HULL, Iowa (AP) — Authorities are investigating the theft of U.S. flags in the northwest Iowa city of Hull. The Sioux City Journal reports the flags were missing from homes and school property on the north side of Hull. The Sioux County Sheriff’s Office says the flags were removed from poles between 10 p.m. Saturday and 7 a.m. Sunday.

The sheriff’s office didn’t say how many flags were stolen. Hull is a city of about 2,100 people. It’s about 50 miles north of Sioux City.

A Pottawattamie County man who risked his life to save two men from an icy, watery grave will be honored Friday during a special ceremony at the Iowa State Fair. Governor Terry E. Branstad will recognize Seth Thompson, of Treynor, as one of six individuals who have performed a courageous act in an attempt to save someone’s life, or those that have unselfishly assisted in an emergency situation. Thompson is slated to receive the Outstanding Service Award during the “Governor’s Lifesaving Awards & Outstanding Service Awards” ceremony which takes place at the Susan Knapp Amphitheater, beginning at 10-a.m., Friday.

The Outstanding Service Award is presented to persons who have performed a courageous act in an attempt to save an individual who was in danger of losing his or her life or to individuals who unselfishly rendered service in a time of emergency.

On December 14th, 2009 Seth Thompson was headed to work in Okoboji. It was a very cold day with a wind chill of 5 below zero, the roads were icy and the winds were making navigating the roads a challenge. During his drive Seth noticed a truck with two occupants in front of him begin to lose control on a patch of ice and then watched it roll into a creek and break through the ice coming to a stop. When it finally came to rest, it was on its top. Seth quickly stopped his vehicle and he and his passenger ran down to the truck. Seth observed that the windows in the truck had broken on impact and the cab was quickly filling with water.

When he arrived at the truck, which was near the creek bank, Seth was able to reach in the passenger window by laying down on the edge of the bank, his stomach and chest were submerged in the icy water as he felt for the passenger’s arm. Seth grabbed the arm and pulled the disoriented passenger from the truck and onto the bank. Knowing that the driver was still inside he again reached through the passenger window and just barely reached his outstretched hand. Seth grabbed the hand and pulled the second person onto the creek bank.

Both the driver and passenger of the truck, Jesus Alvarado and Joshua Allsup, were taken to the hospital and treated for their injuries and symptoms of hypothermia.

MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) – Federal investigators have released more information about a north Iowa helicopter crash that killed three medical workers. KIMT-TV says that a National Transportation Safety Board report details circumstances of the January 2013 crash near Ventura. The Mercy Air Med helicopter carrying a pilot, nurse and paramedic was on its way to pick up a patient in Emmetsburg when it crashed into a farm field.

Investigators focused on weather conditions at the time of the crash. The report says witnesses and first responders reported mist, drizzle, freezing precipitation and icy roads. Investigators said the helicopter wasn’t certified for such conditions.

Investigators will use the report to determine a probable cause of the crash.

If the tackle box out in your garage is rusted through, busted up or has otherwise seen better days, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources wants to see it. The DNR says it will accept photos of Iowa’s ugliest tackle boxes for a contest to run this August on Facebook, with the winner receiving a new tackle bag and lures courtesy of the Des Moines Chapter of the Izaak Walton League and Mid-Iowa Bassmasters.

Ugly tackle box photos can be submitted to photos@dnr.iowa.gov by Aug. 18th. The DNR will post photos from selected finalists to the DNR’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/iowadnr, at 8:30 p.m. Aug. 20, where Iowans can then vote for the ugliest tackle box in the state.

The photo with the most Facebook likes, comments and shares will win the new tackle box and gear, valued at $100. Official contest rules are available on the DNR website at www.iowadnr.gov/portals/idnr/uploads/files/Uglytackleboxofficialrules.pdf

Photo entries will also be posted to the DNR’s Pinterest boards at www.pinterest.com/iowadnr.

The Des Moines chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America provided the tackle box for this contest. Learn more about the group and its work to improve outdoor recreation and protect natural resources at http://desmoinesikes.com.

The lures were provided by the Mid-Iowa Bassmasters. Learn more about the group’s stewardship efforts and work to promote fishing in central Iowa at http://www.midiowabassmasters.org.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has scheduled four public meetings to discuss proposed changes to the state fishing regulations for 2015. One of the hearings will take place 6:30-p.m. Sept. 2nd, at the Lewis and Clark State Park Visitor Center, (21914 Park Loop) in Onawa.

The DNR is proposing a series of rule changes to make the regulations easier to understand, to protect lake improvements, remove duplicate language in the Iowa code and to enhance fishing opportunities.

The proposals also include: allowing the DNR to manage walleye populations in the same manner as it does bass by posting length limit signs at lakes; removing hand fishing as a legal means of take for all rough fish; establishing a paddlefish season on the Missouri and Big Sioux rivers; and removing duplicate trotline or throw line language in the Iowa Administrative code.

At the hearing, persons will be asked to give their names and address for the record and to confine their remarks to the content of the proposed amendments. Any persons who intend to attend the hearing and have special requirements, such as those related to hearing or mobility impairments, should contact the DNR and request specific accommodations.

Any person may submit written suggestions or comments on the proposed amendment through Sept. 4, 2014. Written materials should be addressed to Martin Konrad, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, 502 East Ninth Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0034, by fax at 515-281-8895 or by email to martin.konrad@dnr.iowa.gov.

A Center Point man was named winner of the 2014, 51st Annual Iowa Farm Bureau Cookout Contest, Tuesday. The event was held at the Iowa State Fair, in Des Moines. Phil Cummings, of Center Point received his crown for his award-winning Mediterranean Lamb Pops entry, which beat out 50 other grillers representing counties from around the state.

The Iowa Farm Bureau-sponsored contest featured outdoor chefs, with varying levels of experience, using their best grilling, roasting and smoking techniques to impress the judges. Cookout Contest champion, Cummings, won first place in the lamb category before being selected by the judges as the overall winner. He received $200, a crown, and a permanent trophy as the 2014 Iowa Farm Bureau Cookout Contest Champion.

Second place winners and their categories, included: Randy Stamper of Greenfield, beef; Elsie Schafer of Mt. Ayr, poultry; and Mark Kunkle of Guthrie Center, combo/specialty. All second–place finishers received $100.

Second place in the Youth category award during the cook-off, went to Elsie Schafer of Mt. Ayr. Schafer won $100 for her efforts. Youth prizes were donated by the Iowa Propane Association.

w/ Ric Hanson

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No injuries were reported after a car experienced an apparent mechanical failure and hit a restaurant last Friday morning, in Guthrie Center. The Iowa State Patrol reports 73-year old Donna Marie Vokes, of Panora, was driving a 2009 Toyota northbound in the parking lot of the Hilltop Cafe at 2003 State Street, when her accelerator became stuck. Vokes was unable to stop her car before it hit the south side of the building at around 9:15-a.m., causing about $2,500 damage to the building and some equipment inside the cafe.

Vokes’ car also sustained $2,500 damage. No citations were issued.

Officials in Montgomery County say one person was arrested Tuesday evening on an assault charge. 22-year old Jamie Paul McDaniel, of Villisca, was taken into custody at around 5:45-p.m. at the Montgomery County Jail. McDaniel was arrested on a valid Montgomery County warrant charging him with Simple Assault. The man posted a $300 cash bond and was released from custody.