A report from the National Runaway Safeline shows a dramatic decrease in the number of Iowans calling in — both young people and concerned parents. Last year, 281 Iowans called the Runaway Safeline, a big drop from 566 calls the previous year. Maureen Blaha, executive director of the service, says conflict in the home is the primary reason most callers reach out.

“They’re identifying abuse and that is primarily emotional or verbal abuse,” Blaha says. “From last year to this year, there was a 21% increase in young people talking about that as the main reason they have connected with us.” The reason for the drop in calls from Iowa is unclear, but one official says it may simply equate to fewer teens on the run in Iowa and happier families. The average caller to the Safeline is 17 years old and female. While equal numbers of boys and girls run away, Blaha says girls are more apt to reach out for help.

“Our target audience is young people, so, those who are on the street,” Blaha says. “We want to help them get to safety. Those that are thinking of running away, we want to help them come up with a plan of action, how they can deal with whatever is going on and so they’re not running away.” While the Safeline primarily targets young people, plenty of parents call in as well. Blaha says there are signs moms and dads can be on the lookout for which may be a clue their child is considering the drastic move.

“Teens that all of the sudden have stopped eating or they’re just moping in their room, have mood swings, that’s a warning sign,” Blaha says. “If there is rebellious behavior like fighting in the home with siblings or parents or grades are dropping.” Other signs include: stockpiling of possessions or money and making threats to leave. As many as 2.8 million youth run away each year. If all of them lived in one city, it would be the fifth-largest city in the United States. The Chicago-based Safeline is available around the clock at 1-800-RUNAWAY or online at 1800RUNAWAY.org.

(Radio Iowa)

Police in Creston report two men were arrested on drug charges Wednesday morning. 39-year old Gerald Lawrence, and 43-year old James Kisner, both of Creston, were arrested at around 10-a.m. at a residence in the 800 block of N. Cherry Street, in Creston. Both face Possession with Intent to sell over 5-grams of Methamphetamine, charges. Lawrence was being held in the Union County Jail on $100,000 bond, while Kisner’s bond was set at $50,000.

Creston Police said also, 26-year old Chevy Sauer, of Creston, was arrested Wednesday for Driving While Suspended. He was later released on $300 bond., And, 33-year old Troy Dames, of Creston, was arrested Wed. evening for Trespassing. He was later released from the Union County Jail on $1,000 bond.

Red Oak Police report the arrest Wednesday evening of two men on drug charges. 52-year old Gary Francis Morris, of Villisca, and 35-year old Kale Garrett Hardman, of Red Oak, were arrested near the intersection of E. Corning Street and Highland Avenue, at around 8-p.m.  Morris was charged with Driving While Suspended and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, while Hardman faces a Possession of Controlled Substance-Methamphetamine/3rd or subsequent offense, charge.

Both men were brought to the Montgomery County Jail. Morris’ bond was set at $300, while bond for Hardman was set at $5,000.

A Cass County man suffered non-life threatening injuries following an accident Wednesday afternoon in southwestern Montgomery County. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office says 55-year old John L. Jamison, of Atlantic, was transported to the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital for treatment, after the concrete truck he was driving southwest of Red Oak was clipped by a semi at around 4-p.m.

The accident happened near the intersection of B Avenue and 260th Street, as a 2013 Mack semi-tractor pulling a 1995 Flow Boy trailer, crossed the centerline of the road as it was traveling south on B Avenue/M-37. Authorities say the driver of the semi became distracted in the cab of the truck.

Jamison, who was driving a 2002 Mack cement truck owned by Echo Concrete, tried to avoid the collision as he was traveling northbound, but minor contact was made between the trucks. Following the collision, the concrete truck entered the east ditch and overturned. The semi/tractor trailer continued south and entered the east ditch, struck a barbed-wire fence and came to rest in a field. The driver, 48-year old Dondi D. Jackson, of Omaha, was checked for injuries, but declined transport to the hospital.

The accident remains under investigation. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by Red Oak Fire and Rescue, and the Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency.

Sheriff’s officials in Montgomery County say a woman was arrested late Wednesday night for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. 21-year old Kaylie Louise Hudson, of Red Oak, was taken into custody at around 10:50-p.m. and brought to the Montgomery County Jail. Hudson was cited for the offense, and released.