On June 1^st, it becomes legal in Iowa for vendors with a permanent structure to sell fireworks that are more than just the traditional sparklers, snakes and caps. Vendors with temporary structures, such as tents, may sell their wares beginning June 13^th.  In both cases, sales are permitted through July 8^th. Sales will also be permitted December 10^th through January 3rd. Cities may ban fireworks or limit their use, but they cannot ban the sale of the devices.

Fireworks cannot be purchased by anyone under the age of 18. The bill allowing the sales was signed by Governor Branstad. It was opposed by the Iowa Firefighter’s Association, Iowa Nurses Association and others, over fear injuries would increase dramatically. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Fireworks were involved in an estimated 10,500 injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments during 2014.

The American Pyrotechnics Association (APA) is the voice of the fireworks industry and promotes safety when using legal fireworks. Jeffrey Weichman, from Corning, is a professional Pyrotechnician who has been shooting fireworks for a company out of Yarmouth, Iowa, since 1993. Weichman says there are many ways you and your family can celebrate safely. The first is to keep fireworks away from buildings and people.

Weichman says there are two different classifications of fireworks, with serious consequences for using the wrong kind. 1.4g is legal in Iowa. 1.3g is professional grade, the use or possession of which is a federal offense.

The consequences for using 1.3g fireworks will most likely result in prison time and a hefty fine. The consequences for mishandling any fireworks device can be even higher, like the loss of a finger or your sight.

He says if you light a firework and it’s a “dud,” don’t approach it, don’t try to relight it. Let it sit for as much as 20 minutes, then douse it with water and dispose of safely. An ABC-type fire extinguisher that uses dry chemicals, won’t work. Also, don’t dispose of fireworks, used or unused, by throwing in a lake or stream, because they contain chemicals that can poison the water and kill fish. Weichman offers some other safety tips for lighting fireworks: Read the directions on the box; Never lean over the fireworks when lighting or handling them; Keep them at arms length and, wear natural fiber clothing when handling fireworks.

A sparkler, according to Weichman, burns around 1,250 degrees. An artillery shell star fireworks falling from the sky can burn up to 3,000 degrees. You can find more safety tips at http://www.americanpyro.com/, or on Facebook by searching for High Flying Colors pyrotechnics.

The Red Oak Police department responded to a hit and run accident on Monday evening at the Taco Bell parking lot in Red Oak. At 5:10pm officers were called to the lot at 400 East Senate Avenue for a two-vehicle accident. The owner of a 2016 Nissan Altima reported that a silver Chevy Impala parked next to her side swiped her vehicle as it was backing out of the parking spot. The Impala then left the area traveling eastbound on Senate Avenue.  The driver of the Impala was described as a white female with blonde hair, large build, wearing an orange shirt. A witness took a picture of the accident as it occurred and officers believe the Iowa license plate begins with EK. Damage to the Nissan was estimated at $2,000.

The accident is still under investigation. If you have any information on the accident please contact the Red Oak Police Department.

The Page County Sheriff’s Office says a man from New Market was arrested at around 1:30-a.m. Saturday, on a valid Taylor County Warrant for failure to appear on four counts of Burglary in the 3rd Degree.  27-year old Cody Robert Cordell was taken into custody at the Casey’s Store in Shenandoah. He was  was transported to the Page / Taylor county line where he was turned over to a Taylor County Deputy and held without bond in the Taylor County Jail.

In an update to our earlier report, a central Iowa man was transported to the Cass County Memorial Hospital by Griswold Rescue following a rollover accident Monday night, in Lewis. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office says 67-year old William Forsythe, of West Des Moines, was driving a 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander southbound on 582nd Street, when the vehicle failed to negotiate a sharp curve in the road. The SUV rolled into a ditch and onto its top, sustained about $10,000 damage. Forsythe was trapped in the vehicle by his seat belt for a time, until he could be freed. The accident happened at around 9:45-p.m.

The Sheriff’s Office reports also, 21-year old Matthew Robert Glidden, of Audubon, was arrested Monday, on a charge of OWI 1st Offense. Glidden was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released on his own recognizance today (Tuesday).

The Cass County Board of Supervisors will hold their regular weekly meeting 8:30-a.m. Wednesday at the courthouse, in Atlantic. During their session, the Board will hear a presentation from representatives with Zion Recovery services, with regard to substance use disorder treatment, and how substance abuse relates to crowded jails and other issues.

The Board will also act on appointing an additional County Medical Examiner Investigator, and on approving Resolutions for fireworks sales and discharge, as well as for an amendment to spending appropriations.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports a man from Oakland was arrested Monday afternoon on a warrant for 2nd Degree Theft, Burglary in the 3rd Degree, and a felony, Forgery charge. 31-year old Corey Andrew Stephens was arrested after a deputy on routine patrol saw Stephens walking in the 300 block of S. Gates Street, in Oakland. The deputy knew Stephens had an active warrant, which was confirmed through dispatch.

Sheriff’s officials in Pottawattamie County report a Cass County man was arrested Monday evening on assault and other charges. A deputy was dispatched at around 7:45-p.m. to 412 Park Street in Oakland, to follow-up with a woman for Cass County, with regard to an earlier road rage incident on Highway 6, with several of those involved still having been in the Atlantic area.

After contact was made with the woman, it was determined a domestic assault had possibly occurred. Following an investigation, 19-year old Evan Matthew Smith, of Atlantic, was arrested for Simple Domestic Assault (of his ex-girlfriend), Theft in the 5th Degree (for an allegedly stolen cell phone), and Harassment by Personal Contact.

Officials with the Creston Police Department say no injuries were reported following two accidents last Thursday and Friday. One of the accidents happened at around 6:40-a.m. Thursday, when a 2000 Oldsmobile driven by 22-year old Paul Raymond Harpin, of Creston, failed to stop at the intersection of N. Birch and E. Prairie Streets. Harpin’s car collided with a 2007 Chevy SUV driven by 24-year old Jasmine Jaylene Ellis, of Creston, causing a total of $15,000 damage. Harpin was cited for Failure to Obey a stop Sign.

The second accident happened at around 12:50-p.m. Friday, at the intersection of Lincoln and Townline Streets. Creston Police say 19-year old Colette Marie Eggleston, of David City, NE., was traveling westbound on Townline Street and talking with her passenger, when the 2007 Ford 500 she was driving ran a red light and collided with a 1996 Toyota Corolla driven by 42-year old Velma Raedeanne Blazek, of Fontanelle. Damage from the crash amounted to $4,300.

In an update to our earlier report, Harlan Fire Chief Roger Bissen confirms one person was injured, but did not require transport to the hospital, following a fire that destroyed a mobile home at around 4-a.m., today (Tuesday). Bissen said the blaze at the West Ridge Acres Mobile Home Park (3002 12^th Street), Lot 15, started with an unattended candle.

Bissen told KJAN News the homeowner had a candle burning when he fell asleep. The candle caught a chair on fire. The resident tried to take the burning chair outside, but it became jammed in the door. The resident managed to get out of the home, but suffered a laceration to his hand in the process. He was treated at the scene.

Harlan Fire and Rescue was on the scene for about 2-hours. No other injuries were reported. The mobile home was a total loss.

More area and State news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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