The Iowa Department of Transportation has posted a photo of a semi, whose driver found out the hard way yesterday (Sunday) morning, that barricades and “ROAD CLOSED” signs aren’t just suggestions to stay away from certain areas. (See the photo below) The driver ignored the signs and barricades posted on Highway 2 at the Missouri River, where the road was completely torn-up. Their rig ended-up being tilted, with the tractor section partially off the road and the trailer jackknifed onto the shoulder. Officials ask motorists to “Please pay attention and don’t go around traffic control devices. They are in place to keep you safe.”

Photo from the IA DOT Facebook page (Click on the image to enlarge)

An accident at around 1:35-a.m. Saturday, in Griswold, resulted in the arrest of a man from Lewis. The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports 18-year old Nicholas James Freund was driving a 2005 Chevy Silverado pickup near 16958 525th Street, when the truck crashed into two power poles, causing major damage to the utility lines. Freund fled the area, but was located and stopped at Highway 48 and Osage Road, in Cass County. Authorities say he showed signs of being impaired, and failed three of four consent Field Sobriety tests. He was arrested for OWI/1st offense, and cited for Failure to Maintain  Control, as well as leaving the scene of a property damage accident.

At around 4-a.m. Saturday, 31-year old Hunter James Carruthers was arrested in Pottawattamie County, in the 18500 block of River Road, or just north of N. 25th Street and I-29. He was pulled over for having a burned-out registration plate light, and subsequently arrested for OWI/2nd offense. And, at around 11:45-p.m. Sunday, 23-year old Chase Hunter Keul was arrested, after deputies were notified of a fight in progress at Westfair. Keul was taken into custody for Assault with intent to inflict pain or injury. His victim was a 24-year old male.

More State and area news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa (AP) — Some veterans are complaining about a new, more restrictive policy regarding smoking at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown. The Times-Republican reports that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has required the Iowa home to implement VA policy limiting where residents can smoke. The VA provides a substantial amount of the funding to the Iowa facility for facility construction and maintenance, resident care and other activities.

The hospital commandant, Timon Oujiri, says the policy is aimed at ensuring the safety of residents who smoke as well as the safety of staffers and other residents. State Rep. Mark Smith is a longtime volunteer at the hospital, and he says he’s received several calls from World War II and Vietnam War veterans who do not agree with the new policy.

The Creston Police Department reports four arrests and one incident of vandalism. Authorities say two people were arrested Friday: 48-year old John Pace, Jr., of Creston, was arrested for Driving While Barred. He was being held in the Union County Jail on a $2,000 bond; and, 60-year old Terri Adamson, of Creston, was arrested outside of her residence, for OWI/1st Offense. Adamson was released from the Union County Jail on a $1,000 bond.

Two Creston residents were arrested Saturday: 38-year old Timothy Hudek was arrested at his home on a Madison County warrant for Violating a No Contact/Protective Order – Contempt of Court. He was transferred to the custody of Madison County; and, 29-year old Alex Cunningham was arrested Saturday for Driving While Revoked. He was later released on a $1,000 bond.

Creston Police said also, a Creston woman residing in the 1100 block of W. Mills Street, reported Saturday that sometime overnight Friday into early Saturday morning, someone slashed her rear, driver’s side tire, and took a large amount of gift cards and a wallet from inside the vehicle. The damage and loss was estimated at $825.

The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:06-a.m. From KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) — Another defendant has taken a plea deal in the slaying of a 26-year-old man in southeast Iowa. The Hawk Eye reports that Andre Harris pleaded guilty to conspiracy and other charges Friday. His deal calls for him to testify against the three remaining defendants. Five men were charged with killing Demarcus “Peanut” Chew on Sept. 10, 2017, outside his mother’s apartment in Burlington.

One of the five, Antoine Spann, also took a deal and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. He, too, must testify against the three remaining defendants: Caesar Davison, Derrick Parker and Emmanuel Spann. Harris is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 26.

MOUNT VERNON, Iowa (AP) — Authorities have identified a man believed to have drowned while swimming at Palisades-Kepler State Park near Mount Vernon in eastern Iowa. The Linn County Sheriff’s Office identified him as 31-year-old Jairo Mejia Jimenez, of Cedar Rapids. A search began Saturday night after it was reported that a man swimming near the dam went under and didn’t resurface. The search continued Sunday along the Cedar River.

At least two RAGBRAI riders were injured, Sunday, when they fell off their bikes in Cass County. One incident happened at around 10:30-a.m. near 7th Street and Sunnyside Lane, when a 79-year old male fell and hit his head. Another incident happened near Marne on the Marne Road near Jefferson Street, where another, elderly male fell and was knocked unconscious for a time. Both riders were treated by medics. Their injuries did not appear to be serious, according to dispatch reports. In Pottawattamie County, Iowa State Patrol spokesman Sgt. Nathan Ludwig said medics treated about a dozen participants for minor injuries. He said the rain made it difficult for some riders to stop and navigate in heavy traffic.

One person was injured this (Monday) morning in a bicycling accident. According to dispatch reports, a rider suffered a head laceration on Highway 6, just past Highway 71. There was also a report of a rider possible having cardiac issues, about one-mile west of Anita, but the Ragbrai Ambulance responded to the scene. No other details are available on any of the incidents.

In a separate note, a man was arrested Sunday evening in Atlantic, after the vehicle he was driving, was involved in a property damage accident at 8th and Chestnut Streets. The man, whose name was not officially released, was reportedly taken into custody for OWI.

(Radio Iowa) — Middle school students from the Hamburg Community School District will be hard at work this fall building a new home for a family impacted by this year’s Missouri River flooding. Hamburg Superintendent Mike Wells says the project involves students building a house in a donated lot across from Marnie Simons Elementary School. “We ran an ad in the newspaper and people applied for the house. These kids will be serving on the selection committee and will be interviewing the families,” Wells says. “The house will be built totally through donations. We have a lot of faith that we’ll be able to raise that much money and we’ve had some sponsors step forward that will be donating things to us. These kids want to make a difference and we’re excited to get the house started here this month.”

While middle school students would handle most of the work, Wells says jobs would also be available for elementary students. Wells says students are already learning some building trades skills as part of the district’s “maker space” activities, and that building a house will allow students to gain more skills. “We want the kids to actually do the work,” Wells says. “Adults will be there working side by side making sure things are being done properly. Of course, we’d like a house that is fairly straight with a roof that doesn’t leak.”

Donations for flood victims are collected and handed out at a school gym. Eighth grader Hailee Barrett says that’s made an impact on them and she’s really looking forward to helping build the house.  “Just watching the families come in having to take stuff because they don’t have anything. This (project) is a big deal because we want to give back what they lost,” Barrett says. Hailee’s sister, eighth grader Emma Barrett, says the housing project means a lot to not only the school district, but to her family as well. “I also have people in my family who have lost their houses. So, just even having a house for people to live in and have that happiness that I can start my life again, is just really great, ” Barrett says.

Superintendent Wells says the 13-hundred square foot ranch style home will be three-bedroom with a garage, kitchen, and dining room. Once the application process is finished and the student interview committee makes its selection, the home is set to sell to the selected family for 60-thousand dollars payable over a 20-year period. Wells says the funds will be used to build another home in the future as the school hopes to make the housing project an annual event. The current timeline of the project calls for basement digging to begin in early August with the home finished by late December. Wells says the school district will gladly accept donations for the project, and that 2-thousand dollars in cash has already been raised.