In an update to a story we told you about earlier today (Thursday), KJAN News has learned of a head-on collision between two vehicles in Shelby County, Thursday morning. The accident took place on Highway 44, between Quince and Redwood Streets, about 3.5-miles east of Harlan.

At about 7:55 Thursday morning, a 2001 Chevy Silverado pickup driven by 50-year-old Kevin Fries, of Harlan, was traveling east on Highway 44 while a 2002 Chevy Malibu driven by 35-year-old Shawn Strong, of Harlan, was traveling west on Highway 44.

The Strong vehicle crossed the center line into the path of the Fries vehicle where both vehicles then collided nearly head on.  The Fries vehicle came to rest in a ditch while the Strong vehicle came to rest on the highway.  Both vehicles were considered a total loss.

Strong was transported to Myrtue Memorial Hospital in Harlan by Medivac Ambulance, and then flown to Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha by Life Net Helicopter.  The status of his injuries is not known.  Fries was uninjured in the crash.

The accident remains under investigation with charges pending.

The Lenox Police Department reports a Missouri man was arrested this (Thursday) morning on a charge of animal cruelty. Officials say 30-year old Clint Auger was taken into custody at around 10-a.m., following an investigation into an incident Tuesday night, during which Auger allegedly stabbed a dog before beating it with a baseball bat. Lenox Police Chief Jon Huggins told KJAN News the dog survived the attack, and was being cared for at a local veterinary clinic. Auger was being held in the Taylor County Jail.

You may recall, the same man was arrested Tuesday evening, on a charge of Public Intoxication, after Lenox Police were called to the scene of a local grocery store, and found Auger was in possession of two, half-consumed bottles of vodka. A breath test indicated he had nearly three-times the legal limit of alcohol in his system.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Legislative leaders say they are getting closer to a deal over plans to overhaul Iowa’s commercial property tax system. Despite failure to reach an agreement during last year’s session, lawmakers such as Republican Rep. Tom Sands, of Wapello, say they’re ready to work with Democrats again during the session that begins Monday. Democrats, who hold a majority in the Senate, say they were optimistic they could reach agreement with Gov. Terry Branstad and Republicans who control the House. A key, though, is whether reductions in commercial property taxes could be phased in over a long enough time.