The executive director of the Iowa Bicycle Coalition, Mark Wyatt, is renewing his call for a new state law that would require motorists maintain a distance of three feet between their vehicle and a bicycle they’re passing on the road.”We had two fatal crashes over this past week where a bicyclist was hit from behind while the motor vehicle was passing,” Wyatt said. “I think that provides an opportunity to reinforce that we really need this education out there and to let people know that at least three feet is a safe passing distance.” Initial report indicate the two bicyclists who were killed last weekend were both operating lawfully. A 37-year old man was struck from behind on a rural Clayton County road and a 67-year old man was killed in a hit-and-run crash in rural Dallas County. The Iowa Bicycle Coalition has pushed for the three-foot passing distance law over the past four years.

Critics of the proposal have said the safe passing of a bicyclist should be common sense and it shouldn’t have to be written as a law. Wyatt agrees it should be common sense, but he believes reminding motorists with a three-foot passing law could help save lives. “This is a number that can be taught in driver’s education. This is something that can be on the driver’s ed exam and included in the driver’s ed manual,” Wyatt said. “I think there’s an education component, along with that common sense component, that we should be giving bicyclists some space.”

Other states have enacted the three-foot passing law and Wyatt said it’s time for Iowa to follow suit. “Approximately half of the states have passed something, including our neighboring states of Nebraska and Minnesota,” Wyatt said. “Wisconsin has had it on the books since 1973.” The League of American Bicyclists recently issued their annual ranking of states according to “bicycle friendliness” and Iowa dropped from 6th to 16th on the list. Wyatt said Iowa’s failure to approve a three-foot passing law contributed to the state’s fall in the rankings.

(Pat Curtis/Radio Iowa)

IDA GROVE, Iowa (AP) – A western Iowa hospital says it’s getting out of the baby business. Horn Memorial Hospital in Ida Grove says it will close its obstetrical unit on June 1st. Patients expecting to deliver after that date are being given a list of nearby facilities. The hospital board of trustees says the number of births at the hospital has been declining. Only one doctor at the hospital has been delivering babies.

Ida Grove is a city of about 2,100 residents in western Iowa’s Ida County, which has around 7,100 residents.

Two Harlan men were arrested this week on disorderly conduct charges. According to Harlan Police, 21-year old Justin McDowell was taken into custody Monday, after police investigated a report of a man laying in the middle of the 600 block of Court Street. McDowell was arrested after he alledgedly became verbally abusive and refused to follow officers’ commands.

And, 23-year old Theodore Behrens, of Harlan, was arrested Tuesday, following a reported disturbance in the 900 block of Durant Street, in Harlan. Behrens was charged with two-counts of domestic abuse, aggravated public intoxication, and violation of a domestic abuse protection order.

In other Harlan Police Department News: 44-year old Ramona Springman, of Manilla, was arrested May 19th on a charge of 5th Degree theft, for allegedly taking a wallet from a purse. On May 20th, 36-year old Amanda Hanover, of Portsmouth, was arrested for Disorderly Conduct, following a disturbance in the 100 block of 5th Street, in Harlan. And, on May 17th, 37-year old Maelyn Beemer and 30-year old Chad Beemer, both of Harlan, were arrested for Violation of a Protective Order, after they were found to have been in contact with one another.

When officers approached Chad Beemer, they say he allegedly assaulted one of the officers. In addition to the Violation of No Contact Order charge, Chad Beemer also faces a charge of assault on a peace officer. He plead not guilty to the Violation charge. Beemer posted a $1,000 bond and is scheduled to appear for his preliminary hearing on the assault charge, June 7th.

The Harlan Police Department reported Thursday afternoon, a Harlan man was arrested last week on assault, drug and other charges. 47-year old Randall Hess was arrested May 18th on an assault charge, after authorities received word a person had allegedly assaulted a young man. The following day, officers in Harlan were called to a possible hit-and-run incident at the corner of 7th and Dye Streets.

At the scene, they met with Harlan resident Curtis Scheffler, who claimed to have been the victim of a hit-and-run. Following an investigation, which included a report of someone ransacking Scheffler’s house, officers arrested Hess and 43-year old Mark Boardman, of Portsmouth. The men were brought to the Shelby County Jail, where Boardman was charged with Burglary in the 3rd degree, Possession of Burglary Tools, and Criminal Mischief in the 4th Degree.

Hess was charged with OWI, Driving While Revoked, and Leaving the scene of a personal injury accident. While being held in the Shelby County Jail, Hess was also charged with two-counts of Distribution of a Controlled Substance, and Prohibited Acts. Those charges were the results of a month-long investigation into Hess’ allegedly selling a controlled substance.