The reward fund is growing in Sioux City for information leading to the arrest of 21-year-old Jamal Dean. The reward money is now up to $15,000 after the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms added another $5,000 to the fund Thursday. That’s in addition to money contributed by the U.S. Marshall’s Service, Crimestoppers and several local, anonymous donors. Dean is wanted for attempted murder in the Monday afternoon shooting of Sioux City Police Officer Kevin McCormick, who was shot in the head during a routine traffic stop. McCormick has been released from the hospital and is expected to make a full recovery. The search for Dean has expanded to the tri-state area.

Anyone with information regarding Dean’s whereabouts should call (712) 279-6960.

Cross another name off the list of potential Republican candidates for the U.S. Senate. State Ag Secretary Bill Northey issued a written statement, announcing he has decided not to seek the Republican nomination for Iowa’s open U.S. Senate seat. Northey wrote that he feels he can “be more effective serving Iowans as Secretary of Agriculture rather than engaging in a Senate campaign.”

Last week, during an interview with Radio Iowa, Northey indicated his analysis of the political landscape in Iowa suggested to him he had a shot at the senate seat, but personal considerations were a concern. Northey said his family’s been farming the same ground near Spirit Lake since the 1930s and it would be hard for him to turn the operation over to someone else.

In his written statement today, Northey indicated he would endorse Congressman Steve King — IF King decides to run. If King doesn’t, Northey says there are “many qualified and exciting” Republican candidates considering a run. Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds announced last week that she had decided against running for the Senate. Democratic Senator Tom Harkin announced in late January that he would not seek reelection in 2014.

Bruce Braley, the Democratic congressman from Waterloo, launched his race for the Senate in early February.

(Radio Iowa)

One person was reported to have been injured during a two-vehicle accident this (Thursday) morning, here in Atlantic. According to scanner traffic, the accident occurred just before 9-a.m., at the intersection of 9th and Cherry Streets. An elderly female was said to have suffered a head injury during the crash. No others details are currently available.

Sheriff’s officials in Mills County report the arrest on Tuesday of a Nebraska man on burglary charges. 34-year old Albert Thomas Fuller, of Omaha, faces a charge of 3rd degree Burglary. He was arrested at the Douglas County, NE, jail, and was being held on bond amounting to $5,000. And, Mills County deputies arrested 39-year old Brande Michelle Barnes, of Glenwood, on Wednesday. Barnes was picked up in Glenwood, on a warrant for Violation of School Attendance. Her bond was set at $300.

Authorities said also, no injuries were reported following a two-vehicle collision Sunday morning about two-miles north of Glenwood. The accident occurred on Gaston Avenue, at around 7:50-a.m. Officials say a 2001 Dodge driven by Jack Groves, of Glenwood, was traveling east on Gaston Avenue, when he hit a 2008 Honda driven by Mary Cooper, also of Glenwood.

The accident happened as Cooper was pulling out of a driveway from 23457 Gaston Avenue, and attempting to make a left turn. She told authorities she didn’t see Groves’ Dodge approaching. Groves told officials he tried to take evasive action, but was unable to avoid the collision. After his vehicle struck the Honda, it left the road and hit a tree before coming to rest in the north ditch.