The area’s top news at 7:06-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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Council Bluffs Police say only minor injuries were reported following a collision Wednesday in a Council Bluffs construction zone. Authorities say officers were dispatched to the area of Interstate 80 westbound near mile marker 3, just before 11-p.m.

When they arrived, they found a 2014 International semi driven by a 54-year old man from Lincoln, NE., and a Ford Taurus driven by an 18-year old male from Omaha, collided with each other in the construction zone. Both vehicles were west bound when crash occurred. The driver’s side rear trailer of the semi and the passenger side of the Ford Taurus are what made contact. Officials say the Taurus may have been stuck to the side of the semi-trailer before it spun out of control. Some of the occupants of the Ford Taurus were treated for minor injuries. The crash is still under investigation.

Council Bluffs Police would like to remind drivers to take extra caution, slow down and increase following distances while driving through constructions zones. Please remember also to slow down and move over for stopped Emergency Vehicles, Tow Recovery Vehicles and Maintenance Vehicles that are stopped on the side of the roadway. Everyone’s safety depends on it.

Officials with ISU Extension report the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in Montgomery County has received a $1,000 grant for its Beginning and Young Agricultural Producers program. Farm Credit Services of America (FCSAmerica) provided the Working Here Fund grant to support a yearlong educational program focused on the business end of farming.

FCS America’s Mike Thomas and Michelle Sandin, a consumer lending officer in the Red Oak office, presents a check to Chelsea Cousins.

Chelsea Cousins, program coordinator for the Montgomery County Extension, says “The overarching goal of this project is to increase the number and success of new Iowa farm operations. This requires a continued learning for existing farm businesses and the creation of a fresh pool of individuals who are able to stake out an equity position in farming.”

About 15 enrollees have participated in two of four planned meetings.  Participants include young and beginning producers involved in an existing operation, such as a family member’s, and aspiring full-time producers who work off the farm while they build capital and know-how.

Cousins said there is space in the two remaining meetings for additional enrollees. Meetings combine financial education and farm business development with visits to area agricultural operations, with a focus on beef production. Included in the financial topics are financial statements, cash flow management and key financial ratios. Among the production topics: winter nutrition, low-stress weaning and pregnancy checking.  Interested enrollees for the August and December meetings can call Cousins at the Montgomery County Extension at 712-623-2592.

ISU Extension and Outreach in Montgomery County was one of 53 organizations to receive a Working Here Fund grant in the fourth quarter of 2016. FCSAmerica awarded $81,140 during the fourth quarter grant cycle that ended December 31, 2016.

Three people were arrested Wednesday night on separate charges in Montgomery County. Red Oak Police report 40-year old Billy Ray Hunter, of Red Oak, was arrested at around 11:06-p.m. in the 900 block of E. Hammond Street, for Theft in the 5th Degree. His bond, at the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center, was set at $300. And, at around 10:45-p.m., 20-year old Destiny Ann Walz, of Red Oak, was arrested by Red Oak Police for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Walz was also being held at the Montgomery County Jail on a $300 cash bond.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports 64-year old Patrick Emile Clark, of Elliott, was arrested at around 9:45-p.m., Wednesday in Elliott, on a Federal ATF warrant for being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Clark was being held without bond in the Montgomery County Jail, while awaiting extradition by the U-S Marshals service.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:49 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Republicans in the Iowa House advanced a stringent 20-week abortion ban and 72-hour waiting period Wednesday, marking a victory for Iowa conservatives who have long-sought to restrict the practice. The chamber voted 55-41 for the legislation, which provides no exception for rape, incest or fatal fetal anomalies. The bill must return to the Iowa Senate for final approval, after the House amended it to require that a woman wait 72 hours before getting an abortion.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A former Iowa fire academy administrator could avoid jail time after falsifying test scores that were used to improperly certify hundreds of firefighters. Court records show that former Fire Services Training Bureau certification manager John McPhee has agreed to plead guilty to misconduct in office at a hearing set for April 26. Prosecutors have agreed to recommend two years of probation at sentencing, which would come later. McPhee is accused of falsifying test scores for years.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Republicans with majorities in the Iowa Legislature have released a general blueprint for the next state budget that they acknowledge will keep spending stagnant and could lead to cuts. GOP leaders from both chambers announced a spending plan Wednesday totaling about $7.2 billion for the budget year that goes into effect in July. That’s about $14 million less than the current budget year. It’s unclear which areas of state government could be reduced.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Cedar Falls man, sent to prison 12 years ago for having sex with teenage boys while carrying the virus that could cause AIDS, has won a new court hearing and a chance to overturn his conviction. The Iowa Court of Appeals says 52-year-old Guy Dell Sudduth must get a new hearing to determine whether there was a legal basis for allowing him to plead guilty to Iowa’s criminal transmission of HIV law.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports numerous arrests since last Saturday, including six for drug-related offenses. Three of those arrests took place Sunday: 37-year old William Holt Jensen, 37-year old Billie Jo Monson-Johnson, and 35-year old Luke Ahrens Jensen, all of Glenwood, were arrested at around 9:55-p.m for Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. William Holt Jensen was also charged with Possessing Contraband. His bond was set at $7,300. Bond for Billie Jo Monson-Johnson was set at $1,300, and Luke Jensen’s bond was set at $5,300.

Late Monday night, 37-year old Christopher Joseph Brown, of Malvern, was arrested for OWI/1st offense, on a warrant for Probation Violation, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Drug Possession/Delivery. His bond was set at $108,000. Early Tuesday morning, 18-year old Tanner Lee Anthony Bailey, of Tabor, and 18-year old Brandon James Huffman, of Mineola, were arrested following a traffic stop on Highway 275 in Mills County. Both were charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Their bonds were set at $2,300 each.

Others arrested include: 41-year old Veronica Lynn George, of Glenwood, for Failure to Appear in court; 27-year old Sara Ann Billie, of Council Bluffs, for Providing False Information and on a warrant out of Montgomery County for Probation Violation; 29-year old Jared Lee Pomerenke, of Glenwood, was arrested for Violating a No Contact Order; 55-year old Terry Wayne Lewis, of Glenwood, was arrested in Mills County for Driving While Revoked; 58-year old Kathy Ann Pruett, of Glenwood, was arrested for Driving Under Suspension, and 21-year old Kayla Shae Richardson, of Council Bluffs, was arrested in Mills County for Failure to have SR-22 Insurance.

Gov. Terry Branstad has ordered all flags in Iowa be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset tomorrow, (Thursday, April 6th), in honor of the burial of John Glenn, in accordance with the proclamation issued this afternoon by President Donald Trump, .

Flags will be at half-staff on the State Capitol Building and on flag displays in the Capitol Complex, and upon all public buildings, grounds, and facilities throughout the state.  Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties and other government subdivisions are encouraged to fly the flag at half-staff for the same length of time as a sign of respect.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Republicans with majorities in the Iowa Legislature have released a general blueprint for the next state budget that slashes overall government spending. GOP leaders from both chambers announced a spending plan Wednesday totaling about $7.2 billion for the budget year that takes effect in July. That’s about $14 million less than the current budget year.

David Roederer, a chief budget official for Gov. Terry Branstad, says such reduced spending is rare. It’s also unclear which areas of state government could be cut. Lawmakers this session reduced funding and dipped into cash reserves to plug shortfalls amid declining revenue. Republicans say lawmakers must make tough decisions to responsibly balance the budget.

The governor’s office agrees with the spending plan, an indication GOP lawmakers could approve a budget and adjourn within weeks.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Republican-controlled Iowa House has passed a bill that would ban most abortions in the state at 20 weeks of pregnancy. The chamber voted 55-41 Wednesday for the legislation, which provides no exception for rape, incest or fatal fetal anomalies. The bill must return to the Iowa Senate for final approval, after the House amended it to require that a woman wait 72 hours before getting an abortion. Another provision requires that a doctor offer a woman more details about an ultrasound, including hearing the heartbeat of the fetus.

Nearly 20 states have passed similar 20-week bans, which is based on the disputed premise that a fetus can feel pain at that stage. Gov. Terry Branstad has indicated support for a ban, though a spokesman says the governor reserves judgment on the legislation.

Firefighters from Brayton and Exira were called to the scene of a house fire Wednesday night, in Brayton. The call came in just after 8-p.m.  The fire was located in a home at 405 County T, just a block or two from the fire station. Brayton Fire Chief Tom McGovern told KJAN News they found smoke was inside the home when they arrived. After the house was ventilated, they investigated and found a ceiling fan in the bathroom was on fire.

Ventilation efforts continued by making a hole in the roof and removing insulation. McGovern said the fire had worked its way down the walls and burned the pipes, so the bathtub was filling. Water and electricity to the home were shut-off.

Two residents and an animal safely evacuated the home, and efforts were underway to find them a place to stay. Crews were on the scene for about an hour. The damage was estimated at about $4,000. The bathroom ceiling fan is believed to have been the cause of the fire, according to the Chief.