The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will conduct the first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS), in November. The nationwide test will occur on Wednesday, November 9th at 1 p.m. central time and may last up to three and a half minutes. The public will hear a message indicating that “This is a test.” The audio message will be the same for both radio, television, and cable.

The National-level EAS is a public alert and warning system that enables the President of the United States to address the American public during extreme emergencies. Similar to local EAS tests that are conducted frequently, the Nationwide Test will involve broadcast radio and television stations, cable television, satellite radio and television services and wireline providers across all states and territories.

Over the past two years and as part of ongoing national preparedness planning efforts, FEMA, the FCC and other federal partners, State, local, tribal and territorial governments, EAS Participants, and others in the EAS Community have been working toward making this test a reality. As the federal, state, tribal, territorial and local governments prepare for and test their capabilities, this event serves as a reminder that everyone should establish an emergency preparedness kit and emergency plan for themselves, their families, communities, and businesses.

Anyone can visit www.Ready.gov for more information about how to prepare for and stay informed about what to do in the event of an actual emergency.

(update 12:25-p.m.) An overheated motor in a furnace apparently caused a small fire at a residence in Walnut, this morning.  Firefighters from Walnut and Hancock were paged out to a reported fire at 500 Highland Street, in Walnut. The call came in at around 11:18-a.m. 

Firefighters weren’t on the scene very long. No injuries were reported. It’s not clear what the extent of the damage was.

(Updated 12:35-.m.) Three people have reportedly died in a three-vehicle crash this morning south of the Harlan airport. Harlan Medivac and Avoca Rescue were called to the scene, along with Lifenet helicopter. The acccident happened at around 10:30-a.m., as the Iowa State Patrol was making a routine traffic stop. One of the vehicles involved in the crash was an SUV.

No other details are currently available. We’ll post more on this story, as it becomes known.

A Marine from western Iowa is recovering from wounds he suffered during combat in Afghanistan on October 18th.  The father of Pfc. Kirk A. Salmon of Denison, told the Omaha World-Herald his son, who had been stationed  in Nawa Province, Afghanistan, was involved in a battle and suffered an injury to his shoulder as a result of rifle fire.  He was airlifted to Camp Dwyer in northern Afghanistan, where he underwent surgery. George Salmon said his son was transferred to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany, and underwent a second surgery to remove bullet fragments. 

Last Friday, the soldier was transferred to the Portsmouth Naval Medical Center in Virginia, where he is currently recooperating from his wounds.  A decision will be made soon whether to transfer Salmon closer to home, likely to a medical facility in Omaha. George Salmon said he and his wife Susan have been in daily contact with their son. He says the young man in stable condition, good spirits and able to enjoy his meals.

Kirk Salmon, who serves with the 1st Battalion 9th Marines, is a 2008 graduate of Denison High School where he participated in baseball, wrestling and football.

A Carroll County man is scheduled to be sentenced next month in connection with the death in September of his roommate, following an assault. 24-year old Travis Jeffrey Barker, of Coon Rapids, pled guilty to involuntary manslaughter, in the death of 28-year old William Smith.  Smith died September 4th at a hospital in Des Moines, following an altercation  the previous day, at the residence the men shared.

Authorities had initially charged Barker with 1st-degree murder, but Carroll County Attorney John Werden says the charge was reduced, because evidence in the case indicated Smith’s death was not premeditated. As part of the plea deal, both the prosecution and defense requested Barker serve a 5-year prison sentence.

Barker is scheduled to be sentenced on November 14th.

Atlantic Mayor Dave Jones has plead guilty to dumping refuse into Missouri River floodwaters. According to the Omaha World-Herald, Jones accepted responsibility for polluting the water, and was fined $150 plus court costs. Another misdemeanor charge of violating an open-burning ban was dismissed as part of the plea agreement.

The charges stemmed from an incident near Tekamah, Nebraska in late September, when Jones, his friends, and family members removed and burned flood damaged furniture and mattresses from a cabin he owns near Tekamah. On September 24^th, some debris from the fire, including charred parts of furniture, slid off into an a slough (slew), or inlet, about 250-feet from the river. Jones said the debris most likely entered the inlet when the remains of the fire were doused. He claimed it was unsafe to retrieve those items that fell into the river.

The incident was reported to authorities in Burt County, NE, by a neighbor.

Suveillance video still frame of robbery suspects (photo courtesy Harlan P.D.)

Police in Harlan say a Crimestoppers reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of two individuals allegedly involved in the armed robbery Monday morning, of a convenience store in Harlan.

The male was described as being about 6-feet, or 6-feet 4-inches tall. He had dark hair, wore blue jeans and a dark hoodie.  The female he was accompanied by had long dark hair. She wore a hot pink hoodie and blue denim capris.  Both subjects are believed to be in their mid-20’s.  The pair left the area possibly driving a black, or dark colored four door sedan. 

another still frame from surveillance video (from Harlan P.D.)

Both are considered armed and dangerous. Police caution the public not to approach them.  If you have any information on the crime,  call 911 or the Harlan PD at 712-755-5151. Again, a Crimestoppers reward is being offered for any information leading to the suspect’s arrest and conviction.

Police in Atlantic report two local men were arrested Monday on Burglary and Theft charges. 19-year old’s Joshua Chapalonis and Brandon Fredericksen, both of Atlantic, were charged with Burglary in the 3rd Degree and Theft in the 2nd Degree. Both men were brought to the Cass County Jail and held pending a court appearance.  And, 41-year old Greggory Carl Traver, of Atlantic, was arrested Monday on a Warrant for Failure to Appear at the Child Support Hearing. Traver was also booked into the Cass County Jail.

In other news, Atlantic Police say Cassandra Long, of Marne, was cited Tuesday for Failure to Maintain Control/Reduce Speed, following an accident just before 8-a.m., near the intersection of 7th and Spruce Streets. Long, and Susan Nymand, of Atlantic, were traveling east on 7th Street, when Nymand slowed for a vehicle in front of her which was turning south onto Spruce. As Nymand was slowing, Long’s vehicle rear-ended Nymand’s vehicle, causing a total of $2,200 damage. No injuries were reported.

Volunteers are needed to help residents in far southwest Iowa restore their homes and lives after this summer’s Missouri River flood. Shari Bowen, spokeswoman for the Mills County emergency management office, says they’re holding clean-up events beginning on Friday. “We are going to be starting with a brief orientation at 8:30 in the morning and then we will be sending crews out to multiple locations in the western part of Mills County,” Bowen says. “We will be working with some folks who need some things moved and need some things cleaned out.” Bowen says those who cannot physically help can still be of service this weekend, especially if they have computer skills. 

“We’re also looking for a few volunteers to help us at the Glenwood Library on Saturday morning,” Bowen says. “They would need to be prepared to assist people to log on into FEMA on the computer and get them through the process of signing up in the FEMA Individual Disaster Assistance area.” Bowen says they’re working with the United Methodist Disaster Response Group which put the call out to its members. 

“We are hoping that will bring us a significant number of volunteers but we need those local folks as well,” she says. “Right now, we don’t know what to expect. We have lots of families who have needs. We honestly don’t know how many we will be able to serve. That depends on how many people come out to help those days.” If you can lend a hand, call (712) 527-4231 to register. Those with pickup trucks and trailers are also asked to bring those to help in the clean-up.

(Radio Iowa)