The Union County Sheriff’s Office has released a report about an accident that took place at around 12:30-a.m. Friday. Officials say 25-year old Nathan Drew Simington, of Lewis, was driving a 1995 Chevy Astro van eastbound on U-S Highway 34, when the vehicle went out of control due to the icy road conditions. The van slid off the road and into a large hole. No injuries were reported. The passenger side of the van sustained about $5,000 damage.

And a man from Afton reported to the Union County Sheriff’s Office Sunday night, that sometime between Dec. 16th and 18th, someone took his green 1995 Jeep Cherokee with plate AF660 that was parked at the end of his driveway.

GILMAN, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a 90-year-old man died in central Iowa after falling into a water well on Christmas Day. The Marshalltown Times-Republican reports that first responders were sent to a property in rural Gilman around 9:10 a.m. Monday. Gilman Fire & Rescue says the man was pulled out around 20 minutes later from about 6 feet underground. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.

Authorities identified the man as Maurice Tufte. It’s unclear what led to his falling into the well.

DES MOINES – The Iowa DNR suggests you and your family spend New Year’s Day by taking a “First Day Hike” in one of 27 participating Iowa state parks! Hikers can expect to be surrounded by the quiet beauty of nature in winter, and experience spectacular views, beautiful settings and the cultural treasures offered by Iowa’s state parks.  All 50 states are hosting hikes as part of America’s First Day Hikes initiative. In its seventh year, the national event encourages everyone to celebrate the New Year with a guided outdoor exploration. Last year, more than 1,200 people began the year in an Iowa state park, hiking more than 1,100 total miles.

In the listening area, First Day Hikes will take place at the following parks:

• Lewis and Clark State Park
• Prairie Rose State Park
• Springbrook State Park
• Green Valley State Park
• Lake Anita State Park
• Viking Lake State Park
• Waubonsie State Park
• Wilson Island State Recreation Area

Staff and volunteers will lead free, guided First Day Hikes in Iowa’s 27 participating state parks. Some hikes will include wildlife viewing and hot beverages. Hikes will average one to two miles or longer depending on the location. Details about the hikes can be found at www.iowadnr.gov/firstdayhikes. To see a comprehensive national map of First Day Hikes, visit www.stateparks.org  Participants are encouraged to share their adventures on social media with #FirstDayHikes or #iowastateparks.

An inmate at the Pottawattamie County Jail in Council Bluffs, was charged with Criminal Mischief in the 4th Degree, Tuesday, after he allegedly caused $300 damage to a sprinkler head in the jail. The incident involving 36-year old Arthur Jarrod Crum, of Council Bluffs, occurred at around 3:20-p.m. Crum remains held in the jail without bond, for three counts of Criminal Mischief in the 4th Degree, and a charge of Simple Assault.

And, 33-year old Jared John Thomas Owens, of Council Bluffs, who was being held in the Pott. County Jail without bond on three counts of sexual abuse in the 2nd Degree, as well as on a North Carolina warrant for being a Fugitive from Justice, was served with additional papers for three counts of Violating of a No Contact Order. Owens was returned to the custody of jail staff.

The Adair County Board of Supervisors will hold their regular weekly meeting Thursday morning, in Greenfield. The meeting begins at 9-a.m., as usual, and features: Discussion with regard to High School Job Experience; An update from Jon Schaefer, Boy Scout Troop 115, with regard to Courthouse Flags, and a report from County Treasurer Brenda Wallace, with regard to computer bids.

County Engineer Nick Kauffman will present to the Board, contracts for their signatures, with regard to crack sealing, and grading projects, along with his regular report on maintenance and activities.

More area and State 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., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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LE MARS, Iowa (AP) — A trial has been delayed again for a northwest Iowa man accused of stabbing to death his sister. The trial had been set to begin Jan. 30 for 35-year-old Thomas Bibler. He’s pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, willful injury and going armed with intent in connection with the June 11, 2016, stabbing death of 27-year-old Shannon Bogh, of Le Mars. He was arrested that day after a short standoff at his Le Mars apartment.

On Tuesday a judge granted a defense request to remove an expert witness and seek another. The judge also said a new trial date would be set after a Jan. 26 status conference. Previous trial starting dates for Bibler were Dec. 19, May 16, Feb. 14 and Dec. 13, 2016.

Page County Sheriff Lyle Palmer reports the Page County Sheriff’s Office’ “Operation Blessing” was a success for 2017, and Palmer thanks to everyone who donated to it this year. Without the support of the individuals, organizations, business’s, and groups who unselfishly gave to this program, Palmer says it would not have been possible. Year after year people have continued to support this program some since the beginning in the early 1980’s. From the money and items donated this year, the Page County Sheriff’s Office provided Christmas gifts to 16 families. That meant that 34 children in Page County received presents for Christmas this year from Page County Sheriff’s Office Operation Blessing program.

A sincere THANK YOU from all of us at the Page County Sheriff’s Office for the support shown by the area to make this program a success. We look forward to continuing this program in the years to come with your support. Sheriff Palmer said “I would also like to thank our staff for the extra work that they put into this program. From the call taking, to the wrapping, to the delivery, they have gone above and beyond once again to ensure that children have a gift to open on Christmas. We at the Page County Sheriff’s Office want to wish everyone a safe and a happy New Year!!

Iowans who want to learn more about their ancestry may be tempted to buy one of the D-N-A testing kits that tell them about their heritage — and much more. Consumer consultant Claudia Lombana says the kits go well beyond your genetic roots and can give you access to more than 25 D-N-A-based products, including what type of wine may best suit you to a host of health and fitness information. Lombana says, “If we talk about fitness and nutrition, there are a couple of kits that will tell you based on your specific DNA the types of exercise that are best for you, the type of nutrition that is best for you.”

For the purchase price, the consumer simply has to spit into a tube, seal it, send it in and wait for the results to come back. The data can be fascinating and very helpful. “You might be predisposed to high cholesterol but it doesn’t mean your sibling will be,” Lombana says. “It doesn’t mean you’re going to get it but at least it lets you know, ‘Wow, I have a predisposition to this so maybe I should cut back on my salt,’ or cut back on sugar if you have a predisposition to diabetes. There are differences and a lot of great insights and information you can find out.”

For those who want to stick to the basics, Lombana says some kits can follow your D-N-A back centuries.  “You can dive deeper into your ancestry and it will even tell you the migration paths of your ancestors and the percentage of Neanderthal that you have in you,” she says, laughing. “So, some really interesting and cool things that you can find out.”  Lombana says before making the purchase, do some homework. Prices vary on what you want to find out, from as little as 50-dollars to several hundred dollars.

(Radio Iowa)