Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa court says people can drink alcohol in their cars as long as they’re parked on private property. The Des Moines Register says the Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday a state law banning open alcohol containers in vehicles doesn’t apply to people parked in private lots or driveways.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — A Dubuque woman says she has a state cannabis card allowing her to give an oil extracted from marijuana to her son, but she’s not allowed to do so in his care center. Instead, Jennifer McFadden says she gives the oil to her 12-year-old son, who has severe epilepsy, twice a day in the facility’s parking lot. She tells the Des Moines Register that the agency which operates the center says it can’t allow the oil into the facility. She says the agency told her that federal authorities still consider it a strictly controlled marijuana product.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — Former state lawmaker Pat Murphy is embarking on a second Democratic bid for Congress, after a failed campaign in 2014. The 55-year-old from Dubuque lost a closerace to newcomer Republican Rod Blum in November.

CLEAR LAKE, Iowa (AP) — About 100 people were evacuated safely when a fire broke out on a paddle wheel boat on Clear Lake. The Globe Gazette reports the fire was reported Thursday morning, just after the Lady of the Lake cruise ship had docked. About 100 people, including 27 from a care center, were evacuated to shore.

The 2015 Cass County Fair got into full swing with the crowning of this years King and Queen on Thursday night in  front of the memory garden at the Cass County Community Center.  A large crowd gathered to see 9 candidates vie for Queen and 2 candidates compete for King.

(Left to right) Blake Miller,Emily McDermott, Alyssa Dean, Tyler Steele (Jim Field Photo)

4 Queen candidates were chosen from the previous judging to be interviewed in front of the crowd.  Those finalists were Haley Carlson, Alyssa Dean, Emily McDermott, and Tierney Sothman.  The two king candidates Tyler Steele and Blake Miller were also interviewed for final judging.

After final deliberations by the judges Alyssa Dean was crowned the 2015 Cass County Fair Queen and Tyler Steele was crowned King. Dean is the Daughter of Tim and Corissa Dean and is a member of the Cowpokes 4-H club and Griswold FFA.  Steele is the Son of Doug and Lynette Steele and is a member of the Grant Guys & Gals 4-H club and CAM FFA.

Also receiving awards were Emily McDermott as Princess, Tierney Sothman as Ms. Congeniality, and Blake Miller as Prince and Mr. Congeniality.

The remaining queen candidates were Jessica Aupperle, Katie Aupperle, Mandi Backhaus, Sydney Steffen, and Brookelyn Wahlert. Judging was done by Ronna Herzberg and Shelley Velman.

Also part of the event was the induction of Mary Ottmar into the Cass County 4-H hall of fame.  She was lured to the event under the guise of helping judge the King and Queen contest and then was surprised with the award.  Mary’s son Adam sweetened the surprise by flying in for the ceremony when she thought he was home in California.

The Cass County Fair continues through Tuesday, July 28th.  Listen for live coverage everyday on KJAN.

SAC-CRAWFORD-CARROLL-AUDUBON-GUTHRIE-CASS-ADAIR-ADAMS-UNION-TAYLOR-RINGGOLD-MONONA-HARRISON-SHELBY-POTTAWATTAMIE-MILLS-MONTGOMERY-FREMONT-PAGE COUNTIES:

…HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM TO 8 PM CDT FRIDAY…

* TEMPERATURE…HIGHS IN THE AFTERNOON WILL BE AROUND 90 AND COMBINED WITH THE RETURN OF DEW POINTS NEAR 80 RESULTING HEAT INDICES WILL RANGE FROM 100 TO 105 IN MANY LOCATIONS. HEAT INDICES FROM 105-110 ARE POSSIBLE IN FAR WEST/SOUTHWEST IOWA.

* IMPACTS…HOT AND HUMID CONDITIONS WILL RESULT IN AN INCREASED RISK OF HEAT RELATED ILLNESSES.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A HEAT ADVISORY MEANS THAT A PERIOD OF HOT TEMPERATURES IS EXPECTED. THE COMBINATION OF HOT TEMPERATURES AND HIGH HUMIDITY WILL COMBINE TO CREATE A SITUATION IN WHICH HEAT ILLNESSES ARE POSSIBLE. DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS…STAY IN AN AIR-CONDITIONED ROOM…STAY OUT OF THE SUN…AND CHECK UP ON RELATIVES AND NEIGHBORS.

TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS…IF YOU WORK OR SPEND TIME OUTSIDE. WHEN POSSIBLE…RESCHEDULE STRENUOUS ACTIVITIES TO EARLY MORNING OR EVENING. KNOW THE SIGNS OF HEAT EXHAUSTION AND HEAT STROKE. WEAR LIGHT WEIGHT AND LOOSE FITTING CLOTHING WHEN POSSIBLE AND DRINK PLENTY OF WATER.

TO REDUCE RISK DURING OUTDOOR WORK…THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDS SCHEDULING FREQUENT REST BREAKS IN SHADED OR AIR CONDITIONED ENVIRONMENTS. ANYONE OVERCOME BY HEAT SHOULD BE MOVED TO A COOL AND SHADED LOCATION. HEAT STROKE IS AN EMERGENCY…CALL 9 1 1.

It’s been a very busy July for the American Red Cross, as the organization responded to eight home fires last weekend alone. Red Cross regional executive director Tammy Lee says grilling out is just one of the summertime activities that can lead to disaster. “If you’re too close to the house or thinking the fire is out when it’s not, or starting a fire when it’s windy,” Lee says. “Then there are the things we should be cautious of inside year-round, overloaded circuits, putting things on electric cords.”

Lee says the Red Cross typically responds to more storms in the summer, but this July, they’ve helped 101 people already, compared to 70 people a year ago. She says many of those calls have been house fires, which are usually more of an issue in the colder months, when furnaces and fireplaces are in use. “This time of year this year is just a particular reminder that we can have an uptick in home fires even in the middle of the summer,” she says.

Last weekend’s fires were reported in Appanoose, Wapello, Cass, Floyd, Poweshiek and Polk counties. She says anyone wishing to make a donation or to volunteer with the Red Cross can visit redcross-dot-org.

(Radio Iowa)

Police in Atlantic report the arrest on Wednesday of a local man on drug & other charges. 53-year old Lafe Eichelberger, of Atlantic, faces charges that include Possession of Methamphetamine with the Intent to Deliver, Interference with Official Acts, OWI/1st offense, and Driving While License denied or revoked.

Also arrested Wednesday in Atlantic, was 54-year old Jim Findley, of Carson. Findley was charged with Driving While Barred/Habitual Offender.

And this morning (Thursday), 38-year old Jeremy Lange, of Humboldt, was arrested in Atlantic for OWI/1st offense.  All three men were booked into the Cass County Jail.

DES MOINES, Iowa – It’s a major milestone as the landmark civil rights law that ensures equal opportunity for people with disabilities celebrates its 25th anniversary this weekend.  The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was spearheaded by former U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa and signed by former President George H.W. Bush on July 26 of 1990.

Becky Harker, executive director of the Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council, says one of the biggest changes in the years since has been the accessibility of public buildings. “Restaurants and grocery stores, courthouses, post offices,” she points out. “And they’re also more accessible to our elders, to people with strollers, to people with other mobility issues. So it’s been good for everyone.”

A number of events to celebrate the ADA anniversary are planned across Iowa in the days ahead including in Cedar Rapids, Des Moines and Iowa City. While there has been much progress, Harker says there is plenty more to do over the next 25 years and that includes improving job opportunities for those with disabilities.

“We’d like to see more people employed in the community and not segregated,” she stresses. “And it’s going to take a lot of advocacy, a lot of action on the part of people who feel strongly about that.” Statewide, it’s estimated that nearly 17 percent of adults or around 376,000 people have some type of a disability.

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (6.3MB)

Subscribe: RSS

The 7:06-a.m. report w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (4.6MB)

Subscribe: RSS

Nearly two dozen people were busted early this (Thursday) morning in Council Bluffs,for being Minors in Possession of Alcohol. According to Bluffs Police, officers were called to 1931 23rd Avenue at around 1:15-a.m., to investigate a reported disturbance at an apartment. Upon arrival, Officers established there were numerous juveniles consuming alcohol at the residence.

Twenty minors were cited for Minor in Possession and Disorderly Conduct. 37-year old Angela Hughes, the apartment renter and mother of one of the minors, was present and cited for having a “Disorderly House.”