(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.

(Washington, Iowa) – Three people died and another was injured during an eastern Iowa crash this (Monday) morning. According to the Iowa State Patrol, the crash happened on Iowa Highway 1 near 170th Street, south of Kalona. According to the report, a car was traveling southbound at around 8:50-a.m., at the same time an SUV was traveling northbound. The driver of the car attempted to pass a snowplow that was traveling southbound, when the car crossed over the center line of the road into the northbound lane, and struck the SUV. Both drivers and a front seat passenger in the  SUV died in the crash. Another person was injured and transported by Washington County EMS to the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics.

The State Patrol was withholding the names of the crash victims, pending notification of family.