Sheriff’s Officials in Shelby County are expected to release information later this morning about a fatal, fiery crash which occurred last night (Thursday), in Irwin. While no official report has been released as of early this (Friday) morning, according to scanner traffic, Irwin and Defiance Fire and Rescue were dispatched to a location near 300 Front Street, following a report of a motor vehicle accident, with the vehicle fully engulfed in flames. It apparently had come to rest against a pole. The accident was reported at 11:50-p.m., and within about one-half hour layer, officials on the scene had requested a Medical Examiner. We’ll have additional details as they become available.

The families of four motorcyclists who died in a crash with a drunken driver on Interstate 29 near Little Sioux in 2010, have settled a combined lawsuit with the man who was convicted on four counts of vehicular homicide. According to the Omaha World-Herald, the families accepted an offer made late last year by 23-year old Andrew Schlichtemeier. Barring any late developments, the settlement essentially ends the civil case against the man, who was 21-years old when his pickup crossed the center line of I-29 in a construction zone, and collided with four men on motorcycles who were returning home from Sturgis, S.D. The August 9th, 2010, crash claimed the lives of: Jay Bock of Omaha; Steven Benscoter of Pacific Junction, Iowa; and Dale Aspedon and Dennis Chaney, both of Glenwood, Iowa,

Authorities tested Schlichtemeier’s blood and recorded a blood-alcohol content of more than 4½ times the legal limit. The test also turned up traces of the chemical in marijuana. Investigators found two baggies containing marijuana, eight 12-ounce cans of beer, all unopened, along with an empty 40-ounce bottle of beer in the wreckage of Schlichtemeier’s vehicle, which ended-up on its side after the crash. Schlichtemeier pleaded guilty to four counts of motor vehicle homicide in February 2011. He was later sentenced to 50 years. When he pleaded guilty, Schlichtemeier admitted responsibility in court, with many of the motorcyclists’ loved ones in attendance.

The families of the motorcyclists filed separate lawsuits against Schlichtemeier in the months following the crash, but their cases were later combined. It was settled with mediation last Friday, to divide the amount of proceeds from Schlichtemeier’s car insurance policies he carried at the time. Attorneys would not say how much money the estates of the motorcyclists are dividing, citing conditions of the settlement. District Judge Greg Steensland will oversee the mediation in Council Bluffs.

Iowa Congressman Steve King is among the Republicans upset with Democrat President Barack Obama’s decision to reject the Keystone X-L oil pipeline project.  “Well, it’s just a completely illogical decision when you look at a country that needs jobs that needs energy, the price that gas is today compared to the day that Barack Obama took office. All of these things scream for us to build the pipeline down from the oil sands region in Northern Alberta down into the United States,” King says. The president issued a statement saying the decision to reject the pipeline was based on the need to gather more information on the safety of the pipeline. King says the decision is simply politics.

“The president has had difficulty making a decision between his environmental extremist base and his labor union base, he’s decided to side with the environmental extremist base,” King says. “It is not I don’t think, an analytical decision, it’s a political decision on his part. And the American people are going to have to make a political decision next November. If we can have jobs and energy blocked like this, we pretty well know that politics trumps the American people’s best interests.” King says he believes Obama made the decision now so it wouldn’t be hanging over his head before he gives his State of the Union address. The pipeline would extend from Canada to Texas, covering six states. Nebraska is the closest state to Iowa that would be on the pipeline route.

(Dar Danielson/Radio Iowa)

Iowa 5th District Congressman Steve King presented six Air Force medals to Iowa resident and Vietnam War Veteran David Napier today (Thursday).

Vietnam Vet David Napier receives his medals from Congressman Steve King (R-IA)

Napier never received the medals he earned while serving over forty years ago, but he received the medals today after seeing a flyer about retrieving unclaimed medals from the Republican Congressman’s office.

Napier served in the U.S. Air Force from 1961 to 1969 and was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant. He served 1 year in Da Nang, Vietnam as a musician in a special entertainment unit in the Air Force called the Black Patches. He was acquainted with many famous civilian entertainers who volunteered their services during the war including Martha Ray, Hank Snow, James Garner, Nancy Sinatra and Robert Mitchum. He is a well known local musician who plays saxophone for Rockestra and other local music groups.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Hunting mourning doves has been legal in Iowa for nearly a year, but the issue still isn’t settled at the Capitol.  A Senate subcommittee on Thursday discussed using lead shot ammunition in hunting the birds.  The state’s Natural Resources Commission last year unanimously voted to ban the practice, but a legislative committee put the ban on hold.
 
Sen. Dick Dearden, D-Des Moines, says the commission overstepped its bounds in banning lead shot. A resolution he backs to overturn that ban advanced out of the meeting.  Environmental advocates told committee members Thursday that lead shot is toxic and can harm animals when eaten. Hunting advocates say the harm is minor and no good alternatives to lead shot exists. The measure now goes to the full Senate Natural Resources Committee.

A celebration will take place at the CAM High School in Anita next Wednesday, to honor the former staff, teachers, board members and students of CAM North Elementary School, which recently received a 2011 “Blue Ribbon School” award. CAM North was formally known as the Anita Elementary School. The celebration along with a recognition ceremony and speech from returning Anita High School alum Liz Retz Parker (CAM Class of 1980), will take place at 1-p.m. Wed., Jan. 25th, at the high school.

A reception and open house will continue at the elementary building after the ceremony, until 4-p.m. (Students will be dismissed at 2:30-p.m.) Invitations are being sent to former staff and board members from recent years at the school, but all former teachers, staff and board members are welcome to attend.

Superintendent Steve Pelzer says the school wants to thank the community for its support in helping the district attain the national “Blue Ribbon School” award. The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes public and non-public elementary, middle, and high schools where students achieve at very high levels and/or where the achievement gap is narrowing. The Program sets a standard of excellence for all schools striving for the highest level of achievement.

No injuries were reported following an accident Wednesday night, in Atlantic. According to Atlantic Police, Tammy Johnson, of Atlantic, was traveling north in the 800 block of Poplar Street, when Johnson looked down for a moment, and her vehicle hit a legally parked car owned by Darla Jacobsen, of Atlantic. The accident happened at around 9-p.m., Wednesday. Damage to the vehicles amounted to $10,000. Officials say Johnson was cited for Striking an Unattended Vehicle, and for having No Proof of Insurance.