(In an update to our report earlier today) The Iowa State Patrol has identified the victim of a fatal head-on crash in Carroll County. Authorities say the driver of a 1996 Toyota Camry, 57-year old Linda Lee Smith, of Coon Rapids, died in the crash that happened at around 1:50-p.m. Tuesday on Highway 71, south of 250th Street.

The Patrol says Smith was traveling south on Highway 71 when, for reasons unknown, her car crossed the centerline of the road and struck a 2004 Toyota RAV4, head-on. Both vehicles came to rest on the east shoulder of the road. Smith died at the scene. The driver of the RAV4, 26-year old Corie Jean Walsh, of Glidden, suffered non-life threatening injuries and transported to St. Anthony Hospital in Carroll, by Carroll County EMS.

The accident remains under investigation.

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

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SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A Sioux City man has been accused of punching and choking his 12-year-old son and assaulting other members of his family. Court records say 35-year-old JT Ring is charged with child endangerment causing serious injury, two counts of assault, one count of domestic abuse assault and with violation of parole. His attorney didn’t immediately return a call Wednesday from The Associated Press.

Ring was arrested Monday evening after getting into an argument with his son and others at a Sioux City home. Police say Ring was angered when his son took away his alcohol, so he punched him and started to choke him. Police say Ring also pushed his mother and punched his 11-year-old niece.  Ring is due in court Tuesday.

The area’s top news at 7:06-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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Officials with Project ChildSafe, a nationwide firearms safety education program, report the Red Oak Police Department has partnered with organization to provide free firearm safety kits to local residents. Red Oak Police Chief Justin Rhamy said in a press release, “We encourage residents to pick up a Project ChildSafe safety kit so that they can securely store their firearm.” The Chief says “Each kits contains a safety curriculum and cable-style gun lock, that fits most types of handguns, rifles and shotguns.” The goal, he says, “Is to prevent a child or any other unauthorized person from accessing a firearm in your home.”

The safety kits will be distributed at the Red Oak Police Department Office at the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center during the month of June. Project ChildSafe, a program developed by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, has distributed more than 37 million firearm safety kits throughout the country, since 2003.

The program is supported by the U-S Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance, and the firearms industry.

One person was killed, another hurt, in a head-on collision Tuesday afternoon near Carroll. The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of an accident near the intersection of Highway 71 and 250th Street. An initial investigation determined a maroon Toyota Camry was traveling southbound on 71 and crossed the centerline for unknown reasons. The Camry struck a northbound Toyota RAV4.

The driver of the Camry was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the RAV4 was transported to St. Anthony Regional Hospital by Carroll County Emergency Medical Services for treatment of injuries. The names of those involved in the crash have not yet been released.

(Radio Iowa)

Police in Council Bluffs, Tuesday evening arrested a man on one count of Sexual Abuse in the 3rd Degree, following a reported disturbance at around 6:41-p.m. in the vicinity of 9th Street and Avenue I. Authorities say upon arrival an officer located 18-year old Zachary Cox, of Council Bluffs, who immediately told the officer that he had sex with a 13 year old girl.

The officer detained Cox and transported him to the Criminal Investigations office for an interview with a detective. After a brief interview Cox was arrested on the Sexual Abuse charge and was transported to Pottawattamie County Corrections. The 13 year old female was identified, located and found safe with family members.

18-year old Zachary Cox, of Council Bluffs

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:45 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Now second in Iowa’s line of succession, Senate President Jack Whitver is declining to receive a permanent Iowa State Patrol security detail. Patrol spokesman Scott Bright confirmed Tuesday the agency offered “executive protection” to Whitver when he became Iowa’s second-highest ranking official last week but he declined the offer. Such protection is normally provided by troopers who travel with the governor, first lady and lieutenant governor.

ALTOONA, Iowa (AP) — The long-promised repeal of “Obamacare” is unlikely, and any final agreement with the Republican-controlled House is uncertain. This assessment comes from Iowa Republican Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst as the Republican-controlled Senate moves forward on its work to dismantle the 2010 health care bill while facing conflicting demands within their own party and lockstep Democratic opposition.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Police have identified three of four people killed last week following a Des Moines apartment fire. Des Moines police said in a news release Tuesday that 57-year-old Rosetta Toole, 71-year-old Henry Ellis, and 32-year-old Christopher Lander all died from injuries suffered in Thursday’s fire at the Eddy Apartments, about two miles west of downtown Des Moines. Police say the fourth victims’ identity had not yet been confirmed by Tuesday.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds will lead a trade mission to China this summer focusing on agriculture. Reynolds announced Tuesday she and representatives from the Iowa Farm Bureau and other agriculture groups will travel to China between July 19 and July 28 to meet with officials and industry partners. Reynolds says the delegation will try to create trade opportunities for Iowa’s corn, pork, soy, beef, egg, poultry, dairy and turkey industries. The agricultural groups will cover Reynolds’ expenses.

Sheriff’s officials in Shelby County, Tuesday, said a Cass County man was arrested last Thursday on an outstanding warrant for Probation Violation. 28-year old Joshua James Dyer, of Atlantic, was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was awaiting his court appearance and was being held under a $2,500 bond.

And, last Saturday, a Shelby County Deputy arrested 27-year old Dane August Dodge, of Harlan, for OWI/2nd offense. Dodge was also cited for careless driving. He was transported to the Shelby County Jail and released later that afternoon after posting a $2,000 bond.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office today (Tuesday) released a report on arrests that were made over the past few days. Early Monday morning, 49-year old Terry James Fernside, of Council Bluffs, was arrested for Possession of Controlled Substance and Driving Under Suspension (DUS). Early Sunday morning, 28-year old Chelsea Jo Griffeth, of Red Oak, was arrested in Malvern, for Public Intoxication.

Friday afternoon, 35-year old Aaron Lee Gillespie, of Glenwood, was arrested on a  Warrant for 5th Degree Theft. Friday morning, 23-year old Jason Thomas Meidl, of Columbia, MS, was arrested for Possession of Controlled Substance. That same morning, 20-year old Justice Renee Weilage, of Glenwood, was arrested in Mills County for Possession of a Controlled Substance.

And, last Thursday night, Shelby Marie Leialoha Fincher, of Bellevue, NE, was arrested for Public Intoxication.