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

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(Radio Iowa) — Residents who were preparing to move into a new senior living center in Rock Valley are trying to deal with the shock of a fire Tuesday that heavily damaged the facility. The board president for the RiverView Ridge Senior Living Center says, Todd Van Tol, says this is hard for the community as they were preparing to open after at least three years of work. “There’s a group of people who have sold their homes that are expecting to move there in the next 30 to 90 days. So essentially their home was burned down. So we’ve got to help them come up with the next plan, Tol says.

The police chief estimated flames were shooting 50 feet in the air when he arrived on the scene around six in the morning. Van Tol says 14 of the 40 rooms had already had tenants. The initial assessment was that the building was a total loss — but Van Tol says they will look at what is left. “I don’t have all the answers yet, but it’s pretty devastating for at least three-quarters of the building,” Van Tol says. “We’ll have to see what we can do with some of the rest of it with smoke damage and that kind of stuff, but right now it’s incredibly devastating.”

The center was built to help with a shortage of assisted living options in Rock Valley and the nearby area. Van Tole says the board will be meeting with its insurance company and hopes to see it rebuilt. There is not word yet on the cause of the fire.

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

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(Radio Iowa) — State Fire Marshal, Dan Wood, reminds you to do a little planning and takes some precautions before setting off any fireworks as you celebrate the nation’s birthday. He says you should try to be 300 feet away from any structure, have a bucket of water nearby to put things out that you are using to light fireworks, and have a fire extinguisher close by. Wood says local officials set the regulations and times for legally shooting off fireworks and you should check your location to be sure you are legal before lighting up any firework. This is the third year that fireworks have been legal and many cities have adjusted their rules.

In Atlantic, fireworks may be used from Noon until 11-p.m. Today (Thursday), and from Noon until 11-p.m. Friday. Any person who violates the provisions of the fireworks discharging ordinance or without reckless intent causes injury, property damage or a fire will be guilty of a scheduled municipal infraction punishable by a $250 fine in addition to established court costs. It is unlawful in Atlantic, to set off fireworks within 300-feet of a public school building, assisted living facility, or hospital. They can only be used on private property.

Newton city leaders considered a total ban on fireworks this year before deciding to restrict their the size of fireworks. They also limited their use to between eight p-m and 11 p-m today (July 4). Newton Fire Chief Jarrod Wellik says the city council will be watching to see if the changes alleviate some of the complaints. “We’re urging people to follow the rules, make sure that if you want to continue to see fireworks be able to be used in the community — you’ve gotta follow the rules that are set out,” Wellik says.

Wellik says a few rule breakers could ruin the whole thing for everyone. For example, he says he saw people shooting off fireworks the other night behind the fire station.”That’s just the example that people are setting that’s gonna give council the ammunition to say ‘we are not going to allow that anymore, if you are not going to follow the rules, we are not going to allow it at all,” Wellik says.

A person who violates Newton’s fireworks regulations faces a fine of at least 250-dollars. Wellik says any fireworks that are allowed by state law can be used outside of the Newton city limits.

Red Oak Police, Wednesday, arrested 19-year old Courtney Ann Hall, from Red Oak. Hall was taken into custody at around 8:12-p.m. in the 300 block of Prospect Street, for Driving While Suspended. Her bond at the Montgomery County Jail was set at slightly more than $566.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says the federal government will give Iowa a $1.5 million grant to install wetlands in targeted locations to improve water quality. The Environmental Protection Agency grant will help install up to six wetlands in the Middle Cedar River watershed.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa parole officer has been fired after an investigation concluded that she abused her power by conspiring with a detective to conduct an illegal search of a drug suspect’s home. Kari White had worked for the Department of Correctional Services for 23 years. The department says she committed “egregious” unethical and unprofessional conduct in working with a Boone police officer to enter a suspect’s home without a warrant. White has appealed her firing and says she acted appropriately.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Kim Reynolds is transforming the Iowa Supreme Court from one that leaned left to a solidly conservative body. The right turn has prompted concerns that it could erode past rulings on social issues. Reynolds already has made two appointments to the seven-member court, which now has a 5-2 Republican majority, and will get a third before here term ends in 2022 because of a mandatory retirement age of 72 for judges.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — An aid package for American farmers hurt by President Donald Trump’s trade war with China has meant big checks for some big operations. Payouts from the Department of Agriculture program included nearly $2.8 million to one Missouri soybean operation. An Associated Press analysis found many other big farms collected hundreds of thousands of dollars. The farms are filing legally, but some longtime critics say the program is the latest example of loopholes that make it easy to elude supposed caps.

Monona County, Iowa — Boaters on Blue Lake, in Onawa, will be restricted to operating their boat at no wake speed, which equates to roughly 5 mph, while the lake level is above flood stage.

The Blue Lake no wake restriction is effective immediately and will remain in place until the water level falls and allows the lake level to return to normal.

Due to the recent heavy rains, the water level on Blue Lake is 18 inches above normal levels and the potential exists for shoreline erosion and damage to docks as well as boater safety issues associated with flood related debris floating just under the water surface.

The DNR reminds boaters to use caution while on the waters this Fourth of July holiday and weekend due to the heavy boat traffic. Keep safety the number one priority and obey all posted rules as well as all boating laws.

Harlan Mayor Gene Gettys said Wednesday, that “Due to heavy rains 6^th Street will be temporarily closed from Chatburn Avenue to Walnut Street. And, Exchange Street from Pine Street to the bridge will remain closed. He apologized for the inconvenience.

Police in Council Bluffs were called Wednesday to the Hub Trampoline Park at 7 S.4th Street, in reference to an accident where a vehicle struck a building. An investigation determined the vehicle was going east, hit a parking meter in the 400 block of 1st Ave and crossed 4th St hitting the building.

photo courtesy Council Bluffs P-D

The driver of the vehicle was identified as Mark Armstrong of Crescent, Iowa. He was transported to a local hospital by ambulance for observation. The vehicle had minor damage and the business sustained about $5000 in damage. There were children in the building at the time, however, no one was injured. Charges are pending against the driver.

The main entrance at Cass County Health System will be closed on Thursday, July 4th for maintenance work and repairs. Hospital officials say all visitors and patients should use the Emergency Department entrance.

The Atlantic Medical Center and most clinics will be closed in observance of the holiday. As always, the Emergency Department will remain open 24/7.