Authorities in southwest Iowa are on the lookout for a man suspected in a shooting incident early this (Saturday) morning, in Red Oak. According to Red Oak Police, 34-year-old Raphael Baptista is suspected of shooting 36-year old Clyde Ziegler several times. The incident happened at 407 4th Street at around 12:15-a.m.  Ziegler was flown by medical helicopter to an Omaha hospital, where he was reported to be in critical condition.

Baptista is described as being a Hispanic male, about 5-feet 8-inches tall, weighing 170-to-180 pounds. he has black hair, brown eyes and a dark complexion. Authorities say it appears he suffered a gunshot wound to his left hand. Area hospitals have been put on alert to notify authorities of anyone coming in with suspicious wounds, especially to their hand or hands. Baptista is considered to be armed and dangerous. Anyone with information on his location should contact Red Oak Police at 712-623-6500, or call 9-1-1.

Multiple law enforcement converged on Red Oak during a search for the suspect, including deputies from Cass County, an aircraft from the Omaha Police Department, and the Iowa State Patrol. The Red Oak K-9 unit was also deployed in an attempt to locate Baptista.

At around 2-a.m., Montgomery County Emergency Management issued a Code Red Alert to residents at the request of Red Oak Police, urging residents to remain in their homes as a possibly armed suspect was at large. Red Oak Police gave the all clear to any immediate threat in or around the Red Oak area just before 5-a.m.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad has signed a bill into law that will end greyhound dog racing in Council Bluffs by 2016. Branstad’s office said the governor signed the bill Friday along with more than a dozen other bills.

The measure will end greyhound racing in Council Bluffs but allow dog owners to continue operating a track in Dubuque. It requires casinos that have long-subsidized the dog racing tracks to pay $72 million. That will pay for a retirement fund for dog owners and breeders and help the Iowa Greyhound Association negotiate a lease for the Dubuque track.

Branstad signed five bills publicly Friday, including legislation that legalizes the use of cannabis oil to treat severe epilepsy.

Authorities in Cass County have released additional details about an accident that occurred Friday morning in a construction zone on Interstate 80 westbound near the Marne exit. According to a press release from Cass County Attorney Dan Feistner, the driver of a minivan – 33-year old Bruce S. Bingle, Jr., of Hamilton, OH, and his 29-year old wife, Brandy Bingle, also of Hamilton, OH, were injured when the 2005 Chevy Venture mini-van crashed into two unoccupied pickups (a 2014 Chev Silverado and a 2001 Ford F-250), that were parked in a construction zone. The State Patrol says Bruce Bingle did not merge to the left and continued into the construction area, hitting barrel barricades before crashing into the two parked pickups. Officials say he was wearing a seat belt, while his wife was not. The accident happened at around 7:19-a.m.

Feistner says the Iowa State Patrol arrived on scene shortly thereafter and found the couple outside the vehicle, both having sustained bodily injuries from the vehicle accident. Construction worker(s) were on scene and while rendering aid to Brandy Bingle, were informed by her, that her husband allegedly intentionally driven into the barricades and equipment in the construction zone in an apparent attempt to kill them both.

The full extent of the injuries to both individuals is unknown at this time, however Brandy Bingle appeared to have suffered broken bones, lacerations to the body and bruising. Bruce Bingle was first transported to Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic,  and became combative with law enforcement and medical staff during the transport and while at the hospital. A Cass County DRE Officer (drug recognition expert) arrived at CCMH and performed drug tests of the driver and obtained a urine sample for further testing.

Bruce S. Bingle, Jr. was transported by Life Flight to UNMC in Omaha, Nebraska. Brandy Bingle was transported by ambulance to UNMC in Omaha, Nebraska. The Iowa State Patrol later obtained a search warrant for the purposes of examining the vehicle for collision investigation. No criminal charges have been filed at this time. The matter remains under further investigation.

Marne, Atlantic and Walnut Fire and Rescue, Cass County Emergency Management, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office and the Cass County Attorney all provided assistance to the Iowa State Patrol.

The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors visited Duke Aerial, a locally owned and operated aerial lift company. Ambassadors learned about the service and parts provided and lift equipment available at Duke Aerial. Ken Tolton, owner, and Dave Wohllber, HR Safety Manager, gave a tour of the offices and equipment facilities. Duke Aerial’s goal is “exceeding customer expectations by constantly improving quality, service and communications.”

Pictured at the visit are Lucas Mosier, Russ Joyce, Ali Krogman, Debbie Leistad, Kathie Hockenberry, JoAnn Runyan, Lana
Westphalen, Rhonda Larsen, Tammy Waters, Kathy Sweeney, Dave Whollber, Ken Tolton, Carole Schuler, Nedra Perry, Ed Leistad, Pat
McCurdy, Tyler Mosier, Tara Jennerjohn, Gerhard Marburg, Chip Hansen, Gerald Brink, Donnie Drennan, Sue Muri, Dolly Bergmann, Arlene Drennan, Jolene Roecker, Bill Saluk, Steve Andersen, Rich Perry, Karl Aldag, Dave Schwab.

The Iowa National Guard will host a re-dedication ceremony commemorating the completed renovation of the Council Bluffs Readiness Center and Field Maintenance Shop (FMS) #4, 2415 East Kanesville Boulevard, Council Bluffs on Friday, June 6th at 11 a.m.

Iowa National Guard leadership and representatives from federal, state, and local governments will participate in the ceremony. The public and media are welcome and encouraged to attend the rededication ceremony. The $4.5 million project began in October 2012 and features a complete renovation of both original facilities, which were constructed in 1993. It includes the renovation of 22,300 square feet of existing Readiness Center facility space and the conversion of 12,000 square feet of the adjoining Motor Vehicle Storage Building to Readiness Center space.

The existing facility also received new ceilings, wall and floor coverings, energy-efficient heating-ventilation-air conditioning (HVAC) systems and windows. The Field Maintenance Shop received an additional 4,000 square feet of space, including work bays, radiant heat and air equipment. New storm sewer, fencing, windows, and a new HVAC were also added. The facility exterior and parking were also updated. The project was designed by Design Alliance, Inc., Waukee, Iowa.

The general contractor for the Readiness Center was Meco-Henne Contracting Inc., Omaha, Neb. The general contractor for the FMS was Leuder Construction Company, Omaha, Neb. The Council Bluffs Readiness Center is home to Detachment 1, Company F, 334th Brigade Support Battalion (FSC); Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 168th Infantry; Detachment 1, Company B, 1st Battalion, 168th Infantry; and Company D, Iowa Army National Guard Recruit Sustainment Program. Approximately 250 Soldiers are assigned to the Council Bluffs garrison.

A community send-off ceremony for an Iowa Army National Guard unit based in Boone will be held at 4 p.m., Thursday, June 5th, at the Boone Middle School Gymnasium, 1640 1st St., Boone. Local officials and Iowa National Guard leadership will participate and the public and media are welcome and encouraged to attend the homecoming ceremony. Approximately 60 Soldiers with Company C, 2nd Battalion, 147th Aviation are being mobilized as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.

The Soldiers will travel to their mobilization station at Fort Hood, Texas for additional training before deploying to the Central Command theater of operations. It is anticipated that the duration of this deployment will be for approximately one year. Company C flies and maintains UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters.

The unit previously deployed to Kosovo in 2010-11 and for Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2006-2007.