(Update 5:55-a.m. – all lanes are open north & southbound, according to IDOT)

A truck driver from Sioux City was injured after he fell asleep at the wheel of the semi he was driving late Thursday evening and struck a guardrail off Interstate 29 and rolled over, in Harrison County. The Iowa State Patrol says 47-year old Danny Loggins was transported by Missouri Valley Rescue to the hospital in Missouri Valley, following the crash that took place at around 9:05-p.m. on I-29 southbound, about a mile north of the Missouri Valley exit.

Authorities say after the semi hit the guardrail, it struck cement bridge support pillars. The semi’s tractor and trailer, which was loaded with about 5,000 gallons of a diesel additive, rolled onto its drivers’ side. The interstate was closed in both directions for two hours while a HAZMAT Team responded to assess the situation and clean-up the mess. Officials eventually opened one lane in both directions for a few hours. The latest report from the Iowa Department of Transportation indicated all north and southbound lanes had been cleared and traffic was flowing in both directions.

Missouri Valley Fire and Rescue and the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office also assisted the Iowa State Patrol at the accident scene.

Sales tax changes took effect in several Iowa communities last Friday, July 1st. A  seven percent hotel/motel tax officially took effect in the Carroll County community of Manning. A new Boulders Inn and Suites Hotel is scheduled to open in Manning this October. A one percent sales tax went into effect in the tiny southwest Iowa community of Blockton on July 1st. The community plans to use the new sales tax revenue for street repairs.

A one percent local option sales tax is now being collected in 11 cities in Warren County. Indianola plans to use its share of the new tax money to pay for a new wastewater treatment plant. Warren County officials plan to use a quarter of the county’s portion for property tax relief and the rest to finance construction of a new county courthouse and jail. Other Warren County communities have plans to use the money for streets, sidewalks and other city expenses. Warren County voters approved the new tax earlier this year. Victoria Daniels, the public information officer for the Iowa Department of Revenue, says voters knew how the money would be used.

“On the ballot they have to have a revenue purpose statement and say: ‘Here’s what this money will be used for,’ and that’s what the voters are voting on,” Daniels says, “not only that a.) they agree with having this tax, but b.) they agree with the purpose.”

And, the local option sales tax that has been collected in the communities of Storm Lake, Alta, Rembrandt and Lakeside in Buena Vista County is now permanent. It had been set to expire.

(Radio Iowa)

Thanks to a generous donation by the Red Oak Kiwanis Club, and the help of several volunteers, Montgomery County 4-H youth will enjoy a new activity at the 2016 Montgomery County Fair. A Gaga Ball Pit was permanently installed on Friday, July 1st at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds on the south side of the 4-H Exhibit Building. A Gaga Pit is wood octagon, made up of eight sides with a 20 foot diameter court for play.

The object of the game is to use a lightweight ball to hit another player below the knees to eliminate them from the “pit”. The last person in the pit is declared the winner. “We are excited to offer a game that youth have enjoyed playing at 4-H camp for several years and now it’s right here at the Montgomery County Fair,” stated Chelsea Cousins, County Youth Coordinator at ISU Extension and Outreach Montgomery County.

“Kids of all ages, sizes and athletic ability can take part in this activity – it is an easy to catch on, face-paced game with many opportunities to be the last one standing.” The Montgomery County 4-H Youth Council plans to host a 4-H Club Tournament on Saturday, July 16 at 4:00 PM. The public is welcome attend. Pickup games will also be played throughout the week of Fair.

This project would not have been completed without the collaboration of several community players. The Red Oak Kiwanis Club fully funded the project. Thanks to Brian Carlson at the Do It Center for cutting the materials and prepping the construction site at no cost.

Thank you to 4-H parents Bob Peterson, Roger Vial and Beth Vial for coordinating and constructing the project. Thank you 4-H youth Kate Carlson, Hayden VanMeter, Colin Bruce, Alec Selberg and others for helping complete the construction of this project.

(Press Release/Montgomery County Extension)