearm in furtherance of a crime or violence.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A federal judge says two Iowa prison inmates must be provided nightly meals and chapel time during Ramadan and allowed the same religious accommodations as other Muslims. The inmates, Michael Williams-El and James Blair-Bey, sued prison officials in 2012 when they were at the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — A man accused of video-recording girls in an eastern Iowa school restroom has pleaded guilty to a sexual exploitation charge. The Quad-City Times reports that 29-year-old Ian Dishon Isabel entered the plea Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Davenport. Isabel admitted that he planted video cameras in a girls’ restroom at Hayes Elementary School, where he worked as a coordinator for the after-school Stepping Stones program.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Most coaches only get one chance to turn around a program. Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz is poised to revive the Hawkeyes for the third time in 12 years. Many dismissed Ferentz and the Hawkeyes after a 4-8 finish in 2012. But Iowa answered its critics with eight wins last season, including victories over Nebraska and Minnesota.

HULL, Iowa (AP) — Authorities are investigating the theft of U.S. flags in the northwest Iowa city of Hull. The Sioux City Journal reports the flags were missing from homes and school property on the north side of Hull. The Sioux County Sheriff’s Office says the flags were removed from poles between 10 p.m. Saturday and 7 a.m. Sunday.

The sheriff’s office didn’t say how many flags were stolen. Hull is a city of about 2,100 people. It’s about 50 miles north of Sioux City.

A Pottawattamie County man who risked his life to save two men from an icy, watery grave will be honored Friday during a special ceremony at the Iowa State Fair. Governor Terry E. Branstad will recognize Seth Thompson, of Treynor, as one of six individuals who have performed a courageous act in an attempt to save someone’s life, or those that have unselfishly assisted in an emergency situation. Thompson is slated to receive the Outstanding Service Award during the “Governor’s Lifesaving Awards & Outstanding Service Awards” ceremony which takes place at the Susan Knapp Amphitheater, beginning at 10-a.m., Friday.

The Outstanding Service Award is presented to persons who have performed a courageous act in an attempt to save an individual who was in danger of losing his or her life or to individuals who unselfishly rendered service in a time of emergency.

On December 14th, 2009 Seth Thompson was headed to work in Okoboji. It was a very cold day with a wind chill of 5 below zero, the roads were icy and the winds were making navigating the roads a challenge. During his drive Seth noticed a truck with two occupants in front of him begin to lose control on a patch of ice and then watched it roll into a creek and break through the ice coming to a stop. When it finally came to rest, it was on its top. Seth quickly stopped his vehicle and he and his passenger ran down to the truck. Seth observed that the windows in the truck had broken on impact and the cab was quickly filling with water.

When he arrived at the truck, which was near the creek bank, Seth was able to reach in the passenger window by laying down on the edge of the bank, his stomach and chest were submerged in the icy water as he felt for the passenger’s arm. Seth grabbed the arm and pulled the disoriented passenger from the truck and onto the bank. Knowing that the driver was still inside he again reached through the passenger window and just barely reached his outstretched hand. Seth grabbed the hand and pulled the second person onto the creek bank.

Both the driver and passenger of the truck, Jesus Alvarado and Joshua Allsup, were taken to the hospital and treated for their injuries and symptoms of hypothermia.