(Corning, Iowa) – Officials with the Adams County Sheriff’s Office report the Sheriff’s Department is kicking off its second annual “Shop with A cop” program. Officials say the event will be held December 18, 2023. Anyone wishing to donate can drop off a check at the Adams County Sheriff’s Office or mail it to 901 Davis Avenue, Corning, Iowa, 50841.

Each participating child in the program receives $50 to $100 for shopping, depending on the size of their immediate family. One child is assigned to each Adams County deputy, who takes that child shopping and assists them in selecting appropriate gifts for each family member or themselves.

The Jailers and dispatchers assist the children with gift wrapping at the Corning Fire Department. If you would like to donate wrapping paper, please let the Sheriff’s Department know. Deputies will deliver the presents to each selected household, in time for the gifts to be opened on Christmas Day.

For more information, contact Deputy Ryan Carlson at (641)- 322-9096.

SHELL ROCK, Iowa (KCRG) – Around 4:00 PM on Saturday, first responders were called to an explosion at the Poet Ethanol Plant in Shell Rock. Upon arrival, responders reported no visible flames. Officials say crews spoke with employees and determined everyone was accounted for and no injuries were reported. First responders were on the scene for approximately one and a half hours.

Butler County Emergency Management says the unconfirmed cause was a combustible dust explosion, but an investigation into the cause will be conducted. The plant is currently operational at this time.

Responding departments include: Shell Rock Fire, Shell Rock First Responders, Clarksville Fire, Clarksville EMS, Waverly Fire, Waverly Paramedics, Butler County Sheriff’s Department, Butler County Emergency Medical Services, Butler County Emergency Management, and the Iowa State Patrol.

ORANGE CITY, Iowa (KCAU) — A two-year-old is dead after an incident involving a fallen tree near Boyden, in northwest Iowa. According to the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office, the two-year-old’s family was cutting down trees at a farm residence about a mile and a half southwest of Boyden last Monday, when a tree fell and hit the child.

The sheriff’s office said that the 2-year-old, identified as Nathan Klok, sustained severe trauma and died from the injuries at the scene.

The sheriff’s office was assisted by Boyden Ambulance and Boyden Fire Department.

DES MOINES, Iowa — A cantaloupe recall is in effect after dozens of people fell sick across 32 states, including five people in Iowa and four people in Nebraska. Contaminated cantaloupes and cut fruit that may be tainted with salmonella were sold between Oct. 16 and Nov. 10. The recall includes whole cantaloupes and pre-cut chunks, cubes, melon medleys and fruit medleys from Malichita, Vinyard, and ALDI brands. Investigators are trying to find any other cantaloupe products that could have been contaminated.

Salmonella cases have now been reported in 32 states in connection with this outbreak, and 45 people have been hospitalized, according to CNN. The two deaths were reported by health authorities in Minnesota, the CDC said. Most who are infected with salmonella experience diarrhea, fever, or stomach cramps.

The number of brands involved in a related fruit recall has also expanded to include Rudy brand whole cantaloupes and Freshness Guaranteed brand and RaceTrac brand pre-cut cantaloupe, in addition to some Vinyard and Aldi fruit products. Recalled cantaloupes may have a sticker that says “Rudy” or “Malichita” with the number 4050 and “Product of Mexico/produit du Mexique,” the CDC said.

If you have any of these recalled products at home, throw them away or return them to the store where you bought them, the CDC said. Make sure you wash any items or surfaces that have come into contact with the fruit using hot soapy water. A dishwasher will also help get rid of the bacteria.

(Pleasant Hill, Iowa) –  A crash at around 2:56-a.m. Saturday (Nov. 25, 2023) in Polk County, claimed the life of a man from Ames. The Iowa State Patrol reports a 2013 Lincoln MKS driven by 24-year-old Jacob DeVries, of Ames, was traveling north on NE 112th Street, when DeVries failed to stop at the intersection with Highway 163.

His car struck the trailer being pulled by 2018 International Semi that was traveling east on Highway 163.  DeVries was not wearing a seat belt. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the semi was not injured.

The crash remains under investigation. The Patrol was assisted at the scene by numerous agencies.

ISP CORRECTION to original report (Richland, Iowa) – A head-on crash early this (Saturday) afternoon in southeast Iowa’s Keokuk County, claimed one life and resulted in two people being injured. According to the Iowa State Patrol, a 2017 Chevy pickup driven by 47-year-old Kathy L. Wagaman, of Brighton (IA), was traveling northbound on the 31,500 block of 323rd Avenue, north of Richland, when the pickup crossed the center line of the road and collided head-on with a 2019 Ford Explorer (SUV) driven by 79-year-old Marsha E. Patterson, of West Chester, that was traveling southbound. The accident happened at around 12:33-p.m., north of Richland.

Following the collision, the SUV came to rest in the west ditch. The pickup stopped on the east shoulder of the road. A passenger in the SUV, 82-year-old Frank. L. Patterson, who was not wearing a seat belt, died from his injuries at the Keokuk County Hospital. Marsha Patterson and Kathy Wagamon, both of whom were wearing their seat belts, were injured, and transported to the Univ. of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. Patterson was flown to the facility by air ambulance. Wagaman was taken by ambulance. A report on their injuries was not available.

The Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Keokuk County Sheriff’s Office, Medical Examiner and Ambulance Services, Richland Fire Dept., Washington County Sheriff’s Office and Ambulance Service.