(Creston, Iowa) – Officials with the Creston Police Department say no injuries were reported following a collision Thursday morning at the intersection of Prairie and Sumner Streets. The accident happened at around 9:45-a.m.  Authorities say 84-year-old Marilyn Larimore, of Creston, was driving a 2014 Buick SUV northbound on Sumner and had attempted to turn left onto Prairie Street. She turned too sharply, and struck a 2012 VW Jetta that was stopped at the stop sign, facing east on Prairie Street, and driven by 31-year-old Corina Buchanan, of Creston.

Larimore told Police she didn’t see the VW sitting at the stop sign. Police say damage from the collision amounted to $11,000 altogether. No citations were issued, but the report said Marilyn Larimore over-steered, and failed to keep in the proper lane.

ALGONA, Iowa [KCCI] — The man accused of murdering an Algona police officer will now have his trial in a different county than where the crime was committed. Kyle Ricke, 43, was arrested after an hours-long manhunt that spanned two states on Sept. 13, 2023. He is accused of shooting and killing Algona police Officer Kevin Cram, 33, who was attempting to serve an arrest warrant for Ricke.

Ricke’s first-degree murder trial was originally scheduled for June 25 in Kossuth County, but in April, he made a motion to move the trial to another county, arguing that he wouldn’t get a fair trial with an impartial jury in Kossuth County.

Recently filed court documents show the trial has now been moved to Dickinson County, which is along the Iowa-Minnesota border west of Kossuth County. Attorneys for Ricke also previously motioned for a competency evaluation to determine Ricke’s fitness to stand trial, but the motion was withdrawn a short while later.

DES MOINES, Iowa (KCAU) — The Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management has launched a disaster recovery website to help Iowans after severe storms. The website was created in response to the recent severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding that hit Iowa in April and May and, according to a release, aims to help Iowans easily access resources and information after these sorts of situations.

“During times of crisis, it’s important for communities to come together, support one another, and have access to much-needed resources,” said the Director of the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management John Benson. “The launch of this disaster recovery website is another step to providing assistance and resources to those affected by the recent severe weather in Iowa.”

The website will provide information such as assistance for those affected by severe weather with information on state and federal programs that are available to residents, businesses, and farms. It will also include answers to questions regarding insurance, how you should clean up after a storm, and any mental health resources.

The website will also offer resources for those who wish to volunteer or donate after a severe storm.

(Radio Iowa) – We’re now in what are considered the one-hundred deadliest days of the year for teen drivers, the roughly three months between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Brian Ortner, a spokesman for Triple-A Iowa, says the dangers of a teen dying or being critically hurt in a crash rise exponentially during this season. “The risk is higher during the summer for teen drivers and everyone else they share the road with,” Ortner says, “because school is either out or out very soon and these young — and unfortunately inexperienced — drivers will spend more time on the road with their friends.”

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says nearly half of teen driver-related deaths occur during these 100 days. In 2022, more than 700 people were killed in crashes involving teen drivers, a ten-percent increase over pre-pandemic 2019.  “Distracted driving plays a role in nearly six out of ten of those teen crashes,” Ortner says. “Cell phones, in-vehicle entertainment systems are considered the second biggest distraction for teen drivers. The biggest distractions are other teen passengers. Other passengers in the car contribute to peer pressure, and the impulse to engage in dangerous driving habits, like speeding.”

Parents should lead by example when they’re behind the wheel, Ortner says. That includes minimizing risky behavior when driving, don’t drive aggressively, avoid distractions, and always wear your seatbelt. “The most important thing parents can do to help their teens become safe drivers is to be involved in the learning-to-drive process,” Ortner says. “Spend time coaching your teen when they’re behind the wheel, and have that serious discussion about safety. It’s also good to maybe seek out professional training courses.”

Studies show crashes are the leading cause of death for teens between the ages of 16 and 19. For every mile driven, new teen drivers are three times more likely to be involved in a deadly crash compared to adults.

GREENFIELD, Iowa [KCCI] — The Greenfield Volunteer Fire Department has been forced out of its station after the building suffered extensive damage from an EF-4 tornado on May 21. Interim fire chief Brett Stender told KCCI-TV that they can’t operate out of their current building. Wooden boards now act as garage doors there and insulation is bursting at the seams. Three of the department’s fire trucks were in the station at the time of the storm and suffered minor damage. Twelve sets of gear were damaged, too.

Four of their 21 firefighters, including the chief, lost their homes, but the crew has remained on the ground day in and day out. A local family farm offered up its warehouse for the department to store its six trucks and equipment. Clay Hohertz said he got the call the day after the storm. He and his family opened up the doors to the building without hesitation. Stender and his crew were moved in that night.

Stender said having everything in one place is crucial. Local fire departments have also helped by donating time and resources to the station. The people who are used to helping others are now the ones receiving help.

A GoFundMe has been started for the fire department. Click this link for the fundraiser.