OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Overnight rain has turned to snow and sleet for most of Nebraska, as well as much of northwestern and central Iowa. The National Weather Service issued winter storm warning Saturday for northern and central Nebraska, as well as a winter weather advisory for much of eastern, southwestern and the western edge of the state. The warning stretched in northwestern Iowa, including Sioux City. The winter advisory in Iowa starts at the west-center border and moves northeast and includes Ames and Marshalltown.

The service also warned of high winds across both states gusting up to 65 mph in parts of Nebraska and up to 50 mph in central and southern parts of Iowa. In areas where it’s snowing, the wind is expected to cut visibility and make driving dangerous.

The service says some areas in central, west-central and north-central Nebraska, including Valentine, could get as much as 14 inches of snow by Sunday evening. Numerous accidents have been reported. Police in Omaha were responding to injury accidents only due to the number of crashes. And, while there have been many accidents in the KJAN listening area, we aren’t aware of any injuries that required an ambulance. Roads at mid-day were partially covered with snow in the immediate area, but completely covered further north and west.

For the latest road conditions, call 511 or go to 511ia.org.

(DES MOINES) – Gov. Kim Reynolds ordered flags at half-staff effective immediately and continuing for 30 days to honor former President George HW Bush. “America lost a great leader with the passing of George HW Bush. A man whose legacy is one of service, statesmanship and values,” Gov. Reynolds said. “Last night, we didn’t just lose a patriot who dedicated his life to serving America, but also a loving husband, father and grandfather who now leaves behind a grieving family.  “Our hearts and our prayers continue to go out to the Bush family,” she continued. “It is my hope that as a nation, we will remember his legacy and as leaders in public service, we will work to meet the standard he set for many years to come.”

Flags will be at half-staff on the State Capitol Building and on flag displays in the Capitol Complex. Flags will also be half-staff on all public buildings, grounds and facilities throughout the state. Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties and other government subdivisions are encouraged to fly the flag at half-staff for the same length of time as a sign of respect.

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

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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) — The Iowa Supreme Court has ruled those involved in police chases can be required to pay for damage to patrol cars. The City of Davenport sought seven-thousand dollars for damage to patrol cars that resulted from a high-speed chase of Daryl Shears in 2016. Shears had pled guilty to criminal mischief and eluding officers — but argued the damage to the patrol vehicles was not a direct result of his crimes and he should not have to pay restitution. The Iowa Supreme Court acknowledge that providing damages to victims has until fairly recently been a civil — not criminal action. And says there are questions as to whether a government entity can be considered a victim.

But the ruling says a reasonable fact finder could conclude that police would make an effort to apprehend the speeding Shears and that police vehicles could be damaged. It says most of the state and federal case law dealing with police vehicle crashes supports their conclusion

(Radio Iowa) — Many Iowans are spreading holiday cheer with Christmas displays on their property, but possibly the biggest exhibit is in northwest Iowa’s Plymouth County. For 22 years, the Scheitler family has been hosting “Christmas Acres” – a display of 150,000 lights and around 1,300 plastic figurines and sculptures. Rob Scheitler says his favorite part is interacting with all the people. “I try and be out here every night, especially on weekends when it is busy. We’ll have our tables set up at the end of the driveway with all the candy canes for the kids,” Scheitler said. “On weekends when it is busy, I will be out here with three or four other people just to keep handing out candy canes.”

Word of mouth and social media bring more and more people to Christmas Acres each year. It’s located along Highway 3, about seven miles west of Le Mars. A 16-foot-tall inflatable Santa is one of the more popular decorations. “The kids come down the road and they see that big Santa, they’re going ‘wow look at that!’ It’s neat to hear what the kids have to say,” Scheitler said. The attraction often draws tour buses and church groups. Visitors to Christmas Acres can make donations – with all of the money raised going to local charity.

(Story contribution and thanks to Katie Peikes, Iowa Public Radio)

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports two people were arrested on drug and weapon charges late Friday night, in Corning. Deputies arrested Michael Baker, of Kent, and Shari Lowe, of Lorimor, following a traffic stop at around 10:23-p.m. in the parking lot of the Casey’s General Store, in Corning. During the course of the traffic stop, K9 Baxo was deployed and gave a positive alert to the odor of narcotics. Upon further investigation, Baker was placed under arrest for Possession of a Controlled Substance 1st Offense (marijuana), Possession of a Controlled Substance 1st Offense (Xanax), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Carrying Weapons (a loaded 12-gauge shotgun). Lowe, who was a passenger in the vehicle, was also placed under arrest for Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd or Subsequent Offense and for being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

Shari Lowe

Michael Baker

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports 41-year old Mark Allen Raines, of Villisca, was arrested at around 11:55-p.m. Friday, for Domestic Abuse by Strangulation, 3rd or subsequent offense. Raines was taken into custody at a residence in  the 600 block of E. 3rd Street, in Villisca, and was transported to the Montgomery County Jail. He was being held without bond in the jail, pending an appearance before a Magistrate.

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

AMES, Iowa (AP) — As if getting a parking ticket wasn’t bad enough, the city of Ames is informing those who recently paid parking fines that their private information _ including credit and debit card numbers _ may have been stolen. The city said in a news release Friday that a data breach may have affected 4,600 people who paid parking tickets using the online system between Aug. 10 and Nov. 19.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Learfield Sports says it will not air a radio ad supporting suspended Iowa play-by-play broadcaster Gary Dolphin. Loyal Hawkeye Fans, Inc. is buying time to air the pro-Dolphin ad during his two-game suspension. Learfield suspended Dolphin for comments directed at Hawkeyes guard Maishe Dailey that inadvertently made it to air during halftime in Tuesday’s game against Pitt.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say an 18-year-old Drake University student who reported being the target of racist notes is responsible for four of five of the notes recently left in residence halls. The Des Moines Register reports that the female student, whose name was not released Friday, faces criminal harassment charges. School officials say the four notes are “copycat hoaxes” of an initial racist letter slipped under the door of a different student in early November.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Democratic candidate in a northeast Iowa House district who is trailing by just nine votes has asked a judge to halt certification of votes for the race so the court can decide whether 33 uncounted ballots that lack a postmark should be included in the vote total. Attorneys for Kayla Koether argued Friday for a temporary injunction to stop Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate from certifying incumbent Republican Michael Bergan as the House District 55 winner on Monday.

(Radio Iowa) — A businessman in southwest Iowa is seeking a special gift this holiday — a kidney. Zac Denton, who manages the Sapp Brothers Travel Center in Percival, has stage 3 kidney disease. Doctors say only two things will keep him alive: dialysis or a transplant. Denton is on a waiting list for a kidney transplant and estimates about 150-thousand other people are on that same list.

“There’s that many people who are waiting for a kidney,” Denton says. “So, I’m one of many that are in a particular situation. Unfortunately, there’s just not enough organs to go around. Every year, I have to re-up on the list and make sure I’m physically capable of going through with that sort of surgery and that I continue to qualify to be on that list.” About a year ago, Denton entered the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s transplant evaluation process, in the hopes of finding a donor.

“On any given moment, between now and when a kidney is found for me, a phone call could be made,” Denton says. “At that point, from my understanding, I have 15 minutes to decide if I choose to take that kidney that’s available for me at that time, and then I have an hour to make it into Omaha to be prepared for surgery.” While dialysis will keep him alive, Denton’s kidney function is down to less than five-percent. That’s why Denton, who lives in Papillion, Nebraska, urges people to consider organ donations — not only for him, but for others in need, as well.

“I was in fairly good health prior to this,” he says. “It can effect anybody. Get checked out. Don’t be stubborn. Most guys typically don’t like going to see the doctor. If there’s signs you’re not feeling well and there’s something wrong, you should probably get it checked out.” Anyone can join the hospital’s Living Donor Team. Fill out a questionnaire at https://secure.nebraskamed.com/livingdonor.