Police in Red Oak report the arrest at around 4:25-p.m., Friday, of 35-year old Peggy Sue Gurney, of Red Oak. Gurney was taken into custody following a traffic stop in the 500 block of N. 6th Street, for Driving While Suspended, Operating a motor vehicle without registration, and having a defective muffler. Gurney was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $300 bond.

As spectacular as Fourth of July celebrations can be, drifting smoke following the fireworks can cause breathing problems for some. If the air is stagnant, fine particles can be trapped near the ground and build to unhealthy levels. The Iowa DNR encourages sensitive individuals to stay upwind a safe distance away from
fireworks displays. People with asthma or respiratory difficulties, the elderly,
children and pregnant women are most likely to suffer.

Smoke contains fine particles and gases, which can be hard on the lungs. Fine
particles in fireworks’ smoke are produced from the black powder used to shoot
fireworks skyward along with the metals that produce brilliant colors. Those unable to avoid areas of dense smoke should limit outdoor activity and contact their health care provider if they experience difficulty breathing.

An air pollution monitor in Davenport recorded unhealthy levels of fine particles
after Fourth of July fireworks in 2008.

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

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The Creston Police Department today (Friday) reports two arrests took place, Wednesday. 41-year old Jennifer White, of Creston, was arrested at her home on a warrant out of Kentucky, for Failure to Appear in court for sentencing. White was being held in the Ringgold County Jail while awaiting extradition to Kentucky.

And, 30-year old Cassandra Larkin, of Creston, was arrested Wednesday at the Union County Law Enforcement Center, on a Department of Corrections warrant for Parole Violation. Larkin was being held without bond, in the Ringgold County Jail.

Officials with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) say they have identified a hepatotoxin, called microcystin toxin, in Green Valley Lake near Creston in Union County.

Microcystin toxin is released by blue-green algae or cyanobacteria
Cyanobacterial blooms can form in warm, slow-moving waters that are rich in nutrients such as fertilizer runoff or septic tank overflows. Blooms can occur at any time, but most often occur in late summer or early fall.

Symptoms may take hours or days to show up in people, but normally show up within one week after exposure. Symptoms of microcystin exposure/poisoning include
• Rash, hives, or skin blisters (especially on the lips and under swimsuits).
• Gastrointestinal symptoms such as stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, severe headaches, and fever.
• Runny eyes and nose, cough, and sore throat, pleuritic pain, asthma-like symptoms, or allergic reactions.
• Exposure to large amount of microcystin can cause liver damage.

Swimming in the lake should be avoided. If you do swim, do not ingest the water, and wash thoroughly before you leave.

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

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MidAmerican Energy Company wants customers to observe stars, stripes and safety this Independence Day. Whether swimming at a nearby lake or barbequing with friends and family, the company encourages customers to follow these five tips to ensure a fun and safe holiday.

1. Water and electricity don’t mix. Before you jump into the pool or lake this Fourth of July, be conscious of electrical hazards. Keep all electrical items at least ten feet away from water. Don’t use electric tools such as hedge trimmers when it’s raining, and be sure cords aren’t running through standing water. If an electrical appliance falls into water, never reach in to grab it. First, make sure you are dry and not touching any metal objects, then unplug it or switch off the circuit breaker.

2. Barbeque smart. Each year an average of 8,800 home fires are caused by grilling, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Never use a grill indoors. Gases produced by charcoal or gas grills can be extremely harmful. Also, never leave a grill unattended and always ensure the grill is a safe distance from siding, decks and other flammable materials.

3. Teach children to play safe. Remind children to fly kites only in open areas where there are not any power lines. Make sure they know to never use metal on a kite, climb utility poles or trees with power lines running through them, play on or near electrical boxes, or enter an electrical substation. Call MidAmerican Energy at 888-427-5632 to retrieve lost balls or toys that accidentally get tossed over a substation fence.

4. Call before you dig. Building a deck to host a Fourth of July celebration? Digging a fire pit? Any time you dig, call your state’s one-call system at least 48 hours prior to the excavation – it’s a free service, and it is the law. In all states, call 811 to reach the One Call Center.

5. Look up and stay away. Make sure you know where overhead power lines are located before using fireworks, balloons or ladders. Contact with power lines can be extremely dangerous. Always carry a ladder in the horizontal position, rather than the vertical position, to avoid brushes with power lines. Also, if you are boating or using long-handled pool skimmers, be alert for power lines that could be above you. If you come across a downed power line, stay away and call MidAmerican Energy at 888-427-5632. Always assume downed power lines are energized.

A Red Oak man was taken into custody Thursday afternoon on Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and 5th Degree Theft, charges. Red Oak Police say 23-year old Cody Dean Johnson was arrested at around 1:20-p.m. and brought to the Montgomery County Jail, where he was being held on a total of $1,300 bond.

And, 33-year old Paul Earl Lemburg II, of Red Oak, was arrested just before 1-p.m. Thursday, for Breach of Peace. Lemburg was brought to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $300 bond.

An Omaha woman faces four charges after a single-vehicle crash. According to the Daily NonPareil, 26-year old Jessica Hauger, of Omaha, is in custody after an incident that occurred Tuesday around 10:15-p.m. Hauger was driving a 2004 Hyundai Elantra westbound on Avenue A near North 35th Street when a police officer attempted to pull her over, according to the Council Bluffs Police Department. Hauger allegedly accelerated at a high rate of speed and got onto the westbound Interstate 480 ramp.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Officials say a popular park near downtown Des Moines that was closed due to flooding will reopen soon. City officials for Des Moines say Gray’s Lake Park will reopen Friday morning at 5 a.m.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Governor Terry Branstad has vetoed $55.7 million in one-time education funding as well as a bipartisan deal to keep two state mental health institutes open. Branstad announced the vetoes late yesterday afternoon, as he approved a slew of budget bills. The fate of the two mental health institutes — in Mount Pleasant and Clarinda — was hotly debated. After Branstad sought to end funding for the facilities, lawmakers reached a deal to keep the Mount Pleasant center open and to seek a private provider to run the other.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — State and local leaders in Dubuque celebrated the start of construction on the largest phase of an estimated $200 million flood mitigation project aimed at avoiding future property damage and adding green space to a key part of the city. The Telegraph Herald reports the groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday marked work that has been underway for several weeks.

WALL LAKE, Iowa (AP) — A northwest Iowa woman is scheduled to be sentenced August 5th after pleading guilty to selling marijuana from the home she shares with her four children. The Sioux City Journal reports that 37-year-old Laura Lawler was convicted Wednesday in Sac County District Court.