A jury in Audubon County has rendered a guilty verdict against a south central Iowa man facing felony charges of Vehicular Homicide by OWI and Serious Injury by Vehicle. According to online court records, 57-year old Kendall Lee Ware, of Lineville, was found guilty Thursday on both counts. A pre-sentence investigation has been ordered, with sentencing set for July 18^th.

Authorities say Ware had a blood alcohol content of more than two-and-half times the legal limit when an SUV and a pickup crashed at around 11:25-p.m. on October 11^th, 2011, near Brayton. The crash claimed the life of 17-year old Kristopher Crawley, and caused serious injuries to his passenger, 22-year old Jason Rattenborg. Both of the crash victims are from Audubon. Ware, and a passenger in his truck, were also injured. 

While an investigation into the crash was being conducted, Ware fled the area. A warrant was issued for his arrest, and he was taken into custody by the U.S.Marshals last October, in North Dakota before being extradited to Audubon County.

Three Audubon County teens were injured Thursday during a rollover accident about 4-miles west of Exira. The Sheriff’s Department says the driver of the vehicle, 18-year old Brandon Thomas Harter, of Exira, and his passengers: 16-year old Forest Debruin, of Exira, and 17-year old Sadie Rose Ryan, of Audubon, were transported to the Audubon County Hospital by Elk Horn Rescue, following the crash that occurred at around 4-p.m., Thursday.

Officials say a 2002 Buick owned by Bradley Weber, of Audubon, and driven by Harter, was traveling north on 280th Street and approaching a slight curve to the west, when the vehicle went out of control on the gravel road. The car veered toward the west ditch before sliding back and forth across the road and sliding partially sideways into the west ditch.

The front driver’s side door dug into the ditch, causing the vehicle to roll before it came to rest on the driver’s side door, propped up against a small tree. Damage from the crash amounted to $6,500. Harter was charged with Failure to Maintain Control.

(9-a.m. News)

The Danish Villages of Elk Horn and Kimballton are celebrating the 33^rd Annual Tivoli Fest this weekend. Lisa Steen-Riggs, spokesperson for the event which runs Saturday and Sunday, said the weekend is packed with activities, including some traditional favorites. The event kicks-off with a 5-l “Mill to Mermaid” fun run/walk. Registration is just $5, with the top winners in each age group receiving a special t-shirt. At the finish, everyone receives a bag of M&M’s. The parade, themed “Honoring our heroes, begins at 11-a.m. 

There’s also an open-air market. Some new events are in-store for this weekend, as well. A ribbon cutting will be held for the new Veteran’s Memorial at 2-p.m., along with patriotic music, a “Walk-of-Honor,” and information about a national program, “Run for the Fallen.” Of course, it wouldn’t be Tivoli Fest, without food and entertainment. That includes Scandinavian entertainment all day long. Food, including traditional Danish delicacies will served at the new fire station from 8am-until 3-pm both days, or until supplies last. 

The fire station will also serve as the location for a beer garden and dance. For a full list of activities, go to www.danishvillages.com.

w/ Ric Hanson

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Sheriff’s Officials in Montgomery County report the arrest early this (Friday) morning, of a Clarinda woman on a drug charge. 29-year old Lacey Jo Smalley was taken into custody just before 2-a.m., on a Possession of Drug Paraphernalia charge. Smalley was booked into the Montgomery County Jail and held on a $300 cash bond.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey says growers are hopeful for a bountiful crop of spring produce that could begin showing up at farmers markets soon. Northey says a cool spring delayed the crop a bit, but the weather has improved and timely spring rain and the lack of a killing frost could produce a big harvest.

Produce such as strawberries, asparagus and rhubarb is beginning to become available, and later crops such as radishes, carrots, green beans and leafy greens should be harvested soon. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s website lists the state’s farmers markets as well as farm stands and many farms where people can buy produce. Go to www.IowaAgriculture.gov , and click on Data Searches and Directories on the bottom right side of the page.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — Flooding from the Cedar River will keep a state park in northeast Iowa closed through the Memorial Day holiday weekend. The state Department of Natural Resources says the George Wyth State Park could potentially reopen for day use activities on Monday if there is no additional rainfall in the Cedar River watershed.

DAYTON, Iowa (AP) — A 12-year-old Iowa girl says she and a friend were kidnapped after being lured into a stranger’s truck while walking home from school. The girl escaped Monday’s abduction, but her 15-year-old friend, Kathlynn Shepard, is still missing. Investigators say the kidnapper was registered sex offender Michael Klunder, who killed himself Monday night.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — An online petition is calling for the mayor of Sioux City to resign over his role in replacing the Argosy riverboat casino with a Hard Rock-branded facility. The Sioux City Journal reports the petition at Change DOT org questions the impartiality of Mayor Bob Scott and other city officials during the selection of a land-based casino to replace the riverboat property.

CHARLES CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa officials say three ethanol cars have been removed from the Little Cedar River following a train derailment east of Charles City. The state Department of Natural Resources said yesterday the cars were being analyzed to determine how much ethanol went into the river. Officials said earlier that ethanol was leaking from at least two cars.

Longtime Iowa Hawkeye sports broadcaster Jim Zabel has died at the age of 91. KCCI-TV in Des Moines reported late Thursday night that Zabel had been in the hospital recently for health problems, but was at home Thursday preparing for his Sunday radio program on WHO, when he died. His wife and WHO Radio General Manager have confirmed Zabel’s passing.

Zabel broadcast Iowa Hawkeye football and basketball games on WHO Radio in Des Moines for 49 years.  He was inducted into the Iowa Sports Hall of Fame in 2007. He was known for his signature call “I love it, I love it, I love it!” whenever the Hawks did well on the field or the court.  He retired from play-by-play in 1996 but continued doing regular sports broadcasts on the radio.