More than 100 firefighters from Des Moines and across Iowa will climb 66 floors and 1,179 steps as part of a three building stair climb in downtown Des Moines while wearing 80 pounds of full fire turnout gear on Sunday morning, March 16th, as part of the American Lung Association in Iowa’s “2014 Fight for Air Climb.” 

Sixteen firehouses in all, including those from the Adair and Creston Fire and Rescue Departments, as well as the Casey and Winterset Fire Departments, will be represented at the event taking place at the EMC Insurance Companies, Hub Tower and the Des Moines Marriott Downtown (700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309).

All will climb in honor or memory of a fallen firefighter, loved one, lung disease survivor or to support the Lung Association. In addition, the firehouse with the best finish time will receive the coveted traveling Firehouse Fight for Air Trophy.

Two law enforcement teams will also climb and four local gyms will compete in the Gym and Fitness Center Challenge. They will join thousands of Des Moines area residents and Iowans from across the state. The Fight for Air Climb is a unique fundraising event for the American Lung Association in Iowa. Climbers help improve the lives of patients across the country and locally in Iowa. Ninety cents of every dollar raised goes directly to education, research and advocacy.

For more information, surf to: www.lung.org/pledge-events/ia/des-moines-climb-fy14/

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest Monday night of a Glenwood woman. 35-year old Wendy Lynn Meadows was arrested for Violating the terms of her Probation. Meadows was taken into custody at the Pottawattamie County Jail and held on $25,000 bond.

Page County Sheriff Lyle Palmer reports a Braddyville man wanted on a warrant out of Clarinda, turned himself-in to the Sheriff’s Office Monday afternoon. 19-year old Skyler William Shane, was wanted on a warrant charging him with two counts for Theft in the 3rd Degree/Forgery. The incidents allegedly occurred on Feb. 2nd. Shane was booked into the  Page County Jail and held on $2,000 bond.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Senate has passed a bill requiring school districts to test for the presence of radon gas. The Democratic-led bill passed 35-14 after Sen. Matt McCoy, a Democrat from Des Moines, criticized it as watered down “like a warm bucket of spit.”

McCoy supports the bill but is unhappy with changes that remove the requirement of certified testers and plans to reduce radon if found. McCoy says fewer than 10 percent of Iowa schools are tested. Sen. Tod Bowman, a Maquoketa Democrat, says the bill isn’t perfect but will identify how many schools have radon.

Republican Sen. Mark Chelgren, of Ottumwa, says the bill which moves to the House, is improved because it removes mandates that were undue burdens. The EPA recommends building testing for the radioactive gas.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Board of Regents has released crime data that shows an increase in reported sex offenses at two of the state’s three public universities.  The annual data released Tuesday shows Iowa State University had 13 reported sex offenses in 2013, an increase from nine in 2012. At the University of Northern Iowa, there were two reported sex offenses in 2013, an increase from 1 in 2012. There were 4 reported sex offenses at the University of Iowa in 2013, a decrease from 8 in 2012.  Sex offenses include reports of rape and sexual assault.

The data doesn’t reflect incidents where victims choose not to formally file a report to police. The distinction means some recent, highly publicized reports of sexual assault at the University of Iowa are not included.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Lawmakers in the Iowa Senate and House have agreed kidnapping penalties need to be tougher, but they’re having a hard time reaching a compromise for how long offenders should remain in jail.

In a 2-1 vote Tuesday, a three-member House judiciary subcommittee approved a bill seeking tougher kidnapping penalties for cases involving minors. This original legislation from the Senate maintains an earned time option for inmates, allowing them to reduce their sentences for good behavior. But a House amendment eliminates earned time altogether, bringing the legislation closer to a bill developed in the House.

Republican Rep. Chip Baltimore says he intends to continue his pursuit of earned time elimination, though lawmakers in the Senate stand by keeping the incentive. The legislation now goes to the full House Judiciary Committee.

An accident Monday morning at 7th and Walnut Streets caused a total of $5,000 damage to the vehicles involved, but no one was injured. Atlantic Police say vehicles driven by Irma Frisbie and Nichole Perkins, both of Atlantic, were traveling west on 7th Street at around 11:25-a.m., when the Perkins vehicle came to a quick stop and turned right in order to avoid hitting a non-contact vehicle in front of her. Frisbie was unable to stop in time, and hit the rear of Perkins’ vehicle. No citations were issued.