A pickup truck that was parked on the traveled portion of Interstate 80 in Adair County, was struck by a semi Monday night. The driver of the pickup, 59-year old Daniel Mark Ditmarson, of Tama, was flown from the scene by helicopter, to Mercy Hospital in Des Moines. A report on his condition is not available.

The accident happened just before 9-p.m. on I-80 westbound, just west of the Menlo exit. The Iowa State Patrol says the 1992 Ford F-150 pickup was hit by a 2015 Freightliner semi, driven by 42-year old Jack Lee Good, Jr., of Westville, IL.

Following the crash, both vehicles ended-up in the north ditch, with dispatch reports indicating the semi was on its side. Neither Good, nor his passenger, were injured. The Patrol was assisted at the scene by Deputies with the Adair County Sheriff’s Office, Stuart Police, and Stuart Rescue crews.

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) Bureau of Emergency and Trauma Services has cited an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) provider from Montgomery County, for failure to comply with the terms conditions of his suspension. In a letter dated February 3rd, Rebecca Curtiss, Bureau Chief with the IDPH/Bureau of Emergency and Trauma Services, says Adam Wainwright, of Villisca, was also given a warning that failure to comply with the terms of the department order may result in further disciplinary action.

On Nov. 4th, 2015, the IDPH suspended Wainwright’s EMS certification for the altering of two emergency lighting authorizations, one of which he provided to his employer, indicating that he was approved by the Department of Transportation to utilize emergency lighting on his personal vehicle. On Dec. 4th, 2015, the Department suspended Wainwright’s Emergency Medical Care Provider certification for a period of one month because he did not successfully complete two hours of continuing education in the area of ethics. Curtiss says Wainwright did not complete his required coursework on-time.

Wainwright can appeal the disciplinary action by submitting in writing a request for a hearing within 20 days of receipt of the Notice of Proposed Action.

After months of searching and the last few weeks interviewing candidates, the Exira-Elk Horn Kimballton School Board Monday night approved the offering a Superintendent contract to Trevor Miller, Elementary Principal with the Perry Community School District. Exira-EHK School Board President Kevin Petersen told KJAN News there were several good candidates for the position, but in the end, the Board, teachers and administration as well as the search committee, thought Miller was “The best fit for the community, the best fit for [the] school.”

Trevor Miller

Miller, who has previously worked for the Melcher-Dallas and Pleasantville School Districts, will succeed Exira-EHK Superintendent Dean Schnoes, who announced last fall he would be retiring at the end of the current school year. Miller will begin his duties at Exira-EHK July 1st.

In other business, the Exira-EHK School Board approved an early retirement request and resignation for Tony Petersen, Exira High School Social Studies teacher and Assistant Athletic Director for the Spartans.

In his letter to the Board, Petersen said in-part, “It’s hard to believe that 32 years have passed so quickly, but I believe the time is right for me to step down from my full-time duties. I want to thank our current as well as the past board for giving me the opportunity to work with students in this district, both in the classroom and on the field diamond and basketball court.” Petersen had his 500th career win as Exira-EHK baseball coach last summer.

Also, of note, the Exira-EHK District will have its last day of school June 2nd, to make up for lost snow days.

The Atlantic Police Department released details Monday on two recent arrests.

On Friday, February 12th Atlantic Police cited 39-year-old Tracey Bell of Atlantic for Disorderly Conduct.  She was given a date to appear in court and released.

On Sunday, February 14th Officers arrested 25-year-old Timothy Brown of Atlantic on two counts of Assault while Displaying a Dangerous Weapon and Carrying a Weapon.  He was taken into custody and transported to the Cass County Jail and booked in.

A recent traffic stop on Interstate 80 in Cass County resulted in at least one arrest and the recovery of 14 pounds of marijuana. Cass County Deputy Tyler Shiels and his K9 partner conducted the traffic stop. Additional information is expected from the Sheriff’s Office, later.