A central Iowa woman died, and two other women were injured during a collision Thursday afternoon, in western Guthrie County. The Iowa State Patrol says 78-year old Beverly Chase, of West Des Moines died at the Audubon County Hospital, after the car she was riding in was hit broadside by another vehicle at around 1:30-p.m.  Officials say 77-year old Nadine Ludwig, of Des Moines was driving a 2002 Mercury Sable eastbound on 190th Street, and failed yield after stopping at the intersection with Chestnut Road. Her car was hit by a northbound 2001 Pontiac Aztek, driven by 26-year old Angela Lovejoy, of Coon Rapids.Officials say Lovejoy was not wearing her seat belt, while the other two women were properly restrained in their vehicle.

Immediately after the collision, the Sable continued into the northeast ditch, while the Pontiac came to rest on the roadway. Ludwig and Lovejoy were both transported by Audubon Rescue to the Audubon County Hospital. A report on their conditions is not available. The accident remains under investigation.

The Iowa State Patrol says the driver of a pickup truck died this (Thursday) morning when he was ejected from the vehicle as it went out of control on Interstate 80 near Adair. 32-year old Randy Johnson, of Winterset, died at the scene of the crash on I-80 eastbound, at about the 77 mile marker. Officials say Johnson was traveling west on I-80 at around 7:10-a.m, when he came up fast on an eastbound Freightliner van and swerved to avoid hitting the rear of the vehicle. Johnson’s 2008 Freightliner pickup went out of control, crossed the median and eastbound lanes of traffic before entering the south ditch and rolling over. Johnson was ejected from the vehicle as it rolled. The Patrol’s report did not indicate if he was wearing a seat belt.

The accident closed both lanes of eastbound traffic for about an hour. One of the lanes remained closed for more than 4-hours, while authorities investigated the scene and crews worked to remove the vehicle from the ditch.

Officials with the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) today (Thursday), announced Downtown Revitalization funds totaling $3.5 million are being awarded to seven Iowa communities.  The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds are to be used for the rehabilitation of a total of 144 downtown buildings in Burlington, Charles City, Conrad, Elkader, Emmetsburg, Manning and West Union.  The federally-funded grants were awarded for façade master plan projects for downtown businesses. 

In a Press Release, Governor Terry Branstad said “The Iowa Economic Development Authority’s Downtown Revitalization Program is transforming downtowns and improving the business climate and quality of life for residents across the state.  Not only are these funds leveraging private investment and improving physical conditions, but participating communities are seeing new businesses and job creation on Iowa’s Main Streets.” Branstad said the seven communities have created local public-private partnerships “That are making great things happen for their residents and all Iowans to enjoy.”

To date, the CDBG Downtown Revitalization Program has supported 19 community revitalization strategies.  When complete, these 19 projects will lead to the rehabilitation of 347 downtown properties.  The grants are awarded based on the potential impact of the project, the project being part of a comprehensive downtown revitalization strategy, commitment of local resources, and the ability to demonstrate revitalization will continue to move forward following project completion. The Community Development Block Grant program is federally-funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). IEDA is responsible for administering the CDBG funds in the non-metropolitan areas of the state. Applications are solicited annually, usually during the fall.

The race for Iowa’s newly reorganized Third Congressional district is heating up.

Congressman Tom Latham (R-IA)

Republican Congressman Tom Latham says he thinks he knows what’s best for Iowans, and he characterized his Democrat opponent Leonard Boswell as being of the mindset “Washington knows best,” as proven by his voting record. Latham says he’s running campaign ads six-months prior to the election because he wants to get the word out that the election is about “the future of this Country, and the potential loss of the American Dream.” 

He says Boswell supported the Wall Street bank bailout and the economic stimulus package, Cap and Trade – which he says will increase utility rates in Iowa by 20- to 25-percent – while he – Latham – voted against those issues. Boswell told KJAN Wednesday, that Latham has deep pockets when it comes to bankrolling his campaign, thanks in-part to his relationship to House Speaker John Boehner and other Washington power brokers. Latham says his support comes primarily from Iowans. Latham says Boswell is probably using the fundraising issue as “an excuse on his part, because he hasn’t been able to generate the level of support…” that Latham has. Latham says he and Boswell have a clear philosophical difference, and that’s something Iowans need to consider before the next election in November.

Strong thunderstorms which crossed the Missouri River from Nebraska into western Iowa, Wednesday evening caused some minor tree damage in Crawford County. The National Weather Service said today (Thursday), a number of trees in a grove north of Ricketts where either downed, or lost large limbs, when estimated winds gusting up to 65-miles per hour blew through the area. The winds, which occurred at around 7:10-p.m, also caused the formation of a “gustnado,” a short-lived, low-level rotating cloud. They typically last for anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes, and are often confused with tornados. The difference is, the rotating column of air does not extend upward, into the thunderstorm cloud base.

The storm also produced nickel-sized hail a few minutes after the winds occurred.

Police in Atlantic report the arrest today (Thursday), of an Avoca man. 32-year old Brandon Swisher was taken into custody on a charge of OWI/3rd Offense. Swisher was booked into the Cass County Jail and held, pending a court appearance.

A chase of two stolen vehicles late Wednesday morning in Pottawattamie County resulted in the two people being arrested on multiple charges. Pott. County Chief Deputy John Reynolds told KJAN News the incident began at around 11:48-a.m., with a dispatch from the Pott. County Communications Center pertaining to the theft of a vehicle from the 16,000 block of 275^th Street, or just west of Treynor.

A white Chevy S-10 pickup was reported stolen from the residence, and there were reports a blue Ford F-150 was following the Chevy. There were also reports the resident whose pickup was stolen was also trying to follow the alleged thief. Reynolds said a sheriff’s deputy responding to the area intercepted the S-10 still being followed by the Ford, in the area of 170^th and Honeysuckle.

The deputy confirmed the S-10 was stolen, and turned to initiate a traffic stop. At that point, both vehicles took off and a lengthy chase ensued. The chase wound along a gravel road near Iowa State Patrol Post #3 at about Hunt and Highway 6. During the chase, several State Troopers and additional sheriff’s deputies deployed “stop sticks,” which hit the mark and punctured tires on both vehicles. That didn’t end the chase, however.

Reynolds said the S-10 ultimately failed to negotiate a corner and wrecked. The driver, 27-year old Lee Vohs, from Council Bluffs, was taken into custody on 2^nd degree theft, eluding, burglary in the 3^rd degree, theft in the 1^st degree, and resisting arrest, charges. He suffered minor injuries during the crash, and was treated at Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs before being booked into the Pott. County Jail.

The F-150, which lost its right front wheel and was still being pursued by a sheriff’s deputy, continued back into Council Bluffs and got on to I-80 eastbound. Despite having only three wheels, the pickup was clocked at speeds of up to 100-miles per hour. It left the interstate at the Underwood exit and went east on G-30 before turning off onto County Road L-52, towards McClelland. After a State Trooper initiated a “PIT” maneuver, the pickup crashed into a ditch.

The driver, 24-year old Whitney Koontz, of Smithville, MO., was arrested for Possession of Narcotics, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, eluding and theft in the 1^st degree. The vehicle she was driving was determined to have been stolen from the 11,000 block of 270^th Street, or near Silver City. Koontz also suffered minor injuries, was treated and released from the hospital before being booked into the jail. None of the law enforcement officers were injured during the chase. The thefts are still under investigation, and additional charges are possible. Koontz and Vohs were being held in the Pottawattamie County Jail on $10,000 bond, each.

Firefighters from two Shelby County Departments were called to the scene of a grass fire east of Kirkman Wednesday afternoon. The call was dispatched at around 2:30-p.m to 1408 on County Road M47. Crews from Kirkman and Irwin were sent to the scene. Mike Rasmussen, Kirkman Fire Chief, says Nishnabotna REC was called to the scene as well. He says the fire started with two power lines rubbing through the trees. Rasmussen said no structural damage was done to the barn located nearby. The two fire crews were on scene for about an hour.

In addition, the Harlan Fire Department was dispatched 3002 12th Street in Harlan, Lot #83, after a report was received about a porch on fire. The call came in at 2:38-p.m. Roger Bissen, Harlan Fire Chief was first to arrive on scene. He said a deck was on fire, and a handicap ramp leading up to the deck. A fire began under the ramp and started to melt the siding on the side of the trailer. The Harlan Fire Department was there for about 30 minutes taking care of the fire. Bissen said damage done to the ramp; deck and trailer amounted to $2,000. The cause of the fire is still being investigated. No injuries were reported in either fire.

(Joel McCall/KNOD-Harlan)

The Iowa DOT reports that as of 8:11-a.m., one lane of Interstate 80 eastbound near Adair is now open following a single-vehicle accident which occurred at around 7:45-a.m.. The right lane remains closed. Use caution if traveling in this area.

w/ Ric Hanson

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