Iowans will hear something unusual on their radios and TVs at one o’clock this afternoon (Wednesday), the first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System. John Benson, with Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management, says most folks won’t even realize the scope of the test, which will involve many thousands of broadcast outlets.

“It’s going to sound and behave real similar to what you see happen either on a weekly or monthly basis with the radio stations in terms of them activating the tones and reading a brief message,” Benson says. “It’s going to be the first time they’ve done it on a nationwide basis but for most people, it’s going to appear just like that local or regional one they’re used to hearing.” 

The test will just run 30-seconds but it’ll be heard from coast to coast, and not just on the radio.”It will go into the TV stations and also onto cable TV,” Benson says. “The only place you won’t hear it will be on the National Weather Service radio system because those two systems aren’t tied together yet but that’s something they’re looking at in the future.” 

This test will -not- involve sounding the tornado sirens as it’s only for broadcasters on the radio and TV. Benson says it’s the largest-ever test of the Emergency Alert System. “As they built the system, they want to see if it works on a nationwide basis,” Benson says. “We know it works locally, we know it works regionally, so the next big step is, let’s see if the thing works on a nationwide basis and I would expect that it would.” 

Federal officials say the main goal of the test is to: “assess the readiness and effectiveness of the current system and identify improvements to better serve communities in the preservation of life and property.” Benson says Iowans need to be aware. “It’s another good reminder as we’re moving into the winter weather season, to pay attention to those alerts on your TV or radio,” Benson says. “That’s important information. If there was something happening on a nationwide basis, can we make the system work? Obviously, pay attention to it and understand what’s going on.” 

(Radio Iowa)

Two people were injured during a near head on collision Monday morning near Woodbine, in Harrison County. Officials say 24-year old Bikash Pandey, of Storm Lake, was traveling southbound on Highway 30 just before 7-a.m. Monday, when his car crossed the center line and collided with a pickup driven by 23-year old Jeremy Jacobsen, of Woodbine. 

The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office says rescuers used the Jaws of Life to cut Pandey from his car. The man suffered serious, but non-life threating injuries, and was flown to Creighton University Hospital in Omaha, for treatment.  Jacobsen was transported to the hospital in Missouri Valley by Woodbine rescue, for treatment of minor injuries, treated, and released.

Two Nebraska men were seriously injured early this (Wednesday) morning during a single-vehicle accident northeast of Council Bluffs. Lt. John Reynolds with the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Department told KJAN, the accident, involving a 2009 Toyota Corolla, occurred a little after 3-a.m., near the 13-mile marker on Interstate 80.Reynolds says the vehicle was westbound on I-80 at around 3:05-a.m.,when it left the road and entered the median at about the Idlewood overpass, near Underwood. The car continued over an embankment, rolled and came to rest on Idlewood Road.

The driver of the car, 21-year old Thomas Reber, and his passenger, Michael Miller, both of Papillion, NE, were injured and transported by Underwood Rescue to Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs, where Reber was in stable condition. Miller was later transferred to the Creighton University Medical Center. A report on his condition is not available. Neither man was wearing a seatbelt.

Alcohol and excessive speed are not believed to be factors in the wreck. Reber was cited for Failure to Maintain Control.

Hy-vee grocery stores across the Midwest will honor America’s veterans this Friday, Nov. 11th, by serving them a free breakfast in advance of Veterans Day. Hy-Vee President Randy Edeker says the event has grown in popularity in the past several years, with more than 80,000 free breakfasts served to vets in 2010.

The breakfast buffet is complimentary for veterans, and open to others at a small cost. Some Hy-Vee stores have planned programs, displays, entertainment or other activtities to go along with the breakfast. Serving takes place from 7-a.m. until 11-a.m.