SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a Sioux City police officer has been shot. Nicholas Bonifazi, a public information officer for the U.S. Marshals Service, says deputies on the ground confirmed the officer was shot Friday in Sioux City. Additional information about the officer’s condition has not been released.

Bonifazi would not comment on the circumstances of the shooting. The officer’s name has not been released. The U.S. Marshals Service has been requested to assist in the investigation. A message left for the Sioux City Police Department was not immediately returned.

An accident Friday afternoon west of Red Oak resulted in an arrest. The Montgomery County Sheriffs Department reports 48-year old Raymond Geinger, of Red Oak, was arrested for Driving While Suspended, and cited for Failure to have Insurance. Deputies responded to the single vehicle accident after they received a report about a vehicle having left the road and hitting a utility pole. The accident happened in front of 1724 205th Street. The vehicle, a 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix went through a bean field owned by Scott Allensworth of Red Oak before making its way back onto 205th street, heading toward Red Oak.

The car was located in the 200 block of West second street in Red Oak. Geinger told authorities his car entered the ditch when he became distracted.  Geinger was taken to the Montgomery County Law Center and held on a $300 cash bond.

Damage from the incident amounted to $4,000.

Iowa GOP Third District Republican Congressional candidate David Young and Republican Senator Charles Grassley are barnstorming the sprawling 16 county district in advance of next month’s General Election. During their visit to the KJAN studios today (Friday), Senator Grassley spoke fondly about Young – his former Chief of Staff.

Grassley was asked however, if Young is too tied to Washington, having worked there for 20-years, and might be “out of touch with Iowans.”  He said “Nobody can level charges what-so-ever against him that he’s out of touch [because of his Iowa roots].”  The 46-year old Young, who’s from Van Meter in Dallas County, is locked in a tight race with former state lawmaker, 48-year old Democrat Staci Appel from Ackworth, for the seat being vacated by retiring Republican Congressman Tom Latham. He says just because he has had experience working with Senator Grassley, doesn’t mean he’s a “Washington Insider”, as some would accuse him of being.

He said “I have had the best mentor in the world. Senator Grassley taught me how to listen, how to penetrate this government when the wheels of government are stuck.” The said he’s learned how to identify upcoming rules and regulations that affect Iowans and what they expect from government.

Grassley also reiterated his support for Red Oak Republican Senate candidate Joni Ernst, who is running against Democrat Bruce Braley for retiring Senator Tom Harkin’s seat. Grassley said if Ernst is elected, Democrat Harry Reid won’t be running the Senate and there won’t be as much gridlock.

Young says unlike his opponent, who he claims “Will not be ready on day one,” he’ll hit the ground running when he is elected to office, and strive to bring Congress back in-line with what Americans want and expect from their government. Young says he wants to bring common sense back to Washington, by listening, asking questions and remembering “Who the boss is…The people of the Third District.”

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – Inmates at a Rockwell City prison were found in possession of pills, cellphones and a hammer in a series of incidents last month raising questions about security. Records released to The Associated Press show one inmate was trying to break into the woodshop at the North Central Correctional Facility. He had pliers, a putty knife and a hammer. The inmate later revealed a hidden compartment containing a cellphone and iPod.

Another inmate had a cellphone he used to make calls outside the prison and for Facebook. A third inmate said cellphones – considered dangerous contraband under Iowa policy – were for sale inside the prison for $120.

Officers discovered 400 pills that initially were suspected to contain cocaine and Demerol. Later testing came up negative for narcotics.

The lawyer for an Atlantic woman accused of faking her daughter’s cancer says the woman is competent to stand trial, but unable to tell right from wrong. KETV in Omaha reports a judge granted Attorney Jay Mez’ requested the state to pay for depositions and Mez’ expert witnesses.  Online court records show Mez indicated on Oct. 1st his defense of 30-year old Leatha K. Slauson would be one of “Diminished Responsibility.”

Authorities say Slauson lied about her daughter having cancer, inserted a feeding tube into the 5-year-old girl and gave her drugs and cannabis oils.

Slauson has pleaded not guilty to 20 counts, including assault, child endangerment and theft by deception. Her trial is set for next month.