Shelby County Emergency Management officials say as of today (Monday), natural fuels (Low humidity, strong winds and extremely dry grass/timber) have reached a point where they will readily ignite, and spread.  With predicted winds increasing, and Relative Humidity expected to drop into the Mid 20’s authorities recommend that Fire Danger Boards in Shelby County be placed in the HIGH category. 

The County is also included in a Fire Weather Watch, so expectations of rapid fire growth should be anticipated.  The situation will be assessed and the Fire Danger Boards updated, on Thursday.  In the mean time, outdoor burning of timber, grasses and other materials should not be conducted.

If you must burn, call your local fire chief to obtain authorization. If you are cleared to begin a controlled burn, contact Shelby County Dispatch at 712-755-2124  and let them know it is an authorized burn to avoid any confusion.

w/ Ric Hanson

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Two people were hurt during separate accidents over the weekend. The Iowa State Patrol reports 42-year old Scott Hipp, of Rutherfordton, NC, was injured when the semi he was a passenger in swerved to avoid a vehicle parked in the right lane of Interstate 29 northbound Sunday morning, in Fremont County. The crash occurred at around 2:50-a.m.  Officials say the intoxicated driver of the parked vehicle left the vehicle unattended, with no lights on, on the traveled portion of the roadway at the 22.35-mile marker. The driver of the other vehicle was not identified.

The semi, driven by 41-year old Rodney Bristol, of Shelby, NC, hit the parked vehicle and then overturned. Hipp, who was in the sleeper portion of the cab, was transported by Tabor Rescue to Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs.

The other accident happened Saturday morning. The Patrol says 45-year old William Kohnekamp, of Defiance, was transported to the Crawford County Hospital by Crawford County Ambulance, after the 2008 Ford F-150 pickup he was driving went out of control on southbound Highway 59, south of Denison, at around 11:25-a.m.

The pickup entered the east ditch and rolled over. Kohnekamp, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected from the vehicle, which came to rest on the northound lane of Highway 59. The Patrol says alcohol likely played a role in the crash.

The manager of the Iowa Gambling Treatment and Prevention Program says only a small percentage of Iowans who have a gambling disorder are getting the help they need. Eric Preuss  provided a report to the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission on the program’s progress in 2013. “About 678 Iowans received services for problem gambling and we had a little over 4,000 calls for assistance through our 1-800-BETS-OFF Helpline,” Preuss said.

The program’s 1-800-BETS-OFF website was launched three years ago and receives around 14,000 visits annually. Preuss said relatively few people, around 18,000 Iowans, are described as problem gamblers. “Although point-six percent (0.6%) of Iowans have a gambling disorder, approximately 13.1 percent of Iowans are at risk of developing a gambling disorder,” Preuss said.

In addition, a problem gambler’s activities can impact a lot of family members and friends. “Although the percentage of Iowans with a gambling disorder is low, our behaviors and attitudes studies have indicated that more than one in five adult Iowans say they’ve been negatively affected by gambling behavior by someone that they know,” Preuss said.

This week is designated as National Problem Gambling Awareness Week. An American Gaming Association report estimates two-point-one billion dollars ($2.1 billion) is spent on illegal gambling in the U.S. in the month of March, when many people are betting on the outcome of the NCAA Basketball Tournament.

(Radio Iowa)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — After a warm and sunny Saturday, Iowans received another reminder than winter isn’t over yet on Sunday. The Des Moines area received about one inch of snow, but roads remained clear because ground temperatures were warm enough to melt it. The Iowa Department of Roads did not report any road closures due to weather.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Five-term Iowa Governor Terry Branstad will face a challenger in the June 3rd Republican primary, and one Democrat has been disqualified from his party’s race. The Des Moines Register reports that 53-year-old Tom Hoefling of Lohrville collected enough signatures to appear on the Republican primary ballot. He will face Branstad, who is seeking re-election.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A resident at a Des Moines group home is accused of strangling and punching one of his caretakers. The Des Moines Register reports that 27-year-old Joseph Vanzant Bonner is charged with willful injury and a probation violation. Des Moines police say Bonner was arrested after officers were called to Optimae Life Serivces on Friday evening. Bonner was still listed as an inmate in the Polk County Jail yesterday and could not be reached.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa law enforcement is stepping up its patrols through Monday for St. Patrick’s Day festivities. The Des Moines Register reports that local and state officers will be out in greater numbers to keep watch for drunken drivers.

(Updated 7:14-p.m.)

Firefighters from Griswold responded to a fire at the home of one of their own members, Sunday afternoon. A neighbor reported seeing smoke coming from the Josh and Megan Chambers residence at 308 5th Street, at around 1:40-p.m. Griswold Assistant Fire Chief Kevin Carlisle told KJAN News the fire started in a bathroom exhaust fan and spread to the roof. No one was home at the time, but 2 hamsters and a cat were rescued. A section of the roof sustained extensive damage, while the rest of the home sustained some smoke and water damage. The couple was staying with family in the area following the blaze. Firefighters were on the scene for about 3 1/2 hours. No injuries were reported.

Griswold Rescue, deputies with the Cass County Sheriff’s Office, Cass County Emergency Management and the American Red Cross also responded to the scene.

Photo courtesy Mike Kennon, Cass Co. Emergency Management Coordinator

The City Council in Audubon will hold a Special Work Session Monday evening. During the session at the Memorial Building/City Hall, which begins at 7-p.m., the Council will discuss plans for the City Clerk’s position, including a job description of the position for prospective applicants.

In other business, the Council will discuss the 408 Market Street property and funding to purchase the property for possible condemnation and demolishing. The meeting will conclude with a review of the City’s finances.

At least three area boards of education will hold their separate meetings Monday evening. The Griswold School Board will gather for a 5:45-p.m. meeting in the Central Office Board Room, during which they will discuss and act on: A Firearm Resolution; Mowing bids, and Driver’s Ed fees.

The CAM School Board meets at 6:30-p.m. Monday at the CAM High School Media Center, and is scheduled to discuss and/or act on any resignations and contracts. They’ll also: review the 2012-2013 District Audit report; Review the proposed budget, and Capital Projects. The CAM Board will conclude their regular meeting with a closed session for negotiations.

And, the Elk Horn-Kimballton School Board will meet at 7-p.m. Monday in the Family & Consumer Science Room at the High School. During the session, they’ll act on an Elementary Para-Educator resignation and hear from Superintendent Dean Schnoes, with regard to the Food Purchase Report, along with other business.

The City of Atlantic’s Parks and Recreation Department Board of Directors will meet Monday afternoon in the Senior Center, beginning at 5:15. On their agenda is a presentation of the final site plan for a Senior Activities Area at Sunnyside Park. As discussed during their meeting last month, among other features, the Activities Area will include a horseshoe throwing pit, thanks to  a donation of labor, and planning expertise from the Trevor Frederickson Foundation and Dean Orstad family.

The Parks Board will also discuss: the Summer Recreation Program, as well as the final plan with approved recommendations, and a YMCA Management Fee. In other business, the Board will discuss and possibly act on various Capital Projects for the Spring and Summer, including the renovation and refurbishing of the Camblin and Kiddie Korral’s, the Painting of lines on basketball and pickle ball courts and the purchase of related equipment, and a Sunnyside Park/Camblin Addition Tree Replacement Plan in anticipation of an Emerald Ash Borer infestation.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Plans to require radon testing in schools statewide have been sidelined but supporters of the idea are emboldened that a bill remains alive this legislative session. Republican lawmakers and school officials worry positive tests would open districts and the state up to serious liability and expensive repairs. They supported a bill that surveys schools to see how many have tested for the natural occurring gas that seeps out of soil into buildings.

Supporters of the Democratic-led legislation say delaying testing when radon is considered a serious risk in Iowa by the Environmental Protection Agency is irresponsible. Republican leaders counter that it makes more sense to assess the problem then deal with how to pay for fixing buildings to keep if it’s needed.