Sheriff’s officials in Montgomery County report the arrest early Sunday morning of 40-year old Dereck Wayne Freshour, of Villisca. Freshour was taken into custody at around 4:38-a.m. on a charge of Domestic Abuse Assault. He was brought to the Montgomery County Jail and held without bond.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The federal health care law is now in effect, but many Iowa residents are still trying to figure out their new insurance plans or are continuing to seek health coverage. Jan. 1 marked the first day for many provisions of the new law, including insurance coverage for those who signed up for private plans on the federal enrollment website. Iowa’s modified Medicaid expansion — which uses federal dollars to offer coverage to some low-income Iowans — also started that day.

Experts at insurance companies, health clinics and enrollment centers say they’ve been busy fielding questions from people who either have coverage or need it. And some Iowa residents who thought they might be getting Medicaid coverage remain in limbo due to processing delays by the federal government.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — You know it’s going to be cold when an ice skating rink shuts down due to expected subzero temperatures. That’s what happened in downtown Des Moines, where officials have opted to close the outdoor Brenton Skating Plaza today and Monday because of the frigid weather.

INDEPENDENCE, Iowa (AP) — Fire officials say an eastern Iowa house fire was started by a tenant who used a propane torch to thaw frozen water pipes. KCRG-TV in Cedar Rapids reports that the fire began just before 10:30 p.m. Thursday in Independence. Independence Fire Chief Doug Cook says Tristin Beltz was using a torch in a part of a former duplex that was being renovated. Beltz and his family escaped the home safely.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Three teenage boys have been charged in an assault of a 16-year-old boy in Des Moines, which spread quickly online after witnesses bragged about the beating on Facebook. Des Moines police said yesterday that two 15-year-olds and a 16-year-old were charged with willful injury. Family members of 16-year-old Nathan Rogers say the attack was so severe that the East High School student was hospitalized.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Police say an Iowa man was arrested after he pulled a knife on his brother during a fight over peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. The Register reports that Jerome Davis was arrested on Friday after the confrontation with his brother in their Des Moines home. Both men are in their 50s.

A woman who came to visit an inmate at the Page County Jail Saturday afternoon nearly became an inmate herself, after it was determined she was under the influence of alcohol. Sheriff’s officials arrested 37-year old Lee Ann Gulbrandson, of Braddyville on a charge of Public Intoxication, after she came to the north door of the jail at around 1:15-p.m., smelling of alcohol.

Gulbrandson, who is also known as Lee Ann Bencker, was released from custody after posting a $300 bond.

(Update 6-p.m. 1/4/14)

WIND CHILL WARNINGS REMAIN IN EFFECT FOR THE ENTIRE KJAN LISTENING AREA BEGINNING ON SUNDAY. AN ARCTIC AIR MASS WITH BRISK NORTH-TO NORTHWEST WINDS OF 15-25 MPH AND HIGHER GUSTS WILL DROP INTO THE AREA OVERNIGHT AND REMAIN IN PLACE THROUGH LATE MONDAY NIGHT AND TUESDAY. WIND CHILL VALUES WILL FALL TO -20 WITH THE COLDEST AIR IN PLACE SUNDAY NIGHT AND MONDAY. LIFE THREATENING WIND CHILL VALUES OF -35 TO -45 SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY MORNING ARE EXPECTED.

AREA COUNTIES:

CASS-ADAIR-ADAMS-AUDUBON-GUTHRIE-MADISON-TAYLOR AND UNION: WIND CHILL WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 6-AM SUNDAY UNTIL NOON TUESDAY.

MONONA-HARRISON-SHELBY-POTTAWATTAMIE: WIND CHILL WARNING FROM NOON SUNDAY UNTIL MIDNIGHT MONDAY. THE WIND CHILL WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.

MILLS-FREMONT AND PAGE: WIND CHILL WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 6-PM SUNDAY UNTIL 6-PM MONDAY.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office reports two people have been arrested in connection with a burglary that occurred last month. 59-year old Gerard Rueschenberg, of Westphalia and 58-year old Leann Grieder, of Harlan, have been charged with Burglary in the 3rd degree. Both were brought to the Shelby County Jail and later posted $5,000 bond each before being released.

Authorities say evidence discovered during a rural farm residence burglary on Dec. 20th resulted in a search warrant being executed Dec. 22nd at Rueschenberg’s residence in Westphalia. During the search, numerous items from the burglary were recovered. Additional items were recovered at the Grieder residence in Harlan on the same date.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — It has been decades since parts of the Midwest experienced a deep freeze like the one expected to arrive this weekend. Potential record-low temperatures starting Sunday and expanding into next week are increasing fears of frostbite and hypothermia even in a region where residents are accustomed to bundling up.

This “polar vortex,” as one meteorologist calls it, is caused by a counterclockwise-rotating pool of cold, dense air. The frigid air, piled up at the North Pole, will be pushed down to the U.S., funneling it as far south as the Gulf Coast.

Temperatures are projected to dip to 25 below in Fargo, N.D., and minus 31 in International Falls, Minn. The San Francisco-Green Bay playoff game Sunday at Lambeau Field could be one of the coldest NFL games ever played.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Winter is normally cold, but tundra-like temperatures are soon poised to deliver a rare and potentially dangerous sledgehammer blow to much of the Midwest, driving temperatures so far below zero that records will shatter. One reason, according to one meteorologist, is a “polar vortex” that will send cold air piled up at the North Pole down to the U.S., funneling it as far south as the Gulf Coast.

BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) — The Burlington City Council has chosen the first black mayor in the southeast Iowa city’s history. The Hawk Eye reports the council on Thursday narrowly elected Councilman Shane McCampbell to a two-year term as mayor. He was chosen in a 3 to 2 vote over Councilwoman Becky Anderson.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Business leaders in Iowa and Nebraska are joining forces to promote economic development in the Omaha-Council Bluffs area. Governors Terry Branstad and Dave Heineman signed an agreement Friday to add Advance Southwest Iowa Corporation, a new public-private partnership, to the Greater Omaha Economic Development Partnership.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Department of Transportation says it will spend less than $100,000 to implement a new logo. The Des Moines Register reports the department told DOT workers in an email that it would cost “below $100,000” over a five-year period to implement the new logo in offices, vehicles and other printed materials. DOT Director Paul Trombino says the new logo replaces one that’s been used for 32 years.

Authorities in Taylor County report charges have been filed in connection with a fatal accident between a car and a bicyclist just outside of Lenox, last Summer. The Lenox Police Department says the Taylor County Attorney’s Office charged Jessica M. Brown, of Lenox, with Failure to Stop at an Assured Clear Distance. On Friday, Jan. 3rd, 2014, a conviction was entered against  Brown for the offense and she was ordered to pay a fine in the amount of $500, plus fees and court costs amounting to $235.

Officials say the events leading up to the charge began on Sunday, June 23rd, 2013, at about 9:00 a.m., when the body of Gerald O. Williams was found in a ditch along 110th Street, approximately ½ mile east of Vail Avenue in Lenox.  Williams’ wife had been traveling out-of-state and when she was unable to contact him, she called local law enforcement and requested a welfare check be conducted. The officers determined that Gerald Williams was not at his home, and during the check of his residence officers noticed that his bicycle was not there.

Because Mr. Williams was an avid bicyclist, a search was made of popular bicycle routes in the area, and searchers ultimately found his body in the ditch along 110th Street, which is a popular bicycle route in the Lenox area. The incident was investigated by the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, Lenox Police Department and the Iowa State Highway Patrol, with assistance by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. Through this investigation it was determined that the day prior to the discovery of Gerald O. Williams’ body, on Saturday, June 22nd, 2013, at about 9:15 a.m. Williams was riding his bicycle eastbound on 110th Street and was struck by an eastbound car driven by Jessica M. Brown.

Williams died as a result of the injuries he sustained when he was hit by the car.