Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

AMES, Iowa (AP) — An Ames native and member of the NBA champion Golden State Warriors is serving as grand marshal for his hometown’s Fourth of July parade. The Des Moines Register reports former Ames High School star Harrison Barnes will be the parade’s grand marshal today and plans to show off the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — A newcomer to the Cedar Rapids area had 10 of 11 speeding tickets dismissed after telling police that he didn’t know he could get cited by the traffic camera system deployed on Interstate 380. Alexander Hartman moved to Marion a few weeks ago and was stunned when he found the stack of tickets in his mail. He told Cedar Rapids television station KCRG that he thinks being ticketed was “wrong, because people should know what’s going on before it happens.”

BETTENDORF, Iowa (AP) — A 142-year-old school in Bettendorf is getting a new look thanks to volunteers, grants and donations. The Quad-City Times reports the long-dilapidated Forest Grove School no longer has its familiar gray and weathered-wood appearance. Volunteers have been working since 2012 to restore the school, built in 1873. They want to turn it into a museum.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — Two kayakers were rescued from the steep sides and swift water of Black Hawk Creek in Waterloo. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports Larry and Barb Lamfers put their kayaks into the creek Thursday afternoon but soon floated into a tree before being rescued.

Local jazz band Popcorn Button invites the community to a free big band dance, titled Let Freedom Swing, on Saturday, July 18th at the Atlantic Elks Lodge. The group of volunteer musicians has been putting on semi-annual dances in Atlantic since 2010. Events feature three hours of live music, with experienced and beginning dancers filling the floor throughout the night.

Veteran Popcorn Button member Sam Johnson says “It wouldn’t be summer in Atlantic without playing trumpet at a big band dance with my friends.” Johnson is a 2010 graduate of Atlantic High School and a music major at Iowa State University. The band’s membership varies from dance to dance, but largely consists of Atlantic High School alumni and students, and citizens from the surrounding community.

Kyle Sloup, a frequent soloist in the group, will be featured again on alto sax. Sloup was a prolific musician during his time at Iowa State (Political Science ’12), noted for his work in the jazz and athletic bands.

A foundational tenet of the volunteer band has been bringing music and dancing to the community. Early dances featured group lessons in swing dancing, and long-time dancer Jake Auerbach will be available at Let Freedom Swing to teach beginning steps to anyone interested. Since 2012, Popcorn Button has offered a semi-annual scholarship for middle and high school students to attend honor bands, band camps, and music lessons.

Prior to the dance, the Atlantic Elks Lodge invites you join them at five o’clock for an evening breakfast. The cost is $8 per person and all are welcome. Let Freedom Swing will be held from 7-10 pm on Saturday, July 18th at the Elks Lodge in Atlantic. The event is free, with free-will donations accepted at the door to help cover the band’s expenses. Dancers and listeners of all ages are encouraged to attend.

For more information on Popcorn Button, its scholarship, or Let Freedom Swing, visit www.popcornbutton.org or email info@popcornbutton.org.

Police in Red Oak report the arrest at around 4:25-p.m., Friday, of 35-year old Peggy Sue Gurney, of Red Oak. Gurney was taken into custody following a traffic stop in the 500 block of N. 6th Street, for Driving While Suspended, Operating a motor vehicle without registration, and having a defective muffler. Gurney was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $300 bond.

As spectacular as Fourth of July celebrations can be, drifting smoke following the fireworks can cause breathing problems for some. If the air is stagnant, fine particles can be trapped near the ground and build to unhealthy levels. The Iowa DNR encourages sensitive individuals to stay upwind a safe distance away from
fireworks displays. People with asthma or respiratory difficulties, the elderly,
children and pregnant women are most likely to suffer.

Smoke contains fine particles and gases, which can be hard on the lungs. Fine
particles in fireworks’ smoke are produced from the black powder used to shoot
fireworks skyward along with the metals that produce brilliant colors. Those unable to avoid areas of dense smoke should limit outdoor activity and contact their health care provider if they experience difficulty breathing.

An air pollution monitor in Davenport recorded unhealthy levels of fine particles
after Fourth of July fireworks in 2008.

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

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The Creston Police Department today (Friday) reports two arrests took place, Wednesday. 41-year old Jennifer White, of Creston, was arrested at her home on a warrant out of Kentucky, for Failure to Appear in court for sentencing. White was being held in the Ringgold County Jail while awaiting extradition to Kentucky.

And, 30-year old Cassandra Larkin, of Creston, was arrested Wednesday at the Union County Law Enforcement Center, on a Department of Corrections warrant for Parole Violation. Larkin was being held without bond, in the Ringgold County Jail.

Officials with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) say they have identified a hepatotoxin, called microcystin toxin, in Green Valley Lake near Creston in Union County.

Microcystin toxin is released by blue-green algae or cyanobacteria
Cyanobacterial blooms can form in warm, slow-moving waters that are rich in nutrients such as fertilizer runoff or septic tank overflows. Blooms can occur at any time, but most often occur in late summer or early fall.

Symptoms may take hours or days to show up in people, but normally show up within one week after exposure. Symptoms of microcystin exposure/poisoning include
• Rash, hives, or skin blisters (especially on the lips and under swimsuits).
• Gastrointestinal symptoms such as stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, severe headaches, and fever.
• Runny eyes and nose, cough, and sore throat, pleuritic pain, asthma-like symptoms, or allergic reactions.
• Exposure to large amount of microcystin can cause liver damage.

Swimming in the lake should be avoided. If you do swim, do not ingest the water, and wash thoroughly before you leave.

The 7:06-a.m. report w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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MidAmerican Energy Company wants customers to observe stars, stripes and safety this Independence Day. Whether swimming at a nearby lake or barbequing with friends and family, the company encourages customers to follow these five tips to ensure a fun and safe holiday.

1. Water and electricity don’t mix. Before you jump into the pool or lake this Fourth of July, be conscious of electrical hazards. Keep all electrical items at least ten feet away from water. Don’t use electric tools such as hedge trimmers when it’s raining, and be sure cords aren’t running through standing water. If an electrical appliance falls into water, never reach in to grab it. First, make sure you are dry and not touching any metal objects, then unplug it or switch off the circuit breaker.

2. Barbeque smart. Each year an average of 8,800 home fires are caused by grilling, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Never use a grill indoors. Gases produced by charcoal or gas grills can be extremely harmful. Also, never leave a grill unattended and always ensure the grill is a safe distance from siding, decks and other flammable materials.

3. Teach children to play safe. Remind children to fly kites only in open areas where there are not any power lines. Make sure they know to never use metal on a kite, climb utility poles or trees with power lines running through them, play on or near electrical boxes, or enter an electrical substation. Call MidAmerican Energy at 888-427-5632 to retrieve lost balls or toys that accidentally get tossed over a substation fence.

4. Call before you dig. Building a deck to host a Fourth of July celebration? Digging a fire pit? Any time you dig, call your state’s one-call system at least 48 hours prior to the excavation – it’s a free service, and it is the law. In all states, call 811 to reach the One Call Center.

5. Look up and stay away. Make sure you know where overhead power lines are located before using fireworks, balloons or ladders. Contact with power lines can be extremely dangerous. Always carry a ladder in the horizontal position, rather than the vertical position, to avoid brushes with power lines. Also, if you are boating or using long-handled pool skimmers, be alert for power lines that could be above you. If you come across a downed power line, stay away and call MidAmerican Energy at 888-427-5632. Always assume downed power lines are energized.

A Red Oak man was taken into custody Thursday afternoon on Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and 5th Degree Theft, charges. Red Oak Police say 23-year old Cody Dean Johnson was arrested at around 1:20-p.m. and brought to the Montgomery County Jail, where he was being held on a total of $1,300 bond.

And, 33-year old Paul Earl Lemburg II, of Red Oak, was arrested just before 1-p.m. Thursday, for Breach of Peace. Lemburg was brought to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $300 bond.