DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Owners of construction vehicles with older diesel engines in nine Iowa counties may apply for a federal rebate to help replace the vehicles or retrofit older vehicles with new cleaner burning engines. The Environmental Protection Agency is making $2 million available for public and private owners of construction vehicles. Those in Black Hawk, Harrison, Johnson, Linn, Mills, Polk, Pottawattamie, Scott, and Woodbury counties may apply for the money. The EPA says the rebates target counties facing air quality challenges.

Since diesel engines in construction equipment can last for decades, the EPA program is geared toward replacing older less efficient engines that emit more pollutants with newer less polluting engines. EPA will accept applications until Jan. 15 and anticipates awarding the rebates in February.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa officials are recruiting people to help monitor the state’s weather as part of a volunteer network. The state Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship says data on rain, hail and snow that’s collected by volunteers will be used for flood forecasting, scientific research and general weather interest. The department’s state climatology office works with the National Weather Service in Des Moines to make sure the data is immediately available for free online.

Interested volunteers just need a four-inch diameter rain gage and a suitable location for the gage.

The Colorado Climate Center established the volunteer network in 1998, and it’s available in all 50 states and Canada. Iowa joined in 2007 and has more than 300 registered volunteers.

A report about a stolen car from rural Mills County Wednesday afternoon, led to a chase that ended near the Missouri River and the arrest of a soggy suspect. According to the Daily NonPareil, 23-year old Jamie Kennedy, of Council Bluffs was taken into custody on suspicion of first-degree theft, eluding police, a warrant for probation violation and a host of other traffic violations that occurred during the pursuit.

Authorities say that at around 12:15 p.m., Mills County dispatchers alerted Pottawattamie County law enforcement about a stolen vehicle that was determined to be at 16th Street and West Broadway in Council Bluffs. As officers spotted the vehicle the OnStar Company was able to disable the car as it reached the I-480 bridge.

Officials say Kennedy fled on foot and headed toward the river and at one point he crawled into the river, but when a K-9 officer – with police dog in tow – called for Kennedy surrender himself, the suspect complied.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Authorities have released the name of a woman who died when her car plunged into a lake following a high-speed chase with West Des Moines police. Police say 51-year-old Brenda Lea Hatfield, of Des Moines, died after her car went into the water early yesterday. An officer reported that her car was driving recklessly and that he tried pulling her over.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Authorities in central Iowa say a man faces multiple charges for biting a deputy and trying to avoid arrest. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office says 18-year-old Devin Joseph Emery Enos was stopped yesterday for driving a stolen vehicle and that he bit the deputy who was trying to place him in custody. Among the charges he faces are theft and assaulting a police officer and causing injury.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress is bestowing the Congressional Gold Medal, its highest civilian honor, on American Indians who used their native language to outwit enemies and protect American battlefield secrets during World Wars I and II. Among those at today’s ceremony in the U.S. Capitol building were members of Congress, the military and 33 tribes from at least nine states, including Iowa.

RED OAK, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a 57-year-old southwest Iowa man accused of dousing a 22-year-old female acquaintance in gasoline and threatening to set her on fire has surrendered to authorities. Red Oak police say William Wayne Elliot turned himself in this morning and is being held in jail. Authorities say he forced the woman into his basement before pouring the gasoline on her.

A frost covered windshield proved to be costly for a Harlan man last week. The Harlan Police Department reports Richard Graeve was traveling north on 19th Street on November 8th. Because his view was obstructed by a frost covered windshield, he misjudged the clearance between a legally parked car registered to Sandra Holcomb, of Harlan.

Graeve’s 2007 Ford struck the left rear of Holcomb’s 2007 Dodge, causing $5,000 damage to both vehicles. Officials say Graeve was cited for Driving with an Obstructed View. No injuries were reported.

The Harlan Police Department reports the arrest on Tuesday of a Harlan man. 61-year old Gary Anderson, was arrested when police were called to Leah Marie Photography for a subject who would not leave. Following an investigation, officers found Anderson at his residence on Baldwin. He was taken into custody and transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with assault causing injury, criminal mischief and trespassing. Anderson was also served with a complaint that was filed on November 18th for trespass by the Durant Street Country Store.

On November 13th, officers with the H-PD arrested 33-year old Timothy Kroening, of Colby, WI. The man was taken into custody after officers were called to investigate an alleged subject smoking marijuana on the deck of a local bar. Kroening was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and possessing contraband.

And, on November 6th, 24-year old Cameron Behrens,  of Harlan, was charged with Theft 2nd degree, a class D felony for allegedly taking money from the Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium. Behrens was cited and released.

Authorities say a man wanted in southwest Iowa on felony kidnapping and attempted murder charges, turned himself in at around 10:19-a.m., Wednesday. 57-year-old William Wayne Elliott, of Red Oak, is accused of forcing 22-year old Shelby Mae Schmitz, of Red Oak, into the basement of his home on November 11th, after she stopped by for a visit.

He then allegedly doused her with gasoline and threatening to set Schmitz on fire.  Schmitz escaped and reported the incident to Red Oak Police. The woman was hospitalized for evaluation and treatment as authorities got a search warrant for Elliott’s home. He was not there but authorities say they located evidence in the home, including narcotics.

Elliott was being held in the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center on $100,300 bond. The Red Oak Police Department was assisted in its investigation by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Marshal’s Service.

The Iowa State Patrol says a central Iowa man was injured during an accident Wednesday morning on Interstate 80, in Cass County. 56-year old Bradley Alan Katzenberger, of Des Moines, was transported from the Cass County Memorial Hospital by LifeNet helicopter to the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, where he was reported to be in “Fair” condition, Wednesday night.

Officials say Katzenberger was traveling west on I-80 at around 5-a.m., when the 2000 Workhorse delivery truck he was driving was hit from behind by a westbound 2006 International semi, driven by 23-year old Daniel L. Hart, of Omaha. Following the impact, the Katzenberger vehicle left the road to the right and rolled several times into the ditch. Katzenberger, who was wearing his seat belt, was ejected from the truck.

Hart left the scene of the accident near the 55-mile marker, and was involved in a separate crash at the 49-mile marker of I-80 westbound, a short time later. He was placed under arrest and charged with Leaving the Scene of an Accident.

(Updated 4-a.m. Thu., 11/21/13)

The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce reports Santa’s Cabin will be open this Thursday in the downtown City Park, with a fresh smell of new cedar after the Atlantic Rotary Club repaired the roof and damaged logs last spring. Santa will be in his cabin to see children following the Grand Lighting ceremony at 5:30-p.m. (sponsored by MAHLE Engine Components and Corner Stone Landscaping), when more than 200,000 light bulbs are turned on to signal the start of the holidays.

Prior to Santa’s arrival, Chamber Director Megan Roberts said a sparkling cider toast will be given from the Grand Lighting Stage to celebrate the holiday kick off. In addition to a photo booth, free horse-drawn carriage rides, hot cocoa and visits at Santa’s Cabin, the Chamber’s Holiday Recipe Walk will also be happening for attendees to enjoy from 5-7 p.m.

Roberts says “Many merchants will be open later on Thursday night, and we have nine stops on the Holiday Recipe Walk where attendees can sample holiday favorites and take home a recipe card for their own collection,” Roberts said. “This is all a part of our efforts at the Chamber to create activities on the Third Thursday of each month.”

A list of participating businesses will be handed out at the Grand Lighting Stage near the city park and include: The Atlantic Coca-Cola Center & Museum; Aunt B’s; Bonnesen’s; Camblin Plumbing & Heating; Cappel’s Ace Hardware; Downtowner Cafe & Catering; Cullen & Associates; Longaberger Consultant Dolly Bergmann, and Rex Pharmacy.

The Third Thursday in November is only the beginning of the Chamber sponsored holiday events, followed by the Lighted Parade on Dec. 7th. Roberts said parade entries are welcome by contacting the Atlantic Area Chamber at 712.243.3017 or emailing chamber@atlanticiowa.com for a registration form. Pre-registration is not required but is encouraged.

Parts of Iowa will be in for a coating of white by tomorrow (Thursday) afternoon as a wintery storm system is headed our way. Meteorologist Kevin Skow, at National Weather Service office in Johnston, says the front will be bringing very low temperatures and plenty of precipitation. Skow says, “It’s going to start out as rain across our area but then colder air will work in from the northwest and cause that rain to change over to snow, especially across the northwestern half or so of Iowa tomorrow evening.”

A wide section of Iowa could have a blanket of white snow before the weekend arrives. “In general, we’re expecting anywhere from one to three inches, with the highest amounts in northwest Iowa closer to the Sioux City-Sioux Falls area,” he says. While it’s still fall for another month, this storm will definitely feel like winter, as the front may bring in the coldest air of the season so far.

Skow says, “Cold air will work in here on Friday and Saturday and highs on Saturday will only be in the mid-teens to mid-20s across Iowa and the lows on Saturday night will dip down into the single digits above zero with some areas even getting below zero.” Daytime highs by early next week will be back closer to normal in the 30s to low-40s across Iowa.

(Radio Iowa)