(Update at 9:45-a.m.: No injuries reported)

Crews from Anita Fire and Rescue, Wiota 1st Responders and Medivac Ambulance were called t the scene of a rollover accident this morning, on Interstate 80 in Cass County. Dispatch reports indicate the accident happened near the Anita Exit off I-80 westbound (70-mile marker), at around 9:35-a.m. Later dispatch reports indicated no injuries were reported.

No other details are currently available.

ROCHESTER, Minn. (AP) – The Minnesota State Patrol says the southbound lanes of Interstate 35 between Albert Lea and the Iowa border have reopened. That section of the interstate had been closed since Thursday about 2 p.m. because of multiple accidents and the request of the Iowa Department of Transportation. In Iowa, I-35 from the Minnesota border to Ames has also reopened. The Department of Transportation says driving conditions in southeastern Minnesota are fair.

Officials with the Stuart-based Midwest Partnership Economic Development Corporation, say the organization is currently accepting nominations for the Guy Powell Award, which recognizes excellence in leadership, and passion for economic development in the Midwest Partnership Development region. That region includes Adair, Audubon, Greene and Guthrie Counties.

Powell, a past-president of MPDC, was an active volunteer on the boards of many other organizations, and was passionate about local and regional economic development. The award in recognition of his life-long dedication, commitment and service to economic development, is presented to individuals who are outstanding leaders in west central Iowa, and who work to make it a more economically vital place to live, work and play.

Nominations submitted by businesses and individuals who are members of the Midwest Partnership Development Corporation, should consider the nominee’s vision, leadership, courage and impact on economic development. A brief statement of 500 words or less on how the nominee has made an impact on their local community and/or region through volunteer service, along with their name, address and phone number, and the same information of the person completing the nomination form, should be submitted no later than January 15th, 2013.

Mail an nomination form to: Monica Cateron – Office Manager, Midwest Partnership Development Corporation, P.O. Box 537, Stuart, IA 50250. Or e-mail mcateron@midwestpartnership.com

For more information, go to www.westcentraliowausa.com

The Iowa Department of Transportation reported today (Friday) at 8-a.m.,  that travel conditions are slowly beginning to improve in the state. However, many roads remain completely or partially covered with snow and ice pack. Interstate 35 from Ames to Mason City, both north- and southbound, has been reopened.

Travelers are advised to check Iowa’s 511 travel information system before making their trip by calling 800-288-1047 nationwide or 511 within Iowa, or visiting http://www.511ia.org. Several additional options for mobile access, text and email, or information through Twitter or Facebook are described on this website. In  western and southwest Iowa, roads are still reported to be mostly covered with snow primarily north of Highway 34, while roads primarily south of Highway 34 were partially covered with snow.

Primary travel concerns this morning are focused in eastern Iowa.  Considerable blowing and drifting snow will continue to make travel hazardous in that part of the State until mid morning. Northwest winds in eastern Iowa, will be sustained at 20 to 30 mph, with some gusts near 40 mph. Visibility to one mile or less can be expected in open, rural areas.

Iowa DOT crews are out this morning trying to restore travel to normal winter driving conditions and open blocked roads as quickly as possible. Conditions should continue to improve throughout the day.

w/ Ric Hanson

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (4.1MB)

Subscribe: RSS

(AMES, Iowa – Dec. 21, 2012 7:02-a.m.): The Iowa Department of Transportation is reporting that Interstate 35 from Ames to Mason City, both northbound and southbound, is reopened to traffic. The gate system is currently being deactivated for both the mainline traffic and all entrance ramps.

Snow drifts, stalled vehicles and jackknifed semis have caused a few roads in the KJAN listening area to be partially or completely blocked. The Iowa Department of Transportation’s 511ia.org website reports Interstate 80 eastbound about five-miles east of Walnut, was partially blocked by an accident involving a semi. The left lane in that area was closed while crews worked to clear-up the scene.

And,the right lane of I-80 westbound near Walnut (between County Rd. M-47 and Exit 51)  was reported to be blocked earlier this morning, due to a jackknifed semi. In addition, the DOT says Highway 44 in Guthrie County, between Iowa Hwy 4 and US 169, remains closed due to snow drifts and stalled vehicles on the roadway. The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office reported the road was closed Thursday morning. It will remain closed until the road is cleared of snow and vehicles.

A reminder also, that Tow Bans are currently in effect for Cass, Guthrie and Pottawattamie Counties, until conditions on the roadways improve. Vehicles which slide off the road in those counties will not be towed until the restrictions are lifted.

Police in Red Oak say one person was arrested Thursday afternoon following an alleged assault. Officials say 24-year old Michael James Johnson, Jr., of Red Oak,  was taken into custody at around 3:15-p.m. in the 2300 block of Northeastern Avenue. Johnson was charged with Serious Assault. He was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $1,000 bond.

Officers with the Red Oak P-D also arrested 29-year-old Gavin Lee Jackson-Weaver. He was taken into custody at about 9:30 p.m. Thursday, on a Possession of Marijuana charge. Jackson-Weaver was being held in the Montgomery County jail on $2,000 bond.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa officials say snow plow operators will be out this (Friday) morning continuing to clear roads affected by a major storm this week.  The state Department of Transportation says nearly 450 snow plows and other removal equipment is helping clear crash scenes and vehicles blocking roadways on the interstate system. The agency says travel is not expected to significantly improve until later today.

At least 80 crashes were reported Thursday throughout the state. Officials also say drivers on a 10-mile stretch of Interstate 80 were stuck Thursday night. A 25-car pileup on Interstate 35 in northern Iowa killed two people and injured seven.

A major snow storm hit most of Iowa Wednesday night into Thursday. The National Weather Service says more than a foot of snow hit the Des Moines area.