HINTON, Iowa (AP) – Central Valley Ag says two of its workers injured in a northwest Iowa grain elevator explosion this week are now in stable condition. The Sioux City Journal reports that the company released the information on Friday. The explosion occurred just after 1 p.m. Thursday at Central Valley Ag in Hinton. The two injured workers were taken to a Sioux City hospital in serious condition, and then transferred to a hospital in Omaha, Nebraska.

The cause of the explosion hasn’t been determined, but engineering and insurance experts, as well as the Iowa State Fire Marshall, were on site the Friday to try to determine the cause.

Police in Red Oak say one person was injured during a rollover accident Saturday morning. 38-year old Brian Russell McCleary, of Villisca, suffered minor injuries after his vehicle was struck by a car and left the road before rolling over one and a-half times, coming to rest on its top. McCleary, who was not wearing a seat belt, was transported by ambulance to the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital for treatment.

Police say the accident happened at around 8-a.m., when a 2001 Honda Accord driven by 17-year old Anna Marie Aufdenberg, of Red Oak, slowed, but did not stop, as she was approaching the intersection of Highway 34 and N. 8th Street, in Red Oak. The northbound Honda struck McCleary’s westbound 1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee, causing the SUV to flip over.

Aufdenberg, who was wearing her seat belt, was not injured. Police cited the teen for Failure to Obey a Stop sign. Damage from the crash amounted to $5,000. Red Oak Police were assisted at the scene by personnel with the Red Oak Fire Department, and Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputies.

CLIVE, Iowa (AP) – Efforts to increase speed limits on Iowa freeways and rural roads failed in the Legislature this year amid safety concerns, but officials acknowledged such moves are popular with drivers and likely will come before lawmakers again.

Several bills were introduced in the state House this session, but all died before votes by a full committee. One measure would have allowed speed limits of 75 mph on some stretches of interstate freeways, up from the current 70 mph. Two other bills aimed to raise speed limits on some rural, two-lane roads from the current 55 mph limit.

Lawmakers on the House Transportation Committee ended up having more questions than answers, including concerns about safety and cost.  But some truckers seemed ready for the higher speeds allowed in states neighboring Iowa.

Spring arrives this weekend and while the weather is still far from being springlike, soon, Iowans will be zipping around on their bicycles. A new survey finds many Iowans who enjoy pedaling their two-wheelers could use a refresher course in cycling laws. Gail Weinholzer, spokeswoman for Triple-A-Iowa, says the results were something of a surprise.

“We asked people how confident they were knowing the bike laws in their state,” Weinholzer says. “Apparently, only 61% of all Iowans feel comfortable that they know the bike laws in the state of Iowa.” Studies find that wearing a bicycle helmet can prevent 85-percent of all traumatic brain injuries in cycling accidents, but many Iowans don’t bother to buckle one on.

“There isn’t a helmet law, but we did ask them how often they wear a helmet,” Weinholzer says. “Only 58% of Iowans actually admitted to wearing a helmet some of the time.” Before pumping up the tires and heading out on the trail for the first time, she suggests cycling enthusiasts review the safety recommendations and familiarize themselves with the laws.

“The most important thing I would remind people, if they’re biking on roadways, you bike with traffic,” Weinholzer says. “Many times, people think they should be riding into traffic, but that typically has more to do with pedestrians. Make sure you obey all of the traffic safety laws that other vehicles need to obey. You’re not exempt. You still have to stop for stop signs and red lights and those sorts of things.”

For more tips on choosing a bike and helmet, as well as maintaining and riding a bike, download Bike Basics – The AAA Guide to a Great Ride here:

http://exchange.aaa.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/AAA-Bike-Basics.pdf

(Radio Iowa)