The Page County Sheriff’s Office reports the driver of a semi tractor-trailer was transported by private vehicle to a hospital, Tuesday, following an accident about 2 1/2 miles southeast of Essex. The incident occurred at around 12:54 PM in the 1500 block of 170th Street, where the tractor and trailer were in a ditch, with grain spilling out of the trailer.

Photo courtesy the Page County Sheriff’s Office

An investigation determined the driver, 63-year-old Brian Ray Walker, of rural Essex, was operating a 2006 Freightliner Semi tractor pulling a grain trailer loaded with corn, westbound on 170th. Walker stated that he glanced down at his phone that was between the seats of the Semi tractor and looked up. The passenger side steer tire on the semi tractor dropped off the lip of the road and the vehicle started into the north ditch. The vehicle continued into the ditch headed westbound. The vehicle then rolled one time before coming to rest on its wheels. Walker exited the cab of the semi by his own means.

The Semi tractor and trailer are owned by Class Farms INC. of rural Essex.  Damage to the semi tractor / trailer is estimated at over $50,000. No citations were issued.

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

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

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(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Lottery has introduced a new scratch ticket that spokesperson, Mary Neubauer, says is unlike anything they’ve done before. “It’s a scratch ticket — but it is transparent, it’s see-through, you can see through the ticket,” Neubauer says.”It’s a concept that a few other lotteries around the country have done, and when we were talking with our ticket printers and they showed us the idea, it’s like, ‘that’s really cool’, we’ve never seen that before.”

The ticket is part of what is called the Cash game, and Neubauer says it will probably be more known for the material it’s on. “It’s just a different printing technique and it’s a different ticket substance that these tickets are printed on. I think if people just go into the store and say ‘hey I want the clear ticket’, you don’t even have to know the name of the game. I am pretty sure the clerks will know what one that is,” according to Neubauer.

While the ticket is clear — you can’t turn it over and see the prize before you scratch it. “The actual section on the ticket where you play — that part is not see through — the rest of the ticket is see-through, not the particular section,” Neubauer says.”but you play it just like you would a normal…it’ll be fun to see people’s reaction to that.”

Scratch tickets continue to be the top seller for the Iowa Lottery as sales of lotto tickets dropped during the pandemic.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports a woman from Stanton was arrested early this morning (Thursday). 53-year-old Laura Schrader was taken into custody at around 2-a.m. in the 1800 block of N. 8th Street, in Red Oak, following a dispute between two family members. Schrader was charged with Public Intoxication after her Breath Alcohol Content (BAC) registered 0.240 (3 times the legal limit). She was transported to the Montgomery County Jail and subsequently charged with Interference with Official Acts. Bond was set at $300.

(Radio Iowa) – The six members of Iowa’s congressional delegation used words like “unAmerican” and “deplorable” to describe yesterday’s (Wednesday’s) attack at the U.S. Capitol. In a written statement, Senator Chuck Grassley said the perpetrators deserve to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Republican Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Ottumwa says it was frightening to be on the House floor as rioters stormed the building. “It’s a sad day in our democracy,” Miller-Meeks said during an online news conference.

Miller-Meeks says it was unacceptable for Trump supporters to storm government buildings and attack police.”They’re angry. They are frustrated. They’re disappointed. All of that’s understandable, as we saw social unrest over the summer,” Miller-Meeks says, “but there are proper ways….to protest.” Congresswoman Cindy Axne, a Democrat from West Des Moines, is calling for a security review after Capitol Police allowed the mob into the building.

“All hell broke loose. They stormed the Capitol. Police were overrun,” Axne says. “I’m currently watching videos of people sitting in the speaker’s chair, traipsing through the Capitol…It’s just been something else. It’s a very dangerous situation.” Axne says the rioters were trying to stage a coup. “It’s a really, really dark day here in America,” Axne says. Congressman Randy Feenstra, a Republican from Hull, calls it anarchy. “We have a First Amendment right…to peacefully protest, but this has gone way too far,” Feenstra says. “I’m sad. I’m sad for our country.”

Congresswoman Ashley Hinson, a Republican from Marion, says yesterday’s (Wednesday’s) violence and behavior was unacceptable. “This is not how we do things in the United States of America,” Hinson said. Senator Joni Ernst issued a written statement, saying what happened at the Capitol was anarchy and a betrayal of the American ideals we all hold dear.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa’s congressional delegation was unanimous in its rejection of attempts to delay confirmation of Joe Biden’s Electoral College win. Democrat Cindy Axne of West Des Moines and Republicans Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Ottumwa and Ashley Hinson of Marion announced in advance that they would accept the Electoral College results when they were presented in the U.S. House. Republican Randy Feenstra of Hull — the other member of Iowa’s delegation in the House — issued a written statement last (Wednesday) night. Feenstra said he was following the Constitution by ensuring the Electoral College votes were confirmed.

Republicans Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst both issued written statements after voting in the Senate. Grassley said election disputes are to be settled in the courts. Grassley noted none of the 78 lawsuits filed on President Trump’s behalf had changed any state’s election results – and Grassley said politicians in Washington shouldn’t second guess the courts once they’ve ruled. Ernst said objecting to the Electoral College count will not change the outcome — and Ernst said the “reprehensible violence” in the U.S. Capitol won’t change it, either.

Feenstra, Grassley and Ernst all expressed concern about the conduct of elections. Feenstra called for hearings in the House to investigate allegations of ballot fraud. Ernst said she supports creation of a bipartisan commission to investigate the administration of this year’s election. And Grassley said it’s important for state legislatures to take steps to restore trust in the outcome of elections.

Also last night on Twitter, former Iowa Congressman Jim Nussle — the 2006 Iowa G-O-P nominee for governor — announced he could no longer stay in the Republican Party. Nussle said a final line had been crossed yesterday (Wednesday) and he is outraged and devastated by the actions of too many Republicans.

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

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa has surpassed 4,000 coronavirus-related deaths, marking another grim milestone with its infection rate rising again and most people still months from being able to get vaccinated. State health officials reported 61 additional deaths on Wednesday, pushing the state’s COVID-19 death toll to 4,060. Iowa had the 16th highest per capita coronavirus death rate, at nearly 127 deaths per 100,000 people, according to researchers at Johns Hopkins University. Meanwhile, officials in Polk County, home to Des Moines, released a tentative timeline this week warning that the general public likely won’t be able to get vaccinated until mid to late 2021.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Nearly 100 people gathered at the Iowa Capitol to support President Donald Trump and express opposition to the Electoral College count that ultimately certified his election loss to Democrat Joe Biden. Iowa State Patrol spokesman Alex Dinkla says the peaceful rally Wednesday in the Capitol rotunda drew about 90 people at its height and then dwindled to about 40 people. The protesters had informed Capitol security about their plans to hold the rally. Two groups attended with one focusing on prayer while another was more vocal, chanting USA-themed slogans and singing patriotic songs. There was no destruction as occurred during hours of chaos caused by Trump supporters at the U.S. Capitol.

URBANA, Iowa (AP) — Police have determined that the shooting deaths of a man and woman in Urbana on New Year’s Day was a murder-suicide. The Iowa Department of Public Safety says in a news release that Urbana police received a 911 call on Jan. 1 from 59-year-old Garry Jensen saying he had shot and killed his wife, 54-year-old Margaret Jensen. Officers who responded to the Jensen home found Margaret Jensen dead from an apparent gunshot wound. Garry Jensen was also found dead in the home from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Police and medical examiners have ruled Margaret Jensen’s death a homicide and her husband’s death a suicide.

MARION, Iowa (AP) — Officials in Marion are set to approve a plan to repair the city’s historic train depot that was heavily damaged in last summer’s devastating derecho weather event. The Gazette in Cedar Rapids reports that the Marion City Council received a motion Tuesday night from the city’s Parks and Recreation department to approve a contract for the repairs. The council is expected to approve the contract at Thursday’s formal session. The depot was built in 1892 and moved to City Square Park in 1990. The structure’s northside roof was smashed by a fallen tree during the Aug. 10 derecho, which brought winds of more than 100 mph to eastern Iowa and damaged many buildings and trees in the region.

The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday evening, saw the premiere of a new video, marketing the community locally and nationally, to encourage people to move here and work from home here, and raise their family. Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bailey Smith explained with more businesses encouraging their employees to work from home, especially in light of the pandemic, but beyond, as well. ‘

A link to the video, “What you see is what you get,” can be found HERE. The Chamber and CADCO will work with the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) to roll out the video nationally, and through online marketing made possible through funds from the Community Development Commission. The entire video (which can also be found on Facebook at AtlanticAreaChamber) lasts just under two minutes, but includes remarkable drone footage of the community and snippets of community life.

In other business, the Atlantic City Council approved mutual Aid agreements for fire protection services between Atlantic and the Cities of Marne and Lewis. The specific agreements are renewed every five years, and ensures that if either department is in need, the other department will aid with the equipment and personnel. During the Council Committee reports, Councilperson Kathy Somers, who, along with Councilman Pat McCurdy are liaisons to the Landfill Commission, reported changes are coming in the way you dispose of your recyclables. The decision was made during the Landfill Commission’s meeting Tuesday night.

The Council, Wednesday, held a Public Hearing on the status of the City’s Facade Improvement Project. SWIPCO Community Development Director Alexsis Fleener explained the hearing was necessary to satisfy the requirements of a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). For the downtown facade improvement program some businesses elected to participate in. She said the project is currently 50% complete.

And, the Atlantic City Council received from Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department Director Bryant Rasmussen, highlighting some of the key department accomplishments over the past year, and their goals for 2021.