UTE, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say the pilot of an ultralight aircraft has been hospitalized after crashing into a western Iowa cornfield. The accident occurred a little before 7 p.m. Wednesday, about five miles northeast of Ute. Authorities say it appears the aircraft was caught in a downdraft. Crawford County sheriff’s investigators estimate that the pilot, 27-year-old Brian Borkowski, of Irwin, plummeted 50 to 60 feet as his aircraft went down.

Borkowski was taken to a Denison hospital and then flown to Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City.

The Creston Police Department today (Thursday) issued a report on recent arrests and incidents. Officials say early this (Thursday) morning, 19-year old Jacob Davis, of Creston, was arrested at the Union County Law Enforcement Center on a charge of Public Intoxication. His bond was set at $300.

Wednesday afternoon, 48-year old Joel Weeks, of Creston, was arrested for Driving While Barred. He was later released on $2,000 bond. And, Wednesday morning, 37-year old Amanda Mitchell, of Creston, was arrested at the Union County LEC on a Union County warrant for Assault Causing Serious Injury. Mitchell was later released on $5,000 bond.

And, Creston Police took a report Wednesday night from a resident, who said someone broke the glass out of door at the probation office at 219 1/2 N. Pine Street. The incident, which occurred sometime Wednesday evening, caused about $400 damage.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa State Fair has announced new food items for this summer’s contest. Three finalists have been chosen for the New Food Contest, and fairgoers will be able to vote on them. Corn in a Cup is one of the finalists. Sweet corn is cut off the cob and then mixed with pork chorizo, butter, chayote cheese, lime juice, sour cream, mayonnaise and “Magic Dust.”

The second finalist is the Toasted Coconut Caramel Cluster, a combination of toasted coconut, caramel fudge and pretzel bits that’s frozen on a stick and dipped in chocolate.
The third finalist is the Ultimate Bacon Explosion, which features brisket infused with a light jalapeno cheese, blended with seasonings, and then wrapped in bacon. It is smoked and then sauced in a sweet chili barbecue sauce.

Council Bluffs Firefighters responded to a reported explosion this (Thursday) morning.   The Council Bluffs Police Dept. says firefighters were called to the home of Patrick Burget at 2827 Avenue D, at around 4:17-a.m.  Upon arrival, it was learned an unknown suspect had ignited an explosive device on the porch of Burget’s residence, causing damage to the porch and surrounding windows. No injuries were reported.

The incident remains under investigation by the Council Bluffs Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division. Anyone with information about the crime is asked to call Crimestoppers at 712-328-7867.

U-S Senator Joni Ernst says she is “deeply, deeply concerned” about the direction the president is going in allowing U-S families to offer private ransom payments for relatives kidnapped overseas.  “I do not believe families should be negotiating with terrorists,” Ernst says.

Ernst, a Republican from Red Oak, says the president is sending a mix message. The federal government will continue its policy of not making ransom payments, but president signed an executive order creating a new office to deal with hostage families, including the facilitation of communications with terrorist groups that could theoretically be used to organize ransom payments.

“I don’t agree with what the president is doing, and I think he puts a number of these families at great peril by encouraging them to do so,” according to Ernst. “It is our responsibility to ensure that we are getting those hostages back as a federal government.” Ernst says the president’s plan raises the risk for everyone.

“I think that puts not only any hostages at increased risk — but also those families. We shouldn’t put them in that position,” she says. “It is our responsibility as a federal government to ensure that we are protecting our citizens. And when they are in hostage situations, we should be the ones who are getting those hostages back.”

Ernst says the president’s plan doesn’t help the issue. “We do not negotiate with terrorists, we don’t want to fund those organizations and we don’t want to encourage them either. I think there is a better way to do this. I do believe that the Department of Defense should really spearhead these hostage situations,” Ernst says.

Under the new directive from President Obama, families will not be prosecuted if they attempt to pay ransoms to get their relatives released.

(Radio Iowa)