(Updated 10:25-a.m.) The Iowa State Patrol was busy during Wednesday’s snow storm. Trooper Ryan DeVault told KJAN News, that the traffic volume was lighter than normal, because travelers appear to have heeded warnings about the storm and its potential impact. In his coverage area, District 3, DeVault said there were numerous accidents, but hardly any injuries.

There were 55 calls for service in one form or another. The State Patrol Headquarters in Des Moines said Troopers handled 91 crashes, and provided assistance to 372 motorists stranded or otherwise in need of help, during the storm. With another storm system forecast to move into the area Thursday into Friday Devault warns motorists, if you have to travel, simply slow down, and give your vehicle plenty of space between the vehicle ahead of you.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowans who gave their kids kittens or puppies as Christmas gifts last week need to realize it’s vital to know all about the animal’s diet, veterinary care and with dogs, to sign up for an obedience course right away. Lisa Karr, a companion animal specialist, says house-training can be difficult but it’s not an impossible task. “A general rule of thumb is to take them out an hour for every month in age, so if they’re two months old, they should go out every two hours,” Karr says. “Taking them out frequently is the best way to potty-train them quicker and avoid those accidents in the house.”

Karr says it’s likely to take a few months for the pet to adapt to the new surroundings. She offers a few tips on making the adjustment easier – for your family and for the pooch. “It’s a really good idea to keep it confined in a space where you can control its surroundings and it’s not going to have access to things you don’t want it to chew up,” Karr says. “Whether you’re keeping it confined in the kitchen or someplace it doesn’t matter if it has accidents, and getting into a training class right away to help teach it and build that relationship will be good.”

Just like people get hungry around the same times daily, Karr says having a routine feeding schedule for your pet is also important. “Kittens are probably okay letting them graze all day. Cats are pretty good at monitoring how much they eat,” Karr says. “Even with puppies, we’re better off meal feeding them so they have the option to eat a little and come back. They tend to forget about the food or they’ll overeat. Obesity, especially in large-breed puppies, can be a big concern later in life.”

Reports say the number of dogs with diabetes has more than tripled in the past 30 years.

Firefighters from Council Bluffs have responded to a fire at the Council Bluffs Municipal Airport. The fire was apparently contained to one building, according to scanner traffic. The airport is located southeast of Interstate 80 and Highway 6. According to reports, thick, black smoke was pouring from the building while crews battled the blaze. It wasn’t immediately clear if anyone was inside, or if any planes were damaged. There have been no reports of injuries.  The fire was declared under control by around 7:45-a.m., with crews still on the scene.

Additional details are currently unavailable.

(Radio Iowa) – Home sales have remained strong in November and Iowa Association of Realtors president, Jen Burkamper says the trend where things have slowed down in December and November has changed. “And then right after the first of the year — what we call our spring market — has actually moved up,” Burkamper says. “So, January, February, March have been very strong the last several years, because I think people are really getting anxious that time of year to look at moving in the spring.” Burkamper the sales through November for the year are up and she says it appears that upward move is going to continue.”We’re expecting that is going to happen or continue to happen in this next year in 2021,” she says.

Burkamper says there are some key signs that make 2021 look positive for home sales. “It’s predicted that interest rates are going to stay low through 2023. So the next several years should be a very strong market. So, if you are looking to sell, it’s a sellers’ market,” according to Burkamper. “And then for buyers, take advantage of these low rates.”

Burkamper says they use of online showings has helped sellers show off their properties and buyers shop around. And she says they have been able to adjust and have in-person showings in homes that are safe to keep the market moving during the pandemic.

One of two fires that took place this past Summer north of Walnut, was declared to be an incident of arson. The State Fire Marshal’s Office reports the first fire at the Walnut Super 8 Motel on July 18^th, was declared accidental in nature. It began with an electrical conductor in the attic area of the two-story motel.

The second fire, which occurred the next day (July 19), was determined to have been caused by someone lighting combustible bedding material on fire in one of the second-floor motel rooms, and was classified as arson.

Several area fire departments responded to the both fires at 2109 Antique City Drive. There were no injuries reported. Authorities say pending additional information that would change the circumstances leading up to the fire events, the cases can be considered closed.

The Cass County Board of Supervisors will meet in-person in their boardroom at the courthouse, Thursday morning, and via Zoom, both beginning at 9-a.m. On their agenda, in addition to regularly scheduled reports (as available) from the County Engineer, Mental Health/General Relief Coordinator and Cass County Attorney, is discussion with representatives of the Secondary Roads Employees Group, with regard to an alleged breach of the bargaining agreement.

The Board will also discuss and review: Board and Commission appointments, along with Committee assignments to be made during their Jan. 4th meeting.

(Radio Iowa) – Three years ago, Republicans in the Iowa House drafted a bill that would have given Iowa parents five-thousand dollar state grants to cover the costs of private school tuition and fees for their kids. House Speaker Pat Grassley says that’s one of many ideas G-O-P lawmakers may consider during the 2021 legislative session. “Parental choice needs to be the focus of whatever we’re doing when it comes to education reform,” Grassley says. “…Everything is on the table from House Republians’ perspective as we go into session.”

Critics say so-called “voucher” plans divert tax dollars to private institutions and undermine public schools. Grassley says several different pieces of education-related legislation are under consideration. “From the governor saying that we’d like to see more kids in school. You know there are a lot of parents who don’t even feel like they’re being listened to right now, that don’t even have the option of sending their kid if they wanted to,” Grassley says. “I think our focus is going to be on parental choice, with everything on the table as we go into session, so the conversations around education won’t be just about funding. I think it’s going to be about overall reforms.”

Senate Republican Leader Jack Whitver of Ankeny says it is very important that parents have the option of having their children attend school in person. “I think the education conversation will be the most important conversation that we’re going to have this entire session,” Whitver says. “…We understand some people, some parents, some students don’t feel comfortable being in the classroom and that option is there for those people, but for a large majority of Iowans, they want their kids in the classroom as much as possible.”

Whitver says getting students back in the classroom full time next semester will help them catch up academically. House Democratic Leader Todd Prichard of Charles City says public schools contribute to the economy and deserve more support, not less. “It’s where the rubber meets the road for many Iowans in terms of getting their education and sometimes basic needs for people,” he says, “whether it’s a nutrition program that the school runs or other services that are coming through the schools.”

Prichard says Democrats are strong supporters of public education and diverting tax dollars to private schools would do more harm than good.

Red Oak Police report the arrest at around 12:45-a.m. today (Wednesday), of 36-year old Chandra Christine Baggett, from Red Oak. She was taken into custody for Domestic Abuse Assault/1st offense and was being held without bond in the Montgomery County Jail. Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputies assisted in the arrest.