OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — An Iowa man was killed in a two-vehicle crash while his brother was driving this weekend, and four others were hurt. Police say the crash happened shortly after 1 a.m. Sunday,  in northeast Omaha. A Chevrolet Impala was struck by a Buick Lucerne in the intersection of 30th and Lake streets. The Chevrolet, which was driving faster than the 30 mph limit, spun and hit a metal pole.

21-year old Nickales Bywater of Pacific Junction, was riding in the backseat of the Chevrolet before the crash. He was critically hurt and died at the hospital. The Chevrolet was driven by 19-year-old Jordan Bywater of Council Bluffs. He and two other people were injured in the crash.

A passenger in the Buick sustained minor injuries and the driver wasn’t hurt.

One person was killed and two others, all from southeast Iowa were injured, during a crash early this (Sunday) morning east of Stanton, in Montgomery County. The Iowa State Patrol says the driver of a 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora, 23-year old Brandon L. Perez, of Ft. Madison, who was wearing a seat belt, died in the crash just west of Viking Lake State Park. Two passengers, 30-year old Hilary J. Knox, and a 3-year old child, both from Ft. Madison, were ejected from the vehicle as it rolled over. Neither were wearing their seat belts. Both were flown by LifeNet Helicopter to hospitals in Nebraska. Knox was flown to the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, while the child was flown to Childrens Methodist Hospital.

The Patrol says the car was traveling west on Highway 34 near Q Avenue at around 2:10-a.m., when the wheels slipped off onto the shoulder. Perez over-corrected, causing the vehicle to cross the road and enter the south ditch where it rolled several times before coming to rest on its top.

Alcohol is believed to have played a role in the crash, which remains under investigation.

Five people suffered minor injuries Saturday, when two vehicles, one of them a Red Oak Police cruiser, collided at around 3:45-p.m. The Red Oak Police Department reports Reserve Police Officer Colin M. Weaver was traveling east on Highway 34 near the intersection with Eastern Avenue, when he saw a vehicle going in the opposite direction commit a traffic infraction. When Weaver attempted to negotiate a U-turn to initiate a traffic stop, the 2010 Ford Crown Victoria he was driving collided with a 200o Ford Focus that was traveling behind him that was driven by Angela Booker, of Stanton.

Four people in the Focus were transported to the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital for examination of possible, minor injuries. They were treated and later released. Reserve Officer Weaver was also transported to the hospital for examination of possible, minor injuries and toxicology screenings. He was also, later released.

Both vehicles sustained disabling damage during the collision, and will most likely be deemed a total loss. Red Oak Fire and Rescue and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office assisted at the scene. The accident remains under investigation, by the Iowa State Patrol.

The Cass County Health System will continue with its ” Healthy U” lunch series on Thursday, March 26th with “Metabolic Syndrome: What You Need to Know. Tammy Birline, ARNP and Emily Krengel, Registered Dietician, both with CCHS,  will present the program. Tammy says “We’ll discuss the risk factors and complications for Metabolic Syndrome as well as diet and lifestyle changes that can make an impact on your health.”

Metabolic Syndrome is a group of medical conditions that increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Typically, it involves high blood pressure, high blood sugar level, excess body fat, and high cholesterol levels. According to the American Heart Association, “Individuals with metabolic syndrome have about a two-fold increase in risk for heart attack or stroke when compared with individuals who do not have metabolic syndrome.”

Healthy U is a free lunch series that focuses on a different health topic each month. Attendees receive a free lunch in addition to an educational program presented by medical professionals. Future topics include podiatry, caring for children, dementia, and joint health. The lunch program will be held at noon March 26th in Conference Room 2 at CCHS. For more information, or to make a reservation for the March 26th Healthy U, call 712-243-7479.

Authorities in Pottawattamie County say a Council Bluffs man was arrested Thursday on attempted murder and other charges. The Daily NonPareil says according to Council Bluffs Police Department records, 54-year old Christopher C. McNeal, of Council Bluffs, was taken into custody at 6:10-p.m. Thursday at his residence, on a warrant for attempted murder, willful injury causing serious bodily injury, assault and first-degree burglary.

No other details were released.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — There are some Democrats in Iowa who aren’t all that “Ready for Hillary.” So far, there’s little evidence they’re ready for Martin O’Malley, either. The former Maryland governor says, “I think it’s because they haven’t met me yet.” O’Malley spent this past weekend campaigning in Iowa.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Two Polk County women are suing the city of Des Moines over its use of automated traffic cameras. The Des Moines Register reports that Sarah Brooks and Michelle Bullock are seeking class action status for their lawsuit, filed against the city and Gatso USA, which runs the traffic cameras. The lawsuit says the city’s use of the cameras violates their fundamental right to travel granted in the U.S. and Iowa constitutions.

LAKE MILLS, Iowa (AP) — The Lake Mills School Board is expected to soon pick a new superintendent. The Mason City Globe Gazette reports that the board could make a decision on the district’s next superintendent by early next week.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — The trial of a former Council Bluffs high school math teacher accused of sexually abusing two students has been delayed. The 29-year-old Daugherty was arrested in January following reports that he had a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl who was his student. The Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil reports he was arrested again in February after a second student reported abuse. Daugherty resigned from his teaching position at Thomas Jefferson High School on February 3rd.

The Iowa Department of Public Safety’s (DPS) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), along with the Iowa Attorney General’s Office have filed additional charges in the Hot Lotto Ticket Investigation. 46-year old Robert Clark Rhodes II, of Sugar Land, Texas, has been charged with two, Class-D Felony counts of Fraud.

Iowa authorities received assistance from Texas Lottery Enforcement officials in the arrest of Rhodes in Texas last night, March 20, 2015. He is currently being held in the Fort Bend County Jail on a $500,000 cash-only bond and is awaiting extradition proceedings to bring him back to Iowa.

This investigation is on-going by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and the Iowa Attorney General’s Office with cooperation from the Iowa Lottery.

Today’s (Saturday) the first full day of spring and many Iowans are getting the itch to launch into their yard work, sprucing up their lawns and starting to plant flowers, trees and other vegetation. Even though Iowa has already had a lot of unseasonably warm days in recent weeks, horticulturist and arborist John Fech says to hold off on doing any fertilizing of your grass.  “Some of the lawn services have started with that but they tend to have different products than the average homeowner uses,” Fech says, “so, probably wait another three weeks or so.”

Fech says now would be a good time to rake up last season’s dead leaves, aerate the lawn and inspect trees and shrubs.  “Pruning your fruit trees,” he says. “Take out all the crossing limbs and limbs that have broken through the winter.” Look over the shrubs, too, and use sharp shears. “The shrubs that don’t bloom much at all and the ones that bloom in the summer, those are the ones that need a good thinning out, not a haircut, but a thinning out where you take the oldest stems out and let light to the center of the shrub,” he says.

Since much of the region had very dry weather heading into winter, dormant plants could likely use a drink. Fech suggests prioritizing and picking out the plants that are most important to you, roses or shrubs, and use a soaker hose to get them primed for the spring ahead.

(Radio Iowa)

The 8-a.m. Newscast w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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