The area’s top news at 7:06-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say manhole covers were sent flying by explosions resulting from an underground electrical fire in Sioux City. Firefighters were sent to the scene around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. Assistant Fire Chief Dan Cougill says the fire stemmed from a system failure and that a pressure buildup caused the explosions. No injuries have been reported. The fire knocked out power in several downtown blocks.

A hit-and-run accident in Red Oak has authorities looking for the driver of a red semi hauling a white cargo trailer. Red Oak Police say the owner of a 2006 Ford F-150 pickup reported Tuesday morning that the pickup was struck by an unknown truck and driver. Video surveillance showed that at around 10:45-a.m., the semi turned north in the 200 block of W. Oak Street into the United Farmer’s Mercantile Cooperative (UFMC) parking lot, where it struck the pickup, causing $2,500 damage. The semi then backed away and continued through the parking lot before turning east onto the 200 block of W. Oak Street. It then pulled into the Plaza Parking Lot, in the 1500 block of N. Broadway.

Anyone with information about the truck or its driver is asked to contact Red Oak Police.

Two people were arrested Wednesday afternoon on numerous, varied charges in Corning. The Adams County Sheriff’s Office says a search warrant was executed at 500 Grove Avenue in Corning a little after 12-p.m. Taken into custody was Sean Stauffer and Misty Cross.

Stauffer was being held in the Adams County Jail on $41,000 bond on felony charges that include Failure to comply sex offender registry/2nd offense, Possession with intent to deliver, and Child endangerment. Additional charges include Possession of drug paraphernalia and “House of Ill Fame” (otherwise known as a “House of Ill Reput/and-or brothel).

Cross faces two felony charges: Possession with intent to deliver and Child endangerment. She was also being held in the Adams County Jail on $36,000 bond, for Possession of drug paraphernalia and “House of Ill Fame.”

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is on trial over claims by hundreds of farmers and business owners that its flawed stewardship of the Missouri River has contributed to devastating floods in five states. The U.S. Court of Federal Claims trial in Kansas City, Missouri, involves a 2014 lawsuit alleging the Corps has deemphasized Missouri River flood control and put more emphasis on habitat restoration. The U.S. government says authorities never promised to stop all Missouri River flooding.

GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Ariz. (AP) — Rangers at Grand Canyon National Park have recovered the body of an Iowa man who reportedly fell from the rim of the canyon west of Mather Point. Park rangers say they received a call around 4:15 p.m. Tuesday about a park visitor falling off the rim. A helicopter crew was able to locate the body about 280 feet below the rim. But due to the time of day, rangers suspended the operation until Wednesday morning when they recovered the body via a helicopter long line.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Republicans argue a bill to reduce how much workers are compensated for on-the-job injuries will fix a system that unfairly burdens businesses, but others question whether the current policy needs big changes and counter that the overhaul may not address underlying problems. Balancing Iowa’s workers’ compensation law between business and employee interests rests at the heart of debate over the legislation.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Officials say a person has died in a house fire in Des Moines. A news release from the city of Des Moines says firefighters were called to the house around 6:30 a.m. Wednesday for a fire and were told that an occupant was missing. Arriving firefighters found the home’s attached garage fully engulfed in flames. After dousing the fire, crews found a body in the garage.

Police in Red Oak, Wednesday, arrested 57-year old Thomas Oscar Anderson, of Red Oak, on a charge of Theft in the 5th Degree. Before he could be transported to the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center, though, Anderson allegedly resisted Officers’ attempts to take him into custody. His actions resulted in additional charges of Interference with Official Acts, Assault on a Peace Officer, and unlawful possession of prescription drugs. His bond was set at $1,000.

The Sac County Sheriff’s Office is asking for your help in locating a man wanted by authorities on three counts of Child Endangerment and drug-related charges. 43-year old Stephen (Steve) Ray Campbell is wanted in connection with a March 7th search warrant served at Campbell’s house at 600 West 6th Street, in Odebolt.

Anyone with information on Campbell’s whereabouts is asked to call their local law enforcement or call the Sac County Sheriff’s Office at 71-662-7127.

Steve Ray Campbell

The Atlantic Trojan Boys’ Swim Team was recognized Wednesday evening by the School Board for their outstanding season. Athletic Director Matt Alexander introduced Coach Dean Junker, Assistant Volunteer Coach Jennifer Miller, and the Nishna Valley YMCA’s Jackie Sampson, who he said does a lot of behind the scenes work, including the organizational details.

Coach Junker introduced some of the swim team members who were able to make it to the meeting. Those same members were honored earlier in the evening at the Atlantic City Council meeting, including Nik Landuis, from Clarinda, Cody McCreedy, Tyson Parker, Cole Sampson, Jake Redler, Damon Miller and Avery Anderson. Coach Junker said the boys team ended up 16th in the State Swimming Meet, with several better, individual performances.

Some members of the Atlantic Boys Swim Team and Coach Dean Junker (Far right).

Junker said when Atlantic first began showing up at the meets, no one knew who they were or why they were even there. He said “But once ya thump ‘em a little bit, they wake up real fast.” They competed against much larger schools and made a name for themselves in winning three State records. The coach said he’s very proud of the boys and how their success and has inspired much younger kids.

There’s an 8 (years old) and Under Boys Relay team as well, which the Coach says he’s never had before. This year, they were lucky to have six participants, only four of which may compete in the relay event. He says the boys won the title of State Champions in the 8 and Under category, and they were thrilled.

Jackie Sampson says the YMCA’s “Feeder program” for the High School Swim Team had 67 swimmers this past year, or, the “Sharks” program. 66 swam in the sectional meet and 40 made it to State. She said “These kids come to swim for Dean and for their teammates.” She said kids are coming from all over southwest Iowa just to swim and train with Coach Junker.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Republicans argue a bill to revamp how workers are compensated for on-the-job injuries will fix a system that unfairly burdens businesses, but others question whether the current policy needs big changes.

The state House and Senate are considering identical bills intended to lower business costs by reducing coverage for some workers’ injuries, minimizing late fees for employers and allowing pre-existing conditions to decrease benefits.

Muscatine Republican Rep. Gary Carlson says the bill reflects complaints from some companies of increased workers’ compensation premiums. However, the nonpartisan National Council on Compensation Insurance found that premium costs for Iowa businesses dropped in 2017 by an average of 4.7 percent. The group says when analyzing premiums, loss ratios and lost-time claims, the overall system is fair for employers.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A former Iowa investment adviser has been sentenced to up to 20 years in prison for felony theft and must repay more than $330,000 he took from seven people, mostly friends and family acquaintances, who trusted him after he professed to be a main of faith.

David William Johnson convinced clients he had access to a safe high-yielding foreign bank investment that state prosecutors say was a Ponzi scheme. Instead of investing their money, prosecutors say he used it to support his wife and 10 children.

Johnson, who is 57 and living in Texas, was ordered by District Court Judge Kurt Stoebe to repay all the money. Johnson was sentenced Wednesday in Fort Dodge after entering a plea agreement.