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No injuries reported following collision in Red Oak, Monday evening

News

June 30th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

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.

Train vs. pedestrian accident in Council Bluffs

News

June 30th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

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.

Iowa early News Headlines: Tuesday, June 30, 2020

News

June 30th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

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.

(Update) Schrier Auto Body fire quickly knocked down

News

June 29th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

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.

NE man arrested on various sex charges in Fremont County

News

June 29th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

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.

Multiple fire departments called to Schrier Auto Body & Restoration

News

June 29th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Several area fire departments were called at around 7:45-p.m. to an active fire at Schrier Auto Body & Restoration, at 72031 690th Street, south of Cumberland. Cumberland and Massena Fire were responding to the scene, along with a tanker truck from the Grant Fire Department.

Additional details are currently not available.

Bridgewater man arrested on assault warrant & assault w/injury; 2 from WI arrested on drug charges

News

June 29th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports six arrests took place over the past week. Two people were arrested Saturday: 34-year old Michael Eugene Matherly, of Creston, was arrested for Interference with official acts, Disorderly Conduct by fighting or violence, and on an Adair County warrant for Violation of a No Contact or Protective Order/Contempt of Court. He was being held in the Adair County Jail on a $300 cash-only bond. Authorities say Matherly knowlingly resisted or obstructs an Adair County Deputy and Greenfield Police Officer, in the performance of their duty, and had engaged in fighting or violent behavior at a convenience store. He was arrested only after being tasered outside the convenience store after refusing to obey law enforcement’s orders.

Also arrested Saturday, was 21-year old Billy Ray Hebert, of Creston (The address on his Adair County warrant showed Mexico, MO.). Hebert was taken into custody on a warrant for Domestic Abuse Assault with injury/mental illness -1st offense, and two counts of Assault Causing Bodily Injury or Mental Illness. His cash bond was set at $1,000.

Late Friday night, Adair County Deputies arrested 22-year old Keigan Eugene Armstrong, of Bridgewater, on an Adair County warrant for Sexual Abuse in the 3rd Degree and Child Endangerment. He was also cited for Assault on Peace Officer for head-butting the officer while resisting arrest. Armstrong’s actions caused the officer to be injured, and fall to the ground. Armstrong remains in the Adair County Jail on a $55,000 cash-only bond.

On the 24th of June, 20-year old Jonathan Trung Tin Huynh, of Urbandale, was arrested by Police in Stuart, for OWI/1st offense. He was later released on a $1,000 cash or surety (c/s) bond. On June 21st, 24-year old Kaleb Dupree Weaver and 23-year old Marissa Marie Zuniga, both of Racine, WI., were arrested at around 2:45-a.m., following a traffic stop for speeding 90 mph in a 70 mph zone on I-80. An Iowa State Patrol Trooper approached the vehicle and detected a strong odor of raw marijuana.

Zuniga was driving the vehicle. She initially denied having any marijuana in the vehicle. When asked about the smell, Weaver, who was a passenger in the SUV, produced a small container from the glove box containing a green leafy substance. A subsequent search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of additional containers of marijuana, along with receipts. A Conservation Officer assisted in the search, and found a backpack with commercially packaged marijuana, with additional packages in the center console containing packaged THC gummy products. There were also an unusual number of air fresheners in the SUV.

Zuniga and Weaver were both charged with Possession of Marijuana. Zuniga faces additional charges that include Possession of a Controlled Substance in a vehicle, and Drug Tax Stamp Violations. Her C/S bond was set at $5,000. Bond for Weaver was set at $1,000 C/S.

Iowa governor signs abortion law amid court challenge

News

June 29th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

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.

Mills County Sheriff’s report (6/29)

News

June 29th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports four separate arrests: On Saturday, 19-year old Jacob Serrona, of Omaha, was arrested for OWI/1st offense. And, 22-year old Dakota M. Grund, of Louisville, NE., was arrested on a Pottawattamie County warrant for Probation Violation.

Last Friday, 46-year old Jerry Lee Dawson, of Shenandoah, was arrested for Driving While Barred. And, 50-year old Brian Chigogora, of Omaha, was arrested on a warrant for Violation of Probation.

Upturn in Iowa COVID cases isn’t second wave, it’s ‘first wave getting worse’

News

June 29th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) — Deaths from COVID-19 in Iowa surpassed 700 over the weekend, while also reaching 500-thousand deaths globally. With new cases on the rise in some Iowa counties after having leveled off earlier, concerns are growing among health officials. Sam Jarvis, spokesman for the Johnson County Health Department in Iowa City, says they’re seeing a spike in new daily cases, with the majority in people between 18 and 25 years old.

“Certainly, as things are getting less restrictive, people I think are operating under the assumption that COVID might be over and it’s certainly not,” Jarvis says. “It’s still within our community and certainly in the state and the nation.” Nola Aigner, with the Polk County Health Department in Des Moines, says the county’s average daily case count has decreased this month. Aigner fears the trend could easily reverse if Iowans don’t take precautions, like wearing face coverings and social distancing.

“That’s what worries us because we know as a state, we’re behind,” Aigner says. “We were one of the last to peak and so that makes us very worried.” A sudden surge in cases in the Quad Cities is occurring among teenagers and young adults. Doctor Louis Katz, Medical Director of the Rock Island County Health Department in Rock Island, Illinois, says too many people are ignoring the advice they’ve heard so many times already, to wear a mask, wash your hands, keep social distancing, and stay home.

“You need to look at every asymptomatic person in the community as a loaded gun,” Katz says. “We don’t allow people to point loaded guns at other people and we shouldn’t be in public venues where social distancing is impossible or difficult, without a mask.” Katz says in April and May, the average age of infected people in the Quad Cities was 59, but during the last week it’s dropped to 29. Amy Thoreson, deputy director of the Scott County Health Department in Davenport, says 40 new cases were reported in the county last Thursday, and more possible infections are still being investigated.

“The positive case reports kept coming in like winnings on a slot machine,” Thoreson says. “We have never seen anything like it and I have colleagues who have been here for over 40 years.” State health officials say Iowans between the ages of 18 and 40 make up the largest and fastest-growing group reporting new COVID-19 infections. Dr. Katz says, “This is not the second wave. This is just the first wave getting worse as we have undertaken reopening.”

(By Natalie Krebs, Iowa Public Radio and Herb Trix, WVIK, Rock Island)