Two people were injured during a crash Thursday night northwest of Denison, in Crawford County. The Iowa State Patrol says the drivers of the vehicles, 31-year old Shaun Stephen Monroy, of Ida Grove, and 30-year old Marcus Alan Kelly, of Harlan, both of whom were wearing their seat belts, were transported by Crawford County Rescue to the Crawford County Hospital in Denison, after their vehicles collided at around 10:10-p.m. on Highway 59, near the intersection with 6 Mile Road.

Authorities say Monroy was traveling south on Highway 59 in a 1996 Chevy pickup, at the same time a 2005 Ford Taurus driven by Kelly, was traveling north. For reasons unknown, Kelly’s car crossed the center line of the road after coming out of a left hand curve. Monroy was unable to take any evasive action, and the vehicles collided in the north lane of Highway 59. Both vehicles came to rest on the highway, just east of the shoulder of the road.

Officials with the Iowa Department of Public Safety report at around 4:25pm Wednesday, the Buffalo Center Chief of Police Matt Holmquist was flagged down by a motorist and alerted to suspicious activity near the 400 block of Second Street northwest. The witness said aman and woman were seen walking up to a house and acting suspicious. Several minutes later the same couple were seen leaving with two small children. They walked to a silver SUV that had been parked a distance away from the house.

The Buffalo Center Police Department and the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office began investigating the incident. A babysitter at the house told law enforcement that the two kids ages 3 and 1 were taken by an unknown male and the children’s biological mother, Ashley Machain, who had brandished a knife.

Law Enforcement began searching for the silver SUV, Machain and the male accomplice. At 2:25am the two children were recovered safely in Fort Dodge,(Iowa). Machain and the male, Daniel Smith were taken into police custody. Machain faces felony charges that include Burglary 2nd and Child Endangerment. Smith was charged with felony Burglary in the 2nd Degree, and Driving While Barred, an Aggravated Misdemeanor.

Agencies Assisting- Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office, Forest City Police Department, the Iowa Department of Public Safety’s (DPS) Iowa State Patrol (ISP), Fort Dodge Police Department, Faribault County, MN Sheriff’s Office,  Wells, MN Police Department, Webster County Sheriff’s Office, Ames Police Department, Iowa State University Police Department, Department of Human Services and the Iowa Department of Public Safety’s (DPS) Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI).

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Powerball jackpot is on the upswing again, growing to more than $400 million on the Thanksgiving holiday. The jackpot was an estimated $403 million Thursday after no winning numbers were selected in a Wednesday night drawing. The next drawing is scheduled Saturday night, and the jackpot could grow in the meantime.

The prize is on the brink of becoming one of the largest jackpots in U.S. history if it keeps rolling with no lucky winners. A record-setting $1.6 billion jackpot was reached in January. The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are one in 292.2 million. The popular game is played in 44 states plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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

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Sales, revenue, and profits all fell for John Deere as the company reported results for the fourth quarter and its 2016 fiscal year. Deere spokesman Ken Golden says for the year, sales and revenue fell eight percent, and profits dropped 21 per cent. “We’re still in the middle of a global farm recession and on our other big global business, we are having difficult conditions in the construction equipment sector. So when you add up both of those — you have years that are down from previous record years in 2011, 12 and 13,” Golden says.

Despite that, he says it was still one of Deere’s ten best years ever. For this year, the company now predicts sales and revenue will decline just one percent, including a one percent decline for ag equipment. “We’re beginning to see indications that the downturn in large ag is nearing the bottom of cycle,” Golden says, “And so again, we are only predicting a slight decrease in agricultural equipment sales next year.”

Golden says construction equipment sales should increase one percent, thanks to rising housing starts and an improving economy in the U-S.  Worldwide net sales for 2016 totaled 26-point-six billion dollars – down two-point-two (2.2) billion dollars from the previous year. Profits fell to one-point-five (1.5) billion dollars — a drop of 400 million dollars.

(Radio Iowa)

The start of the holiday shopping season arrives tonight (Thursday) with many stores opening early for Black Friday. Police are warning the potential for crime increases if shoppers aren’t careful. Sioux City Police Officer Lori Noltze says people can reduce their risk of becoming a crime victim by following a few pieces of advice. “Do not leave purchased items or valuables inside your car, leave them in the trunk or keep them with you while you’re shopping,” Noltze said. “Crimes of opportunity often happen when the suspects can see your purse, the items you’ve purchased, or the belongings just sitting in the back seat of your car.”

While many Iowans may prefer shopping after dark, Noltze suggests those later times can also provide an opportunity for crime. “It’s better to shop when it’s busier, when there are more people out and you’re in a higher populated area,” Noltze said. “Also, try to park in a well lit area where there’s a lot of  foot traffic and a lot of people see you coming and going from your vehicle.”

Shoppers are also advised to keep their receipts and report any unauthorized purchases on their credit or debit cards. “Also, keep track of your credit card company’s phone numbers. In the event that your cards are lost or stolen, you can contact them immediately,” Noltze said. “The sooner you can get (the card) canceled, the less likelihood of charges being placed on them.”

Lastly, Officer Noltze advises shoppers to have their vehicle keys ready when they return to the parking lot to load their packages and never leave a car unattended with the motor running or with the keys in the ignition.

(Radio Iowa)

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A traffic stop early this (Thanksgiving) morning in Fremont County, resulted in the arrest of three people on drug charges. Fremont County Sheriff Kevin Aistrope reports his department’s K9 unit pulled over vehicle driven by 21-year old Brian Lai, of Omaha, NE. Following an investigation, Deputies arrested Lai, and 18-year old Matthew Huynh, also of Omaha, and 25-year old Trinh Hang, of Oklahoma City, OK.

All three were taken into custody for Possession of a Controlled Substance/Ecstacy & Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. They were brought to the Fremont County Jail and held on $1,000 bond each.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Experts want home cooks to remember food safety on Thanksgiving. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says following a few simple steps can help keep everyone safe over the holiday. The traditional main course at Thanksgiving, turkey, can contain salmonella and campylobacter bacteria that can cause illness if the bird isn’t cooked correctly.

The USDA recommends not washing the turkey because doing so can spray bacteria up to three feet away. As long as the turkey is cooked to the correct 165-degree temperature, any bacteria will be eliminated. When thawing a turkey, either use the refrigerator, cold water or the microwave. The USDA says thawing in the refrigerator is safest.

Make sure to check the turkey with a meat thermometer when cooking, and use or freeze any leftovers within four days.