Sheriff’s deputies in Fremont County responded to a reported “large fight in progress,” Thursday evening, in Hamburg. The fight was said to have involved several individuals, possibly armed with weapons. The incident took place in the 600 block of Main Street, in Hamburg.

Clayton Parsons

Following an investigation, deputies arrested 28-year old Clayton Parsons, of Hamburg, on charges that include Domestic Abuse Assault, 2nd Offense, Simple Assault, and Disorderly Conduct.

Deputies determined that no weapons were actually involved or displayed during the incident. Parsons was being held without bond at the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office.

An accident in west central Ringgold County involving two motorcycles early Thursday morning, resulted in two people being transported to area hospitals. The Iowa State Patrol says late model Harley Davidson motorcycles driven by 62-year old Galen R. White, of Kent, and 56-year old Michael A. Fry, of Creston, were traveling north on Ringgold County Road P-33 at around 12:50-a.m., when one of the drivers went to pass the other. The cycles collided, causing both to lose control. One of the motorcyclists was ejected from their cycle.

White was transported by Mercy 1 helicopter to Mercy Hospital. Fry was taken by ambulance to the Ringgold County Hospital in Mt. Ayr. A report on their conditions was not released.

Updating our earlier story, the Stuart Police Department reports their missing drug dog “Chloe” has been found and returned to her owner. Officials thank everyone who looked for her. The Black Lab was being watched by a neighbor while her handler was on vacation. When the neighbor took her outside, Chloe got loose and ran away. But again, the dog has been found.

A new $10 million emergency department was dedicated today (Thursday) at the VA Central Iowa Health Care System. Roughly 1,000 veterans a month arrive at the Des Moines facility needing emergency treatment. Dan Gannon chairs the Iowa Commission for Veterans Affairs. “I think it’s very positive because we feel very strongly here in Iowa about our VA hospital,” Gannon said. “We think it’s one of the best. It’s just another sign of them trying to improve their facility and…that story isn’t always being told.”

The new addition includes a designated space for infectious disease care, decontamination showers, and eight private treatment rooms. Leanne Haiwick will manage 20 emergency room nurses. “This is a larger space with private rooms. One room is a dedicated mental health observation room, so it’s a safe space for anybody who’s undergoing a mental health crisis,” Haiwick said. The Des Moines VA facility treats an average of 33 emergency patients a day.

(Radio Iowa)

Iowa State University confirms a man who died in a boating accident over the weekend in Michigan worked at the school. I-S-U says 56-year-old business professor Brian Mennecke was the person found by a dive team at Haggerman Lake in Michigan. Local reports say a search began after a boat with no one on board crashed into the dock on Saturday.

The dive team found Mennecke’s body Wednesday evening and it is believed he fell out of the boat while fishing. I-S-U issued a statement saying Menecke had been with the college since 1999 and his research focused on technology issues, including the influence of social and digital media on consumer decisions.

(Radio Iowa)

(Update 5-p.m. 7/14: Chloe has been found! Thanks to everyone who looked for her)

The Stuart Police Department’s drug detection dog is missing, Officials said Thursday, that “Chloe” was being watched by a neighbor while her handler is on vacation. When the neighbor took her outside, Chloe got loose and ran away. If you the friendly black Lan, please call the Stuart Dispatch Center at 641-747-2214. Authorities say Chloe is extremely important to their department, and the community.

Chloe the drug dog

SAC CITY, Iowa (AP) — Authorities in northwest Iowa say they are investigating the discovery of a human skull near the Raccoon River in southern Sac County. The skull was found Monday afternoon. Sheriff Ken McClure says in a statement the state medical examiner concluded it was the skull of an adult white man.

It has been forwarded to a forensic anthropologist in Kansas City for further examination and to determine its age. McClure says his office and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation will determine the next steps in the investigation based on the reports from the forensic examination.

CHEROKEE, Iowa (AP) — Tyson Foods is offering to pay $400,000 to buy out its remaining lease on a plant it closed in 2014 in the northwest Iowa town of Cherokee. Tyson’s Wes Morris said Thursday the Springdale, Arkansas, company is offering to pay all of its remaining rent for the next four years to end its interest in the vacant building. Morris says that would give the building owner and local officials more control over marketing the plant.

It wasn’t immediately clear Thursday afternoon whether the building’s owner will accept Tyson’s offer. New York real estate investor Mark Langfan’s family owns the building. Previously, local leaders in Cherokee had criticized Tyson’s handling of the building.

Tyson says several food companies expressed interest in the plant but decided it wouldn’t work for their needs.

The Trevor Frederickson Foundation is paying the costs for anyone who wants to ride the Atlantic High School pep bus to support the Atlantic Girls Softball team at the state tournament next week.  Darrin Petty says the Trevor Frederickson Foundation is working with the Atlantic administration on the project.  The school is coordinating the pep buses and the foundation will pay the cost of the bus AND the ticket admission to the ball game for any student who wants to ride.  You need to contact the high school office at 243-5358 to reserve your spot.  There is no limit to the number of people that can ride, they will take as many buses as needed and the foundation will pay the cost.  In addition, there will be a drawing on each bus for a $50 gift card from Olsen’s BP!  You must contact the HS office by the end of the day on Friday, July 15th.  Atlantic will face Davenport Assumption Tuesday, July 19th in a 1:00 pm game in Fort Dodge in their first ever trip to the state tourney.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Two Sioux City police officers have teamed up to teach teenagers how to navigate the roads through their driving academy. The Sioux City Journal reports that Scott Hatting and Todd Ferry, who have worked at the Sioux City Police Department for more than 20 years, have started the Cruising with Cops academy.

Ferry says the instructors have experience in adverse driving conditions. According to Hatting and Ferry, students will gain experience on how to interact with law enforcement officers while learning how to drive. The driving school is not affiliated or funded by the police department. Instructors will not wear police uniforms or operate police vehicles.

The classes, which will last approximately two months and cost $500, are scheduled to start in September.