(Corning, Iowa) – The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports one person was injured during an accident today (Monday). The Adams County Communications Center took a report about a semi-tractor trailer in the ditch between Highway 34 and Prescott. An investigation determined the semi, driven by Sydney Damewood, of Prescott, was traveling south in a 1999 Kenworth semi, when for reasons unknown, the vehicle left the road and entered the east ditch before it came to rest. Damewood was transported to a local hospital by Prescott Fire and Rescue. The semi sustained about $20,000 worth of damage.

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports also, four-people were arrested recently.

• 19-year-old Mya Squibbs, of Corning, was arrested today (Dec. 2nd) for Driving While License Suspended, No SR-22 Insurance, and Possession of a Controlled Substance in a Correctional Facility. Squibbs was being held on $5,600 cash only bond.
• 61-year-old Dennis Nekuda, of Corning, was arrested Sunday for Violation of a Protection Order. Nekuda was later released after posting $300 bond; Adams County Deputies also arrested 50-year-old Cherokie Davis, of Corning, on Sunday for Violation of a Protection Order/Aiding and Abetting. Davis was released from the Adams County Jail on a promise to appear in court.
• And, 21-year-old Brianna Long, of Anita, was arrested Monday on an active Ringgold County warrant for Driving While Suspended. Long posted the $300 cash only bond and was released.

(McClelland, Iowa) – The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office today (Monday), released information with regard to a fatality accident that occurred Sunday night, near McClelland. Authorities say deputies were dispatched at around 7-p.m. to the area of 22834 265th Street, along with the Underwood and McClelland Fire Departments.

A vehicle occupied by four juveniles had crashed. First responders administered aid to the juveniles, one of whom was transported to Mercy Hospital, where they succumbed to their injuries. Due to the seriousness of the crash, Pott. County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Accident Investigators responded to the scene. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

The names of the juveniles were not officially released while the accident remains under investigation, but officials with the Underwood Community Schools posted on social media they were “Saddened by the news regarding [the] accident,” and to “please keep the Jastoroff family in your thoughts and prayers as they navigate this difficult time.” The family identified the accident victim who died, as 14-year-old Liam Jastorff.

The school announced also that tonight’s (Monday night’s) home basketball games (JH and HS) have been postponed. Make-up dates will be communicated once they are set.

(Creston, Iowa) – One person complained of pain/possible injury, following an accident Friday afternoon in Union County. The Union County Sheriff’s Office reports a 2017 Dodge pickup driven by 39-year-old Jeremiah Swietlik, of Kellerton, was traveling south on Highway 169 near Nuthatch Avenue at around 1:55-p.m., when, according to Swietlik, he looked down for something. As he did so, his pickup crossed the center line of the road and sideswiped a northbound 2006 GMC pickup that was pulling a car trailer, and driven by 43-year-old Ryan Still, of Mount Ayr.

The Dodge pickup went out of control after it contacted the GMC pickup, and entered the east ditch before rolling over twice and coming to rest on its wheels. The car trailer became detached from Still’s pickup after being hit as well. The trailer came to rest in the east ditch. Authorities say the trailer was destroyed by the collision with the Dodge pickup. The total amount of damage was estimated at $13,500.

No citations were issued, but the report stated Swietlik failed to maintain the proper lane.

(Radio Iowa) – Dubuque is unveiling a first-in-Iowa initiative aimed at reducing fines and fees for low-income residents. The Equitable Fines and Fees Program will meet those residents where they live and connect them with area networks and resources to alleviate utility fines for missed payments. Antonio Mouzon heads Dubuque’s Office of Community Impact and he created the program. He’s hopeful residents will be more likely to ask for help where they’re comfortable, instead of at a city office.

“We really hope to find success in building relationships between our local government and our residents, meeting people at their homes, having them see our smiling faces, us see theirs,” Mouzon says. “We’re learning their names and building that trust so residents are more likely to invest in these programs.” Mouzon says the initiative is rooted in trying to correct inequity in the criminal justice system.

“Residents who are standing in front of that judge can only serve in our community at a rate of $7.25 an hour. That is not equitable,” he says. “If you have a $1,500 or even a $1,000 fine, you’re going to have to serve for quite some time.”

The program is scheduled to launch on New Year’s Day and could eventually be expanded to include legal fees.

(Radio Iowa) – The new “State of Lung Cancer” report from the American Lung Association ranks Iowa number-39 out of 49 states for new rates of lung cancer. Iowa also ranked worse than the national average on lung cancer survival rates and early diagnosis. Kristina Hamilton, spokeswoman for the state chapter of the American Lung Association, says one recommendation is that policymakers increase the state tax on cigarettes.

“The cigarette tax hasn’t been raised in Iowa since 2007,” Hamilton says, “so of course, the economy has changed so much since 2007, it’s really past time for Iowa to increase cigarette taxes.” Hamilton says cigarette smoking is a leading cause of lung cancer in the state.

Another area that needs attention from policymakers is Iowa’s high radon rates, as she says policies could help to reduce radon exposure, and to encourage the building of radon-resistant buildings.

(Guthrie Center, Iowa) – A man from Dallas County escaped injury last week, after his pickup left the road and struck a light pole. The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office reports 57-year-old William B. Clauson, of Dexter, was driving a 2017 Chevy pickup truck eastbound on 330th Street at around 8:25-a.m., Thursday (Nov. 26th), when he became blinded by the rising sun.

The pickup went off the right side of the road, entered the east ditch and struck a Guthrie County REC electric pole, before coming to rest. Damage to the pickup was estimated to be around $14,000. The vehicle was declared a total loss. A fence owned by Doud Martin, of Dexter, sustained $1,000 damage, and damage to the light pole was estimated at $2,000.

No citations were issued.