(Radio Iowa) — Governor Kim Reynolds has taken action on a host of bills, including three that deal with marijuana, alcohol and cigarettes. When bars and restaurants were closed this spring due to the pandemic, Governor Reynolds issued a proclamation allowing the sale of carry-out cocktails in addition to take-out food. Now, Iowa has become the first state to permanently allow bars and restaurants to sell mixed drinks to go.

The governor has also signed a bill into law that changes the state’s medical marijuana program. The new 90-day dosage maximum is four-and-a-half grams of T-H-C — the active ingredient in cannabis and physicians assistants, nurse practitioners and podiatrists may now sign the paperwork so Iowans can legally buy cannabis products at state-licensed dispensaries. Post-traumatic stress and severe intractable autism are now on the list of conditions for which medical professionals may recommend cannabis as a treatment.

Reynolds has also signed the bill that raises the legal age for buying tobacco products from 18 to 21. It mirrors a recent federal change, lets local officials start ticketing violators and ensures Iowa doesn’t lose $3.2 million in federal funding for substance abuse programs.

Penalties for animal abuse will be increased by another bill the governor signed. She’s also approved creation of a “blue alert” similar to “amber alerts” for suspected of child kidnapping. A blue alert will go out statewide if someone in law enforcement has been seriously injured or killed and there’s a threat to the public from a suspect or suspects who haven’t been arrested.

Red Oak Police, Red Oak Rescue and Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputies all responded Monday evening to a collision between a car and a pickup. The crash happened at around 5:40-p.m. at the intersection of N. 2nd and E. Hammond Streets. Authorities say a 2004 Oldsmobile Alero driven by Stephen Richard Purcell, of Red Oak, was westbound on E. Hammond, and failed to stop at the controlled intersection. His car was struck by a 2005 Ford F-150, driven by Melissa Hummel, of Red Oak. No injuries were reported.

Officials say damage from the collision amounted to $7,500. Purcell was cited for Failure to Obey A Stop Sign.

Police in Council Bluffs report Officers were dispatched at around 10:38-p.m., Monday, to 2nd Avenue and S. 12th Street, where a pedestrian had been struck by a train. After Officers located the subject, they applied pressure to the person’s wounds until medics arrived. The individual was transported by medics to a local hospital. The case was under investigation by Union Pacific Railroad Police. Additional information was not available early this (Tuesday) morning.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:20 a.m. CDT

UNDATED (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has signed a bill requiring women to wait 24 hours to get an abortion. The law is similar to one struck down by the Iowa Supreme Court two years ago. Reynolds signed the measure into law Monday as lawyers for Planned Parenthood of the Heartland and the state were wrapping up arguments before a state court judge who must now decide whether to immediately halt its enforcement. Planned Parenthood claims the bill is unconstitutional in the way it was passed in the middle of the night and that it violates due process and equal protection rights of women seeking an abortion.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A state inspection report says a nursing assistant who worked while sick may have introduced the coronavirus into an Iowa nursing home where fifteen residents died.The report says the employee was allowed to keep working because the Crystal Heights Care Center in Oskaloosa failed to screen staff members for symptoms at the beginning of their shifts. It says that employees were allowed to “self-screen” without independent monitoring.The Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals has cited the home and proposed a $8,750 fine. Home administrator Jay Wills says the facility is disputing the violation, saying the state had approved its screening plan.

ALGONA, Iowa (AP) — A group still plans to hold a three-day motorcycle rally in northern Iowa that’s expected to attract thousands of bikers despite the concerns of local officials that the event could spread the coronavirus. Local officials usually welcome the annual Freedom Rally held on a farm northeast of Algona, but this year’s event planned for Thursday to Saturday has officials worried. Algona is in Kossuth County, which has had 32 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and no reported deaths. But officials think that could change because of the motorcycle rally, which typically draws 10,000 bikers. Organizers say they are encouraging social distancing and are calling for riders to limit trips into Algona.

An electric box that began arching Monday evening at Schrier Auto Body & Restoration south of Cumberland, ignited sand paper in a cabinet, but the flames were quickly knocked-down by crews from Cumberland and Massena. The incident at 72031 690th Street happened at around 7:45-p.m., as multiple zone alarms went off inside the building, alerting the Cass County Communications Center.

Ric Hanson/photo

Cumberland Fire Chief Brad Penton told KJAN News some flammable liquids were in the area, but thanks to advance notice from firefighter Jeremy Hardisty, who works at the shop and was responding with the pumper truck, crews knew where the flammables were located. Penton said Corning and Grant Fire were initially paged out for extra manpower and tanker support, but they were cancelled enroute.  Penton thanked Massena, Corning and Grant Fire for helping out and being willing to respond.

Damage to the interior of the building was estimated at $5,000-to $10,000 and a vehicle inside sustained some heat damage to a plastic exterior panel. No injuries were reported.

Sheriff’s Deputies in Fremont County, Monday, arrested 65-year old Freddie “Fred” Dean Phillips, of Syracuse, Nebraska, on one count of Lascivious Conduct with a Minor,and one count of Assault with Intent to Commit Sexual Abuse.

Fred “Freddie” Phillips

Deputies were contacted about a possible sexual assault by Phillips on a juvenile that occurred in late May of 2020 in Waubonsie State Park.  During the investigation, the victim alleged a second event previously occurred in Johnson County, Nebraska.  Fremont County Deputies, along with Deputies from the Johnson County, Nebraska Sheriff’s Office, conducted a joint investigation, leading to the charges.

Phillips was being held without bail, pending the initial appearance with the Fremont County Magistrate.  Phillips is also being held pending extradition for a felony warrant out of Nebraska.