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

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Officials with the Creston Police Department report 23-year-old James Riddle, Jr., of Creston, was arrested a little after 6-a.m. today (Wednesday), for Driving While Suspended. Riddle was cited and released from the scene, on a Summons to Appear.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Tourism Office has created a checklist for traveling along Iowa’s 12 scenic byways and the so-called “digital passport” provides some discounts along the way. “As you travel the byways, you can check in at various locations along the way,” says Jessica O’Riley, communications manager for the Iowa Tourism Office. “There’s about 100 different locations along the 12 participating byways. Each check-in gets you entered to win a monthly prize package. Some of the participating locations also offer deals and discounts. Each time you redeem a deal or discounts, that also counts as an entry into the monthly prize package.”

The promotion will last through December 31, 2021, so each month somebody with one of these Scenic Byways Passports will win a prize package worth about two-hundred dollars, including an overnight, stay along one of the byways. The 12 scenic bylaws take travelers to national landmarks, historic sites and local attractions. The best way to see Iowa is to get off the interstates and explore the backroads and uncover those hidden gems in the small towns,” O’Riley says. “The Scenic Byways are a great way to do that.”

O’Riley says the byways also showcase the state’s topography. “A lot of people tend to stay in one corner of the state…If you’re in western Iowa and you can appreciate the Loess Hill, maybe you’ve never seen the Driftless area in northeast Iowa,” O’Riley says. “It’s a great opportunity to get out and really explore our own backyard.” This summer, the state launched a similar digital for the 100th anniversary of the state park system and O’Riley says it was so popular all the prizes were redeemed within the first two weeks. O’Riley’s theory? People like a check-list. “If you show them: ‘Here’s a list of things to do,’ people love checking things off and completing a task,” O’Riley says.

Download the Iowa Scenic Byways Passport here. January’s prize package is from the Iowa Valley Scenic Byway. It includes a one-night stay at the Hotel Millwright in Amana and gift certificates at Amana shops.

URBANA, Iowa – In an update to their previous report, the Iowa DCI, Tuesday, released an update on a Benton County death investigation. On January 1st, 2021, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation assisted the Urbana Police Department in the investigation of a possible murder/suicide. The Urbana Police Department received a 911 call from 59-year-old Garry Jensen, stating he had shot and killed his 54-year-old wife, Margaret. Law enforcement responded to the Jensen residence, located at 300 East Main Street in Urbana, and found Margaret Jensen deceased from an apparent gunshot wound. Garry Jensen was also located inside the residence deceased, with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner conducted autopsies on Margaret and Garry Jensen, and confirmed Margaret Jensen’s cause of death was the result of a gunshot wound and manner of death was homicide. Additionally, Garry Jensen’s death was ruled a suicide.

Assisting in the investigation was the Urbana Police Department, Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner Office, Benton County Sheriff’s Office and the Benton County Attorney’s Office.

(Radio Iowa) – While select groups of Iowans are now getting COVID-19 vaccines developed by either Pfizer or Moderna, a third company’s vaccine is now going into the third phase of testing in Omaha/Council Bluffs. Dr. Diana Florescu, an infectious diseases specialist at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, says they’re grateful and excited to be chosen as a site for this important work.  Dr. Florescu says, “Our hope is that this vaccine will prevent people from developing severe disease and decrease the chances of being hospitalized or dying.”

A healthcare worker, left, is administered a shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine at a mass vaccination center in Veghel, Netherlands, Wednesday Jan. 6, 2021. Nearly two weeks after most other European Union nations, the Netherlands on Wednesday began its COVID-19 vaccination program, with care home staff and frontline workers in hospitals first in line for the shot. (Piroschka van de Wouw/Pool via AP)

The investigational vaccine was developed by Novavax, a biotechnology company headquartered in Maryland. The Omaha-based hospital plans to enroll up to one-thousand study participants from Nebraska and Iowa.  “We encourage individuals who won’t be receiving the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines in the next three to six months to consider enrolling in the clinical trial,” Florescu says. “Participants in the Novavax vaccine clinical trial can still receive the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines when it is available to them and still remain in the trial.”

The Novavax vaccine is protein-based and an added component is designed to boost a person’s immune response to stimulate higher levels of antibodies. “Like everyone else, we want to beat this pandemic. To do so, we need multiple, safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines,” Florescu says. “We also want to involve the most vulnerable communities: minorities, people over the age of 65, and those with other health conditions.”

The vaccine does not contain live or inactivated virus, she says, so it does not cause infection. It requires two shots to be given three weeks apart. For more information, visit: unmc.edu/covidvaccinetrial

(Radio Iowa) – Three of the six members of Iowa’s congressional delegation have made clear they’ll vote today (Wednesday) to accept Joe Biden’s Electoral College victory. Congresswoman Ashley Hinson, a Republican from Marion, signed onto a letter yesterday (Tuesday), saying congress must respect the outcome of the votes cast in the Electoral College, since the Electors have been certified by each state. Last week during a news conference with Iowa reporters, Hinson previewed today’s (Wednesday’s) vote.

“Obviously, Iowa cast our Electoral votes for President Trump. I’m proud of that,” Hinson said. “I’m proud to have supported him through this campaign process and over the last several years, but unfortunately I don’t see a path for him to serve the second term that I think he deserves.” Hinson says her job is to follow the Constitution. “The Constitution says election disputes should be resolved in the courts and that’s something I’ve been saying for weeks,” Hinson says.

Congresswoman Cindy Axne of West Des Moines, the only Democrat in Iowa’s congressional delegation, says Joe Biden was rightfully elected as president and she will vote to confirm the Electoral College results. Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks, a Republican from Ottumwa, says she has concerns about how some states conducted elections, but Miller-Meeks says congress must respect states’ authority and she will accept the state certified Electors’ votes. Miller-Meeks’ Democratic opponent is asking the U.S. House not to accept the state-certified results that show Miller-Meeks won by six votes and order a recount in the second district.

The other three members of Iowa’s congressional delegation — all Republicans — have not indicated whether they will object to the Electoral College results. Congressman Randy Feenstra of Hull and both U.S. Senators Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley all say they have been hearing from constituents and plan to listen to today’s (Wednesday’s) debate before making a decision.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CST

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa reported seven additional coronavirus-related deaths Tuesday, raising the state total to 3,999. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University report that Iowa’s per capita death rate moved up one notch to the 14th highest in the nation with 126.5 deaths per 100,000 people. Recently updated state data shows 3,952 people died in Iowa in November, the highest single-month death total for the state. Available state data shows that Iowa’s death total last year is the highest single-year total at least since 1915. Deaths through November totaled 31,628. Even without December deaths added in the state already has surpassed 2019 deaths which totaled 30,669.

MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa woman who defrauded charities by pretending to have cancer was spared from prison Monday after receiving a suspended sentence of up to 25 years. The Globe Bazette reports that 44-year-old Jennifer Hope Mikesell of Northwood was also ordered to pay restitution and continue to seek treatment from a mental health professional. She pleaded guilty in November to a felony charge of ongoing criminal conduct. Mikesell was arrested in December 2019 after being accused of pretending to have cancer and reaching out to local charities and individuals for donations of money, goods and services.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A 19-year-old Sioux City man has been charged in a shooting that killed one woman and injured three other people at a New Year’s party. Sioux City police said Tuesday that Christopher Morales was charged with intimidation with a dangerous weapon and going armed with intent. Police say Morales forced a person to go into the home where the party was being held. He and others than fired several shots into the house. Eighteen-year-old Mia Kristis was killed and three juveniles were wounded. Police say Morales could face additional charges after forensic examinations are concluded on evidence found at the scene.

LE MARS, Iowa (AP) — The former city clerk in Westfield has been sentenced to five years of probation in the theft of more than $70,000 in city funds. Fifty-one-year-old Angela Sorensen, of Akron, was sentenced Monday after entering an Alford plea to first-degree theft. She was city clerk in the small northwest town of Westfield from May 2013 to August 2017. An audit found more than $74,000 in undeposited utility collections and improper payments. Sorensen was ordered to to pay restitution of $7,781 — the amount not covered by the city’s insurance carrier. A presentence investigation recommended probation for Sorensen because she has ongoing mental and physical health problems.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, Tuesday, released a report on arrests over the past couple of weeks.

Authorities say on Dec. 27^th, 63-year-old William Allen Yoder, of Elk Horn, was arrested for Driving While Revoked. He was released the next day on his Own Recognizance and given a future court date. Yesterday (Tuesday, Jan. 5^th), Yoder was arrested again for Driving While Revoked. He was being held in the Shelby County Jail on a $1,000 cash or surety bond, pending appearance before a magistrate.

Last Sunday, 37-year-old Wayne Earl Johnson, of Dow City, was arrested following a traffic stop along Highway 59 at around 2am. He was charged with driving under suspension, possession of controlled substance (methamphetamine), possession of drug paraphernalia, and prohibited acts.   Johnson was taken to the Shelby County Jail and released a short time later after posting the required $3,200 surety bond.

Last Saturday, Shelby County Deputies arrested 59-year-old Lee Jung Hoon Hansen, of Avoca, following a traffic stop at the intersection of Highways 59 & 44.  Hansen was charged with Driving While Barred and released from the Shelby County Jail the following morning on his own recognizance after appearing before the magistrate.

And, on Dec. 23rd, 29-year-old Timothy Steven McFarland was arrested following a traffic stop speeding violation along Highway 37.  Upon further investigation, McFarland was arrested for OWI/1^st offense. He was also cited for failure to yield half the roadway, windshield obstruction, and speeding. McFarland was transported to the Shelby County Jail and released the next day on his own recognizance.

MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa woman who defrauded charities by pretending to have cancer was spared from prison Monday after receiving a suspended sentence of up to 25 years. The Globe Bazette reports that 44-year-old Jennifer Hope Mikesell of Northwood was also ordered to pay restitution and continue to seek treatment from a mental health professional.

She pleaded guilty in November to a felony charge of ongoing criminal conduct. Mikesell was arrested in December 2019 after being accused of pretending to have cancer and reaching out to local charities and individuals for donations of money, goods and services.