(Iowa News Service) –  Tomorrow marks World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, and the state is calling on residents and employees alike to be aware of the signs that someone could be a victim.  The widespread use of social media has made it harder to corral sex traffickers in recent years. Secretary of State Paul Pate launched the Iowa Business Against Trafficking Initiative in 2022, to ask 300,000 employees of 800 Iowa businesses to be the eyes and ears if they sense a person is being trafficked.

“Well, we’re not asking anyone to be a hero here,” said Pate. “What we’re asking them to be is good neighbors. It’s like a neighborhood watch program. You watch for suspicious or unusual behavior, activities that are going on, and let law enforcement know – because they can’t be everywhere all the time.”

Pate has enlisted the help of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security this year – which has started an initiative to remind people that if they suspect they spot human trafficking, they should say something to local authorities.  Tom Ruck is the senior engagement manager for the Department of Homeland Security’s Blue Campaign against human trafficking, and has been in Iowa to boost Pate’s efforts at confronting it.

He said it’s important not to try to physically step in and rescue a person who appears to be a trafficking victim, even if that’s the natural inclination of someone who wants to help.  “But we could put you at harm for doing something,” said Ruck. “The trafficker may try to hurt you – and definitely the person being trafficked could be put in harm’s way, down the road. So we say, ‘Call your local authorities.'”

He added that traffickers often prey on young people who report feeling isolated, depressed, or estranged from their parents – and the criminals work those angles to make contact with prospective victims.

(Jackson County, Iowa) –  A stunt involving a pickup truck went bad Sunday night at the Maqouketa Speedway, resulting in one person being flown to the hospital. The Iowa State Patrol reports the incident at the Jackson County Fairgrounds occurred at around 9-p.m., when a 2006 Chevy Silverado pickup was attempting to jump through a camper. The vehicle collided with the camper and the driver – whose name was not released pending notification of family – lost consciousness.

The pickup continued off the track, across Highway 62 and came to rest after striking a residential shed. The driver was extricated and airlifted to the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City.

ALGONA, Iowa — A 42-year-old man from Pocahontas died this (Sunday) afternoon, during a collision involving his motorcycle and a car, in northern Iowa. According to the Iowa State Patrol, Adam Allen of Pocahontas was riding a 2016 Harley-Davidson motorcycle westbound on Highway 18 at around 1-p.m., just east of Algona, when a 2024 Nissan Sentra with a 17-year-old driver from Ackley, failed to yield at a stop sign at the intersection of Highway 18 and 160th Avenue. The motorcycle struck the car, killing Allen.

The driver of the Nissan, who was not named, was taken by air ambulance to a Mason City hospital.

(Mason City, Iowa) – Two people were injured in a motorcycle accident early this (Sunday) morning, in northern Iowa’s Cerro Gordo County. The Iowa State Patrol reports a 2010 Harley Davidson motorcycle operated by 45-year-old Christopher Douglas, of Mason City, was traveling south on Spring Street in Rock Falls at around 3-a.m., when Douglas failed to negotiate a curve in the road near Nottingham Avenue.

The cycle left the road and struck a power pole. Christopher Douglas, and his passenger, 35-year-old Amanda Malfero, of Mason City, were thrown from the motorcycle. Neither occupant was wearing a helmet. Douglas and Malfero suffered serious injuries and were transported by Mason City EMS to MercyOne North Iowa.

The Patrol was assisted at the scene by Mason City and Northwood EMS personnel, along with Plymouth 1st Responders and the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Office.

(Johnson County, Iowa) – Four people were taken to the hospital after an RV rollover crash on I-80 in eastern Iowa, Friday morning. The Iowa State Patrol the crash happened at around 8-a.m. near Oxford, as an RV that was pulling a Jeep Gladiator was heading westbound on I-80 near the Black Hawk Avenue overpass.  The RV left the roadway and went into the ditch for unknown reasons.

The driver attempted to correct, but struck the bridge guard rail. The RV continued across I-80 and hit the median side bridge guard rail, rolled and went into the median just to the west of the on-ramp to Black Hawk Avenue NW. The crash blocked westbound traffic for several hours.

Those injured were identified as 71-year-old Clarence Douglas Brackens, 76-year-old Nora Ann Brackens, and 52-year-old Peggy Sue Brackens, all of Summerville, SC. The fourth crash victim was a 14-year-old juvenile whose name was not released.

Authorities say Clarence Brackens was transported by helicopter to the U-of-I Hospital in Iowa City. The others were transported to the same hospital by ambulance. The crash remains under investigation.

(Wright County, Iowa) – A car collided with a moving train Saturday evening in northern Iowa, resulting in two people being hurt. The Iowa State Patrol says a 2016 Toyota Prius driven by 26-year-old Haley Marie Hanus, of Webster City, was traveling east on 330th Street in Woolstock, when the car hit a train. The crash happened at around 6:40-p.m.

The driver, and her passenger, 26-year-old Dwarn Richard Glover, Jr., of Webster City, was both seriously injured, according to the Patrol, and transported by helicopter to MercyOne Hospital in Des Moines. The Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Wright County Sheriff’s Office, Woolstock, Eagle Grove and Webster City Fire & EMS.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Police in Red Oak, Saturday (today) arrested a man wanted on two Union County warrants for Possession of a Controlled Substance/3rd or subsequent offense (A serious misdemeanor), and Public Intoxication (also a simple misdemeanor). 35-year-old Kyler Ray Wiece was taken into custody at around 2:30-a.m. in the 2000 block of Highway 34. Wiece was being held without bond in the Montgomery County Jail.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – A traffic stop in Villisca early this (Saturday) morning resulted in the arrest of a woman from Union County. According to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department, 45-year-old Crystal Marie Mack, of Creston, was arrested at around 12:20-a.m., for Possession of Methamphetamine/3rd or subsequent offense, a Class-D Felony.

Deputies transported Mack to the Montgomery County Jail, where she was being held on a $5,000 bond.

(Creston, Iowa) – Officials with the Creston Police Department report two people were arrested on separate charges, Friday:

40-year-old Arturo Marin, of Afton, was arrested at the Creston/Union County Law Enforcement Center at around 6:10-p.m. Marin was taken into custody on a Union County Warrant for Failure to Appear on a charge of Driving while license Denied or Revoked. He was later released on a $1,000 cash surety bond.

And, at around 4:30-p.m., Friday, Creston Police arrested 30-year-old Micheal Steven Cox, of Lorimor, for Driving while barred, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Cox was being held in the Union County Jail on a $2,300 bond.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The 75th Cass County Fair continues this weekend, in Atlantic. The schedule for Saturday and Sunday includes:

8-a.m. Sheep Show

8-a.m. to 8-p.m. 4-H/FFA Exhibits open

10-a.m. Pet Show

10-a.m. To 8-p.m. Mechanical Bull

11-a.m. To 10-p.m. Inflatable Carnival

11-a.m. Meat Goat/Dairy Goat Show

Noon Lunch Special Ham Balls or Lamb

Noon until 10-p.m. Commercial Booth Barns Open

Noon until 4-p.m. Family Fun Day

Noon Communication Events

1-p.m. Exotic Animals & Youth Water Fights

2-p.m. To 5-p.m. Atlantic Elks Bingo

3-p.m. Clover Kids Animal Show & Exotic Animals

5-p.m. Exotic Animals

6-p.m. Tractor Pull

SUNDAY, July 28

7:30-a.m. Swine Show

8:30-a.m. Tractor Ride

10-a.m. Poultry Show (Next to the poultry barn)

11-a.m. To 10-p.m. Inflatable Carnival

10-a.m. to 8-p.m. 4-H/FFA Exhibits open

Noon Special: Windsor Chop

Noon to 3-p.m. Decorator’s Showcase

Noon to 10-p.m. Commercial Booth Barns Open

1-p.m. Exotic Animals & Pig Pals Show

2:30-p.m. Pedal Tractor Pull

3-p.m. Exotic Animals

4:30-p.m. County Fair Church Service

5-p.m. Exotic Animals & 75^th Fair Grounds Celebration Cake Social

6:30-p.m. Cow /Calf Feeder Calf Show

7-p.m. 75^th Fair Grounds Celebration & Community Photograph (Grandstand event)

A reminder: The Fair runs through July 30th, and concludes with the Livestock Auction at 8-a.m. Tuesday. The Cass County Fair is always FREE: No entry fee, no charge to park, and no charge to view the exhibits and entertainment. There’s also great Fair food at the 4-H and FFA Foodstands, along with the Chuckwagon, each of which have a variety of delicious hot, and refreshingly cold, food and drinks to choose from.

See the full schedule HERE.