The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will conduct the first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS), in November. The nationwide test will occur on Wednesday, November 9th at 1 p.m. central time and may last up to three and a half minutes. The public will hear a message indicating that “This is a test.” The audio message will be the same for both radio, television, and cable.

The National-level EAS is a public alert and warning system that enables the President of the United States to address the American public during extreme emergencies. Similar to local EAS tests that are conducted frequently, the Nationwide Test will involve broadcast radio and television stations, cable television, satellite radio and television services and wireline providers across all states and territories.

Over the past two years and as part of ongoing national preparedness planning efforts, FEMA, the FCC and other federal partners, State, local, tribal and territorial governments, EAS Participants, and others in the EAS Community have been working toward making this test a reality. As the federal, state, tribal, territorial and local governments prepare for and test their capabilities, this event serves as a reminder that everyone should establish an emergency preparedness kit and emergency plan for themselves, their families, communities, and businesses.

Anyone can visit www.Ready.gov for more information about how to prepare for and stay informed about what to do in the event of an actual emergency.

(update 12:25-p.m.) An overheated motor in a furnace apparently caused a small fire at a residence in Walnut, this morning.  Firefighters from Walnut and Hancock were paged out to a reported fire at 500 Highland Street, in Walnut. The call came in at around 11:18-a.m. 

Firefighters weren’t on the scene very long. No injuries were reported. It’s not clear what the extent of the damage was.

(Updated 12:35-.m.) Three people have reportedly died in a three-vehicle crash this morning south of the Harlan airport. Harlan Medivac and Avoca Rescue were called to the scene, along with Lifenet helicopter. The acccident happened at around 10:30-a.m., as the Iowa State Patrol was making a routine traffic stop. One of the vehicles involved in the crash was an SUV.

No other details are currently available. We’ll post more on this story, as it becomes known.

A Marine from western Iowa is recovering from wounds he suffered during combat in Afghanistan on October 18th.  The father of Pfc. Kirk A. Salmon of Denison, told the Omaha World-Herald his son, who had been stationed  in Nawa Province, Afghanistan, was involved in a battle and suffered an injury to his shoulder as a result of rifle fire.  He was airlifted to Camp Dwyer in northern Afghanistan, where he underwent surgery. George Salmon said his son was transferred to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany, and underwent a second surgery to remove bullet fragments. 

Last Friday, the soldier was transferred to the Portsmouth Naval Medical Center in Virginia, where he is currently recooperating from his wounds.  A decision will be made soon whether to transfer Salmon closer to home, likely to a medical facility in Omaha. George Salmon said he and his wife Susan have been in daily contact with their son. He says the young man in stable condition, good spirits and able to enjoy his meals.

Kirk Salmon, who serves with the 1st Battalion 9th Marines, is a 2008 graduate of Denison High School where he participated in baseball, wrestling and football.

A Carroll County man is scheduled to be sentenced next month in connection with the death in September of his roommate, following an assault. 24-year old Travis Jeffrey Barker, of Coon Rapids, pled guilty to involuntary manslaughter, in the death of 28-year old William Smith.  Smith died September 4th at a hospital in Des Moines, following an altercation  the previous day, at the residence the men shared.

Authorities had initially charged Barker with 1st-degree murder, but Carroll County Attorney John Werden says the charge was reduced, because evidence in the case indicated Smith’s death was not premeditated. As part of the plea deal, both the prosecution and defense requested Barker serve a 5-year prison sentence.

Barker is scheduled to be sentenced on November 14th.

Atlantic Mayor Dave Jones has plead guilty to dumping refuse into Missouri River floodwaters. According to the Omaha World-Herald, Jones accepted responsibility for polluting the water, and was fined $150 plus court costs. Another misdemeanor charge of violating an open-burning ban was dismissed as part of the plea agreement.

The charges stemmed from an incident near Tekamah, Nebraska in late September, when Jones, his friends, and family members removed and burned flood damaged furniture and mattresses from a cabin he owns near Tekamah. On September 24^th, some debris from the fire, including charred parts of furniture, slid off into an a slough (slew), or inlet, about 250-feet from the river. Jones said the debris most likely entered the inlet when the remains of the fire were doused. He claimed it was unsafe to retrieve those items that fell into the river.

The incident was reported to authorities in Burt County, NE, by a neighbor.