Medivac, Harlan Fire and Rescue, Harlan Police, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department and Iowa State Patrol were on the scene of a multiple-vehicle accident this (Monday) afternoon. The crash involving two semi’s and two cars happened on the north side of the bridge near the intersection of Highway 59 and River Avenue (or about 2-miles south of the Harlan Airport). The crash occurred in a construction zone at around 2:44-p.m.

LifeNet and Medivac await the transport of crash victim(s).

Accident scene (all photos submitted to KJAN)

One of the victims was in need extrication. LifeNet helicopter was called and landed in a nearby field.  One person was flown from the scene to the Nebraska Medical Center.

Traffic was being rerouted at County Road F-58 and Highway 59. Additional details are currently not available.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A group of top state officials has approved payments of nearly $400,000 to continue a lawsuit defending former Gov. Terry Branstad. A jury found in July he discriminated against former Iowa Workers’ Compensation Commissioner Chris Godfrey because he is gay and awarded him $1.5 million. State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald and Auditor Rob Sand refused to approve the payment. They say taxpayers shouldn’t continue paying. Gov. Kim Reynolds, Secretary of State Paul Pate and Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig approved the bills, bringing total court costs to more than $8 million, which will climb since Reynolds is appealing the case.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) – More than 20,000 people could soon be eligible for reimbursement of fines and late fees collected by the city of Cedar Rapids on traffic camera citations issued between 2010 and 2018. A proposed class-action settlement shows the city has agreed to pay nearly $3 million in refunds and attorneys’ fees to end a lawsuit that challenged its two-year-old collection program. Those who paid late fees or who had their state tax refunds seized by the city will be eligible to seek up to $599. Pending court approval, notices will be sent to class members detailing the process for filing claims.

FORT MADISON, Iowa (AP) – Prosecutors have cleared an officer who fatally shot an armed man at a warehouse in Fort Madison earlier this month. A special assistant attorney general said Friday that Officer Cory Brown’s shooting of Robert Elfgen was “legally justified.” Officers sent Dec. 10 to the warehouse encountered Elfgen. The West Point resident was armed with a handgun, and several warehouse workers were nearby. Authorities say Elfgen refused to follow Brown’s orders and was shot when he turned to flee. Elfgen had been searching the warehouse for a former girlfriend who worked there. He’d gone there after shooting a man elsewhere in Fort Madison.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) has nominated 50 Iowa students to be considered for appointments to the U.S. service academies. Grassley said “These young Iowans who want to enter the academies and serve our country are a remarkable reflection on our state. Their accomplishments, leadership and desire to serve are exceptional, and signal continued excellence in the U.S. armed forces.”

Each year, Grassley has the opportunity as a U.S. senator to nominate either current or future Iowa high school graduates for a select few service academy placements. The U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Military Academy and U.S. Naval Academy all select at least one qualified student from Grassley’s nominations. The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy makes selections in proportion to states’ representation in Congress.

Grassley encourages Iowa students to consider applying to more than one service academy due to the highly competitive nature of admissions. Iowa members serving in the U.S. House of Representatives make nominations in addition to both of Iowa’s U.S. senators. Students may receive more than one nomination. Students interested in academy appointments should begin the application process in the spring of their junior year of high school. Early application is encouraged. The academies select students based on the number of vacancies available for the next school year.

Traditionally, the high quality of Iowa nominees results in several Iowa students being offered admission to attend each of the service academies. These students then choose whether to attend the academy. Among the 2020-2021 nominees appointment (locally) to the U-S Air Force Academy, is:

• Anthony Cordes –  of Avoca
• Jacob Hrasky – from Treynor
• Jacob James – of Council Bluffs
• Connor Pickhinke – from Early

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports three arrests. This (Monday) morning, 33-year old Amanda Fay Maln, of Glenwood, was arrested for Driving While Barred, and Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability. Her bond was set at $2,000.  Sunday afternoon, 41-year old Myron Lee Brandon, of Pacific Junction, was arrested at the Mills County Sheriff’s Office for Violation of an Order/Contempt of court. His bond was set at $300. And, Friday afternoon, 37-year old Amberlee Wilmot, of New Market, was arrested at the Page County Jail, on a Mills County warrant for Theft in the 5th Degree. Her bond was also set at $300.

A collision at an uncontrolled intersection in Creston, Saturday morning, resulted in a total of $16,000 damage to the vehicles, but no one was hurt. Authorities say a 2006 Saab driven by 51-year old Rusty Provance, of Creston , was traveling south on Maple Street in Creston, at the same time a 2020 Ford F-250 pickup driven by 22-year old Coltyn Bredberg, of Creston, was traveling east on Page Street.

Officials say the front end of the Saab struck the left side of the pickup. The accident happened at around 10:37-a.m.  Following the collision, the pickup struck a tree and came to rest on private property. Both drivers were checked out by EMS personnel.

Authorities say Provance was cited for Failure to Yield to a vehicle on the right. Bredberg was cited for Failure to show proof of insurance – accident related.