A Polk County woman died during a crash in a construction zone on Interstate 80 Sunday afternoon, in Cass County. The accident happened at around 3:40-p.m. near the Marne exit. Iowa State Patrol says 26-year old Christina Franz, of Bondurant, who was the driver of the car, died at the scene. Her brother, 24-year old Trevor Franz, also of Bondurant, was a passenger in the car. He was injured and transported by ambulance to the Cass County Memorial Hospital, in Atlantic. Both occupants were wearing their seat belts.

Authorities say the pair was traveling westbound in the left lane on I-80 in a 2004 Pontiac Grand Am, when they came upon a 2000 Kenworth semi driven by 36-year old Jody Baker, of Buho, ID, that was stopped in the left lane due to traffic merging in the lane in a construction zone.The car rear-ended the trailer of the semi before veering off and hitting a 2000 Chrysler mini-van van that was stopped in the right lane. The driver of the van was identified as 41-year old Derrick Burbul, of Kearney, NE. Following the collision, the Pontiac came to rest in the right lane, on the interstate. Neither of the other two drivers was injured.

Following the accident, traffic was backed up for miles along I-80 westbound. The DOT began re-routing vehicles north on Highway 71 to Highway 44 west to Harlan before bringing them south on Highway 59 to I-80. The westbound lanes were re-opened at around 6-p.m.

The crash was one of three that occurred on I-80 Sunday afternoon. In one accident, two women were sent to Myrtue Memorial Hospital in Harlan following a collision between two SUV’s on I-80 eastbound near the Avoca exit. Sheriff Jeff Danker said their injuries appeared to be minor. The third accident took place just a couple of hundred yards away from the SUV collision. Additional details on those two crashes are currently not available.

(Update 6-p.m.: Westbound traffic lanes re-opened)

Rescue crews from Atlantic and Marne Fire and Rescue, Medivac Ambulance and law enforcement are on the scene of a semi-versus-passenger car rear-end collision of Interstate 80 westbound at the 52-mile marker (2 miles west of the Elk Horn exit) in Cass County. The crash occurred in the construction zone at around 3:45-p.m, and may have been the result of an earlier crash that had traffic slowed to a crawl. Traffic is currently backed up to the 54 miles marker westbound. Westbound traffic was being re-routed from Highway 71 north to Highway 44 and then west to Highway 59 and south to I-80.

Traffic is blocked in both westbound lanes. At least one person was injured, another person has died. Two other, separate accidents were reported just west of the Walnut exit on I-80 eastbound near mile marker 46 in Pottawattamie County. An SUV rear-ended another SUV. At least two female accident victims were transported to Myrtue Memorial Hospital in Harlan. No other details are available on the second accident which happened about 200-yards away. Avoca and Walnut Rescue were called to the scene.

Additional details will be updated as soon as they become available.

Rescue crews from Atlantic and Marne Fire and Rescue, Medivac Ambulance and law enforcement are on the scene of a semi-versus-passenger car rear-end collision of Interstate 80 westbound at the 52-mile marker (2 miles west of the Elk Horn exit) in Cass County. The crash occurred in the construction zone at around 3:45-p.m, and may have been the result of an earlier crash that had traffic slowed to a crawl. Traffic is currently backed up to the 54 miles marker westbound. Westbound traffic was being re-routed from Highway 71 north to Highway 44 and then west to Highway 59.

Traffic is blocked in both westbound lanes. At least one person was injured, another person has died. LifeNet was called to the scene. Two other, separate accidents were reported just west of the Walnut exit on I-80 eastbound near mile marker 46 in Pottawattamie County. An SUV rear-ended another SUV. No other details are available on the second accident which happened about 200-yards away. Injuries are reported.

Additional details will be updated as soon as they become available.

AMES, Iowa (AP) — The recent heavy rains and flooding in Iowa and Nebraska created prime breeding areas for mosquitoes, so more bug bites are likely in the next few weeks. Experts say it’s not clear whether the increase in mosquitoes will lead to more cases of West Nile virus. The types of mosquitoes common now generally don’t carry diseases.

But many cities across the area will be working to minimize bug populations. Ames Parks and Recreation Director Keith Abraham says the city takes steps to control the mosquito population at Brookside Park and several other locations.

Using insect repellent and wearing long sleeves and pants can help reduce bug bites. Experts say it’s also good to avoid being outside at dusk when mosquitoes are most active.

A man and woman from Illinois were injured Saturday afternoon during a motorcycle crash on Interstate 80 in Adair County. In their report released this (Sunday) morning, the Iowa State Patrol said 60-year old Alan Armes, and 58-year old Connie Armes, both of Somonak, IL, were transported by Stuart Rescue to Mercy Hospital in Des Moines, after the rear tire blew out, as they were traveling west on 2003 Harley Davidson motorcycle being driven by Alan Armes. The cycle went out of control and came to rest on its side in the left lane of travel. The accident happened at around 12:45-p.m., Saturday, about 2 1/2 miles east of the Stuart exit.

The Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education will gather in the Media Room at the high school for a regular session Monday, beginning at 7:30-p.m. On their agenda is approval of: General Education/Special Ed contracts; other contracts and/or Letters of Assignment; Volunteer coaches positions; and Resignations.

The Board will also act on approving: The contract with Superintendent Dr. Michael Amstein for the 2014-15 school year; The 1st reading of a new policy with regard to Honorary Diplomas; and approving new teacher employment, among other administrative matters.

During the discussion portion of their meeting, the Atlantic School Board will talk about their financial planning program assumptions for Fiscal Year 2015. Prior to adjourning for the night, the Board will enter into a closed session for a formal evaluation of Superintendent Amstein.