DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Bills that would decriminalize marijuana and would approve its medical use may be headed for the Iowa Legislature.  State Rep. Bruce Hunter told The Des Moines Register that he is preparing a bill on decriminalizing pot possession as long as those caught with marijuana weren’t selling it.

The Democrat also says he’ll reintroduce a medical marijuana bill, and state Sen. Joe Bolkcom says he’ll be seeking co-sponsors in the coming session for his medical marijuana measure.  Gov. Terry Branstad has said he’ll veto bills that would legalize marijuana for any use.  Voters in Colorado and Washington approved ballot measures earlier this month that let adults 21 and over to possess small amounts of marijuana under state regulation and taxation.

Jim Field talks with Chris Clark, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach beef program specialist in southwest Iowa, about the Nov. 27th Beef/Drought meeting in Atlantic.

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A representative with The Trevor Frederickson Memorial Fund says the fund recently donated $7,000 to the Atlantic Fire Department, to assist them in purchasing an updated thermal imager.

Shown left to right: Mark McNees, AFD Fire Chief along with Grant Petty, Darrin Petty and Laena Frederickson all representing the fund. (Melanie Petty – photo)

Melanie Petty says they were “Happy to help the fire department purchase such an important piece of equipment and look forward to supporting them in the future. ” Petty adds that  they “Appreciate what our volunteer fire department does for all of us each and every day and are thankful that so many dedicate their time to serving our community.”

One person was hurt during a single-vehicle rollover accident Sunday night, northeast of Red Oak. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department reports 45-year old Danny Leroy Lewis, of Red Oak, was transported to the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital following the 8:35-p.m. crash in the 1900 block of Avenue K.

Authorities say Lewis was traveling north on K Avenue when his 1990 Nissan pickup crossed the road, entered the west ditch and rolled over. Lewis was pinned in the vehicle and had to be extricated by Red Oak Fire and Rescue personnel. Officials say alcohol played a role in the crash, and charges are pending against Lewis. Damage from the accident amounted to $2,500.

The Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by officers with the Red Oak Police Department and Red Oak Fire and Rescue.