A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that the 200,000 visitors to Iowa’s national parks in 2013 spent $11.4 million and supported 172 jobs in the state. Patricia Trapp, acting director of NPS’s Midwest Region, which includes Iowa and 12 more states, said “The national parks of Iowa attract hundreds of thousands of visitors a year from across the country and around the world. Whether it’s a day trip of a long family vacation, they come for a great experience — and they end up spending a little money along the way, too.” Iowa’s national parks are Effigy Mounds National Monument and Herbert Hoover National Historic Site.

According to the national report, most park visitor spending was for lodging (30.3 percent), food and beverages (27.3 percent), gas and oil (12.1 percent), and admissions and fees (10.3 percent). Souvenirs and other expenses accounted for the remaining 10 percent. Nationally, the largest jobs categories supported by visitor spending were restaurants and bars (50,000 jobs) and lodging (38,000 jobs).

To learn more about Iowa’s national parks and how the National Park Service works with communities in the state to help preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide outdoor recreation, go to www.nps.gov/iowa.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — It has been 25 years since the passengers on United Flight 232 braced themselves for impact and prepared to die. Back in 1989, the jetliner carrying nearly 300 people from Denver to Chicago lost all hydraulic power after the rear engine exploded. It crash-landed in Sioux City, Iowa, cartwheeling down the runway in flames and breaking apart in a cornfield.

Through the efforts of the flight crew and emergency teams on the ground, 184 of the 296 passengers aboard the DC-10 survived. The flight is considered one of the most remarkable life-saving efforts in aviation history.

This weekend, survivors and others connected to the crash will gather to remember the dead and the heroics of the accident at the Mid America Museum of Aviation and Transportation in Sioux City.

ODEBOLT, Iowa (AP) – A western Iowa man has been accused of threatening neighbors with a gun. The Sac County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release Friday that 23-year-old Dustin Pope discharged a 9mm handgun at least twice into the air during a July 12 incident in Odebolt.

Deputies responding to a report of gun shots determined some sort of domestic dispute had occurred, but additional information was not available. Pope is accused of pointing the handgun at neighbors as they came out to help. Pope was arrested and sent to the county jail. He faces multiple charges, including assault with a dangerous weapon and disorderly conduct.

A second person was arrested at the scene, after he allegedly refused orders by authorities to leave.

A teenager from southwest Iowa was injured late Thursday night during a crash in west central Missouri. The Missouri Highway Patrol reports 16-year old Chance Cade, from Clarinda, was hurt when the 2006 Kia Sorrento he was driving went out of control and rolled several times just before midnight. The accident happened in Caldwell County, Missouri.

Officials say the SUV Cade was driving was east bound on Missouri Highway 116, about a mile west of Braymer, when he met an unknown westbound vehicle that had drifted into his lane. The teen tried to avoid contact with the other vehicle, and in the process his car left the road. Cade over-corrected, causing the vehicle to go into a skid before it left the road and entered a ditch before rolling over and coming to rest on its wheels. The other vehicle didn’t stop.

Chance Cade suffered serious injuries when he was ejected from the vehicle. A passenger in the car, 20-year-old Garland J. Nelson of Braymer, was also injured, and indicated he would seek medical attention on his own.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A divided Iowa Supreme Court says juvenile offenders must be resentenced if they were convicted in the state as adults and awarded mandatory minimum sentences. State officials say the ruling means more than 100 people face resentencing for crimes including robbery, murder, kidnapping and sexual abuse.

In deciding the appeal of Andre Jerome Lyle Jr. on Friday, the court said required minimum sentences for juveniles are unconstitutional because they amount to cruel and unusual punishment. Lyle was 17 years old in 2010 when he was convicted of robbery and sentenced to up to 10 years in prison.

Three justices disagreed with the Iowa ruling. It follows a U.S. Supreme Court decision last year that all no-parole juvenile lifers must be considered for parole.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A state audit has recommended procedural changes for the Hawkeye Express, a train that takes Iowa football fans to Kinnick Stadium. The audit, which was released on Friday, came on the heels of the university’s firing of an athletics department accountant in November.

An audit performed by the university last year reported that revenue from ticket sales in 2011 unexpectedly dropped by an estimated $66,000. That’s despite an increase in ridership for the Hawkeye Express, which allows fans to park and ride roughly four miles to the stadium. State auditor Mary Mosiman found just over $74,000 in undeposited collections stretching across three games.

The state report recommends that school officials strengthen internal controls, reconcile ticket sales with deposits and improve cash handling procedures.

The driver of a van equipped with improper plates was cited early this (Friday) morning in Lenox, after police observed the plates had expired in 2006, and did not match the vehicle. According to the Lenox Police Department, officers saw the van at around 1:15-a.m. at Brooks and 120th street.

The vehicle was stopped and the driver identified as 55-year old Steven Nutt, of Creston, was cited for operation without registration, false use of registration, failure to have a valid drivers license and failure to have insurance. The van was subsequently impounded.

ARTHUR, Iowa (AP) – No injuries have been reported after an explosion at an ethanol plant in northwest Iowa. The blast occurred Thursday night at the Flint Hills Resources plant in Arthur. Flint Hills spokesman Jake Reint says the explosion occurred in a grain dryer.

The plant will remain out of operation until the explosion is investigated and damage is repaired. Reint says it’s unclear how long that will take. The plant employs about 50 people and operates 24 hours a day.

A company website says Wichita, Kansas-based Flint Hills Resources bought the plant in September 2013. The plant began operating in 2008 and produces 110 million gallons of ethanol a year.

w/ Ric Hanson

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(corrects earlier post)

The Audubon County Fair continues through Monday at the fairgrounds in Audubon. Thursday night marked the crowning of the 2014 Fair Queen, the title of which went to Cassie Irlmeier, daughter of Kenneth and Sandra Irlmeier, of Elk Horn. She received her crown from 2013 Queen Jan Asberry. Cassie is a Medic with the Iowa National Guard. She plans to study Criminology at UNI this fall.

First Runner-up for the Fair Queen title was Mary Wede, daughter of Mark and Sue Wede, of Audubon.  Mary plans to study Early Childhood Development at DMACC this fall. And, the second Runner-up was Sarah Mosinski, daughter of Donald and Jennifer Mosinski, of Audubon. Sarah plans to pursue an education in either teaching or cosmetology.

Today’s Schedule at the Fair:

8:30 AM Future 4-H’er Sheep/Goat Show
9:00 AM 4-H/FFA Sheep & Goat Show
9:00 AM Judging Open Class Static & Antiques Entries
9:00 AM 4-H/FFA Horse Show
1:30 PM Knowledge Bowl-Show Barn
2:30 PM Livestock Judging Contest Sign up
3:00 PM Livestock Judging Contest 3:30 PM-4:30 PM Open Class Rabbit Check in 4:30 PM Future 4-H’er Rabbit Show
5:00 PM 4-H/FFA & Open Rabbit Show
6:00 PM 4-H/FFA Youth Volleyball Tourney Registration – Pavillion
6:30 PM 4-H/FFA Youth Volleyball Tourney – Pavillion
7:00 PM Farm Bureau Cook Off Contest Judging