DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — A former Davenport school built in the early 1900s is being renovated and turned into 18 senior living apartments. The Quad-City Times reports that three new senior living apartments have already been leased, even though the apartments won’t be move-in ready until October at the earliest. The $7.6 million renovation project began in November with emergency stabilization measures and has continued at an aggressive pace. The building will offer amenities, such as a croquet lawn, horseshoes pit, greenhouse and fire pit.

Developer Chris Ales plans to brand the building as the Naval Station, a nod to the building’s use by the U.S. Navy from 1951 to 1978. Alderwoman Marion Meginnis of the 3rd Ward says she hopes the redevelopment will spur other improvements to the neighborhood.

(Radio Iowa) — Highway 20 east of Correctionville was closed for a time Tuesday afternoon following a fatal accident involving two trucks that left spilled debris across the roadway. Major Todd Wieck of the Woodbury County Sheriff’s office says the accident happened around two p-m. “It involved a semi tractor trailer with some sort of a tanker on it because it had possible hazardous chemicals on it. And it was traveling westbound — the pickup truck was traveling eastbound,” Wieck says.

He says the two trucks ran into each other. “They collided in the roadway, how that happened, they are not sure. They are still doing that part of the investigation,” Wieck says.  The driver of the pickup died in the accident, while the semi driver was taken to the hospital in Sioux City. Their names have not yet been released. Traffic was detoured around the area while the debris was cleaned off the roadway.

Sheriff’s officials in Pottawattamie County report a deputy conducting a traffic stop on a 2006 Audi at around 2-a.m. today (Wednesday), observed drug paraphernalia in plain view. The vehicle was pulled over for having no registration plates. Two people were taken into custody. 45-year old Michael Dean Stillian, of Atlantic, and 40-year old Paula Jean Burnison, of Avoca, were arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and unlawful possession of a prescription drug. Stillian was also charged with OWI/1st offense. Authorities recovered one glass and two metal smoking pipes (1 meth, 1 marijuana), along with 3.9 grams of a green leafy substance in a bag, and a stamp bag containing various broken medications. Their bonds were set at $1,000.

An Oakland woman, 65-year old Brenda Faye Bornn, was arrested Tuesday afternoon, on a Pott. County warrant for Probation Violation. Bornn was booked into the Pott. County Jail and held on a $2,000 bond. A Council Bluffs man already being held in the Pott. County Jail on Theft and Possession charges, was served with a Douglas County, NE., warrant, Tuesday, for being a Fugitive from Justice. 29-year old Brent Lee William Foote was read the warrant and then returned to his cell.

(Radio Iowa) — A viral video craze perhaps even more foolish than the Tide Pod Challenge is emerging which is making traffic safety experts cringe. It’s called the Shiggy Challenge. People tape themselves hopping out of cars — while the vehicles are still moving — to dance beside the rolling car to a song by rapper Drake. Nick Jarmusz, spokesman for Triple-A Iowa, was stunned to see the videos online. “This is one of those things where I can’t believe that we would have to tell people that this is dangerous,” Jarmusz says, “but at the same time, it’s also not completely surprising. We know that people regularly engage in all sorts of dangerous behavior behind the wheel.”

The videos feature both passengers and drivers jumping out the vehicle to dance, sometimes even splaying themselves across the hood, as the car careens down the road. “You’re kind of torn between not wanting to give it more attention and put ideas in people’s heads if they haven’t already heard about this, but I think it is still important to stress just how dangerous this is,” Jarmusz says. “Anytime you’re talking about a moving vehicle, there is the potential for not just serious injury but death.”

One collection of Shiggy Challenge videos is entirely made up of people falling, getting caught on the open door are even slamming themselves into utility poles, as they’re more interested in mugging for the camera than paying attention to their surroundings. “Certainly, if you’re the driver and you’re doing something like this, that’s unquestionably dangerous,” Jarmusz says. “Even if you’re the driver and you’re the one taking the video of your passenger getting out and doing this, that’s a dangerous distraction. You shouldn’t be using your phone for any purpose behind the wheel. You should be focused on the road and focused on the task of driving.”

The craze is clearly leading to people injuring themselves but Jarmusz says it’s likely only a matter of time before someone is killed. “When it comes to the passengers who are jumping out, you’re basically transitioning from being a passenger to a pedestrian and being a pedestrian is inherently dangerous,” Jarmusz says. “You’re putting yourself into a very risky situation by exiting the vehicle while it’s moving, especially right out into an active roadway.”

Police departments in some communities are posting warnings about the challenge, though there are no reports of any serious incidents in Iowa — yet.

DELHI, Iowa (AP) — A driver whose passenger drowned after the vehicle they were in broke through ice in eastern Iowa has taken a plea deal. Delaware County District Court records say 37-year-old Joshua Juengel, of Manchester, pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide and leaving the crash scene. Prosecutors dropped related charges in exchange for Juengel’s pleas.

A witness spotted Juengel’s vehicle doing doughnuts on the ice before it plunged into the frigid water of Lake Delhi on Jan. 8. The body of 23-year-old Alex Salow was found in the vehicle. The deal includes a recommendation that Juengel be given 10 years in prison and be required to serve at least seven years before becoming eligible for parole. His sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 21.

Members of the CAM School District’s Board of Education met Tuesday morning during a Special Session. CAM Superintendent Dr. Casey Berlau told KJAN News the primary reason for the meeting was to approve contracts for some late new hires. The Board approved contracts for Don Daily, Middle School Special Education Teacher; Rachel Hill, 3^rd Grade Teacher at CAM North Elementary. There were also two Cook positions and a Para-Educator positions filled. Sadie Frederickson and Bridget Clayton were hired as Cooks. Amanda Wheatley was hired as Para-Educator.

Berlau said also, he discussed with the Board, but no action was taken, with regard to facility improvements. He said he provided an update to some previously held discussions about the exterior walls at the CAM Middle School, in Massena. Some of the bricks have been detiorating, he said, so they’ve been looking into possible solutions to solve the issue. Berlau provided the Board with information from a company that might be able to help.

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

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CLARE, Iowa (AP) — A trial has been scheduled for the second defendant in the slaying of a Fort Dodge woman. The Messenger reports that Phillip Williams, of Lafayette, Indiana, on Monday pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder. He and Mackenzie Knigge are accused of killing 26-year-old Jessica Gomez, on or about Aug. 5 last year in Knigge’s apartment in Clare. Williams’ trial is set to begin Sept. 11.

Knigge and Gomez, who were once described as friends, were publicly reported missing on Aug. 9, 2017. Knigge was arrested with Williams on Aug. 10 in Lafayette, Indiana. Gomez’s burned body was found in a ditch near Clare on Aug. 12.

Knigge also has pleaded not guilty to a murder charge. Her trial is scheduled to start Nov. 26.

The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:06-a.m. From KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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ELKADER, Iowa (AP) — A northeast Iowa man has been given 25 years in prison for a crash that killed two teenage boys. Clayton County Court records say 21-year-old Kory Doeppke, was sentenced Tuesday in Elkader. He’d pleaded guilty to two counts of vehicular homicide. Authorities say Doeppke, of Elkader, was driving west when he didn’t halt at a stop sign near Edgewood on Feb. 16 and collided with a northbound pickup. The two fatally injured boys were in the back seat of Doeppke’s car. Officials identified them as 16-year-olds Brady Edwards and Izaiah Drinkwater.

The pickup driver suffered minor injuries.