Most folks know smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, but the number-two cause is radon. While the E-P-A estimates one in every 15 homes nationwide has elevated radon levels, many parts of Iowa are at much greater risk. Micki Sandquist is spokeswoman for the American Lung Association in Iowa. “Radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, radioactive gas that is produced from decay naturally occuring in the soil and it enters homes through their basements,” Sandquist says. “We are encouraging people to test their homes to see if they have radon in their home and if so, to take care of it.” Testing kits are easy to use and usually cost less than 20-dollars. Sandquist says most of the state’s American Lung Association chapters will have them in stock.

Sandquist says, “You keep the kit in the basement or the lowest level of the home and you send the test away and the results come back and let you know the level of radon that is in your home or if there’s no radon in your home.” Homes with high radon levels can usually be fixed with simple and affordable venting techniques.  “It is estimated there are 400 deaths per year in Iowa that are caused by radon-induced lung cancer,” Sandquist says. “It’s about the same number of annual deaths that are seen in Iowa for traffic fatalities.” Governor Branstad is proclaiming this as Radon Action Month for the state as radon levels are highest during the winter months. Learn more by calling 800-383-5992 or visit: www.healthhouse.org

(Pat Powers/Matt Kelley, Radio Iowa)

The Fremont County Sheriff’s Department reports today (Monday) three arrests and one accident took place last week. On Tuesday (Jan. 3rd), 26-year old Jennifer Nicole Lekey, of Shenandoah, was arrested on a Child Support Warrant. Last Wednesday, 35-year old Michelle Dawn Moore, of Hamburg, was arrested for Serious Assault, and on Thursday, 26-year old Kain Tylor Endicott, of Tabor, was arrested for Simple Domestic Assault and 5th Degree Criminal Mischief. The Sheriff’s Office said also, Mallory Jones, of Farragut, was transported to a local hospital after the car she was driving was blown off the road by a strong gust of wind southwest of Imogene. The 2010 Hyundai Elantra was traveling north on 370th Street just north of 130th Street, when a gust caused the car to enter a ditch. The vehicle rolled once and came to rest on its wheels.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports an Atlantic woman was arrested Friday on drug charges. 33-year old Bridget Lea Barnholdt, of Atlantic, was taken into custody on a Cass County warrant for Possession with the Intent to Deliver/Methamphetamine, and Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana. Barnholdt was being held in the Cass County Jail on $51,000 bond.

Police in Council Bluffs say an Omaha teenager was arrested Saturday night in Council Bluffs, following the  robbery of two pedestrians.  According to Bluffs Police Sgt. Pat Toscano, a 16-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of first-degree robbery. A second suspect is being sought by police. Toscano said the victims reported being robbed about 7:45 p.m. while walking near 1908 8th Avenue. The victims, who were not identified, said they handed over cash and a cellphone after a suspect showed a handgun.

The suspects fled in a small, red car that officers located about 10 minutes later at a convenience store on West Broadway. Toscano said several people standing near the car “fled the scene” when officers approached. The teen identified as brandishing the gun during the robbery was taken in for questioning and later arrested.

The Masena City Council will meet in a regular session Monday. The meeting, at the Masena City Hall begins at 7-p.m. During the session, the Council will discuss and possibly act on matters pertaining to: an electronic sign; the setting of a budget workshop date and time; City Hall and Centennial Park improvements, and, an agreement with Railroad Management, LLC and the City of Massena. There will also be reports from the City’s Water, Wastewater and Street Departments, MSA Professionals, and continued discussion with regard to nuisance properties and junkyards.

The Audubon City Council will meet Monday evening at the City Hall in Audubon, for a regularly scheduled session. During the meeting, which begins at 7-p.m., the Council will hear from Gail Richardson, with regard to the Library budget. There will also be discussion pertaining to parking in yards.  During their last session in December, Councilman John Wetzel voiced his concerns about cars being parked in yards throughout the city. Wetzel presented several pictures of vehicles being parked in front and back yards at several residents. He asked the council to consider passing some sort of ordinance keeping the vehicles on the streets.

The Council Monday evening, will also hold discussion with regard to Compensation practices. During their last session the Audubon City Council voted 3-2 to give all city employees a three-percent raise. Last year, each City employee received a $400 raise. The two council members who voted against the raise had wanted to wait until they found out what the city’s health insurance costs were going to be. The raise will go into effect July 1, 2012.

Two people, a man and a woman, were transported to the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic  Sunday, following a rollover accident near Interstate 80.  According to dispatch reports, the accident occurred about a mile south of Interstate 80, near the intersection of 690th (County Road N-28) and Boston Road, at around 3:50-p.m.  Officials said a 2002 Saturn registered to a subject out of Guthrie County rolled over and came to rest on its wheels in the middle of the road. Both subjects were transported by Anita Rescue to the hospital. The accident remains under investigation. No other details are currently available.

The Atlantic Community School District’s Certified Collective Bargaining Unit is scheduled to meet with the district’s administrative team Monday afternoon. During the 4-p.m. session, the CCBU will present the Association’s opening proposal for 2012-2013 negotiations. The open meeting takes place in the Board Room at the Atlantic Middle School.

Police in Council Bluffs are investigating an armed robbery that took place Saturday night. Officials say at around 7:42-p.m., an armed robbery was reported at 1900 8^th Avenue, in Council Bluffs. Two victims, whose names were not released, claimed cash and a cell phone were taken from them by two men. The victims said one of the suspects brandished a revolver during the robbery. Both suspects, a black male and a white male, were wearing dark-colored clothing. They fled the area in a small red car.

Officials say when two Council Bluffs Police Officers located a vehicle matching the suspects’ vehicle at a local gas and convenience store, two suspects fled the scene on foot, as the officers approached a group of people standing near the vehicle.

Two people were detained for questioning, one of whom was identified as having been involved in the robbery. The suspects’ name has not been released. The incident remains under investigation by the Council Bluffs Criminal Investigation Division.