At least one person was transported to the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic, Saturday evening, following a collision on east Seventh Street near the north entrance to Wal-Mart. An SUV and small Ford passenger car were involved. The call came in at around 4:43-p.m.

Atlantic Fire and Rescue, Medivac Ambulance, Atlantic Police and the Cass County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene. No other details were immediately available, but a person loaded into the ambulance was conscious and breathing following the crash.

Ric Hanson/Photo

ROCKWELL CITY, Iowa (AP) — The City Council in Rockwell City has voted to provide health insurance to the family of a police officer killed in the line of duty in 2013, fulfilling a pledge to ensure coverage for five years after the officer’s death. The Fort Dodge Messenger reports the council voted Monday night to pay the insurance costs for Amanda Buenting and her two children. The move meets a promise made by officials to provide health insurance coverage for five years after the death of officer Jaimie Buenting, who was killed in a September 2013 standoff.

Buenting thanked the council and community for “standing behind its promise of five years of insurance even when they had to buy an individual policy.” Mayor Phil Heinlen couldn’t immediately say how much the decision would cost.

One person suffered serious injuries during a rollover accident Saturday morning, in Adair County. The Iowa State Patrol reports 19-year old Chase Anthony Maas, of Menlo, was driving a 2003 Chevy S-10 pickup southbound on Marion Avenue near 210th Street, when for reasons unknown, Maas failed to stop at the intersection.

The pickup went off the road and overturned into the north ditch, rolling over before coming to rest in the driver’s side. Maas, who was not wearing his seat belt, was transported by Adair Rescue to the Adair County Memorial Hospital in Greenfield, before being flown by LifeFlight to Mercy Hospital in Des Moines.

The accident, which happened at around 5:30-a.m., was under investigation.

More area and State news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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CLEAR LAKE, Iowa (AP) — A chilly plunge by more than 200 people into Clear Lake in north-central Iowa recently raised about $10,500 for area charities. The Mason City Globe Gazette reports that the money from the annual Polar Bear Club event will go to support the area chapters of Toys for Tots and the Make-A-Wish of North Iowa. This year’s event, which is held during the annual Christmas by the Lake, brought in less money and fewer dippers than the past two years, despite warmer conditions. Last year, the event raised $13,000 with more than 300 individuals participating.

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

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The 13 candidates running for governor who gathered at a forum this past week agree there is a need for more long-term care options for mentally ill Iowans. Three of the candidates support reopening the state-run Mental Health Institutes in Clarinda and Mount Pleasant. Nearly all agree the insurance companies managing care for Medicaid patients have created “chaos” for those dealing with a mental illness. John Norris of Des Moines was one of the seven Democratic candidates at the event. “The governor needs to admit failure,” Norris said. “That’s a part of being a leader.”

Republican Governor Kim Reynolds recorded a brief video message that was played during the event. “Today, Iowa’s mental health system is serving more Iowans in more modern ways, with better services in more local home and community settings than ever before,” Reynolds said. Former Iowa Democratic Party chairwoman Andy McGuire, a doctor who’s running for governor, scoffed. “I don’t know what state she’s living in, but it’s not the state I’m living in,” McGuire said.

Nate Boulton is a state senator from Des Moines who’s also seeking the Democratic nomination for governor. ““We have a serious mental health crisis in this state and we need to have serious conversations about answers,” Boulton said. Boulton would reopen the state Mental Health Institutes. Democrat Fred Hubbell says the emphasis should be on boosting community-level services. “Mental health shows up differently in every family, in every neighborhood, in every community,” Hubbell said.

Brent Roske, an independent candidate for governor, says it’s time for a single-payer health care system that will cover treatment for mental illness. “We need to look at this as something that we expect, just like police, fire, K-12,” Roske said. “It’s a benefit of citizenship and it has to be addressed now.” The forum opened with a moment of silence, to recognize Iowans who are struggling with mental illness or an addiction. Jake Porter of Council Bluffs, a Libertarian running for governor, told the crowd that “years ago” he contemplated suicide. “None of this is going to change until we address the stigma behind addressing mental health,” Porter said.

More than four-hundred people attended the forum on Tuesday night. It was organized by The Des Moines Register and hosted by Des Moines University and the Iowa Hospital Association.

(Radio Iowa)

Police in Council Bluffs say several vehicles sustained damage overnight Friday into early this (Saturday) morning. Officers responded to the 600 Block of South 1st Street for a report of a vehicle with a broken window. Upon arrival in the area several vehicles were located with broken windows. The preliminary investigation revealed several vehicle windows had been shot out with some type of projectile. The vehicles were located primarily on South 1st Street in the 200-600 block. The damage was listed at over $500.

Police say if your vehicle has been damaged in the area mentioned, call the Council Bluffs Police Department’s non-emergency line at 712-328-5737.  An officer will come to the scene and make a report. If you wish to make a report over the phone call 712-326-2501. The incidents are still under investigation. If you have any information or may have witnessed the incident please call crime stoppers at 712-328- STOP (7867). As always any information is appreciated.

A man and woman were arrested on Theft and Trespass charges Friday, in Montgomery County. Sheriff’s Officials say 18-year old Wyatt Dean Baldwin, and 24-year old Kimberly Lenn Williams, both of Villisca, were arrested following incidents in the 100 block of 4th Avenue, the 600 block of E. 6th Street, and the 200 block of S. 5th Avenue, in Villisca. At those locations, the suspects allegedly took several Christmas decorations. Multiple decorations were recovered. Baldwin was arrested on three counts each of 5th Degree Theft and Trespass, while Williams was arrested on one count each of 5th Degree Theft and Trespass.

If you are missing any items from the Villisca area, contact the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.

Two people were arrested on drug charges early this (Saturday) morning, in Adams County. The Sheriff’s Office reports at around 12:30-a.m., Adams County Deputies observed a vehicle pull into the Casey’s General Store parking lot after closing hours. Upon making contact with the vehicles’ occupants, Deputies detected an odor of burnt marijuana coming from the vehicle. A probable cause search was conducted, during which three marijuana pipes and a meth pipe were found in the possession of the driver, Kaylie Hudson, of Red Oak. A passenger, Jason Aherns, also of Red Oak, was found to be in possession of a clear plastic baggie containing a substance believed to be meth, and a meth pipe. Deputies also located several prescription medications in the trunk that did not belong to the vehicles’ occupants. In addition to the Possession charges, Kaylie Hudson was charged with unlawful possession of a prescription drug.

And, following a traffic stop at around 10:30-p.m. Friday in Adams County, Wendy Kinyon, of Corning, was taken into custody for Driving While Revoked in association with previous OWI charges.