A new study finds almost two-thirds of people injured or killed in crashes involving a teen driver are people -other- than the teen behind the wheel. Rose White, traffic safety director at Triple-A-Iowa, says we’re now in what’s considered the “100 Deadliest Days,” the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day when teen crash fatalities historically climb. Kids are out of school, White says, and often have access to vehicles.

“As a result, we always see a big increase in crashes and, unfortunately, fatalities and injuries involving young teen drivers,” White says. “Looking at stats over two decades, we are noticing that in those fatality crashes, it’s usually a person in the other vehicle or possibly a passenger that’s killed in the car crash.”

Since teens spend more time behind the wheel during the summer than any other season, White is reminding everyone, including drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists, to be mindful when sharing the roads with young drivers. “Driving is the most dangerous activity a teen will undertake,” White says. “What that means is, they need to have practice time behind the wheel. So, we encourage parents to spend more time with their teenager. Some helpful tools are available at the website teendriving.aaa.com.”

While great strides are being made to improve driver safety, motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of death for drivers between the ages of 15 and 19. “In Iowa, the most current statistics available which are gathered from the year 2013, that year 27 fatalities were reported in which a teen driver was at fault,” White says. “In those situations, 11 teen drivers died, seven passengers died and nine occupants of other vehicles.”

Nationwide in 2013, the Triple-A report found teen driver-involved crashes claimed nearly three-thousand lives and injured 371-thousand people. Crash rates for teens are higher than any other age group. White says keeping teen drivers safe is the shared responsibility of parents, policy makers, other motorists and the teens themselves.

(Radio Iowa)

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

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A Red Oak man was arrested Thursday afternoon, for allegedly Trespassing on railroad property. Police say 29-year old Joshua J. Pedersen was observed walking along the Burlington Northern Railroad tracks just east of J. Avenue, on the east side of Red Oak.

Pedersen was taken into custody without incident at around 4:20-p.m. and brought to the Montgomery County Jail, where he was being held on $300 bond.

A Council Bluffs man was arrested on a felony Willful Injury charge Thursday evening, following an incident at 1435 North 15th Street that resulted in a stabbing. Bluffs Police Sgt. Dave Dawson says officers were dispatched to the home at around 7-p.m. for a reported stabbing. When they arrived, they found the victim, 40-year old Alphonso Wesley, of Council Bluffs, suffering from three stab wounds to his lower back.

Wesley, and the suspect in the case, 52-year old Bernard Lucas, of Council Bluffs, were staying at the house and are known to each other. Dawson says the men were in a sleeping area, when Lucas allegedly began to push Wesley. As Wesley was walking away from Lucas, Lucas pulled out a black folding knife and allegedly stabbed Wesley from behind, in the back.

Wesley was taken to Mercy Hospital for treatment of Non-life threatening injuries. Lucas was booked into the Pottawattamie County Jail. An investigation into the incident continues.

Gardeners have the opportunity this summer to learn about theme gardens, planting trough gardens, water features and conservation, attracting butterflies and bees, and growing herbs. The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach “Growing Season” webinar series will be offered at multiple locations across Iowa during June, July and August. The Cass County Extension Office is one of the locations hosting these webinars.

This is the sixth year for the Iowa Master Gardener program annual summer series. It is open to all interested gardeners; participants are not required to have completed master gardener training to attend. Each of the three webinars feature an Iowa Master Gardener and ISU Extension and Outreach faculty or staff member presenting the two-hour course at an ISU Extension and Outreach county office. Course topics and speakers include:

JUNE: Design from Yard to Trough, with Iowa State University Department of Horticulture lecturer Lisa Orgler and Fayette County Master Gardener Gary Whittenbaugh. Participants will learn how to add spark to landscape designs and trough planters filled with conifers and their companions.

The Des Moines Botanical Garden and Polk County Master Gardeners Enabling Garden are two of many highlights on the 2015 Cass County Master Gardener bus tour. The trip is scheduled for June 18th, departing from the Cass County Fairgrounds in Atlantic at 8-AM and returning around 6-PM. Other stops include nurseries, gardens and greenhouses in the Greater Des Moines Area. Lunch, catered by Hickory Park, will be served at the Polk County Extension Office.

The trip is sponsored by the Cass County Master Gardeners but is open to everyone. Registrations are due by June 10th, so register soon so you can be sure to save your spot on the bus! The cost is $55. 00 which includes transportation, entrance fees and a meal and snack. Registration forms are available at the Cass County Extension office, and can also be found on the Cass County Extension website at www.exension.iastate.edu/cass.

A full itinerary is on each registration form. Be sure to bring plant labels and boxes to mark the goodies you pick up along the way!

(Press Release)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Demolition has begun on two Iowa City cottages that date to the 1850s, months after officials declined to designate them historic landmarks. The Iowa City Press-Citizen reports crews started work Wednesday to demolish the cottages and replace them with a mixed-use development. A third cottage was demolished last December. Developer Mike Hodge didn’t return phone calls seeking comment.

MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa (AP) — A 34-foot-tall stainless steel artwork will soon stand in Marshalltown. The Times-Republican reports that workers on Wednesday delivered the shiny pieces of steel to a site on North 13th Street. It will be set up in the next few days in a green space, making it the first public art project organized by the Marshalltown Public Art Committee.

CLEAR LAKE, Iowa (AP) — A 49-year-old man has pleaded guilty to neglecting a dependent person in northern Iowa. The Mason City Globe Gazette reports that Brian McDaid of Clear Lake filed a written plea in Cerro Gordo County District Court on Tuesday. A hearing is scheduled for Monday.

MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) — A trial has been scheduled for a 19-year-old Des Moines woman who’s accused of cashing counterfeit payroll checks in northern Iowa. The Mason City Globe Gazette reports that Keyera Coleman has pleaded not guilty to felony charges of theft and forgery. Her trial is set to begin on June 23rd.

An Amber Alert issued late Thursday afternoon was cancelled, effective 3:30-p.m. today (Thursday). Both teens have been located. The teens were found in Cherokee County. They were uninjured and safe when located by deputies.

The Alert had been issued for 12-year old Bayli Rian Jordan, of Everly, and 16-year old Jamie Patrick Panko, from Royal, IA. They were last seen Wednesday afternoon.

AMBER ALERT CANCELLED EFFECTIVE 3:33-P.M. BOTH SUBJECTS HAVE BEEN LOCATED.

An Amber Alert has been issued for two missing Iowa juveniles. The girl, 12-year old Bayli Rian Jordan, of Everly, was reported to be with 16-year old Jamie Patrick Panko, from Royal, IA. They were last seen Wednesday afternoon.

Bayli Rian Jordan

The pair are believed to be in a blue, 1998 Dodge Neon with Iowa license plate number CEC 862.

Authorities believe the vehicle has damage to the front left side of the vehicle—not related to this incident, and a front spoiler with duct tape.

Authorities do not believe that either children were abducted, but because of their age and the concern for their safety, criteria was met to issue an Amber Alert. Authorities are not looking for any other individuals, other than the two missing children, at this time.

It is not clear which direction of travel they may have taken since they went missing. Clay County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a report of two students that did not show up to class at Clay Central Everly Community Schools.

Bayli Jordan is Caucasian, five-feet five-inches tall, weighs 130-pounds, has blonde hair and blue eyes. She has a scar on her chin, a pierced nose on the left side, 2 piercings in her left ear, 3 piercings the right ear, scabs on her arms, a birthmark on inside left leg and a possible wrapped right wrist.

Panko is 5-feet 10-inch tall Caucasian male, weighing 148 pounds. He has black hair and blue eyes. He was last scene wearing a tee shirt, purple or black jeans, worn out, black Nike tennis shoes, and has right arm cutting scars.

16-year old Jamie Patrick Panko

If you have seen these young people or the vehicle, call 9-1-1 or the Clay County Sheriff’s Office at 712-262-2151.

Firefighters in Atlantic responded to a residential fire at 605 E. 6th Street today (Thursday). The call about smoke coming from the roof came in at around 12:11-p.m. Atlantic Fire Chief Mark McNees told KJAN News when they arrived there was a lot of smoke coming out of the eaves and the roof vents of the two-story home.

(Ric Hanson/photo)

He said heavy smoke was coming from the first floor of the home. When they gained entry, there was heavy smoke and flames coming from the kitchen area, where the fire apparently started. The flames and smoke extended into the second floor and into the attic. Crews cut holes in the roof to attack the fire from above and ventilate the structure. The chief said most of the smoke and flames went up the chimney area and into the second floor. McNees said there was heavy smoke and water damage to the home.

No one was inside when crews arrived, but there were three dogs and a cat that were rescued from the structure.

Misty Amdor holds one of the dogs rescued from the fire.

The Chief said firefighters “hauled several [animals] out.” It’s not clear if any animals were lost in the fire. It’s also not clear exactly what caused the blaze. Cass County Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Kennon said Misty Amdor and her family reside in the home.

Atlantic Fire was recalled to the scene at around 4:20-p.m., when they received a report of a rekindle in the roof area.