Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, Tuesday, announced his appointments to the Judicial Nominating Commissions and Iowa Parole Board. Three western Iowans were appointed to the Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC). They include: in District 4, Mary Gunderson, of Glenwood; in District 5-B, Alec Turner, of Corning, and in District 5-A, David Van Ahn, of Panora.

The appointments to the JNC are not subject to Senate confirmation. Members of the JNC serve to select nominees for appointment to the Iowa Supreme Court and Iowa Court of Appeals.

Police in Red Oak say two people have been charged with Child Endangerment following a domestic disturbance Tuesday evening.38-year-old Venus Maria Barr, of Red Oak, was arrested on Willful Injury, Aggravated Domestic Abuse Assault, and child endangerment charges.  42-year-old William Barr, also of Red Oak, faces charges of Child Endangerment and Interference with official acts. The pair were arrested at around 10:45 p.m. in connection with an incident which occured in the 2400 block of North 8th Street, in Red Oak.

Both suspects were taken to the Montgomery County Jail. Venus Barr was being held without bond, while William Barr’s bond amounts to $2,000.

Wind, snow and blowing snow conditions contributed to two non-injury accidents Tuesday afternoon in Montgomery County. Authorities say an accident at around 1:35-p.m. on Highway 34 caused a total of $2,000 damage. Officials report 60-year-old Mryna Peterson, of Carson, was westbound on 200th Street when her 1978 Buick sedan went out of control on the icy road, crossed the center line, and collided with an eastbound semi driven by 50-year-old Bryan Huff, of rural Emerson. No citations were issued.

The second accident happened at around 2:50 p.m. one half mile west of Stanton on Highway 34.  Authorities say 24-year-old Cassie Phelps, of Red Oak was traveling east on Highway 34 in a 2001 Pontiac Montana, when she lost control of the vehicle, which went into the south ditch before hitting a fence and a guide wire. The collision caused the power pole to be snapped in- half. Damage to the vehicle, power pole and fence amounted to a little more than $7,000.

Authorities in Montgomery County report two people were arrested Tuesday on separate charges. Red Oak Police arrested 38-year old Rachel Charise Kathleen Hadden, of Red Oak, for Interference with Official Acts. She was also wanted on a Page County warrant for Contempt of Court/Failure to Appear on an original charge of Theft in the 5th Degree. Hadden was taken into custody at around 9:12-p.m. in the 400 block of north Highland Avenue. Her bond was set at $600.

And, at around 12:30-p.m. Tuesday, deputies in Montgomery County arrested 22-year old Ty Andrew Chandler, of Red Oak, on a Red Oak Police Dept. warrant for Domestic Assault. Chandler was arrested in Villisca and brought to the Montgomery County Jail, where he was being held on $2,000 cash bond.

A man from Grand Island, NE was injured during a collision between two semi’s Tuesday night, in Pottawattamie County. The Iowa State Patrol says 36-year old Jamie Henry was transported by Shelby Rescue to Myrtue Memorial Hospital in Harlan, following the crash that took place at around 8:10-p.m. on Interstate 80 eastbound, about 1.5-miles east of the Shelby exit.Officials say his injuries were non-life threatening.

The Patrol say two semis, one driven by 24-year old Tavion Wilson, of Goodyear, AZ, the other by Jamie Henry, were traveling east, when the 2012 Volvo Wilson was driving came up too fast behind the other semi. When Wilson attempted to swerve into the left lane to avoid contact, his semi went out of control and jackknifed. The passenger side of his trailer struck the rear of Henry’s trailer, causing Henry’s semi to jackknife before it entered the south ditch. Wilson was subsequently cited for failure to maintain control.