AUDUBON, Iowa (KJAN) — The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office, Tuesday night, said they “Received a report of a helicopter crash in eastern Audubon County from the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office at approximately 4:27 pm. (Tuesday). The accident remains under investigation and authorities said no further information is being released until the investigation is concluded. As KJAN previously reported, the accident happened near 250th and Robin Avenue. Witnesses said a helicopter collided with power lines before flipping over and crashing to the ground and bursting into flames. A pickup truck traveling nearby was reportedly hit by debris from the crash.

In a statement released just before 8-p.m. Tuesday, the Audubon County Sheriff’s Office said they “Received a report of a helicopter crash in eastern Audubon County from the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office at approximately 4:27 pm. (Tuesday).

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The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office, Guthrie County EMA, Audubon County EMA, Audubon Fire & Rescue, Exira Fire Department, Audubon County Secondary Roads, Iowa State Patrol and the FAA.  The accident remains under investigation and no further releases will be made until the investigation is concluded.

As KJAN previously reported, the accident happened near 240th and Robin Avenue. Witnesses told KCCI TV a helicopter collided with power lines before flipping over and crashing to the ground and bursting into flames. A pickup truck traveling nearby was reportedly hit by debris from the crash.

The area was blocked-off Tuesday evening, while law enforcement and emergency personnel from Audubon and Guthrie County were on the scene.

KJAN News has learned of a fiery helicopter crash in rural Audubon County. The incident took place at around 4-p.m., northeast of Exira, near 250th and Robin Avenue.

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Witnesses told KCCI TV a helicopter collided with power lines before flipping over and crashing to the ground and bursting into flames. A pickup truck traveling nearby was reportedly hit by debris from the crash.

A dispatcher at the Audubon County Sheriff’s Office would not comment on the matter when reached by KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

The area was blocked-off Tuesday evening, while law enforcement and emergency personnel from Audubon and Guthrie County were on the scene.  KJAN News will update this developing story when information becomes available.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Food and Drug Administration has relaxed regulations on the types of alcohol that can be used for hand sanitizer during a shortage caused by high demand from the coronavirus pandemic. The move late Friday expands the potential for alcohol made by ethanol producers to be used to help fill the need of hospitals and nursing homes. With the relaxation of regulations an industry trade group says as many as 20 plants have arranged to make alcohol and more are expected to join in soon.

Atlantic, IA — Cass County Health System is implementing some additional measures to mitigate any possible spread of COVID-19 within their facilities. Officials say effective Wednesday, April 1st, all patients and visitors will now be given a cloth face mask to wear while they are in the building.

Amanda Bireline, Chief Nursing Officer, said “Cloth masks are effective for blocking the sneezes and coughs of a potentially infected person. These masks help to minimize the risk of spreading COVID-19.”

In order to be effective, masks must be worn over both the mouth and nose, and need to remain in place while coughing or sneezing. Bireline says “The masks are effective because they stop potentially infectious droplets from a cough or sneeze from landing on people or surfaces.”

Community members have donated over 340 masks to date. Bireline added, “We so appreciate our community members who have been sewing masks for us. We welcome as many as you can get to us!”

Officials with the City of Massena report “Out of an abundance of caution amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the playground equipment in the Massena City Park is CLOSED immediately until further notice. In addition, the park restrooms/water fountain will remain closed. Open spaces in the park will remain open.”

The City says “While this decision is very difficult, we want to protect Massena’s families and our youth from further spread of the coronavirus.”

(Radio Iowa) — Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate says the state will mail an absentee ballot request form to every active registered voter in the state — for voting in the June 2 primary. Pate released a recorded message about the decision.

(as said) “The June 2nd primary election will go on as scheduled because it’s important for Iowans to make their voices heard by voting,” Pate said, “and the safest way to vote will be by mail.”

Pate last week announced he was using emergency authority to add 11 more days to the early voting period for the June primary and he encouraged Iowans to use the vote-by-mail option to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Pate’s office will send the absentee ballot request forms later this month and each will include prepaid postage for mailing the requests to county auditors.

(as said) “The safety of voters while casting their ballots is our top priority,” Pate said in today’s recorded message.

Pate indicated there are about two MILLION active registered voters in Iowa. Iowans may request absentee ballots for the June Primary through May 22. County auditors begin mailing ballots on April 23.

DES MOINES, Iowa (The Des Moines Register) — A federal judge has ordered an Iowa state home for male juvenile offenders to stop the use of a physical restraining device and to reform its use of isolation as a form of punishment. The Des Moines Register reports that the ruling Monday came in a class-action lawsuit filed against the Boys State Training School in Eldora in 2017 by two advocacy groups.

At issue is the use of an immobilizing device called “the wrap” on boys at the facility — nearly five hours at a time, in some cases — and boys as young as 14 routinely forced into isolation for weeks at a time.