A man who was picking up trash was struck by a car this morning in Council Bluffs, causing serious injuries. Council Bluffs Police say 53-year old Mario Rodrigues, of Omaha, who works for Red River Waste Solutions, was standing behind a garbage truck and in the process of collecting curbside garbage in the 3800 block of Avenue G., when he was struck by a vehicle that had approached him from behind. The accident happened just before 7:30-a.m.

The eastbound vehicle was driven by 27-year old Chantel Wachner, of Council Bluffs. She told Police she had been blinded by the sun and was in the process of putting down her sun visor when the accident happened. Wachner stated she did not see the truck, which was facing eastbound.

Mario Rodrigues was trapped between the two vehicles for a short period of time. Due to the severity of the leg injuries he suffered, Rodrigues was transported to UNMC’s Trauma Center in Omaha, for treatment. The extent of his injuries are unknown at this time, however they are not considered to be life threatening according to medical staff.

Authorities noted that the garbage truck’s lights were flashing and Rodrigues was wearing his required reflective vest at the time of the accident. Wachner was cited for Failure to Maintain Assured Cleared Distance.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office says no injuries were reported following an accident that took place at around 7:40-a.m. today (Thursday), in Griswold. The accident happened at the intersection of Main and Montgomery Streets in Griswold. Officials say a 2013 Nissan Altima owned and driven by 61-year old Gail Ann Maxwell, of Elliott, was driving eastbound on Main Street when her vehicle was struck by a 2006 Ford van driven by 21-year old Trevor Dakota Bacon, of Shenandoah, as he was attempting to turn left onto Montgomery Street.

Damage to the Nissan is estimated at $2,000. The Ford sustained no damage. Bacon was cited for Failure to Yield Upon Left Turn.

CLEAR LAKE, Iowa (AP) – An Iowa state agency says the longest dock in a northern Iowa city may need to be shortened, raising concerns that a shortage of dock space will hurt tourism. The Globe Gazette reports that the Department of Natural Resources says the dock at Sunset Bay Marina in Clear Lake could be cut down from its current length of almost 500 feet to less than 300 feet in order to comply with a 2008 state regulation on private docks.

The dock’s late owner, Dale Entner, had a contract waiver with the department that allowed the dock to remain at the longer length. The department says Entner’s contract can’t continue once dock ownership transfers to a new owner. Shortening the dock could displace up to 70 boats.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – The trucker found shot to death inside his semi at a rest stop early Wednesday has been identified as 60-year-old Ernest D. Kummer of Monroe, Iowa. Authorities say Kummer was shot and killed by 43-year-old Mariana Lesnic at the westbound Interstate 80 rest area near Victor.

Kummer was an employee of Fridley, Minnesota-based Copeland Trucking, where he had worked since 2010. A company official said it wouldn’t comment on the “horrific event” at the request of Kummer’s family.

Iowa County Sheriff Rob Rotter said Thursday his office and the Division of Criminal Investigation are continuing to search for answers in the case, including a possible motive. Lesnic has been charged with first-degree murder and is being held at the Iowa County jail in Marengo on a $1 million cash-only bond.

In today’s (Thursday’s) Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s report, authorities noted 18-year old Dustin Joshua Pursell, of Council Bluffs, turned himself-in to the Sheriff’s Office. A records check confirmed Pursell was wanted on a Pott. County warrant for Sexual Abuse in the 2nd Degree/Forcible rape. He was taken into custody and transported from the Sheriff’s Office to the Pott. County Jail.

An Oakland man was arrested Wednesday night, after he allegedly took $260 in cash from another Oakland man. 31-year old Corey Andrew Stephens, of Oakland, faces a charge of Theft in the 4th Degree.

And, a call to Pott. County dispatch Wednesday night about a vehicle parked off Interstate 29 with a possibly intoxicated driver inside. A deputy responded and upon further investigation, arrested the driver, 20-year old Tanner Robin Reed, of Plattesmouth, NE, for OWI/2nd offense.

Clarinda Police Chief Keith Brothers reports a Hamburg man was arrested on a drug charge following a traffic stop at around 4:30-p.m., Wednesday. 23-year old Joseph William Michael Haughton, was taken into custody after he was found to be in possession of a controlled substance believed to be marijuana.

He was initially pulled over for failure to wear a seat belt while operating a motor vehicle. Haughton was arrested without incident and transferred to the custody of the Page County Jail where he was held on $1,000 bond.

Investigative reports have been forwarded to the Page County Attorney for review and consideration of the filing of formal charges.

A search warrant executed Wednesday evening at a residence in Shambaugh, resulted in the arrest of 28-year old Joseph Cody Foster, of Shambaugh. Sheriff Lyle Palmer says the Page County warrant was for Probation violation and Theft in the 2nd degree.

Joseph Cody Foster

During the arrest, Foster was found to be in Possession of Methamphetamine.  He was transported to the Page County Jail where he was unable to post the $7,000 bond.  Foster was being held in the Page County Jail pending further court proceedings.