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5th crash victim in Adair Co. identified

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January 11th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

In an update to our earlier story, the Iowa State Patrol Saturday evening released the identity of an individual who died in a rollover accident Friday night in Adair County. Officials say 19-year old Erik Rauda, of Grand Island, NE, was among five people, all of whom were from Grand Island, who died during the crash on Interstate 80, in Adair County.The other victims were previously identified as the driver of the car, 29-year old ALex J. Paz-Lobo, and his passengers, 41-year old Javier Martinez-Martin, 25-year old Denis Juvenal Sorto-Martinez and 21-year old Jose B. Martinez. Officials say Martinez-Martin was the only victim out of the five who was wearing his seat belt.

The Patrol says a 2011 Chevy Camaro occupied by the five men was traveling east on I-80 south of Menlo at around 8:10-p.m., when the car went out of control, crossed the median and entered the westbound lanes of traffic, before it rolled into a field on the north side of I-80. None of the victims were ejected during the crash. Officials say high speed and alcohol use were likely contributing factors to the crash.

The pavement was wet but not icy at the time of the accident. A patrol spokesman said there is a curve in the Interstate at the site of the accident, and the car appears to have missed the curve. The Grand Island men were among 11 people who died in vehicle crashes and collisions on Iowa highways on Friday and Saturday. The Iowa State Patrol believes icy roads were a factor in most of the other accidents.

Authorities investigate possible vehicle explosion in Red Oak

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January 11th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Police in Red Oak report the Red Oak Fire Department was dispatched early Saturday morning to a possible vehicle explosion near the intersection of North Broadway and West Linden Streets. The call came in at around 4:25-a.m.  When police and fire crews arrived, they found a maroon GMC Sierra pickup registered to 39-year old Ian Haas, of Red Oak. The vehicle was damaged by what was believed to be a possible explosive device.

An on-scene investigation was conducted, and officials say additional procedures were expected to be performed on the vehicle, which was seized by the Red Oak Police Department. Assistance was requested from the Iowa State Fire Marshals Office as part of the investigation.

No further information about the incident is currently available, while authorities continue with their investigation.

(Podcast) 8-a.m. News, 1/11/14

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January 11th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

News and funeral announcements, with KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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(Podcast) 7-a.m News: Sat., Jan. 11 2014

News, Podcasts

January 11th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

With KJAN News Director Ric Hanson…

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Lawmakers set modest goals for legislative session

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January 11th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa lawmakers are set to return Monday to the Capitol for the 2014 legislative session, but their focus may already be on the campaign trail, as many will be seeking re-election this year. The fact that it’s an election year means many lawmakers will want to approve a budget as quickly as possible so they can shift to campaigning. That sentiment seems to be shared by Gov. Terry Branstad, who is expected to soon announce a bid for a sixth term.

Branstad has announced a list of modest policy goals, which legislative leaders have generally endorsed, including expanding Internet access, supporting veterans and cracking down on school bullying. Democrats will likely push for an increase in the minimum wage, but Republicans will oppose the idea so its passage is unlikely.

Lenox woman arrested after trying to post bond for another woman

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January 11th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Authorities in Adams County say a Taylor County woman attempting to post bond for another female inmate at the Adams County Jail was arrested Friday on alcohol-related charges. Officials say 45-year old Theresa Moses, of Lenox, came into the Sheriff’s Office along with another woman, with the intent to post bond for another inmate. While standing in the lobby, Adams County Dispatchers and Deputies detected a strong odor of alcohol.

When confronted, Moses left the Sheriff’s Office and returned to a vehicle in the parking lot. Deputies went to question the woman, who was in the passenger seat, and found her to allegedly be intoxicated. Moses also had an open container of alcohol, which told deputies she had been drinking out of.

Moses was taken into custody on a charges of Public Intoxication and Open Container. Her bond was set at $765.

Multiple fatality accident on I-80 in Adair County

News

January 11th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Five people died during a single vehicle rollover accident Friday night on Interstate 80, in Adair County. The Iowa State Patrol reports four of the victims were from Grand Island, NE. The identity of the fifth person is unknown. The Patrol says a 2011 Chevy Camaro driven by 29-year old ALex J. Paz-Lobo, of Grand Island, NE, was traveling east on I-80 south of Menlo at around 8:10-p.m., when the car went out of control, crossed the median and entered the westbound lanes of traffic, before it rolled into a field on the north side of I-80.

Paz-Lobo, and his passengers, 41-year old Javier Martinez-Martin, 25-year old Denis Juvenal Sorto-Martinez and 21-year old Jose B. Martinez, all of Grand Island, died in the crash, along with the fifth male subject whose identity was not immediately known. The accident remains under investigation.

The Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Adair County Ambulance, the Stuart and Adair Fire and Rescue Departments,  Adair County Sheriff’s Office, and the Iowa Department of Transportation.

Debate among U-S Senate candidates set for Jan. 19th in C. Bluffs

News

January 11th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

The Council Bluffs Chamber of Commerce along with a couple of media partners and the local GOP, have announced the public will have a chance to hear the views of all six Republican Party candidates for U.S. Senate Sunday, Jan. 19th, at Lewis Central High School. The Daily NonPareil, which is one of the sponsors, says the 90-minute debate begins at 6:30 p.m. in the gymnasium at the school, 3504 Harry Langdon Boulevard.Organizers are asking for a $10 donation to help cover the cost of the event.

The six candidates scheduled to attend include Sam Clovis, Joni Ernst, Mark Jacobs, Paul Lunde, Scott Schaben and Matt Whitaker. This will be the first time all six have gotten together for a debate. Hot-button topics like abortion, taxes, economic growth, renewable energy and the Affordable Care Act – often referred to as Obamacare – will be discussed among the candidates, and some questions will be accepted from those in attendance.

Jon Jacobsen, an executive with TS Bank, will moderate the debate. The three debate panelists will be James Lynch of the Cedar Rapids Gazette, Kathie Obradovich of the Des Moines Register and Gary Barrett of WHO Radio.

Central IA residents injured in Cass Co. crash

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January 11th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Two central Iowa residents were injured during a crash Friday night just off of Highway 71 near the Interstate 80 overpass, in Cass County. The Iowa State Patrol says 61-year old Patrick Luft his passenger, 60-year old Sandra Luft, both of Altoona, were hurt during the accident and transported by Medivac ambulance. Patrick Luft went to the Cass County Memorial Hospital, while Sandra Luft was transported to Iowa Methodist, in Des Moines.

Officials say the Lufts’ 2001 Ford Ranger pickup was in the left, northbound lane of Highway 71 driving past the ramp to eastbound I-80, when the vehicle stopped and backed up in the left lane. a 2008 Peterbilt semi driven by 42-year old David Wiley, of Emmetsburg, was in the right lane traveling northbound. The pickup turned right in an attempt to get onto the eastbound ramp, and in the process was struck by the semi. Both vehicles ended up in the east ditch off of Highway 71, just north of the exit ramp.

The Patrol says Wiley was not injured in the crash.

Iowa News Headlines: Sat., Jan. 11th 2014

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January 11th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Governor Terry Branstad says he will host a public hearing on a proposal that would reduce the amount of ethanol in the nation’s fuel supply. Branstad announced yesterday the hearing will be in Des Moines on January 23rd.

CLERMONT, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say four people are dead and two are injured following a vehicle collision in northeast Iowa. The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office says 28-year-old Shariff Warsame was driving a Toyota van westbound Friday morning on Highway 18 northeast of Clermont. Authorities say he lost control of the vehicle and struck an eastbound Chevy truck driven by 57-year-old Tony Alan Schlee of Elgin. Warsame and three passengers were killed; 34-year-old Miski Yahye Mohamed; 53-year-old Khadijo Mohamed; and 25-year-old Maryan Kulane.

STORY CITY, Iowa (AP) — Authorities are investigating the death of a Missouri truck driver whose body was found near a rest stop in central Iowa. The Story County Sheriff’s Office tells Des Moines television station KCCI the 51-year-old man was found dead in his truck Wednesday night at a rest stop off Interstate 35. The driver’s name was not released on Friday.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Prosecutors say they’ve dropped murder and assault charges filed against a man after a shooting on the pedestrian bridge that connects Omaha with Council Bluffs, Iowa. Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine said Thursday that witnesses were evasive or otherwise uncooperative with investigators and prosecutors, so the case against 24-year-old Terrece Cox became impossible to prosecute.