DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Insurers for the city of Des Moines paid $2.1 million to a lawyer who alleged he suffered head injuries when he was hit by a falling garbage can. The city this week released a copy of its November settlement with Jaysen McCleary in response to open records requests. McCleary alleges he was struck in January 2014 by a solid waste container that fell from a city truck collecting it outside his home. His lawsuit alleged the city was negligent, and he sought damages for medical expenses and pain and suffering.

During the case, reports from medical experts who evaluated McCleary were inadvertently made public by one of his attorneys. An Iowa Supreme Court justice had ordered the Des Moines Register not to publish the information, but lifted the order Tuesday.

Thousands of Iowans were expected to be hitting the highways Friday through this weekend, for Christmas activities. The man who oversees the state’s Highway Helper program, Scott Marler, deals with problems throughout the year. He says one of the biggest keys to making sure you get to your destination without problems is to be sure your car is ready. “One of our most frequent items that we see out on the roadsides actually are stalled vehicles,” Marler says.

‘Highway Helper trucks operate on the interstates in the Des Moines, Council Bluffs and Iowa City/Cedar Rapids area. Marler says a little preparation can prevent problems during busy holiday times, and throughout the year. “Travel prepared and do keep you vehicle maintained,” Marler says, “particularily during these winter months. That’s when we are most concerned with people finding themselves inadvertently in harms way.”

His crews see a lot of other things happening out on the roadways that could lead to problems. Marler says most can be prevented. “Drive alert, don’t drive distracted, put the cellphone down. Buckle up. Every seat every time,” Marler says. “If you do those things, people will get to where they need to go safely.” Marler says the Highway Helpers are out weekdays from five a-m until eight p-m. And he says they are also out sometimes during major holidays when traffic is expected to be heavy.

(Radio Iowa)

A Page County man was sentenced earlier this week to 10-years in prison for 3rd degree sexual abuse, but the sentence was suspended and 26-year old Kenton John Alexander, of New Market, was placed on formal probation for three years. In addition, Alexander, who plead guilty to the offense earlier this month, must complete the Sexual Offender Treatment Program, and he’ll reside at the Residential Treatment Center until maximum benefits have been achieved. He was arrested last July, in Clarinda.

Alexander will be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life. The judge also ordered Alexander to be committed into the custody of the Iowa Department of Corrections for the rest of his life.