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

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Sherry Toelle of Atlantic was awarded the title of “2018 Outstanding County Chair” during a Third District Hall of Fame Dinner in Des Moines on Friday, October 5th. The award was presented by the Third District Democratic Party Central Committee. Toelle was cited for the local party’s community outreach–food drives, school supplies drive, and clothing drives–as well as her commitment to the Cass County Democrats.

Cass Co. Democratic Party Chair Sherry Toelle

Upon accepting the award, Toelle said, “Thank you all for the honor. While there is no “I” in “team”, there is an “I” in “family” and we are a family who work together toward a common goal–electing Democrats to office and serving the public. So many people say we are bleeding heart liberals but we don’t offer a hand out; we offer a hand up!” She also stated that her motto, since becoming County Chair in mid-July, 2008, has been “we may be small, but we are mighty!” That motto has been repeated often by the party’s accomplishments within Cass County as well as within the Democratic Party. “I have a strong core group of volunteers and party activists that I rely on throughout the year so I want to share this award with them,” she concluded.

There are sixteen counties in the Third Congressional District which ranges from Council Bluffs to Des Moines.

DONNELLSON, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say two people died after a head-on collision in southeast Iowa. The crash occurred about 11:50 p.m. Saturday on Iowa Highway 2 between Donnellson and Fort Madison. The Iowa State Patrol says a westbound sport utility vehicle crossed the center line and struck an oncoming car. Both drivers were fatally injured. The patrol identified the car driver as 47-year-old Vincent Seaver, of Hamilton, Illinois. The SUV driver’s name hasn’t been released.

(Radio Iowa) — Harvest season will kick into high gear once Iowa gets an extended period of dry weather and that means large farm machinery will be traveling the state’s roadways. Iowa State Patrol Trooper Vince Kurtz is calling on motorists to be patient and prepared. “Even though you may end up following a tractor for several miles at 35 miles an hour, in the grand scheme of things, it’s really only going to cost you a couple minutes of your time,” Kurtz says. “As opposed to the danger that you could be putting yourself and your family in by making a poor pass or by going too fast, not paying attention, and possibly rear-end that implement coming up over the top of a hill.”

Farmers can help reduce the chances of a crash by properly marking their machinery. “That all begins with a SMV (slow moving vehicle) triangle at the back of every vehicle you’re pulling,” Kurtz says. “So, if you’re pulling a wagon, you have to have that SMV triangle on the back of that wagon and visible. If you’re pulling another piece of equipment, make sure you have it at the back of that train.”

Farmers working after dark should also have a red light at the rear of the vehicle and flashing amber lights. Kurtz says he’s been called to three or four accidents involving farm equipment within the last month.

(Radio Iowa) — Republican Congressman David Young and his Democratic challenger, Cindy Axne, both say they favor hiring more agents and using drones to patrol some areas. But the two quarreled about another immigration-related issue last (Sunday) night during a debate broadcast on K-M-A Radio.
“If we lose this seat and Nancy Pelosi becomes speaker, their agenda is basically to have a borderless society and to get rid of ICE.”

Young is referring to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. Axne responded. “I have never once said that I would abolish ICE,” Axne said. “…I don’t think scare tactics are an appropriate way to address these issues.” This summer, a group of House Democrats introduced a bill to abolish the agency and appoint a commission to examine how asylum seekers are handled at the southern border. During last (Sunday) night’s debate, Young, Axne and Libertarian Party candidate Bryan Jack Holder all expressed opposition to the policy of separating children from parents crossing the border and seeking asylum in the United States.

The U.S. health care system was also an issue of pointed discussion during last (Sunday) night’s debate. Holder revealed he’s been uninsured for several years because he has a pre-existing condition. “When the Democrats were in charge of congress, they could have put through single payer, but they didn’t have the political courage to do that,” Holder said. “instead, they threw us to the wolves, to the predatory health insurance companies.”

Young and Axne quarrelled over Young’s record on federal policy toward Americans with pre-existing conditions. The candidates also used some of their air time last (Sunday) night to introduce themselves to voters. Holder, the Libertarian, touted what he calls the “Iowa Compromise.” It would double the size of the U.S. House of Representatives from 435 to 870 members, so there would be smaller districts.

The National Weather Service has expanded a FLOOD WATCH which is in effect from 7-a.m. today (Monday) through 7-a.m. Wednesday, for the entire KJAN listening area.

* Periods with heavy rainfall are forecast through the period. Expect an area with heavy rain beginning this morning with additional bouts tonight and again Tuesday and Tuesday night. Total accumulations after multiple days of rain may reach as high as three to six inches.

* Saturated soils in addition to expected heavy rainfall will lead to significant runoff into area streams and may result in extensive overland flooding and ponding water. Localized flash flooding may also occur. In addition, widespread river flooding may occur across the northern half of Iowa.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A Flood Watch means there is a potential for flooding based on current forecasts. You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.

Police in Council Bluffs say warrants have been issued in connection with a murder that took place Sunday afternoon. Active warrants charge 69-year old Kenneth Still, of Council Bluffs, with Murder in the 1st Degree and Felon In Possession of a Firearm, in connection to the death of 21-year old Devon M. Theisen, of Council Bluffs. Still is considered to be armed and dangerous. He’s believed to be driving a green 2000 Nissen Xterra SUV with license plate G-O-M 2-6-2

Suspect’s green Nissan Xterra

Kenneth Still

Authorities say officers were called just before 3-p.m. Sunday to 127 Park Avenue, for a shooting that had just occurred at that location.  When officers arrived, they found Theisen on the front porch, with what appeared to be a gunshot wound to the head.  Witnesses told officers at the scene that the victim was involved in a disturbance with the suspect, Kenneth Still.

They told police that at some point during the incident, Still grabbed a shot gun inside the residence and fired one round, striking Theisen in the head.  Still then left the area in the Nissan SUV and had not been located as of the latest report. Theisen was transported by ambulance to the Nebraska Medical Center where he died from his injuries.

If you have any information on Still’s location please call 911.

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

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Sen. Cory Booker says President Donald Trump’s recent criticisms don’t bother him, and he welcomes a discussion of his record as the former mayor of Newark and his work in the Senate. The New Jersey Democrat is in Iowa, the lead-off presidential caucus state, as he weighs running for president in 2020.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — A Davenport man has been arrested and charged in the June shooting death of another man. The Quad-City Times reports that 37-year-old Deondra Lamont Thomas appeared in court Saturday morning to face charges of first-degree murder and a weapons county in the June 9 shooting death of 46-year-old Jason Roberts.

COLO, Iowa (AP) — A registered sex offender in Iowa faces new charges after investigators say he molested several young boys on camping trips to a Story County park. Des Moines television station KCCI reports that 30-year-old Michael Ferguson took several boys between the ages of 9 and 14 camping at Hickory Grove Park in Colo between May 2017 and February. Court documents say Ferguson forced at least four children to perform sexual acts.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — The western Iowa jury has found a man guilty of first-degree murder in the killing of another homeless man at a Council Bluffs homeless shelter. The Daily Nonpareil reports that 46-year-old Vance Good was found guilty Friday in the March stabbing death of 44-year-old Lee Johnson. Good is one of four men charged in Johnson’s death, including 20-year-old James McCauley, who also faces a first-degree murder charge.

The National Weather Service, in its Flood Outlook for the next few days, reports moderate to heavy rain starts later tonight and continues on and off through Wednesday morning. This rain will lead to rises on area creeks/streams/rivers and may cause localized flash flooding. Widespread river flooding is possible over northern and parts of central Iowa. For More information -> https://www.weather.gov/dmx/sitrep.

The National Weather Service has issued a FLASH FLOOD WATCH in effect from 7-a.m. Monday through 7-a.m. Wednesday for the following area counties: Cass-Adair-Audubon-Guthrie-Dallas, Pottawattamie, Mills, Harrison, Shelby, Sac, Crawford, and Carroll.

A frontal system south of Iowa this evening will lift into the state overnight and then stall southwest to northeast Monday and Tuesday before finally exiting Wednesday morning. Unusually high amounts of moisture for fall will be in place near the system allowing for repetitive moderate to heavy rains. Total accumulations after multiple days of rain may reach as high as four to six inches across west central and northwest Iowa with two to four inch totals possible central and southeast.

* Soils are already at or near saturation so much of the rainfall will runoff into streams, creeks and rivers and may result in extensive overland flooding and standing water, ponding water on roads and even localized flash flooding. This is in addition to the potential of widespread river flooding across the northern half of Iowa.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… A Flood Watch means there is a potential for flooding based on current forecasts. You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.