The Creston Police Department reports one arrest and two incidents of theft from vehicles. Authorities say 48-year old John Pace, Jr., of Creston, was arrested Monday afternoon for Driving While revoked. He was later released from the Union County Jail on $1,000 bond.

A Creston resident reported to Police Monday morning, that sometime overnight Sunday into Monday, someone broke into their vehicle while it was parked in the 900 block of E. Summit Street. A wallet containing credit cards and checks, some vehicle documents, and a mask were stolen from inside the vehicle. There was also damage to the center console. The loss was estimated at $500. Another Creston resident reported Sunday morning, that someone had broken into their vehicle in the 300 block of N. Cedar Street. A wallet containing various personal documents was missing. The loss was estimated at $50.

The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:06-a.m. From KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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AMES, Iowa (AP) — A man suspected of fatally stabbing his roommate at their Ames apartment has pleaded not guilty. Story County court records say 55-year-old David Hunter entered the written plea Monday to a charge of first-degree murder. His trial is scheduled to begin Jan. 14.

Officers who responded to the residence around 6:10 p.m. Nov. 7 found an injured man later identified as 37-year-old Christopher Swalwell suffering from knife wounds. Police say he was taken to a local hospital and then transferred to a Des Moines hospital, where he died. The court records say Hunter told investigators that he was responsible for Swalwell’s injuries.

(Radio Iowa) — Travel conditions are expected to deteriorate as a winter storm approaches the state. State Patrol Trooper Tom Williams of Mason City says if you do plan to travel, pack a winter survival kit in case something happens. “Things that are important to have in a vehicle include an ice scraper, cell phone and charger, blankets, gloves, hats, an extra coat, water, non-perishable food items, a shovel, kitty litter for traction, a set of jumper cables, any needed medication, and a tow strap,” according to Williams.

He says if you do get stranded — it’s important to take quick action.  “Call 9-1-1 immediately and give your location. Stay in your vehicle, that’s your shelter, don’t try to walk for help,” Williams says. “If it’s at night, keep your dome light on if possible. Make sure your exhaust pipe is clear from snow. Run your engine and heater just long enough to remove the chill, so you can conserve gas.”

He says it’s important to not delay in calling 9-1-1 as law enforcement is going to be busy. Williams says its important at any time this winter to be well prepared for your trip. You should leave early if the weather report shows things are going to get bad. “Get plenty of rest the night before. Slow down to increase the control of your vehicle. You are required by law to maintain control at all times. Allow at least five seconds of following distance from the vehicle that’s in front of you,” Williams says. “Make sure all your lights are working, that you have good wiper blades and washer fluids, make sure that you have a good set of snow tires on.”

Williams says don’t get over confident simply because you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle.  “Those of you who have four-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive vehicles, that does not improve you’re breaking ability,” he says. “It allows for excellent traction, but it does not improve your ability to stop in emergency situations.”  You can check out road conditions 24 hours a day online at the D-O-T’s 5-1-1 travel.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Des Moines man has been imprisoned for setting a fire at the house he shared with his grandmother, killing her. The Des Moines Register reports that 32-year-old Ferid Hodzic was sentenced last month to 15 years. He’d pleaded guilty to arson and involuntary manslaughter. Court records say he poured gasoline onto combustible items on Jan. 9 and used a lit cigarette to ignite them. His grandmother, Naima Hodzic, was unable to escape the smoke and flames, and firefighters found her near the front door. The 83-year-old was taken to a Des Moines hospital and then flown to an Iowa City hospital, where she died Jan. 25.

Authorities say Ferid Hodzic changed his account of the fire several times, with his final explanation being that he ordered a sweatshirt online and became upset after it arrived because it was the wrong size.

(Radio Iowa) — Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren began her two-day campaign swing through Iowa by criticizing the New York billionaire who has just entered the race. “I am here on day two of Michael Bloomberg’s $37 million ad buy,” Warren said, to chuckles from the crowd. Warren suggests Bloomberg is making a high-stakes bet that “bags and bags of money” are all he needs to win. “I think Michael Bloomberg is wrong and that’s what we need to prove in this election,” Warren said, to cheers.

She said also “His view is that he doesn’t need people who knock on doors, he doesn’t need to get out and campaign with people, he doesn’t need volunteers and if you get out and knock on a thousand doors he’ll just spend another $37 million to flood the airwaves and that’s how he plans to buy a nomination in the Democratic Party.” Bloomberg has criticized the new “wealth tax” Warren has proposed for Americans with fortunes above 50-MILLION dollars. Bloomberg, who campaigned in Virginia Monday, argues the Democratic Party is at risk of nominating a too-liberal challenger who cannot defeat Trump.

“If Michael Bloomberg’s version of democracy wins…it’s going to be about which billionaire you can stomach going forward,” Warren said, “because believe me there are plenty of billionaires who think they should be president or at a minimum picking the president, but not me.” Ken Kennard of Ankeny applauded many of Warren’s remarks — and says he “wholeheartedly agrees” with Warren’s critique. “The money in politics is destroying democracy,” he said.

He added, “Who wants a person who can just buy an election and just swamp us with bumper-sticker slogans?” Pete Buttigieg campaigned in western Iowa Monday. During a campaign stop in Creston, Buttigieg said he’s always glad to see another mayor run for office — Buttigieg is mayor of South Bend, Indiana. But Buttigieg says there are three tickets out of Iowa on Caucus night, and he’s aiming to win one of them.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:30 a.m. CST

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A national lottery group rocked by an insider’s jackpot-rigging conspiracy has agreed to settle a lawsuit brought by a winner who said his $9 million prize should have been larger. The Multi-State Lottery Association and Larry Dawson reached the settlement this month, cancelling a trial that had been set for Dec. 2 in Des Moines, Iowa. Dawson’s lawyer, Nicholas Mauro, says the terms of the deal are confidential but that his client is relieved that the litigation is over.

MANCHESTER, Iowa (AP) — A judge has ordered that bears, mountain lions, a camel, and other exotic animals be removed from an eastern Iowa roadside zoo. In a ruling filed Sunday night, District Court Judge Monica Wittig found the Cricket Hollow Zoo near Manchester to be a nuisance and that the exotic animals at the site must be placed at accredited sanctuaries or zoos. Four plaintiffs sued to have the animals removed and the zoo owned by Pam and Tom Sellner closed. Pam Sellner had operated the zoo since 2002.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The federal government is awarding the Des Moines area bus system over $17 million for a new maintenance building. The U.S. Department of Transportation announced Monday it would award $17.3 million to the Des Moines Regional Transit Authority for a new operations and maintenance facility. The transit authority wants to move its operations center to an industrial area. The Transportation Department also awarded $9.4 million toward the replacement of buses in rural areas of the state.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Forecasters say a snowstorm could make Thanksgiving travel a mess in southern Minnesota, western Wisconsin and other parts of the Upper Midwest. At least 6 inches of snow is expected to begin falling Tuesday afternoon south of Interstate 94, followed by strong winds on Wednesday. Minneapolis-St. Paul could see its biggest November snowfall since 2010. Northwestern Wisconsin could be hit by 8-12 inches or more of snow.

MONROE COUNTY, Iowa – Iowa Department of Natural Resources conservation officers and park rangers responded to a report of a missing deer hunter on Sunday, November 24th, at the Tyrone State Game Management Area in Monroe County.

Authorities say 81-year old Kenneth Vance, of Melrose, was reported missing when he did not return from deer hunting. Multiple agencies assisted in the search for Vance. Vance was located, alive, around 4:00-am  today (Monday, November 25th). He was transported to a local hospital and was treated for exposure to the weather for an extended period of time.

Other agencies that assisted with the search and rescue efforts included: Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa State Patrol, Iowa DOT Motor Vehicle Enforcement, Albia Fire and Rescue, Melrose Fire and Rescue, Moravia Fire and Rescue, Monroe County EMS, Monroe County Emergency Management, and Wapello County Emergency Management.

The Pottawattamie Sheriff’s Office, Monday evening, identified the second victim of Friday’s fatal accident as 17-year old Michael Bent, from Council Bluffs. The State Medical Examiner’s Office will make the official identification later in the week. A vehicle that was reported to have been involved in the incident has also been located. An investigation into the involvement that this vehicle may have had in the crash, is ongoing.

As we reported over the weekend, deputies with the Pott. County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched at around 1:23-p.m., Friday, to the area of Pioneer Trail and Humbolt Lane for a two-vehicle accident with injuries. Upon arrival, deputies located a 2017 Ford F-350 and a 1998 Honda CRV involved in the accident. The Ford F-350 was driven by 46-year old Rollin Hansen, of Council Bluffs. Hansen was eastbound on Pioneer Trail near the intersection with Humbolt Lane. The driver of the Honda CRV had not been determined. The Honda CRV was westbound on Pioneer Trail near the intersection with Humbolt Lane. The two vehicles collided near the intersection, causing both to travel into the south ditch and the Honda CRV to overturn. One occupant of the Honda was identified as 17-year old Floyd Quick, of Council Bluffs.

Quick and Bent were pronounced dead at the scene. Bent’s identity had not been released until today (Monday). The initial investigation indicated speed was a factor, and that another vehicle was involved and failed to stop.

The Page County Sheriff’s Office reports deputies responded on Nov. 21st to a single motor vehicle accident near the intersection of Highway 2 and Anna Crose, on the Southeast edge of Shenandoah.  An investigation determined 59-year old Steven Merrill Heard, of Tabor, was traveling westbound on Highway 2 in a 2005 Chevy Silverado pickup, when for reasons unknown, the pickup went into the north ditch and hit a tree, before coming to rest. Heard was transported to the Shenandoah Memorial Hospital with unknown injuries. Charges were pending. Alcohol is believed to be a factor in the accident, which remains under investigation.