The Page County Sheriff’s Office reports a Missouri woman suffered possible, unknown injuries during an accident Thursday morning, east of Coin. Officials say a 1996 Ford van driven by 38-year old Rebecca Willis, of Maryville, MO., was travelin west on 270th Street at around 11-a.m., when a vehicle pulling a construction trailer backed out of a farm driveway just west of the intersection with I Avenue.

57-year old Robert Michael, of College Springs, failed to see the approaching van, which hit the construction trailer in the right rear fender, causing $3,000 damage to the trailer and $4,600 damage to the van. Following the collision, the van ran off the road. Willis suffered undetermined injuries in the crash, and was transported by ambulance to the hospital in Clarinda.

Robert Michael was cited following the accident investigation, for Unsafe Backing onto a highway, and Failure to Provide Security Against Liability (no insurance).

An incident during an altercation early this (Saturday) morning in western Iowa’s Monona County resulted in one person being sent to the hospital. The Iowa State Patrol reports 25-year old Manuel Anton, of Blencoe was hit by an SUV during a verbal altercation behind a bar  in Onawa. Officials say the incident took place in an alley behind the “Sudds and Juggs” bar.

According to the report, while a verbal altercation was underway just after 2-a.m., a passenger in an SUV, 44-year old Kimberly Heberer, of Sgt. Bluff, moved into the driver’s seat, and backed the 2004 Chevy Tahoe over Anton, who was standing behind the vehicle.

Anton was transported to Mercy Hospital in Sioux City by Burgess Ambulance. The report did not indicate what, if any, charges were filed.

Eight KJAN listening area communities have cleared a hurdle in their quests to become one of eight-to 10 “Blue Zone” Project communities in Iowa. Blue Zones sponsor Wellmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield Thursday, released the list of 58 communities that were invited to submit a full application to become a Blue Zones demonstration site. The 58…which included Atlantic, Audubon, Carroll, Denison, Glenwood, Harlan, Manning and Red Oak…were selected from among 84 towns that had completed the first step in the process, by submitting a statement of interest.

A final list of 10 communities will be selected to host site visits from February 27^th 2012 through March 16^th. The selection process will culminate with the selection of the 1^st round of demonstration sites in May 2012. The winning community will gain the opportunity for better health, greater longevity, and receive $1-million to improve its recreational infrastructure and promote wellness.

The next step in the process though, is for cities which made the November 23^rd cut, to submit the full application, by no later than January 4^th. For more information on the Blue Zone Project, surf to http://www.bluezonesproject.com/

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — One person was injured in a house fire in Sioux City. Firefighters were called to the home Friday morning. Officials say three people were home. One resident suffered smoke inhalation but didn’t go to the hospital. The homeowner’s dog died. Heat and smoke damage were reported throughout the home.

SPENCER, Iowa (AP) — A Missouri man has been injured while pheasant hunting in Iowa. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says Steve Nelson, of Independence, Mo., was shot in the upper thigh, hand and arm by a 12-gauge shotgun being carried by a juvenile walking behind him Friday morning near Spencer in northwest Iowa. DNR spokesman Kevin Baskins says the shotgun accidentally discharged as it was being carried.