Sheriff’s officials in Cass County have released additional information about a rollover accident that took place early Sunday morning near Wiota. As we reported during our newscasts Sunday, and on the web at kjan.com, one-person was injured and transported to the Cass County Memorial Hospital.

A rural resident called the Cass County Communications Center at around 3-a.m., to report an individual had come to their residence and that she had been in a wreck. Upon investigation, it was determined that a 2001 Toyota Corolla driven by 25-year old Vanessa Ranae Dugan Jones, of Nodaway, had been traveling northbound on 690th Street when she lost control of the car, causing the vehicle to roll onto its top into the west ditch. Jones was transported to CCMH via Anita Rescue. Damage to the vehicle is estimated at $6,000. The incident remains under investigation.

Page County Sheriff Lyle Palmer reports one person arrested following an investigation into a reported assault with a weapon Sunday evening, in Shambaugh. Deputies met with the alleged victim, 19-year old Eli Stimson, and after speaking with the suspect, 20-year old Blake Dubrow, of Clarinda, arrested Dubrow on  a charge of Serious Assault. The man was being held in the Page County Jail on $1,000 bond.

Stimson was transported to the hospital for treatment. The Sheriff’s Office says the men resided at home where the alleged incident occurred.

A bicyclist from Harlan was injured after she was hit by an inattentive driver Saturday evening in Shelby County. Sheriff’s officials say 49-year old Kimberly Sue Zaccone, who was wearing her helmet,  suffered injuries to her left knee and hip area, as well as a case of “road rash,” after she was hit by a 2005 Dodge Caravan. The driver, 40-year old Erik John Nielsen, of Harlan, told authorities that as he was traveling south on Linden Road at around 4:20-p.m., he was looking at a corn field, and didn’t see Zaccone. The van’s side view mirror struck the woman, knocking her to the ground. She was transported to Myrtue Memorial Hospital by Medivac Ambulance. No citations were issued.

Sheriff’s officials in Mills County report three people were arrested over the weekend. On Sunday, 25-year old Blaine Alexander Coffey, of Lincoln, NE, was arrested on an OWI/3rd offense charge. Bond was set at $5,000. On Saturday, 53-year old Richard James Garner, of Pacific Junction, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault. Garner was being held without bond in the Mills County Jail. And on Friday, 20-year old Zane Christian Carter, of Thurman, was arrested for Driving While Revoked. Bond was set at $1,000.

Authorities in Mills County report also, no one was injured during an accident Thursday, northeast of Mineola. Officials say Kyle Smith of Silver City, was driving a 1999 GMC southbound on 287th Street south of Applewood Road at around 2:21-a.m., when his car went out of control and rolled into a ditch. Smith exited the vehicle and left the scene on Foot.

w/ Ric Hanson

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8:00 A.M………………………………………Beef Show
9:30 A.M……………………..……………….Best of Iowa
10:00 A.M………………………………………..Commercial Exhibits Open
11:00 A.M……………………………………..Watermelon Feed
12:30 P.M…………………………………….Dairy/Dairy Goat Show
1:00 P.M………………………….…………..Meat Goat Show
2:00 P.M………………………………………Skid Loader Rodeo
4:00 P.M………………………………..…….Style Show/Building Awards
6:00 P.M………………………….……………Parade of Champions
7:00P.M……..………………………………………..Grand Champ. Beef Selection
Livestock Released
8:00 P.M……………………………………….Skid Loader Rodeo Finals

Three nationally known politicians will visit Pottawattamie County in the next few weeks to promote Republican Party candidates in this November’s general election. The Omaha World-Herald reports on Wednesday (July 30th), Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad will visit the Pottawattamie County Republican Party’s headquarters at 231 S. Main St. in Council Bluffs with doors opening at 9:45 a.m. Speakers start at 10:30. Communications Director Mary Jones urges people to reserve a spot by calling (515) 421-4576 (or email her at marykat47@hotmail.com).

Several musicians with ties to Pilger, Nebraska have organized a benefit show for the tiny town that was struck by two EF4 tornadoes last month. Clint Meyer, an associate professor of biology at Simpson College in Indianola (Iowa), grew up in Pilger. He saw the pictures and videos of the damage done on June 16 and went back to his hometown a couple days later to volunteer with cleanup efforts.

“To be there and notice the scale and the depth of it all, it wasn’t just the row of houses you see in the picture – but the row behind it and the row behind that, several blocks completely destroyed” Meyer said. “There was no way to get a sense of that with just the pictures, so it was a pretty shocking experience to see it.” Two people, including a five-year-old girl, were killed, and 16 more were critically injured. Over half of the buildings and homes in Pilger were destroyed or severely damaged.

“It will never be the same as it was, of course, but the hope is that there will still be a town there that can start finding whatever that new normal is,” Meyer said. “I think the hope is to try and raise awareness that even though the volunteers are gone, there is still a need there.” Meyer plays guitar and sings in the central Iowa based band Monday Mourners. He wrote a song about Pilger, titled “(The Town) Too Tough To Die,” which he plans to premiere at the benefit concert.

Monday Mourners and three bands from Omaha will play the benefit show for the town of Pilger this Wednesday (July 30) at The Waiting Room in Omaha. The show will start at 8 p.m. and there’s a cover charge of $8.

View aerial footage of the damage in Pilger (from the NE State Patrol) at the link below:

http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Vs3EdtV-kwg

(Radio Iowa)

It’s said to be a key factor in creating healthier and more livable communities, and the walkability of Iowa towns and cities is taking center stage this week. Residents, elected officials and municipal leaders will gather Wednesday and Thursday in Des Moines to learn how to improve walkability. Connie Eastman, associate state director of community outreach for AARP Iowa, says walkability benefits all, including those older adults who want to age in place.

“Access to safe streets for all people of all ages to walk, bike or use assistive devices to get from their home, school, shops and recreation can make a big impact, and help them stay where they want to stay as they get older – in their home and in their community,” she stresses.

This week’s walkability events are free and open to the public and will be led by national expert Dan Burden, who’s been called one of the most important civic innovators in the world. Eastman says there are a number of ways that Iowa communities can improve walkability, including many projects as simple as painting a crosswalk at an intersection or adding a curb cut to a sidewalk.

“To help people access that sidewalk, that’s a good thing for a senior who may be using a cane or a walker, a mom who uses a stroller, or a kid who’s on a bicycle,” she explains. “So, by improving streets and helping people be more active, it will in turn improve their health.”

(Iowa News Service)