Police in Creston report a hit-and-run accident took place early Sunday morning. Officials say a pickup legally parked on Spruce Street was struck on the left front side by an unknown vehicle traveling northbound. The incident happened at around 4-a.m., Sunday. The unknown vehicle…believed to be a white colored truck… left the scene. Damage to the 1996 Chevy C-25 was estimated at $4,000.

With Ric Hanson.

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The 7:06-a.m. Newscast with KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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Iowa is playing host to a national event focused on bird hunting, wildlife conservation and dog training. Mick Klemesrud is a spokesperson for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, a sponsor of the 2015 National Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic — this Friday through Sunday at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines. Klemesrud notes two days coincide with the State Wrestling Tournament.  “We’ll get a lot of the different vendors from the across the country that are involved in pheasant and dog training. They expect about 25,000 (people to attend) so it would be nice if we had a little bit more than that with the additional people in town,” Klemesrud says.

The annual Pheasants Forever event began in 2005 and was previously hosted by Iowa in 2007 and 2010. Klemesrud says pheasants may not be as plentiful in Iowa as decades ago, but they’re making a comeback. “We are not to the glory years that we were in the 1990s, but we’ve had a few upticks in our pheasant numbers and we expect to have good survival into next year,” Klemesrud says. “So, we’re going build on year-over-year pheasant numbers and if we have a good spring, we’re going to have more pheasants than even last year.”

At this weekend’s event, landowners can meet with DNR conservation officers to discuss ways they can help improve upland bird habitat. Klemesrud says the event will also include a Youth Village.  “In the Youth Village, we’ll have a lot of different entertainment and games for the kids. Our officers will have some air rifle ranges, some 3D archery and we’ll have a snowmobile simulator,” Klemesrud says.

Daily admission to Pheasant Fest is $10 for adults, $5 for children 6-16, while children 5 and under get in free. For a complete schedule of events visit www.pheasantfest.org.

(Radio Iowa)

Sheriff’s officials in Montgomery County report one person arrested on a drug-related charge, Sunday night. 23-year old Jesse Allen Luft, of Villisca, was taken into custody just before 8-p.m., on a charge of Distributing a controlled substance to a person under the age of 18. Luft was arrested in the 100 block of west 2nd Street in Villisca, and brought to the Montgomery County Jail, where he was being held on $25,000 bond.

The freeze-thaw cycle we’re in is making some monster potholes in Iowa’s streets. The road craters can ruin tires and rims, damage suspension and alignment and they can even knock the exhaust system off your vehicle. Ann Avery, a spokeswoman for State Farm Insurance in Iowa, says if there’s a lot of damage from a pothole, you may be able to file a claim. “The damage done to your car would generally be covered under the collision portion of your insurance,” Avery says. “These kinds of repairs from damage caused by a pothole can cost on average anywhere from $300 to $700. My best advice would be, if you have questions about the damage and whether it would be covered, consult your insurance professional and find out what your coverage is in this circumstance.”

Avery says you can’t prevent potholes but you can help protect your vehicle by driving carefully. “One suggestion would be taking roads that you know well because that familiarity can help you avoid the potholes,” she says. “Another thought would be when driving at night, travel on well-lit roads so you can see the surface and see them coming a little bit better.” If you spot a chuckhole, Avery says to brake before impact, as there’s less damage when the tire is rolling, rather than skidding over a hole during braking. She offers another tip:

“Slow down, give yourself a chance to see the pothole and that way you can avoid it before you’re in it,” she says. “If you do hit a pothole, carefully inspect your tires and your wheels for possible damage. Think about how your car is handling, if it’s pulling one way or the other, if the steering feels wobbly, you might want to have your car checked by a professional.” She reminds, always check with your agent first to see what is — and what is not — covered.

(Radio Iowa)

In an update to our report Sunday morning, Police in Council Bluffs have released more information about a three-vehicle, head-on crash Friday evening that happened when the driver of a mini-van blacked-out, causing the van to cross lanes and strike a vehicle that spun-out and hit another. The crash resulted in numerous injuries. According to the Police report, officers, along with the Council Bluffs Fire Department to the crash in the 1600 block of West Broadway at 10:16-p.m., Friday.

Officials say 77-year old Meredith Robinson, of Omaha, was driving a Chrysler Town and Country mini-van when he passed out at the wheel, as he was traveling eastbound on west Broadway. The vehicle crossed into the westbound lanes of traffic and struck a Hyundai Elantra, driven by 51-year old Cassondra McCaune, of Des Moines. Her car spun around and hit a westbound Honda CRV, driven by 59-year old Mary Horan-Cummings, of Council Bluffs.

Horan-Cummings, who was wearing her seat belt, was not injured. Cassondra McCaune suffered critical injuries in the crash. Three other people in the car, all from Des Moines, were injured, as well. 29-year old Heather McCaune and 16-year old Kala McCaune, both suffered minor injuries. 63-year old Robert McCaune, suffered critical injuries. All four were transported to Creighton CHI in Omaha for treatment. Cassondra and Robert McCaune were wearing their seatbelts.

Robinson suffered minor injuries also. His passenger, 84-year old Bertha Weinfurtner, of Carter Lake, was critically injured. Both were transported to Nebraska Medicine for treatment. Authorities say the pair was wearing their seatbelts.

Witnesses indicated that speed may be a factor in the crash, which remains under investigation.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Closing some of Iowa’s four state mental hospitals might be needed, but people who work in the field warn that any changes should be made carefully. The Des Moines Register reports Governor Terry Branstad said last month he plans to close state mental institutions at Clarinda and Mount Pleasant and move any remaining patients to the other two state institutions this summer.

SOUTH SIOUX CITY, Neb. (AP) — South Sioux City is still waiting for nearly $1.4 million in reimbursement from state and federal agencies almost four years after extensive flooding along the Missouri River. The Sioux City Journal reports city officials are still working to finish up the last paperwork needed to obtain reimbursement for flood-related expenses.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A new downtown Sioux City casino has announced plans to convert a grass-covered outdoor spot into a hard surface that will be used for outdoor events, such as concerts, as well as more parking. The Sioux City Journal reports that the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in downtown Sioux City plans new landscaping, decorative street lamps, a beer garden, an expanded restaurant patio and a barrier to control concert noise also are part of the $850,000 project awaiting city approval.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Two Californians are accused of using fake credit cards and identification in a scheme to defraud Iowa banks and credit unions. The Sioux City Journal reports the 45-year-old man and 53-year-old woman were arrested Thursday.

A trio of area school district Boards of Education are set to meet Monday evening. In Anita, the CAM School Board meeting gets underway at 5:30-p.m., in the High School Media Center. On their agenda is a report on Assessment data, along with a discussion of questions posed by the Adair-Casey School Board,who sent sent letters to neighboring districts with regard to possible Whole Grade Sharing opportunities (The Adair-Casey Board is set to meet Wednesday evening to the discuss related matters).

The CAM School Board will also: Set the time & date for a public hearing on an early start date for the 2015-16 school year; act on…a Driver’s Education contract & student fees, audit bids; and receive the CAM Education Association’s opening proposal. The Board will hold an exempt session for negotiations, prior to adjourning for the evening.

The Griswold School Board is set to meet at 5:45-p.m., in the Central Office Board Room. On their agenda is action on: The second reading of Board Policies;a Fully Automated Timing System (FAT) for the track; Lawn Chemical application bids; Lawn mowing specifications; the 20-15-16 School Calendar; Sports lighting bids; and, Insurance specifications. They’ll also hold a Financial Work Session for discussion purposes only.

And, in Elk Horn, the Exira-EHK School Board will meet beginning at 7-p.m., Monday, in the Family and Consumer Science room at the High School. Action items include: Contracts with Tony Santisteban – Boy’s Varsity Track Coach, and Kelli Nielsen, Asst. Varsity Track Coach; Administrative matters (Including the Modified Allowable Growth/Dropout Prevention budget, and a Budget Guarantee for the 2015-16 School Year), and approval of the Baseball Scoreboard.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – Two Californians are accused of using fake credit cards and identification in a scheme to defraud Iowa banks and credit unions. The Sioux City Journal reports the 45-year-old man and 53-year-old woman were arrested Thursday. Both face several forgery charges and one charge each of ongoing criminal conduct.

Court documents say the pair visited two credit unions in Sioux City and requested $9,800 cash advances on credit cards. When the bank called to verify the credit card, an accomplice would provide answers.

When police searched the car they rented, the pair had a map of credit unions throughout Iowa. Authorities say the pair had attempted to get cash from Iowa credit unions and banks more than 100 times in the past three weeks.