No injuries were reported following a crash in Union County Tuesday morning, but the driver of one of the vehicles was cited for a couple of moving violations. The Union County Sheriff’s Office says 27-year old Kayla Harris, of Creston, was cited for Driving While License Suspended/Denied or cancelled, and for having No Insurance – Accident related.

Officials say a 2001 Ford Taurus driven by 54-year old Clark Finehout, of Creston, was traveling north on Sumner Avenue in Creston at around 8:20-a.m., at the same time Harris was traveling east on Prairie Street. Authorities say Harris’ 1997 Ford SUV went through the intersection without yielding to the Finehout vehicle at the stop sign. She told officials she didn’t see the Taurus. Finehout said he tried to swerve and avoid the collision, but was unable to do so.

Damage from the crash amounted to $3,500.

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

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The Creston Police Department reports today (Wednesday), the arrest Tuesday evening of 48-year old Joel Alan Weeks, of Creston. Weeks was apprehended just after 7:10-p.m. during a traffic stop. He was charged with Driving While Barred and OWI/3rd offense. Weeks was being held in the Union County Jail while awaiting an appearance before the magistrate.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A statewide firefighters union has censured the Des Moines fire chief, criticizing what it says is his anti-labor management style. The Des Moines Register reports that the group took the action at its convention on Friday. The group president, Douglas Neys, says the censure has no actual effect on Chief John TeKippe other than subjecting him to public scrutiny for what the union says are his failings. TeKippe was president of Des Moines Local 4 before becoming chief in 2009.

TeKippe on Tuesday called the censure disappointing but dismissed it as a personal attack that lacked substance or merit. He says union representatives have used inaccurate statements to question the safety of firefighters and residents due to staffing levels.

Firefighters from Minden and Underwood responded to a structure fire south of Minden, Tuesday afternoon.

Photo from the Minden Fire and Rescue Facebook page.

The call came in at around 4:30-p.m. Officials say upon approach, heavy smoke and flames were showing from a barn, or outbuilding-type structure. Due to lack of water supply, the Neola, Oakland, and McClelland Fire Departments were called-in to provide additional  water support. Personnel from all departments contained the blaze to the lone structure. No injuries were reported. The cause of the blaze was not immediately clear.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – A report on a June survey underscores previous survey signs that slower economic growth likely is ahead for nine Midwestern and Plains states. The survey report issued Wednesday says the overall Mid-America Business Conditions Index rose to 53.0 from 50.4 in May and 52.7 in April.

Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey, and he says “improvements at the national level in housing, retail sales and hiring pushed supply managers to raise their expectations about future economic conditions.”

The survey results from supply managers are compiled into a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Survey organizers say any score above 50 suggests economic growth, while a score below that suggests decline. The survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.

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

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VAN METER, Iowa (AP) – For $5, residents in Van Meter are getting the chance to use a police Taser on a city official. The Des Moines Register reports City Hall is selling raffle tickets as part of a public safety fundraiser, and the winner will get the opportunity to use a Taser on City Administrator Jake Anderson or Councilman Bob Lacy at the Van Meter Fire Association Street Dance on July 18.

Officials say a police officer will assist using the Taser, and the proceeds will go toward helping the police department purchase a second squad car, add speed radar and potentially expand its six-member part-time and reserve force. According to Anderson, the idea came up during a meeting with police about funding. Lacy volunteered for the event so Anderson, who also volunteered, would have competition.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A former Iowa egg farm manager will avoid jail time after cooperating with investigators in a criminal prosecution stemming from a 2010 salmonella outbreak. U.S. District Judge Mark Bennett sentenced Tony Wasmund to four years of probation Tuesday after the government said he provided “substantial assistance” in the salmonella case. Bennett imposed no restitution or fine on Wasmund, of Willmar, Minnesota.

Wasmund worked for egg tycoon Jack DeCoster, whose Iowa operations caused the outbreak that prompted the recall of 550 million eggs and sickened thousands. Under a plea deal, Wasmund pleaded guilty in 2012 to his role in bribing a U.S. Department of Agriculture inspector to allow sales of eggs that didn’t meet federal standards. He cooperated in an investigation that led to convictions of DeCoster and his son Peter.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A tip from the public on the potential whereabouts of a longtime Iowa fugitive has led to his arrest in Mexico. The U.S. Marshals Service says authorities in Mexico arrested Mitchell Meyer on Monday. Authorities say Meyer was facing two counts of sexual abuse of a minor in 1999 when he was scheduled to appear for trial in Sioux City. He was released on bond but never appeared.

A deputy marshal revisited the case in 2014 and offered information to local media. It was featured on a “Most Wanted” posting that brought in tips. One indicated Meyer was in Mexico. Meyer has been sent to the U.S. and is being held in Texas before he can be returned to Iowa.