Authorities in Nebraska have identified the victim of a fiery car-versus-semi crash that happened at around 3-a.m. Feb. 24th, as a man from southwest Iowa. According to WOWT-TV in Omaha, 61-year old Richard Wilcoxsen, of Bedford died in the crash that happened on Highway 75 in Bellevue, NE.

The Sarpy County, Nebraska Sheriff’s Office said Wilcoxen was driving a 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee the wrong way on Highway 75 , southbound in the northbound lanes, when the SUV hit a semi-truck and trailer head-on. The SUV burst into flames shortly after  impact. The driver of the semi, Milos Forcan, was taken to Bellevue Medical Center but refused medical treatment.

An investigation into the crash continues. Autopsy and toxicology reports are pending.

The Iowa Senate has passed a bill that would require carbon monoxide detectors in apartments and rental homes as well as any new structure that’s built in Iowa. Senator Jeff Danielson, a Democrat from Cedar Falls, says stand-alone detectors cost between 20 and 50 dollars, plus many smoke detectors now contain a carbon monoxide sensor as well.

“We have an opportunity to save a handful of lives in Iowa with a technology that now is readily available and for pennies on the dollar,” Danielson says. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas. Danielson — who is a professional fire fighter — says it’s toxic because carbon monoxide inhibits the blood’s ability to carry oxygen. “We have documented cases in the fire service of people in their homes who wake up in the middle of the night, know there is a fire, smoke is around them and can’t move because carbon monoxide paralyzes you,” Danielson says.

Officials say about 300 Iowans wind up in an emergency room each year to be treated for carbon monoxide poisoning. “Of that, roughly 30-40 are hospitalized for the more serious cases,” Danielson says. “And then about 20 Iowans a year die from carbon monoxide poisoning and yet we have no requirement at all in Iowa for a carbon monoxide detector to be installed in your home.”

If the bill becomes law, private home owners would be asked to voluntarily install a carbon monoxide detector when they apply for the homestead tax credit. The bill passed the Senate on a 37 to 11 vote late Monday afternoon. It now goes to the House, where a similar bill has been under consideration.

(Radio Iowa)

A public hearing will take place Wednesday morning in Greenfield, with regard to the Fiscal Year 2017 Adair County Budget. The meeting takes place in the Adair County Courthouse Boardroom, beginning at 9-a.m., as part of the regular, Board of Supervisors’ meeting. The Board discussed the final changes and fund balances during their meeting Feb. 10th. Following the public hearing, the Supervisors will act on approving the Budget as presented.

In other business, the Adair County Supervisors will receive and review the FY 2015 County Audit. At 10-a.m., County Engineer Nick Kauffman will receive the Board’s approval for the signing of contracts with Gus Construction for Rural County Bridge culvert and other bridge projects, as well as approval of an agreement between the Iowa DOT and Adair County for the “County Highway Bridge Program,” and he’ll discuss Level B road classification.

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

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SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say a locomotive sliced open a semitrailer near the entrance of Kent Foods in Sioux City. The accident occurred around 4:30 p.m. Monday after the truck turned into a parking lot. Police say the truck driver couldn’t see the train. No injuries have been reported.

Workers had to clean up the trailer’s load of cattle feed supplement, which spilled out when the locomotive hit the trailer.

HINTON, Iowa (AP) – The owner of a tubing course and campground in northwest Iowa says a Plymouth County decision means his business won’t open as scheduled in May. The Sioux City Journal reports that the county’s Board of Adjustment voted Monday to deny a conditional use permit for Pipe Dream Camping and Tubing. Board chairwoman Nancy Anderson says there have been public complaints and safety issues at the facility, which sits two miles north of Hinton along the Floyd River.

Pipe Dream owner Brandon Bradshaw says there’s never been a safety-related incident at his facility. His five-year permit expires in May. He says Pipe Dream won’t open this year. Anderson says the board asked Bradshaw for a plan to address safety issues and says he can appeal the board’s decision in court.

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

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OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Figures from a survey of supply managers in nine Midwest and Plains states have risen for the second month in a row, suggesting more improvement in the regional economy. A report issued Tuesday says the Mid-American Business Conditions Index climbed to 50.5 in February from 48.3 in January. The survey results are compiled into a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Survey organizers say any score above 50 suggests economic growth. A score below that suggests decline.

Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey, and he says a strong U.S. dollar and economic weakness among the nation’s chief trading partners remain a restraint on regional growth. The survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.

The Trevor Frederickson Memorial Fund has been busy donating funds to projects that follow the funds mission statement. According to fund spokesperson Melanie Petty, Grant Petty presented a $400 check to Deb Schuler of the Kiwanis club for their annual bike helmet project. Trevor received a bike helmet when he was in 3rd grade and it brought a huge smile to his face. The Kiwanis have been doing this service project for many years and we are happy to help them out.

Both Melanie and Grant Petty were on hand to present a $500 check to Stacey Platt of the CAM Youth Sports Board. A new scoreboard is going to be placed at the baseball diamond. Trevor’s passion for baseball was undeniable so this donation in his memory really hits home. We are excited to see the CAM Youth Sports Board make continued progress on updating their facilities and are happy we can help.

Governor Branstad will sign a proclamation this Friday, March 4th, marking March as Problem Gambling Awareness Month. While gambling is harmless entertainment for most Iowans, gambling can lead to personal and financial problems for others. According to the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), 294,000 adult Iowans experienced a problem related to their gambling in the past year.

During Problem Gambling Awareness Month, Iowans are encouraged to have the conversation about gambling with those they care about. “We know the majority of Iowans who gamble do so because it’s fun and they don’t have any problems as a result of it,” said Eric Preuss of the of the IDPH Office of Problem Gambling Treatment and Prevention. “But for those with a gambling problem, many suffer in silence because they don’t know why they developed a problem, what gambling addiction is, or where to get help.”

Have a conversation about how gambling affects your life if you or someone you know shows symptoms of problem gambling, including:

• Thinking a lot about gambling, such as past gambling experiences, future gambling ventures, or ways of getting money for gambling
• Needing to gamble with larger amounts of money or with larger bets in order to get the same feeling of excitement
• Repeatedly trying to cut down or stop your gambling without success
• Feeling restless or irritable when trying to cut down or stop gambling
• Gambling to run away from problems or to get relief from feeling depressed, anxious, or bad about yourself
• After losing money gambling, often returning another day in order to win back your losses
• Lying to family members, friends, or others in order to hide your gambling from them
• Losing or almost losing a significant relationship, job, or an educational or career opportunity because of gambling
• Relying on others to provide money to relieve a desperate financial situation caused by gambling

The Office of Problem Gambling Treatment and Prevention works to reduce the harm caused by problem gambling by funding a range of services for Iowans. These services include outpatient counseling for problem gamblers, concerned persons and family; recovery support services; financial counseling, including budgeting and debt reduction plans; and state-wide information and referral services through 1-800-BETS OFF and www.1800betsoff.org. In addition, the program funds targeted prevention and education services for schools, community groups, casino employees, and other at-risk groups.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-BETS OFF or go to www.1800BETSOFF.org.