DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Planned Parenthood of the Heartland is closing two small clinics in southwest Iowa. The Des Moines Register reports that the closures in Red Oak and Creston are among at least 11 satellite clinics the group has closed in recent years. The group uses a video-conferencing system to dispense abortion pills to women in outlying clinics.

Planned Parenthood says the Red Oak and Creston clinics were open only by appointment and are being closed because of “a shifting need for services.” Patients will be referred to remaining clinics, including seven that provide the telemedicine abortions and two that also provide surgical abortions.

Planned Parenthood spokeswoman Angie Remington says the closures were not sparked by abortion opponents’ objections to the clinics.

The largest insurer of homes and vehicles in Iowa and Nebraska has made “staffing adjustments” to help customers in both states affected by Tuesday’s storms. Ann Avery is a spokesperson for State Farm. “It’s the kind of damage that is consistent with a wind and hail storm…we’ve all seen some pretty dramatic photos,” Avery says.

The heaviest damage in Iowa is over the southwest corner of the state. In some cases, homes and cars were battered by fallen trees that were uprooted by 80 to 90 mile per hour winds. Large hail and flooding also caused damage. The total number of insurance claims are adding up quickly. Avery says safety should be the top priority when surveying storm damage. She encourages homeowners to avoid downed power lines and when it’s safe to do so, make temporary repairs to prevent further damage to a home or vehicle.

“We do encourage people to save their receipts for any purchases they incur in the process of doing that,” Avery says. As for permanent repairs, Avery says it’s important to take time to choose a reputable contractor.  “Ask for references, ask about certificates of insurance, maybe consider contacting your local Better Business Bureau,” Avery suggests. “Just take care to choose someone who will help you recover appropriately.”

In the eastern Nebraska town of Blair, which is part of the Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan area, thousands of vehicles at a car dealership were badly damaged by baseball-sized hail. The courthouse in Blair sustained at least $1.2 million in damage from heavy rain after the hail shattered windows and skylights.

(Radio Iowa)

A Cass County man faces numerous charges following a traffic stop that resulted in a high-speed pursuit late Wednesday evening. Cass County Sheriff’s Deputy Josh McLaren told KJAN News that chase began after he tried to stop a red Chevy pickup on the northwest side of Massena at 740th and Quincy Road, just before 9-p.m.

McLaren said he knew the driver, 28-year old Trel Curtis Peterson, of Cumberland, and that the man did not have a valid driver’s license. When the deputy activated his lights and sirens, Peterson failed to pull-over. A pursuit ensured westbound on Quincy Road with the pickup reaching speeds that approached 100-miles per hour. He says the chase continued on several roads.

Deputy Kyle Quist picked up the pursuit as the pickup headed east on Victoria Road. During the pursuit, the pickup nearly collided with Quist’s SUV, as well as other vehicles, and it nearly hit a man who was trying to retrieve his mail from his box on a rural road. The chase wound its way toward the southeast corner of Massena on various county roads before the pickup found its way onto a dirt road that had become muddy following the recent heavy rains. The deputies didn’t want to risk getting stuck, so they circumvented the mud road. The suspect wasn’t so lucky. Deputy Quist located the vehicle on the road, parked in front of 67213 760th Street. The vehicle had been abandoned.

Peterson was found hiding near an outbuilding on the property. He surrendered to Quist and his K-9 partner, “Vader,” at 9:17-p.m. McLaren said despite efforts by several law enforcement agencies to locate a passenger in the pickup, that person was not found. He said they “Have a pretty good idea who that subject was,” and that charges are pending completion of the investigation.

Peterson, meanwhile faces a litany of charges. They include eluding law enforcement, reckless driving, speeding, driving under suspension, violation of a restricted license, carrying a concealed weapon, No SR-22 insurance, possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana and drug paraphernalia, OWI/drug-related, and a pending charge of assault on a peace officer.

The man was being held in the Cass County Jail, pending an appearance before the magistrate. McLaren says the Cass County Sheriff’s Office was assisted during the incident by deputies from the Shelby, Adair, Adams and Montgomery County Sheriff’s Departments, the Iowa State Patrol, an Iowa State Patrol aircraft, Red Oak P-D and Atlantic P-D K-9 units, and Atlantic P-D Reserves.

Police in Red Oak say no one was injured following a collision between two cars at the intersection of East Nuckols and North 5th Streets. The accident happened at around 2:40-p.m.  Officials say a 2001 Saturn driven by 40-year old Shannon Seekings, of Red Oak, was traveling east on E. Nuckols Street, entered the intersection and made it nearly half-way across, when her car was hit by a northbound 2001 Chevy Monte Carlo, driven by 19-year old Laryn Edds, of Red Oak.

Damage from the collision amounted to $3,200. No citations were issued.