Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

A southwest Iowa native is helping to train the crew of what’s touted to be one of the U-S Navy’s newest and most sophisticated warships. Chief Petty Officer Bobby Houseman of Winterset joined the Navy in 1997, in part, out of respect for his grandfather, who also served.

CPO Robert Houseman

The 35-year-old Houseman is stationed on a destroyer called the Zumwalt. It’s still being outfitted at the Bath Iron Works on the coast of Maine. While it’s 80 feet wide and more than two football fields long, the huge ship was built using the latest in stealth technology.

“It has reduced our radar signature down to approximately a fishing boat,” Houseman says. When at sea, he says the Zumwalt will perform a variety of missions, including attacking targets on land with gunfire and cruise missiles, hunting and tracking submarines, airspace surveillance and support to special operations forces. The ship’s two enormous main guns can hit targets at a great distance with incredible accuracy.

“They shoot a long-range rocketed projectile,” Houseman says.

The Zumwalt

“These projectiles can go approximately 63 nautical miles and really, if you threw a belt buckle out there, they’ll remove that belt buckle from the map.” The Zumwalt’s futuristic appearance and capabilities seems fitting — given the name of its commanding officer. Science fiction buffs know the commander of the starship Enterprise on “Star Trek” is Captain James Kirk, and his future birthplace is Riverside, Iowa. Like the science fiction hero, Houseman says this warship is commanded by a very-real person of the same name.

“When I heard that the captain of the USS Zumwalt would be Captain James Kirk, I really thought the person telling me was joking with me,” Houseman says. “I had to do some research to find out exactly what he was talking about and ensure that this individual wasn’t pulling my leg.” He says the real Captain Kirk is, much like the fictional version, a fine leader. “He’s very motivated, very inspiring,” Houseman says. “He keeps the crew on task and very focused, working toward getting that ship ready to go and get it away from the pier.”

The Zumwalt was named in honor of Admiral Elmo “Bud” Zumwalt Junior, who served as Chief of Naval Operations, the Navy’s most senior uniformed officer, from 1970-1974. The ship should be commissioned and set sail next year.

(Matt Kelley/Radio Iowa)

Police in Harlan say two people were transported to Myrtue Memorial Hospital in Harlan following an accident this (Monday) morning. Authorities say 54-year old Gary Lemons and 80-year old Christian Blum, both of Harlan, were injured after their vehicles collided on westbound Highway 44 near Chatburn Avenue, at around 7:45-a.m.

The accident happened as a 2012 Lincoln MKZ driven by Lemon was stopped waiting for on-coming traffic, as he prepared to make a left turn. Blum, driving a 2006 Dodge Ram truck, failed to see Lemon stopped in front of him. His truck hit the rear of the car.

Lemon was transported by Medivac ambulance to the hospital, while Blum went by personal vehicle. Blum was later cited for Failure to come to a stop in an assured clear distance. Damage from the crash amounted to $10,000.

Jolene Smith, a member of Royal Neighbors Chapter 1373, from Atlantic, and a member of the Atlantic Parks and Recreation Board of Directors, was honored recently with the 2014 Iowa Fraternalist of the Year for her volunteerism within her community.  The award was presented during the Annual Iowa Fraternal Alliance meeting in Ankeny.

Jolene Smith, a member of Royal Neighbors of America Chapter 1373, Atlantic, IA, at right, was presented a plaque from Sarah Reemtsma on behalf of the Iowa Fraternal
Alliance. In recognition of her volunteer efforts in the community, Jolene was honored as a 2014 Iowa fraternalist of the Year. (Photo provided)

Smith’s volunteer efforts include working with Heads at Ease, the Allen House Retirement Home, the Cass County Memorial Hospital, Festival of Trees, and Hitchcock House. According to her fellow Royal Neighbors members, “Jolene is the life blood of our chapter.”

Royal Neighbors of America, one of the nation’s largest women-led life insurance organizations, empowers women to meet the needs of their families with annuities and life insurance products such as whole life, term, final expense, and universal life. Royal Neighbors’ philanthropic efforts are dedicated to changing women’s lives through its national programs, including the Nation of NeighborsSM Program, and through the Royal Neighbors Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity.

For more information, visit www.royalneighbors.org or call (800) 627-4762.

A Shenandoah man was transported to Creighton Hospital in Omaha by Malvern Rescue Thursday night, after the motorcycle he was driving hit a deer. The Mills County Sheriff’s Office says the accident happened near the intersection of Noyes Avenue and 290th Street, at around 11:40-p.m.

Authorities say David Long, of Shenandoah, was driving a 2001 Honda eastbound on Noyes Ave a deer ran out in front of him and his cycle struck the animal. Long hit his handlebars hard upon impact. His injuries were reduced because he was wearing a helmet and protective leather riding gear. He was sitting in a motorist’s vehicle when the deputy arrived.

The deer was found dead in a ditch.