Two people died and three others were injured during a collision that involved three-vehicles in Crawford County, late Sunday morning. The Iowa State Patrol said all of the victims were from Denison. The fatalities includes a female, 22-year old Robbie Reed McMullen and a male, 19-year old Emiliano Fernando Ramos, neither of whom were wearing their seat belts. The injured were identified as 18-year old Luis Enrique Mendez, 43-year old Fred Edward Hall, Jr., and 62-year old Dawn Ranae Jessen, again, all from Denison. They suffered serious injuries, and were transported to the Crawford County Medical Center by Crawford County EMS. They were later transported to a hospital in Omaha. Mendez and Jessen were wearing their seat belts, while Hall was not.

Officials say the accident happened at around 11:40-a.m., on Highway 39 near the intersection of Vernon Voss Road, just north of Denison. The crash began when a 2002 VW Beetle driven by Robbie McMullen, approached a 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser as they were both traveling north on Highway 39. The VW was traveling at a high rate of speed and attempted to pass the Chrysler on the left.

A southbound Chevy S-10 pickup driven by Fred Hall, Jr., was southbound on Highway 39 and swerved onto the shoulder to avoid the collision, but the VW also swerved onto the shoulder. The pickup swerved back into the southbound lanes, while the VW swerved to the right and went out of control, going sideways. The left front side of the pickup struck the left side door of the VW, which then side swiped the PT Cruiser, sending that vehicle into a spin before it entered the east ditch.

The VW rolled over and came to rest on its top on the east shoulder of Highway 39, facing south. Emiliano Ramos was ejected from the rear seat of the VW, and landed in the northbound lane of the highway. He died at the Crawford County Hospital. Luis Mendez was extricated from the VW by mechanical means by Denison Fire and Rescue. Robbie McMullen, who was also extricated from the VW by mechanical means, died at the scene of the crash. Hall was extricated from the pickup while Jessen was cut free from the PT Cruiser, both by mechanical means.

The accident remains under investigation. Assisting the Iowa Highway Patrol at the scene, was deputies with the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, officers with the Denison Police Department, and Crawford County EMS.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 7:40 p.m. CDT

CLINTON, Iowa (AP) — The Clinton City Council is mulling a plan to refurbish one of the city’s most prominent structures: the Clinton Area Showboat Theatre. The Clinton Herald reports that the 1935 river boat, which was converted into a showboat in the 1960s, has received interior renovations and updates in recent years. But the exterior of the boat has begun to show signs of disrepair.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Police in central Iowa are investigating the death of a baby they say was left inside a sweltering car while his father lingered in a barber shop. Des Moines police say officers were called to a hospital just before 8 p.m. Saturday to investigate a suspicious child death. Responding officers say they learned that the 6-month-old infant had died after reportedly being left in a car. Detectives say they determined that the death had happened outside at a north Des Moines barbershop.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Just in time for the 50th anniversary of the bell tower that rises over the city of Jefferson, state officials have approved over $80,000 to help community members meet a decades-long goal of hearing the tower bells chime. Local leaders have been fundraising for a $440,000 project to add a four-octave, 47-bell carillon to the tower.

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Police say they pried open a car door to rescue a dog and cat left in a sweltering car in West Des Moines as temperatures soared into the 90s. Des Moines television station KCCI reports that witnesses called police after noticing the animals in the car around 11:30 a.m. Friday. Responding officers say the temperature inside the car was 125 degrees. Police arrested a 49-year-old woman and charged her with two counts of animal neglect.

The Cass County Memorial Hospital’s Board of Trustees will hold a special meeting Monday evening in CCMH Conference Room #1.  During their 5-p.m. session, the Board will discuss: A community complaint with regard to water run-off; Selecting an Interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and a CEO recruitment strategy.

Last Monday (June 6th), the Board Chairman Ned Brown announced CCHS CEO Todd Hudspeth was fired based on his “Actions and his judgment in several recent situations.” Their action followed word that Hudspeth had entered an Alford plea in connection with his check forgery case, in Buena Vista County. Hudspeth is set to appear in court August 1st for a “Plea taking” hearing.

Ames, Iowa –The Iowa 4-H Foundation has announced the recipients of over 70 Iowa 4-H college scholarships valued at over $70,000. Recipients accepted their awards on Sunday, June 5 at the Foundation’s Scholarship Reception held in the Scheman Building at Iowa State University. Over 500 applications were submitted. Award recipients hail from 33 counties across the state of Iowa with a wide variety of 4-H experiences.

Here’s a list of local 4-H Foundation Scholarship Honorees, by county:

• Donald and Ruby Godfrey Family 4-H Scholarship: Nick Frazee—Mills
• Phyllis J. Olson 4-H Scholarship: Anastasia Frazee—Mills
• Career 4-H Scholarship: Jill Vanderhoof—Montgomery
• Roberts Family 4-H Scholarship: Isabelle Perkins—Montgomery
• Stakey 4-H Scholarship: Michael Rueschenberg—Shelby

Scholarship applications were evaluated based on the applicant’s 4-H participation, academic accomplishments, goals and future plans, financial need as well as other criteria established by the Iowa 4-H Foundation and the scholarship donors.

(Update: the road was re-opened late Sunday afternoon thanks to quick work by the Cass County Secondary Roads Dept.)

A pavement blow-up on Highland Road (Highway G-30) in Cass County, about one and a half miles west of Atlantic, has created a dangerous situation that is requiring the road to be blocked-off. The Cass County Communications Center said they are aware of the situation, and a deputy will be posted at the scene until road crews can block the road off and make repairs.

(Photo’s courtesy Jessica Tye Shroyer)

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Just in time for the 50th anniversary of the bell tower that rises over the city of Jefferson, state officials have approved over $80,000 to help community members meet a decades-long goal of hearing the tower bells chime. Of the 14 bells installed at the top of the Mahanay Memorial Carillon Tower, only a few work.

The tower already attracts visitors who can view the vast, rolling farmland that extends over five counties from the top. But local leaders have been fundraising for a $440,000 project to add a four-octave, 47-bell carillon to the tower.

The city, county, a local casino and private donors have contributed. But last week, Vision Iowa, a state-funded program, awarded the group an $87,100 grant to meet the fundraising goal.

The City of Atlantic’s Board of Adjustment will meet 7:30-a.m. Monday at City Hall, to conduct a Public Hearing on a conditional use permit application. The application, filed by Stefany Erickson, at 810 W. Mahogany, requests she be allowed to operate a home-based daycare center out of her home, which is located in an R-3 (High Density) Single-family, district.

The Board will also elect a Chair and Vice Chair. The meeting takes place in the City Council’s Chambers, at City Hall.

A man from Adair County was cited for failing to obey a traffic control device, following a collision Saturday afternoon, in Creston. The Creston Police Department reports 35-year old Christopher Lee Bolinger, of Greenfield, was traveling west on Townline Road at around 2-p.m., and did not notice the light had changed at the intersection with Lincoln Street, because he was talking to a passenger in the vehicle.

The 1999 Ford pickup Bolinger was driving went through the red light and was hit by a 2008 Chevy Impala, driven by 68-year old Judy Callahan, of Creston, as she was traveling north on Lincoln. Callahan had stopped at the red light and was continuing north when her light turned green, when the accident occurred.

The car struck the pickup on the left side, causing a total of $10,000 damage. No injuries were reported.

Police in Red Oak arrested three men on Trespassing charges, Saturday afternoon. Taken into custody at around 3:15-p.m., was 28-year old Cody Alton Snyder, and 25-year old Ty Andrew Chandler, both of Red Oak, as well as 21-year old Jacob William Avery, of Emerson. All three men were arrested at residence in the 100 block of S. Broadway Street and brought to the Montgomery County Jail, where they were being held on $300 bond, each.

And, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports 33-year old Bryan David Sapp, Jr., of Red Oak, was arrested Saturday afternoon following a traffic stop. Sapp was pulled over for Driving While License Suspended. He was also found to have a warrant out of Jackson County, Missouri. Sapp, Jr. was being held without bond in the Montgomery County Jail, pending extradition to Missouri.

Early this (Sunday) morning, the Fremont County K9 Unit was conducting an investigation in Sidney. Following the investigation, a traffic stop was made in Shenandoah, that resulted in the arrest of 64-year old Jackie Kendrick, of New Market. Kendrick was found to be in possession of 13 bags of methamphetamine and marijuana, as well as drug packaging equipment. Kendrick was arrested for Possession of Meth with the intent to deliver, and was being held in the Fremont County Jail on $50,000 bond. The case remains under investigation.

Daniel Kitchens

Robert Delamotte

Jackie Kendrick

A man from Nebraska was arrested Saturday following a fight at the County Line Lounge, in Shenandoah. Sheriff’s Deputies from Fremont County assisted Shenandoah Police in arresting 32-year old Robert Scott Delamotte, of Omaha, who was charged with Public Intoxication. Delamotte was transported to the Fremont County Jail and held on $300 bond.

Later Saturday evening, Fremont County deputies were called to the Thurman exit off Interstate 29, for a reported disturbance. Following an investigation, 57-year old Daniel Kitchens, of Sidney, was arrested for Violation of a No Contact Order. Kitchens was brought to the Fremont County Jail and held pending an appearance before a magistrate.