A loose tie-down strap on a semi-trailer caused $2,500 damage to a passing car Thursday evening, about one-half mile west of Red Oak, in Montgomery County. Authorities say a 2006 International semi driven by 56-year old Larry Hughes, of Homerville, GA, was traveling east on Highway 34, when a cargo strap holding down a flatbed trailer load of steel pipes came loose.

The strap swung out and hit a 2006 Dodge van driven by 43-year old Julie Misner, of South Elgin, IL, as Misner was traveling west on Highway 34. The strap hit the van’s side-view mirror, causing it to break off. It also created a large gouge in the driver’s side door and side sliding door.

Hughes was unaware of the accident until a sheriff’s deputy observed the tie-down strap dragging on the highway, and pulled the semi over. Moments later, Misner pulled up and showed the deputy the damage caused to her van by the passing semi.

No citations were issued.

DEXTER, Iowa (AP) — Fire has destroyed the home of an Iowa Army National Guard soldier returning from Afghanistan.

KCCI-TV in Des Moines says Pfc. A-Jay Irelan is to arrive in Iowa on Sunday. His house in Dexter, about 30 miles west of Des Moines, was damaged early Wednesday.

His girlfriend, Erin Richey, says she got the call at work. The home they shared with her son, Layne, was engulfed in flames.

Richey says the hardest thing was telling Irelan about the fire. He’s on his the way home after a yearlong deployment. Richey says he was just relieved that no one was hurt.

Richey says they don’t have insurance, and have found a home in Stuart to rent for now.

A Wells Fargo fund to help the family has been set up. You can donate at any Wells Fargo location, under the Irelan-Richey fund.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — Residents of a Council Bluffs apartment are moving because of concerns about a sewer line.

City leaders have told residents of the Riverbend Apartments to leave because of a growing sand boil compromising the line.

A malfunctioning private pumping station and sewage line due groundwater bubbling is causing the concern. Fixing the problem isn’t an option, because the work could threaten a nearby levee along the flooding Missouri River.

About 70 families are affected. Some are moving to a nearby apartment complex or

Homecoming celebrations were held today (Thursday) in Cedar Rapids, Boone and Johnston for three Iowa National Guard soldiers returning from duty in Afghanistan. Some 50 soldiers from Company B of the Second Brigade of the 24th Infantry marched into the Johnston High School gym to bring their deployment to an end. Captain Nic Jones spoke to several hundred people who held signs and balloons welcoming home their family members.

Jones says it is heartwarming to see so many family, friends and employers there to welcome home the soldiers. “This is a great testimony to your carrying and support for these soldiers, and the sacrifices they have made for each of us,” Jones said. Lieutenant Colonel Doug Rossell spoke directly to the soldiers.

Rossell called the day a milestone and the culmination of a deployment into a “hostile theater against a determined, resistant and tough enemy.” He says today marks the beginning of a second mission to return the soldiers to the ones who care for them the most. Rossell thank the soldiers for their effort.

“Today as we repay your contributions, we do this by returning you to your family and friends, and we do so with the acknowledgment that nothing will replace the time taken from your lives to support the national interest,” Rossell said,”You put your lives on hold and at risk upholding the honor and integrity of the profession of arms and citizens soldiers. Your service, your sacrifice as you have heard many times and in many forums, reflect great credit upon yourselves, your unit, the Iowa National Guard and the United States Army.” The ceremony ended with soldiers being dismissed from their formation.

The soldiers were part of an intelligence unit that compiled intelligence reports and also flew unmanned aircraft. Today’s are the first of some 30 homecoming ceremonies for the 28-hundred Iowa troops sent to Afghanistan last October.

(Radio Iowa)

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Another homecoming ceremony is set for more Iowa National Guard soldiers returning from a yearlong deployment in Afghanistan.

The guard says about 105 soldiers will be welcomed home on Saturday (July 16th),  in the UNI Dome in Cedar Falls. The soldiers are with the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion of the 133rd Infantry.

Homecoming ceremonies were held on Thursday in Cedar Rapids, Boone and Johnson for 185 soldiers.

Nearly 3,000 Iowa soldiers were sent to Afghanistan last year. It was the largest single deployment of Iowa National Guard troops since World War II.

4-H Dog Show
Champion Conformation – Shiloh Carroll
Reserve Champion Conformation – Cassidy Robinson
Champion Pre-novice A – Adrianna Trail
Reserve Champion Pre-novice A – Maddie Trail
Champion Pre-novice B – Mackenzie Goshorn
Reserve Champion Pre-novice B – Lauren Borkowski
Champion Novice – Cassidy Robinson
Champion Graduate Novice – Cassidy Robinson
Champion Junior Dog Showman – Maddie Trail
Reserve Champion Junior Dog Showman – Gabe Madson
Champion Intermediate Dog Showman – Mackenzie Goshorn
Champion Overall Dog Showman – Lauren Borkowski
Reserve Champion Overall Dog Showman – Cali Andersen

RABBITS
Champion Rabbit – Heavy Breed Buck – Kristen Ferry
Reserve Champion Rabbit – Heavy Breed Buck – Emily Juhl
Champion Rabbit – Heavy Breed Doe – Carley McConnell
Reserve Champion Rabbit – Heavy Breed Doe – Gabe Ferry
Champion Rabbit – Heavy Breed – Carley McConnell
Reserve Champion Rabbit – Heavy Breed – Kristen Ferry
Champion Rabbit – Light Breed Buck- Kristen Ferry
Reserve Champion Rabbit – Light Breed Buck- Carley McConnell
Champion Rabbit – Light Breed Doe – Kristen Ferry
Reserve Champion Rabbit – Light Breed Doe – Allyssa Obrecht
Champion Rabbit – Light Breed – Kristen Ferry
Reserve Champion Rabbit – Light Breed – Casey McConnell
Junior Rabbit Showman – Jacob Bartley
Reserve Junior Rabbit Showman – Anna Ahrenholtz
Intermediate Rabbit Showman – Carley McConnell
Reserve Intermediate Rabbit Showman – Emily Juhl
Senior Rabbit Showman – Gabe Ferry
Champion Overall Rabbit Showman – Jacob Bartley
Reserve Champion Overall Rabbit Showman – Casey McConnell

CATS
Champion Shorthair Cat – Casey McConnell
Reserve Champion Shorthair Cat – Trey O’Neill
Champion Longhair Cat – Alana Monson
Reserve Champion Longhair Cat – Carley McConnell
Champion Cat – Trey O’Neill
Reserve Champion Cat – Alana Monson

SMALL PETS
Champion Small Pet – Kara Rueschenberg (chinchilla)
Reserve Champion Small Pet – Rachel Nelson (rat)

POULTRY
Champion Chicken- Lauren Borkowski
Reserve Champion Chicken – Lauren Borkowski
Champion Commercial Egg Layer Chicken – Andrew Schechinger
Reseve Champion Commercial Egg Layer Chicken – Lauren Borkowski
Champion Bantam – Lauren Borkowski
Reserve Champion Bantam – Adriana Trail
Champion Broiler Trio – Kyle Arkfeld
Reserve Champion Broiler Trio – Kyle Arkfeld
Junior Poultry Showman – Andrew Schechinger
Reserve Junior Poultry Showman – Laura Pauley
Intermediate Poultry Showman – Carley McConnell
Senior Poultry Showman – Kyle Arkfeld
Reserve Senior Poultry Showman – Katrina Arkfeld
Overall Poultry Showman- Lauren Borkowski
Reserve Overall Poultry Showman – Kyle Arkfeld

DAIRY
Champion – Emily Zimmerman
Reserve Champion – Emily Zimmerman
Champion Junior Showman – Cassie Rasmussen
Overall Showman – Emily Zimmerman
Reserve Overall Showman – Rachel Zimmerman

FEEDER CALVES
Champion Prospect Heifer Calf – Taylor Assmann
Champion Prospect Steer/Bull Calf – Ashley Hastert
Reserve Champion Prospect Steer/Bull Calf – Tyler Schwery

COW/CALF
Champion Commercial Cow/Calf – Teresa Arkfeld
Reserve Champion Commercial Cow/Calf – Logan Peters
Champion Hereford-Polled Hereford Cow/Calf – Anna Eggers
Reserve Champion Hereford-Polled Hereford Cow/Calf – Nathan Eggers
Champion Overall Cow/Calf – Anna Eggerss

BEEF BREEDING
Champion Hereford-Polled Hereford Heifer – Chance Wiese
Reserve Champion Hereford-Polled Hereford Heifer – Chance Weise
Champion AOB Heifer – Tyler Schwery
Champion Commercial Heifer – Tyler Schwery
Reserve Champion Commercial Heifer – Chelsea Assmann
Champion Overall Breeding Heifer – Tyler Schwery
Reserve Champion Overall Breeding Heifer – Chance Wiese
Champion Junior Showman – Dylan Stein
Reserve Champion Junior Showman – Cassie Rasmussen
Champion Intermediate Showman – Trey Wiese
Reserve Champion Intermediate Showman – Chelsea Assmann
Champion Senior Showman – Chance Wiese
Reserve Champion Senior Showman – Shayne Wiese
Champion Overall Showman – Chance Wiese
Reserve Champion Overall Showman – Tyler Schwery

Iowa Governor Terry Branstad and Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds have scheduled additional town hall meetings across the state, focusing on education. The pair want to hear what ideas Iowans have about improving the quality of education in the state. The town hall meetings will be held prior to the administration’s Iowa Education Summit, which will take place July 25-26, 2011 in Des Moines, Iowa.

The Iowa Education Summit will focus on increasing teacher and principal effectiveness, raising academic standards and putting in place strong matching assessments and innovation that increases learning.

In the KJAN listening area, Branstad and Reynolds will attend a town hall meeting on education in Corning on Friday, July 22nd. The meeting will be held at Noon, in the Corning Elementary School gymnasium. That’s same afternoon, the two republicans will be in Carroll, for a 2-p.m. town hall meeting, at the Carroll High School Auditorium.

For more information, visit www.governor.iowa.gov.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Republicans have recruited a retired Air Force officer to challenge Senate Majority Leader Michael Gronstal in next year’s election. Pottawattamie County Republicans say they’ve picked Al Ringgenberg to run against Gronstal, saying Ringgenberg has impeccable credentials.

Gronstal, a Council Bluffs Democrat, was elected to the Iowa House in 1982, and won a Senate seat two years later. He used his power this year to block debate on a measure allowing voters to have their say on amending the constitution to ban same-sex marriage. He also was deeply involved in efforts to block a Nebraska doctor from opening a late-term abortion clinic in Council Bluffs.

The House and Senate could not agree on an abortion measure and nothing was passed.

Governor Branstad today (Thursday) approved a proclamation to enact the State Individual Assistance Grant Program. The program will be made available to Iowa residents living in the flood affected counties of Woodbury, Monona, Harrison, Pottawattamie, Mills and Fremont.

The State Individual Assistance Grant Program provides grants to families with household incomes at or below twice the federal poverty index. The maximum grant a family can receive is $5,000. The program is launched with a governor’s declaration and at the request of local officials. Applicants must be legal residents of the United States and need to provide all receipts for replacement items claimed.

For an application and instructions, see www.dhs.state.ia.us/Consumers/Assistance_Programs/CashAssistance/DisasterAssistance/StormHelp.html or visit the “Storm Help” link on the front page of the Department of Human Services Website, dhs.iowa.gov.

Officials with the City of Lewis have announced it’s okay to serve tap water to infants. Late last week, the City issued a warning to parents and others who care for infants under six-months of age, about using City water to make infant formula, because test results on a sample taken indicated nitrate levels exceeded the acceptable nitrate standard. Nitrate in drinking water is a serious health concern for infants less than six-months of age.

Jon Martens, with the City of Lewis’ Water System says the raw water sample was taken from the wrong sample tap, and therefore the results of last week’s test are not valid. Martens says a confirmation sample of the water taken earlier this week shows the water is safe, and it is no longer necessary for residents of Lewis and those served by its water system, to take precautions about giving water to infants under 6-months of age.

The City is working to have the violation it incurred as a result of the first sample, invalidated. Officials apologize for any inconvenience, and thank residents for their patience while the water supply was being checked for nitrates.

If you have any questions or comments, contact Jon Martens at 712-243-1395.