The Iowa State Patrol is keeping an eye out today for motorists who might be having some trouble on the roadways. Trooper Vince Kurtz says most of their focus will be on assisting motorists.  “With the cold and the windchill the way it is, our troopers are out looking for those cars that are stranded on the side of the road and providing that service of making a call to a tow company, getting them out of a cold vehicle into a warm vehicle, assisting in changing a tire,” Kurtz says.

He says people often forget that helping motorists is a big part of what the I-S-P does. “It’s these days that really remind us that we are out here doing more than just writing tickets,” Kurtz says. If you have to be out in this weather Kurtz says you should plan ahead and have an emergency kit that includes several items. He says you need to have something to keep you warm, something to keep you hydrated, some food to eat, and a charged cellphone. Kurtz says a shovel and kitty litter to use for traction are also things you should have.

If you have trouble, he says you should wait in the car for help. “If your vehicle would happen to break down you need to stay with you vehicle, and hopefully you’ve got that winter survival kit, a cellphone that you can make a call to get someone out to help you ” Kurtz says. “But above all, stay with your vehicle.”

The Iowa State Patrol is using an airplane at times during bad weather to look for vehicles that may’ve broken down along the state highways.

(Radio Iowa)

Authorities in Audubon County say a passenger in an SUV was injured during a crash Saturday morning near Hamlin. The Sheriff’s Department reports a 2010 GMC Yukon driven by 38-year old Steve Frank Klocke, of Carroll, and a 1999 Dodge driven by 19-year old Cody Drake Uren, of Grimes, collided at the intersection of Highways 71 & 44 at around 7:30-a.m.

Officials say the accident happened when Uren, who was traveling west on Highway 44, slowed when he came to the intersection, but rolled through. He stopped near the middle of the intersection and was hit when Klocke, who was traveling south on Highway 71. Klocke was unable to stop in-time due to slush on the roadway. Following the collision, Uren’s Dodge became engulfed in flames and was a total loss.

Carter Drake, a passenger in the Klocke vehicle, was injured and transported by Audubon Fire and Rescue to the Audubon County Hospital. No other injuries were reported. Klocke’s SUV sustained $5,000 damage in the crash. Deputies cited Uren for Failure to Obey a Stop Sign.

(Updated 1-p.m.)

An attempt by a rural Cass County resident to keep their pipes from freezing resulted in the loss of a two-story home this (Monday) morning, northeast of Atlantic. Atlantic Fire Department 1^st Assistant Chief Russell Peck told KJAN News a resident of the home t 54924 650^th Street was using a space heater in his basement when the fire started just before 8-a.m. and quickly spread to the rest of the structure.

Looking south from Troublesome Creek Road (Ric Hanson/photo)

Looking north from Fayette Road. (Ric Hanson/photo)

Peck said the space heater was used in the corner of a crawl space near where the pipes were located. Once the fire started, it quickly spread up the walls and into the attic. The homeowner tried to put the fire out, but was not successful. Firefighters had to pull out from the home because the floor above the crawl space was about to collapse.

Both residents and their dog escaped without injury.  Cass County Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Kennon told KJAN the house was almost fully engulfed in fire when the first crews arrived, and they “Never could get a handle” on it. The temperature at the time of the blaze was nearly 15 degrees below zero, with a wind chill of around 30 below. Kennon said the conditions “Were brutal. It’s terribly cold. We’re on top of a hill and catching a lot of wind, so the wind chill factor is just incredible.” He said the conditions make it hard for firefighters to catch their breath, and exposed skin “just burns” because of the freezing conditions.”

Firefighters’ gloves became coated with ice and were rendered unusable after a short while, prompting calls for replacement gloves and other equipment. Peck said there was just no way to keep warm on the scene. Fortunately, a local seed dealer offered the opportunity for shelter and refreshments for the firefighters…a place they could rotate in and out-of with other fire fighting personnel. He said a dozen or so firefighters at a time were transported to Wickman Chemical just up the road, where they could get warmed-up and drink some coffee.

The Atlantic Hy-Vee provided hot coffee, donuts and sandwiches for the firefighters. Crews from Atlantic and Marne, with assistance from Anita and Wiota battled the blaze most of the morning. Smoke could be seen for miles. No injuries were reported. Peck told KJAN the house had completely collapsed as of Noon.

Firefighters from six area departments responded to a log cabin fire about 6-miles northwest of Menlo, Sunday. Stuart Rescue EMS Director of Operations and Paramedic Jeff Howard told KJAN News firefighters from Menlo, Casey, Stuart, Adair, Guthrie Center and Panora were called to the scene of the blaze at 3067 Oleander Trail in rural Casey, at around 7:16-p.m. The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office and Iowa State Patrol also assisted at the scene.

Howard said the weather and location of the 3,800-square foot home made it difficult to get to and fight the fire. The home he said was located about 200-feet off the road. He said the home was fully involved when crews arrived.

The residents were home but had gotten out safely. One fire fighter was treated at the scene for a medical condition but there were no injuries. Firefighters dealt with sub-freezing temperatures as the fought the blaze, and wind chill temperatures dipping to around -25 degrees. Howard said those types of conditions take their toll on personnel and equipment.

He said when they arrived on scene it was 6 degrees below zero. When they left, it was 14 below. That causes the lines freeze up, gloves to become caked with ice, and the firefighters get cold and need rehab breaks. He said “It’s just awful.” The Red Cross was activated to provide the family with necessities. Howard said they were staying with other family members in the area.

The Atlantic Police Department reports two arrests on Saturday. 29-year old Adam Morris,  and 31-year old Brea Roark, both of Atlantic, were arrested on charges of Domestic Abuse Assault. Both were brought to the Cass County Jail and booked-in.

And, no injuries were reported following an accident Sunday morning at 22nd and Olive Streets, in Atlantic. Officials say a vehicle driven by Haley Pottebaum, of Griswold, was traveling west in the 600 block of East 22nd Street when her vehicle hit the left rear bumper of a legally parked vehicle registered to Jason Redler, of Atlantic. Damage from the accident amounted to $4,000. Pottebaum was cited for Failure to Maintain Control. The accident happened at around 3:20-a.m.