(Cass County, Iowa) – Traffic on Interstate 80 west of Adair was rerouted for hours, Saturday, following a semi tractor-trailer accident that caused both east- and westbound-lanes to be closed. Authorities say the semi struck the cable barriers and stretched those barriers across the interstate, along with the truck. All interstate traffic was diverted down Highway 148 for several hours.

Traffic in the crash zone was stalled from about mile marker 73.6 to near the Wiota Exit 67 (Wiota), while authorities worked to detour motorists who were not caught on either side of the blockage. There were no immediate reports of injuries.

Agencies assisting with traffic control at the scene includes: the Cass and Audubon County Sheriff’s Offices; Iowa State Patrol (ISP); Iowa DOT motor vehicle enforcement (MVE), Anita and Atlantic Fire Departments; Cass EMS; the Iowa DOT, and Richter and Son Towing.

(Olin, Iowa) – Officials with the Iowa DNR report that a man from Jones County died, during an ATV accident, early Saturday morning. Authorities say that at around 3:30 AM, 35-year-old James Daniel Minor, of Olin, died when the ATV he was operating drove off the roadway at the Olin Access Wildlife Management Area. Minor hit an obstruction and was declared dead at the scene.

Jones County Sheriff assisted the Iowa DNR at the scene.

(Adair, Iowa) – Adair Police Chief Brad Wendt is on a paid leave of absence, pending the completion of a criminal investigation into firearms charges. Adair City Attorney Clint Fichter confirmed the Chief’s status, Thursday.

Agents from the FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives executed search warrants on Aug. 31^st, at Wendt’s office at City Hall in Adair, gun stores he owns in Anita and Denison, and a rural property in Manning.

To be clear, Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater’s office was not a target of the investigation. Vandewater only became aware of the investigation after it was underway.

(Vilisca, Iowa) – A traffic stop at around 6:30-p.m. Friday in Montgomery County, resulted in a pursuit, and the arrest of a man from Nebraska. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department reports Deputies attempted to stop a black, no-plated Pontiac Grand Am, on Highway 34 near the intersection with T Avenue (Northwest of Villisca), when the driver – identified as 32-year-old Ryan Jennings, of Omaha – sped off, leading to a chase with speeds of around 100-mph.

The car entered a ditch upright near 200th Street and Highway 34. Jennings attempted to flee on foot, but was apprehended by Deputies, who detained two other adult passengers in the car. Also located in the vehicle was a juvenile child under Jennings’ care.

Jennings was transported to the Montgomery County Jail and charged with Child Endangerment, Eluding, and Interference with Official Acts. Multiple citations were also issued. The two adult passengers were released at the scene without charges.

The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Montgomery County K9 Unit, Montgomery County Communications, Red Oak Police, and Red Oak Rescue.