Whether you need to find immediate shelter in a flash flood, you need to know what to do in an earthquake or you want to learn how to give a dog C-P-R, a new all-encompassing emergency smart phone app is available. Kara Kelly, spokeswoman for the Iowa office of the American Red Cross, says the free application aims to answer just about every possible question you’d have about urgent situations, from fires to first aid.

“The great thing about this app is it really is an all-in-one emergency app,” Kelly says. “It has preparedness information, weather alerts, safety tips for 14 different emergencies. It’s really a great tool to have on your phone.” Life-saving information is just a few taps away on your mobile device with the app, which Kelly says is designed so you can familiarize and prepare yourself ahead of time for a host of emergencies, or to use during the real thing. It also lets users customize more than 35 emergency alerts so they will know what to do no matter where they live or travel.

“If you have a smart phone or a tablet, this is a really easy thing you can set up for yourself,” Kelly says. “What’s really cool about this app is you can actually monitor your friends and family members who maybe don’t live by you. You can set up alerts and there’s a ‘family safe’ feature so you can keep track of folks in your family who don’t live nearby.” The Red Cross has released several apps in recent years and Kelly says this new one can replace them all.

“The emergency app is free for Android and Apple devices, either on iTunes or the Google Play store,” she says. “You don’t necessarily need to get rid of all the other Red Cross apps if you have them, but this certainly could free up some room on your phone as it truly is all-in-one.” There’s also a “Make a Plan” feature to help families plan what to do and where to go if a disaster strikes. Learn more at: redcross.org/apps

(Radio Iowa)

Both lanes of Interstate 80 westbound in Cass County were closed for several hours this (Thursday) morning, following a fiery, semi tractor-trailer accident. The Iowa State Patrol reports a Freightliner semi driven by 31-year old Fernando Hernandez, of Montebello, CA., was westbound on I-80 near the Wiota turn off (exit 64), when the left front tire on the tractor blew out, causing the semi to go out of control. The accident happened just after 3:30-a.m.

All photos courtesy Richter and Sons Towing.

When the rig hit a concrete bridge barrier, the semi exploded into flames that destroyed both the tractor and trailer. Anita Fire and Rescue and Wiota Fire responded to the scene. The State Patrol was also assisted by deputies with the Cass County Sheriff’s Office.

Hernandez, and a passenger in the cab were not injured. Both lanes of traffic were officially re-opened as of 8:30-a.m. today (Thursday). Traffic caught between the 64-and 70-mile markers waited for about 3 1/2 hours until it was allowed to proceed slowly in the left lane through the scene. The remaining flow of traffic was re-routed off I-80 at exit 70, south to Anita, west to Wiota, and back north to I-80, around the crash scene. The Exit 64 exit ramp westbound is currently, temporarily closed.

More area news from Ric Hanson.

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Police in Creston report the arrest Wednesday night, of 46-year old Randy Hall, from Creston. Hall was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance/Methamphetamine, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Hall was later released from the Union County Jail on $1,000 bond.

And, at around 5-p.m. Wednesday, 44-year old Lance Lynam, of Lorimor, was arrested at the Union County Law Enforcement Center, on a warrant out of Union County. The warrant was issued for Failure to Appear on an original charge of Theft in the 5th Degree. Lynam remains in the Union County Jail while awaiting a bond hearing.

With KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday evening, accepted the site plans for a single-family housing development project to be located along Ash Street, between 1405 and 1503 Ash. Boose Building Construction, L.C. has proposed the nearly $1.26-million dollar project, which includes six, single family residential homes, each spanning about1,400-square feet. The homes would feature three bedrooms, two baths, two car garages, and a poured basement. They would be valued at about $200,000 each. The City’s Planning and Zoning Commission approved the site plan during their meeting last week.

Boose is requesting a grant from the City in the amount of $80,000 in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) to aid in making the project a reality. The first payment of $40,000 would be paid when public improvements (grading, street, water, sanitary and storm sewer) are installed. Construction of the first house is slated to begin this year, with two more houses next year, and three houses to follow. The second TIF payment of $40,000 would be paid when the third foundation is in place. Boose says the last two houses they completed in past two years sold before they were completed, which is indicative of the need for more, single family homes, according to the company.

While the site plans for Boose were approved, the Atlantic City Council, Wednesday, tabled a site plan for a 6,183-square foot addition to the Heritage House at 1200 Brookridge Circle. The plan was approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission last week, but there were concerns at that time about storm water drainage. The same issue caused the Council to hold-off on approving the site plan until engineers can take a closer look. They should have a recommendation for the Council by the time of their special meeting next week.

And, Mayor Dave Jones reported the contracts for the Highway 6/7th Street reconstruction project have been signed by the company which was awarded the bid for it, but there’s still no word on when the detour signs will go up. A pre-construction meeting will be held soon. Council Chris Jimerson said the Public Safety Commission has proposed drafting an ordinance restricting parking on 10th Street during construction on 7th, as 10th street will be used as a major road for local traffic.

There would also be no heavy truck traffic on 10th, 14th and 22nd Streets, with the exception of local deliveries. Mayor Jones said the reason heavy trucks will not be allowed on those streets is because “They’re not build for it…it’s a residential area in there.” Jones also advised local farmers who normally bring their heavy equipment into town along 7th Street between Olive and Burger King, to plan now for an alternate route. He suggested “If you have to bring a combine in (for repair),” do so now and don’t wait until May.

A fiery semi tractor-trailer accident on Interstate 80 westbound in Cass County has the road blocked this (Thursday) morning at mile marker 64. The accident was reported at 3:34-a.m., with Anita and Wiota Fire and Rescue along with Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies responding to the scene. The semi, which was loaded with paper, was fully engulfed in flames under the bridge for County Road N-28 (the Wiota Road), and early reports were there may have been some sort of an explosion.

Flames were said to have reached 30-to 40-feet high, according to the person who reported the incident to Cass County Communications. Neither the driver of the semi,  Ferando Hernandez, of Los Angeles, California, nor his passenger, were injured. According to reports, for reasons unknown, Hernandez lost control of the semi, which hit an inside median guardrail before the rig jackknifed.

Traffic on the interstate west of Exit 70 was at a standstill, but the left lane was expected to have been re-opened to the stalled traffic only. The remaining traffic flow was being rerouted off the Interstate at Exit 70 south, to Anita and west to Wiota, then back north to I-80, while the wreck is cleaned-up.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

LAMONI, Iowa (AP) — A southern Iowa chiropractor accused of accepting sex as payment for his services and performing exorcisms on patients has surrendered his state license. The Iowa Board of Chiropractic released a report detailing charges against Charles Manuel, of Lamoni. Manuel signed an agreement last month in saying he wouldn’t apply for reinstatement for at least 10 years.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Officials have detected the emerald ash borer in a residential tree in rural Dallas County, making it the 21st county in Iowa where infestations have been confirmed. The Iowa Department of Agriculture says the bug was identified after an arborist had contacted state officials about a suspicious ash tree. Further investigation revealed recent woodpecker activity and live larvae below the bark.

BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) — Jury selection is underway in the trial of a man accused of gunning down a Burlington bicyclist in August. About 55 potential jurors remained for questioning in the trial of 39-year-old Joshua Royer, of Burlington. He is charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of 50-year-old Eddie Martin Cooper.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Lawmakers in a government oversight committee say they may propose changes to an Iowa law that allows authorities to seize money and other items from people suspected of illegal activity. People in support of reforming what is known as civil asset forfeiture testified that revising state law could ensure people are treated more fairly. The Iowa law allows authorities to seize assets like cash, cars or property from a person suspected of illegal activity.

The Cass County Conservation Board has announced a “Wildflower Walk!” program will be held at the Frank Chapman Pellett Memorial Woods just north of Atlantic, on April 25th. The 9-a.m. event is free and open to the public. The Oak Strollers Nature Club for Families are welcome to join at the event as well.

You’re invited to join Cass County Conservation Department staff for a walk through the early spring wildflowers, and to learn the names, uses and history of the Wildflowers. Those in attendance will have the opportunity to view one of Southwest Iowa’s best locations to observe spring woodland wildflowers.  The 20 acre tract of land contains 8 acres of native woodland that was established as a wildflower preserve in 1908. It is known to contain over 120 species or plants, some of which are marked along the trail.

Pellett Memorial Gardens is located just outside of Atlantic, ½ mile north and ¾ mile east of the KJAN radio station. For more information, call Lora Kanning, Naturalist
with the Cass County Conservation Board, at 712-769-2372.

The City of Atlantic has qualified for and is officially designated, as a “Tree City USA” community for the 20th year. Dolly Bergman, with the local Trees Forever group, told the Atlantic City Council Wednesday evening, that she and Atlantic Parks and Recreation Dept. Director Roger Herring, along with Assistant Parks Director Seth Staashelm, attended a Tree City USA event in Des Moines on April 10th, during which Atlantic once again received the honor of being a Tree City USA community.

(From left) IA DNR Director Chuck Gipp, Atlantic Parks & Rec Director Roger Herring, Asst. Director Seth Staashelm, Trees Forever Chairperson Dolly Bergman & State Forester Paul Tauke.

Atlantic Asst. Parks & Rec Director Seth Stasshelm with the new Tree City USA signs. (Click on the photo to enlarge)

The City received two new signs that will be erected to replace signs located on the east and west sides of town. The old signs may be relocated along Olive Street and near Mahle Engine Components, if they can be cleaned-up and/or refurbished. The new signs will also be adorned with stickers acknowledging the fact the City has been a Tree City USA for 20 years. A new Tree City USA flag will be flown over the Atlantic City Park, as well.

Bergman reminded the Council there are four criteria in order to be eligible for the designation. There must be a “Trees Board” – which in Atlantic, is the Trees Forever group, a tree care ordinance is in place, a community forestry program with an annual budget of at least $2 per capita, and an Arbor Day observation and proclamation.

Atlantic Mayor Dave Jones, surrounded by the local Trees Forever group, signs the annual Arbor Day Proclamation.

Bergman said also, there will be an an Arbor Day event on Friday, April 24th, at the Schuler Elementary School, during which a tree will be planted with the help of 4th graders, at around 2:30-p.m. In addition, each of those 4th grade students will be presented with a tree.

Bergman also had some good news for local merchants with regard to “tree economics”: She said studies have shown shoppers will travel further and longer, to visit a district with high quality trees. They will also spend more time once they arrive in the community because of the trees. Visitors to well treed central business districts, she said, will spend 9-to 12-percent more for their products, a seven percent higher rental rate for commercial offices, due to high quality landscaping. She said also, trees located near a hospital have been shown to help patients recovering from surgery who have a view of trees, have shorter post-op hospital stays.