(Radio Iowa) — Governor Kim Reynolds has taken action on a host of bills, including three that deal with marijuana, alcohol and cigarettes. When bars and restaurants were closed this spring due to the pandemic, Governor Reynolds issued a proclamation allowing the sale of carry-out cocktails in addition to take-out food. Now, Iowa has become the first state to permanently allow bars and restaurants to sell mixed drinks to go.

The governor has also signed a bill into law that changes the state’s medical marijuana program. The new 90-day dosage maximum is four-and-a-half grams of T-H-C — the active ingredient in cannabis and physicians assistants, nurse practitioners and podiatrists may now sign the paperwork so Iowans can legally buy cannabis products at state-licensed dispensaries. Post-traumatic stress and severe intractable autism are now on the list of conditions for which medical professionals may recommend cannabis as a treatment.

Reynolds has also signed the bill that raises the legal age for buying tobacco products from 18 to 21. It mirrors a recent federal change, lets local officials start ticketing violators and ensures Iowa doesn’t lose $3.2 million in federal funding for substance abuse programs.

Penalties for animal abuse will be increased by another bill the governor signed. She’s also approved creation of a “blue alert” similar to “amber alerts” for suspected of child kidnapping. A blue alert will go out statewide if someone in law enforcement has been seriously injured or killed and there’s a threat to the public from a suspect or suspects who haven’t been arrested.

Red Oak Police, Red Oak Rescue and Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputies all responded Monday evening to a collision between a car and a pickup. The crash happened at around 5:40-p.m. at the intersection of N. 2nd and E. Hammond Streets. Authorities say a 2004 Oldsmobile Alero driven by Stephen Richard Purcell, of Red Oak, was westbound on E. Hammond, and failed to stop at the controlled intersection. His car was struck by a 2005 Ford F-150, driven by Melissa Hummel, of Red Oak. No injuries were reported.

Officials say damage from the collision amounted to $7,500. Purcell was cited for Failure to Obey A Stop Sign.

Police in Council Bluffs report Officers were dispatched at around 10:38-p.m., Monday, to 2nd Avenue and S. 12th Street, where a pedestrian had been struck by a train. After Officers located the subject, they applied pressure to the person’s wounds until medics arrived. The individual was transported by medics to a local hospital. The case was under investigation by Union Pacific Railroad Police. Additional information was not available early this (Tuesday) morning.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:20 a.m. CDT

UNDATED (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has signed a bill requiring women to wait 24 hours to get an abortion. The law is similar to one struck down by the Iowa Supreme Court two years ago. Reynolds signed the measure into law Monday as lawyers for Planned Parenthood of the Heartland and the state were wrapping up arguments before a state court judge who must now decide whether to immediately halt its enforcement. Planned Parenthood claims the bill is unconstitutional in the way it was passed in the middle of the night and that it violates due process and equal protection rights of women seeking an abortion.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A state inspection report says a nursing assistant who worked while sick may have introduced the coronavirus into an Iowa nursing home where fifteen residents died.The report says the employee was allowed to keep working because the Crystal Heights Care Center in Oskaloosa failed to screen staff members for symptoms at the beginning of their shifts. It says that employees were allowed to “self-screen” without independent monitoring.The Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals has cited the home and proposed a $8,750 fine. Home administrator Jay Wills says the facility is disputing the violation, saying the state had approved its screening plan.

ALGONA, Iowa (AP) — A group still plans to hold a three-day motorcycle rally in northern Iowa that’s expected to attract thousands of bikers despite the concerns of local officials that the event could spread the coronavirus. Local officials usually welcome the annual Freedom Rally held on a farm northeast of Algona, but this year’s event planned for Thursday to Saturday has officials worried. Algona is in Kossuth County, which has had 32 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and no reported deaths. But officials think that could change because of the motorcycle rally, which typically draws 10,000 bikers. Organizers say they are encouraging social distancing and are calling for riders to limit trips into Algona.

An electric box that began arching Monday evening at Schrier Auto Body & Restoration south of Cumberland, ignited sand paper in a cabinet, but the flames were quickly knocked-down by crews from Cumberland and Massena. The incident at 72031 690th Street happened at around 7:45-p.m., as multiple zone alarms went off inside the building, alerting the Cass County Communications Center.

Ric Hanson/photo

Cumberland Fire Chief Brad Penton told KJAN News some flammable liquids were in the area, but thanks to advance notice from firefighter Jeremy Hardisty, who works at the shop and was responding with the pumper truck, crews knew where the flammables were located. Penton said Corning and Grant Fire were initially paged out for extra manpower and tanker support, but they were cancelled enroute.  Penton thanked Massena, Corning and Grant Fire for helping out and being willing to respond.

Damage to the interior of the building was estimated at $5,000-to $10,000 and a vehicle inside sustained some heat damage to a plastic exterior panel. No injuries were reported.

Sheriff’s Deputies in Fremont County, Monday, arrested 65-year old Freddie “Fred” Dean Phillips, of Syracuse, Nebraska, on one count of Lascivious Conduct with a Minor,and one count of Assault with Intent to Commit Sexual Abuse.

Fred “Freddie” Phillips

Deputies were contacted about a possible sexual assault by Phillips on a juvenile that occurred in late May of 2020 in Waubonsie State Park.  During the investigation, the victim alleged a second event previously occurred in Johnson County, Nebraska.  Fremont County Deputies, along with Deputies from the Johnson County, Nebraska Sheriff’s Office, conducted a joint investigation, leading to the charges.

Phillips was being held without bail, pending the initial appearance with the Fremont County Magistrate.  Phillips is also being held pending extradition for a felony warrant out of Nebraska.

Several area fire departments were called at around 7:45-p.m. to an active fire at Schrier Auto Body & Restoration, at 72031 690th Street, south of Cumberland. Cumberland and Massena Fire were responding to the scene, along with a tanker truck from the Grant Fire Department.

Additional details are currently not available.

The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports six arrests took place over the past week. Two people were arrested Saturday: 34-year old Michael Eugene Matherly, of Creston, was arrested for Interference with official acts, Disorderly Conduct by fighting or violence, and on an Adair County warrant for Violation of a No Contact or Protective Order/Contempt of Court. He was being held in the Adair County Jail on a $300 cash-only bond. Authorities say Matherly knowlingly resisted or obstructs an Adair County Deputy and Greenfield Police Officer, in the performance of their duty, and had engaged in fighting or violent behavior at a convenience store. He was arrested only after being tasered outside the convenience store after refusing to obey law enforcement’s orders.

Also arrested Saturday, was 21-year old Billy Ray Hebert, of Creston (The address on his Adair County warrant showed Mexico, MO.). Hebert was taken into custody on a warrant for Domestic Abuse Assault with injury/mental illness -1st offense, and two counts of Assault Causing Bodily Injury or Mental Illness. His cash bond was set at $1,000.

Late Friday night, Adair County Deputies arrested 22-year old Keigan Eugene Armstrong, of Bridgewater, on an Adair County warrant for Sexual Abuse in the 3rd Degree and Child Endangerment. He was also cited for Assault on Peace Officer for head-butting the officer while resisting arrest. Armstrong’s actions caused the officer to be injured, and fall to the ground. Armstrong remains in the Adair County Jail on a $55,000 cash-only bond.

On the 24th of June, 20-year old Jonathan Trung Tin Huynh, of Urbandale, was arrested by Police in Stuart, for OWI/1st offense. He was later released on a $1,000 cash or surety (c/s) bond. On June 21st, 24-year old Kaleb Dupree Weaver and 23-year old Marissa Marie Zuniga, both of Racine, WI., were arrested at around 2:45-a.m., following a traffic stop for speeding 90 mph in a 70 mph zone on I-80. An Iowa State Patrol Trooper approached the vehicle and detected a strong odor of raw marijuana.

Zuniga was driving the vehicle. She initially denied having any marijuana in the vehicle. When asked about the smell, Weaver, who was a passenger in the SUV, produced a small container from the glove box containing a green leafy substance. A subsequent search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of additional containers of marijuana, along with receipts. A Conservation Officer assisted in the search, and found a backpack with commercially packaged marijuana, with additional packages in the center console containing packaged THC gummy products. There were also an unusual number of air fresheners in the SUV.

Zuniga and Weaver were both charged with Possession of Marijuana. Zuniga faces additional charges that include Possession of a Controlled Substance in a vehicle, and Drug Tax Stamp Violations. Her C/S bond was set at $5,000. Bond for Weaver was set at $1,000 C/S.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has signed a bill requiring women to wait 24 hours to get an abortion. The law is similar to one struck down by the Iowa Supreme Court two years ago. Reynolds signed the measure into law Monday as lawyers for Planned Parenthood of the Heartland and the state were wrapping up arguments before a state court judge who must now decide whether to immediately halt its enforcement.

Planned Parenthood claims the bill is unconstitutional in the way it was passed in the middle of the night and that it violates due process and equal protection rights of women seeking an abortion.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports four separate arrests: On Saturday, 19-year old Jacob Serrona, of Omaha, was arrested for OWI/1st offense. And, 22-year old Dakota M. Grund, of Louisville, NE., was arrested on a Pottawattamie County warrant for Probation Violation.

Last Friday, 46-year old Jerry Lee Dawson, of Shenandoah, was arrested for Driving While Barred. And, 50-year old Brian Chigogora, of Omaha, was arrested on a warrant for Violation of Probation.