At least three accidents in southwest Iowa Thursday morning, were primarily attributed to frost covered roads. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office said Thursday, an accident at around 7:09-a.m. occurred on Highway 34, about one-quarter of a mile west of A Avenue (near the Mills County line).

A 1996 GMC Sonoma pickup driven 24-year-old Abraham Garcia, of Bellevue, Nebraska, was traveling eastbound, when the vehicle lost traction due to the frost, and went out of control. The pickup entered the south ditch and rolled over before coming to rest on its wheels. Garcia was checked-out by personnel from Emerson Fire/Rescue and Red Oak Rescue, but refused treatment.

The pickup, owned by Patricia Garcia, of Bellevue, sustained about $3,500 damage, was was considered a total loss. There were no citations were issued. And, as previously mentioned, an SUV rollover accident happened at around 7:20-a.m. Thursday on Highway 34 in Union County. The driver, 19-year-old Destiny Ashby, of Murray, was transported by private vehicle to the hospital in Creston.

And, an accident on a frost/ice covered Olive Street north of Atlantic, caused a van driven by 20-year Avery Andersen, of rural Atlantic, to go out of control and roll into the west ditch, about one-half mile north of the Pymosa School/Atlantic Head Start building. Andersen died at the scene of the crash that took place at approximately 8:55-a.m.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Authorities in Cass County said there were four arrests this past week. Two people from Council Bluffs were arrested Monday: 20-year-old Deven Hatfield and 38-year-old Nichole Price were arrested on warrants for Failure to Appear. Both were booked into the Cass County Jail. Hatfield was later transferred to a different county on a separate warrant. Price was held until she was released for time served.

Last Sunday, 22-year-old Logan Russell, of Atlantic, was arrested by Cass County Deputies, for Public Intoxication. He was later released on his Own Recognizance. And, on the 18th, 47-year-old Brimer Buliche, of Atlantic, was arrested for OWI/ 2nd Offense. Buliche was later released on his Own Recognizance.

Former classmates of Avery Andersen, who tragically passed away today in an automobile accident, are organizing a prayer vigil tonight. Anyone who wishes to attend may join at 7:00 p.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Atlantic. The prayer vigil to support the family and remember Avery is open to all.

The Atlantic vs St. Albert girls basketball game that was to take place this evening at the high school has been postponed out of respect to the family as well. There are many connections from the program to the family, including head coach Dan Vargason who has held an annual Independence Day firework gathering at the Andersen’s home for several years.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – A frost covered road is being blamed for a rollover accident that claimed the life of a rural Atlantic man this (Thursday) morning. The Iowa State Patrol reports a 2006 Ford Econoline van driven by 20-year-old Avery Carl Andersen, of Atlantic, was traveling north on Olive Street, about one-quarter of a mile south of Dunbar Road, when the vehicle lost traction and began to fishtail. The van swerved off the road to the left and entered a ditch, where it rolled over and ended up on its top. Avery died at the scene.The accident happened at around 8:55-a.m. North Olive Street was closed for slightly over three hours during the accident investigation and clean-up.

The Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Cass County Sheriff’s Office, Cass County Medical Examiner, and Atlantic Fire and Rescue.

Photo courtesy of Lori Glissman

(Radio Iowa) – It’s hoped a new blood test may help to identify people who are at risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease well before symptoms emerge. Researcher Godfrey Coker, with the Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Research Institute, says the blood test searches for a brain amyloid, a protein that’s a risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s, which afflicts 66-thousand Iowans.  “This new research shows blood tests can identify specific brain amyloid proteins and help identify people at risk of developing Alzheimer’s symptoms,” Coker says. “This could greatly speed enrollment in clinical trials like the AHEAD Study and lead to important treatments.”

The AHEAD Study and is seeking volunteers from Iowa and across the U-S and Canada. Coker says it’s the first time such a test will be used in a clinical trial aiming to prevent the symptoms of Alzheimer’s.  “The study is enrolling people between the ages of 55 and 80 to test whether removing amyloid plaques in the brain can delay or prevent Alzheimer’s symptoms,” Coker says. “We anticipate that the simplicity of a blood test will increase participation in clinical trials, especially among communities of color, which are historically underrepresented in Alzheimer’s trials.”

Iowans who want to participate in the study would need to be willing to travel. There are no test sites in the state, but there are locations in several neighboring states, including: Kansas City, St. Louis, Chicago, Madison and Rochester. Learn more: aheadstudy.org or call 1-800-AHEAD-70.

(Kent, Iowa) – One person was transported by private vehicle to the Greater Regional Medical Center in Creston, following a rollover accident at around 7:20-a.m. Thursday (today). The accident happened on Highway 34 eastbound, north of Kent (near mile marker 82). The Sheriff’s Office says 19-year-old Destiny Ashby, of Murray, was driving a 2008 GMC Envoy on Highway 34 when the SUV went out of control due to frost on the roadway. The vehicle went into the east ditch and rolled once before coming to rest on its wheels.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Rescue personnel from the Atlantic Fire Department and Cass EMS were dispatched to a rollover accident at around 8:55-a.m. today. The accident happened just north of 54051 N. Olive Street (The Pymosa School/Head Start). One person was said to be unresponsive in the vehicle.

Photo courtesy of Lori Glissman

(UPDATE 9:22-a.m.) The road was very icy, w/a coating of frost. Rescue crews are still on the scene. Both lanes of traffic were blocked by emergency equipment and personnel. Avoid the area for now.

More area and some State news, from Ric Hanson.

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(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department reports a woman was arrested early this (Thursday) morning on an assault charge. Authorities say 55-year-old Patricia Jean Young, of Creston, was arrested at her residence at around 3-a.m., for Domestic Abuse Assault causing bodily injury/1st offense. She was transported to the Union County Jail, and later transferred to the jail in Clarke County. Young was being held without bond until seen by a magistrate.