DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The heat wave continues to take a toll on Iowa’s crops and livestock.

In the weekly crop report on Monday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture says 75 percent of the corn crop is in good to excellent shape, a decrease from 80 percent the week before. Seventy-three percent of the soybean crop is in good to excellent condition, a slide from 79 percent.

The report says along with livestock losses, the hot and humid weather is slowing weight gain and lowering milk production.

Reports of over 14 inches of rain in the Dubuque area last Wednesday and Thursday caused flash flooding that damaged property and crops.

State climatologist Harry Hillaker says preliminary data shows that July was Iowa’s warmest month since August 1983 and the warmest July since 1955.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A truck belonging to a missing Iowa couple whose home was destroyed by fire has been found in Kansas City, Mo.

A badly burned body was found inside couple’s home in Warren County. More tests are needed for identification.

The Iowa Department of Public Safety says the truck was found on Sunday at an apartment complex. Officials don’t know who took the truck to Kansas City, and are still trying to find people who may have seen it between noon on Saturday and noon on Sunday.

Authorities are searching for 79-year-old James “Bill” Wood and his 72-year-old wife, Kaidena. They were last seen at a local auction Saturday morning.

Fire destroyed their home late Saturday. The body was found in the debris.

The Original Press Release is below.…

Warren County, IOWA — Law enforcement officials in central Iowa are requesting the assistance of Iowans in locating the owners of a home that was destroyed by fire late Saturday night, and the whereabouts of a vehicle belonging to the residents.

The home of James “Bill” Wood and Kaidena “Kay” Wood was found engulfed in flames at 11:35 PM on Saturday, July 30, 2011.  The residents could not be located.  Police and fire officials were called immediately and got the fire under control during the night.  The Division of Criminal Investigation and the State Fire Marshal’s office were called to assist the Warren County Sheriff’s Office with the investigation.

Investigators found one body in the home, but the identity has not yet been confirmed.   They are seeking the public’s help in locating Kaidena “Kay” Lozelle Wood, age 72, and James “Bill” Wood, age 79.  They also are seeking information on a vehicle belonging to the Woods, a 2009 red Chevrolet Silverado pickup, with Iowa license plate number 426 SOC. Law Enforcement is attempting to locate anyone that may have seen this vehicle from Friday, July 29, 2011 through Sunday, July 31, 2011.

Anyone with information about Kaidena “Kay” Wood or James “Bill” Wood or the vehicle should call the Warren County Dispatch Center at 515-961-1122, or Iowa State Patrol Communications at 515-323-4360.

Kaidena Wood

James "Bill" Wood

Wood pickup side image

Wood pickup - front angle view

Two Neola residents and a woman from Council Bluffs were injured during a three-vehicle collision Sunday evening on Interstate 80, near Avoca. The Iowa State Patrol says 55-year old Debora Masker and 58-year old Robert Masker, both of Neola, and 53-year old Maureen Harvey, of Council Bluffs, suffered minor injuries during the collision, which happened at around 6:35-p.m. on I-80 westbound, at the 44-mile marker. The crash occurred as vehicles were merging into the right lane due at a bridge construction zone.

The patrol reports a 2008 Chevy Impala driven by Deborah Masker, was stopped in a line of traffic when the car was rear-ended by a 2004 Ford F-150 pickup, driven by Maureen Harvey. After the initial collision, the pickup rolled on its side, and the car was pushed forward during the impact, into the rear of a 2008Chevy truck, driven by 20-year old David Feuerhelm, of Cedar Rapids.

The Maskers were transported by Walnut Rescue to Myrtue Memorial Hospital in Harlan, while Maureen Harvey was transported to the same facility, by Avoca Rescue. The crash and subsequent investigation resulted in traffic being detoured around the site for a little more than two-hours.

Patrol Sgt. Bryan Michelsen told KJAN News accidents such as the one which occurred Sunday night are becoming more and more frequent, because motorists aren’t exercising common sense and courtesies. He says the Patrol has seen several incidents on eastbound I-80. Michelson says drivers need to heed the construction sign warnings about one-lane traffic ahead, and merge earlier, in order to avoid road rage incidents, or risk causing accidents.

Police in Council Bluffs say they have received new information concerning a missing teen, but are still actively looking for her. Officials said late this (Monday) afternoon,

17-year old Michaela Renee Allan, of Council Bluffs, has been communicating with her family and friends via Facebook, and has indicated she is fine and will return home.

Allan was last seen at the Council Bluffs Public Library, at around 4:30-p.m. Sunday.

The Council Bluffs P.D. says they believe the young woman is not in any danger at this time, but they would still like to know where she is. Michaela stands about 5-feet 6-inches tall, and weighs about 130 pounds. She was last seen wearing a multi-colored hat with lettering on it, a pink shirt, and tight, skinny jeans with high heels.

If you have come into contact with her, call the Council Bluffs Police Department at 712-328-4721.

As Iowans sweat out another extreme heat advisory, with high humidity and
temperatures in the 90s, the Iowa Department of Public Health reminds workers who
are exposed to extreme heat as part of their job to be especially mindful of
heat-related illnesses. Workers at risk of heat stress include outdoor workers and
people who work in hot environments, such as firefighters, bakery workers, farmers,
and factory workers. Those at greatest risk of heat illness include those who are 65
years of age or older, are overweight, have heart disease or high blood pressure, or
take medications that may be affected by extreme heat.

“In addition to the dangers from the heat itself, outside workers have an increased
risk of injuries resulting from sweaty palms, fogged-up safety glasses, and
dizziness,” said IDPH Medical Director, Dr. Patricia Quinlisk. “Accidentally
touching surfaces heated by the sun can also result in burns.”

Employers and workers should make protection from heat stress a priority. Prevention
measures include:

*   Schedule outdoor jobs for the cooler part of the day.
*   Wear light-colored, loose-fitting, breathable clothing such as cotton.
*   Drink water frequently. Drink enough water that you never become thirsty.
*   Take extra breaks during extreme heat and humidity, and take breaks in the
shade or a cool area when possible.
*   Monitor your physical condition and that of your coworkers.

Signs of becoming ill from the heat include confusion, irritability,
lightheadedness, loss of coordination, unusual fatigue, and goose bumps or chills in
the hot weather. If you or someone else shows these symptoms:

*   Stop any activity immediately.
*   Move to an indoor air conditioned area or to a shaded area outdoors, and use
cool water to cool down the body.
*   Drink water or a rehydration drink.
*   Contact a health professional.
Heat illnesses can be deadly. For more information on heat illness prevention and
treatment, visit
www.cdc.gov/Features/ExtremeHeat

A sleepy Audubon woman had a rude awakening early Saturday morning, when the vehicle she was driving crashed and rolled several times. The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office says 19-year old Alicia Renee King suffered only minor injuries during the crash, which happened at around 2:40-a.m., as she was traveling north on Highway 71, south of Hamlin.

When King fell asleep at the wheel of the 2003 Chevy van she was driving, the vehicle entered the east ditch and hit an embankment before rolling several times and coming to rest on its left side. The van was a total loss. Officials say King was cited for Failure to Maintain Control.

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Department reports two arrests over the weekend. On Saturday, 28-year old Bradley Allen Conklin, of Coon Rapids, was arrested on charges of Possession of Marijuana, 2^nd offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. The charges were the result of a traffic stop on 190^th Street, near Nighthawk Avenue. Conklin was brought to the Audubon County Jail Saturday afternoon, and held until posting bond.

And, 37-year old Timothy Wade Strabley, of Carroll, was arrested Friday afternoon, following an incident which allegedly occurred on Highway 71, south of Audubon. Strabley was charged with failure to hold a Driver’s License. He was brought to the Audubon County Jail, and later released.

A spokesman for the Iowa State Patrol says three people suffered minor injuries during a three-vehicle collision Sunday evening on Interstate 80, near Avoca. Patrol Sgt. Bryan Michelsen said the crash happened at around 7-p.m., as vehicles were merging into one lane due to a bridge construction zone on I-80 westbound, at the 44-mile marker.

Michelsen says as traffic was backing up, a pickup rear-ended a stopped car, which then rear-ended a pickup. Two of the vehicles sustained extensive damage, and had to be towed away, while one sustained light damage.

All three drivers suffered minor injuries, and were transported to Myrtue Memorial Hospital for treatment. The crash and subsequent investigation resulted in traffic being detoured around the site for about two-hours.

Sgt. Michelson says accidents such as the one which occurred Sunday night are becoming more and more frequent, because motorists aren’t exercising common sense and courtesies. He says the Patrol has seen several incidents on eastbound I-80. Michelson says drivers need to heed the construction sign warnings about one-lane traffic ahead, and merge earlier, in order to avoid road rage incidents, or risk causing accidents.

w/ Ric Hanson

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (9.6MB)

Subscribe: RSS

Melanie Petty presents check to Little League President Dustin McLaren

The Atlantic Little League organization has received a $500 donation to support the youth’s activities. The monies were made possible through the Trevor Frederickson Memorial Fund, which also supports the Trevor Frederickson Baseball/Softball Clinic each spring held prior to their regular little league season.

Each participant receives a t-shirt with a motivational saying on the back. This year’s saying, “Don’t let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game,” was a huge hit with the players.

Frederickson, the son of Darrin and Melanie Petty of Atlantic and Gary and Kari Frederickson of Council Bluffs, lost his life in a 2009 residential fire in Council Bluffs.

Melanie Petty with the Trevor Frederickson Memorial Fund, says the organization looks forward to a continued partnership with Atlantic Little League, in the years to come.