Two firefighters suffered minor injuries when they fell through a floor into the basement of a home in Oakland, Tuesday. According to a statement from Fire Chief Brant Miller on the Oakland Fire and Rescue Facebook page, “Oakland, Carson and Hancock fire departments were requested at approximately 9:40 PM [Tuesday] for a residential fire on Gates St. in Oakland. Crews encountered heavy fire at the rear of the residence on arrival. The fire on the exterior of the structure was knocked down and crews Entered the residence to attack the fire on the inside.

“It was during this time that a portion of the floor collapsed, and two firefighters went into the basement. A Mayday was called and rescue For the firefighters was initiated. They were fortunately able to self rescue for the most part and were able to exit the structure. Both were transported to the hospital for evaluation and they suffered only minor injuries.”

The house was a total loss. The cause of the blaze was under investigation.

ALBIA, Iowa (AP) — Police in south-central Iowa are searching for a suspect in what they say was an intentional hit-and-run that left a man seriously injured. Television station KTVO reports that police in Albia are looking for 44-year-old Joshua Burk, of Lovilia, whom police say is suspected of intentionally using his vehicle to run down and hit a 36-year-old man. Albia police say the incident happened around 9:30 p.m. Sunday.

Investigators say a nearby security camera captured the incident on video and showed Burk driving away from the scene. Officials say Burk’s vehicle was later spotted, and Monroe County sheriff’s deputies tried to stop it, but police say that Burk sped away driving faster than 100 mph.

The Greene County Sheriff’s Office Wednesday (Today), reports a narcotics investigation in three counties resulted in the confiscation of methamphetamine, marijuana, heroin, cash and weapons. The search warrants were executed in and around Jefferson, Waterloo, and Van Horne.

The evidence seized included 82 pounds of methamphetamine, 10 pounds of marijuana, 1.5 pounds of heroin, $28,000 in cash, and two guns, according the Greene County Sheriff Jack Williams. No arrests have been made so far, in connection with the raids.

The Tri-County Drug Enforcement Task Force, the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement and the Federal Bureau of Investigation continue to investigate a drug distribution case.

(Radio Iowa) – A grill stolen from the Manchester American Legion Post has been recovered. Legion Commander Larry Tibbott says he received a phone call from the Manchester Police Chief on Tuesday telling him the grill had been found in Newton, thirty miles east of Des Moines. “It’s hard to explain the feeling you get — it’s a prized possession that had been lost and then found — it’s just a happy feeling,” Tibbott says.

Manchester American Legion grill

The grill was missing last Thursday morning – and had last been seen behind the Legion in downtown Manchester on Saturday, November 28th. The grill is worth around 12-thousand dollars and is used in the Legion’s steak fry fundraisers that raise money for a variety of projects. Some local Manchester businesses had banded together to come up with a 600 hundred dollar reward for whoever was responsible for returning the grill. They’re be sifting through the details to find out who the reward will go to, but Tibbott says he really needs to thank the community, which has shown the Legion incredible support throughout this situation. He says the community has been amazing in getting the message out as it was shared over and over on social media. Tibbott says it’s a good feeling knowing that the community is supporting them.

The grill will need some minor repairs due to damage — and police are still investigating and trying to determine who took the grill and how it ended up in Newton.

(Radio Iowa) – A Webster County man faces a federal prison sentence on a drug charge. Seventy-two-year-old Thomas Hendrickson of Lehigh has been sentenced to seven years for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Court documents say he was involved in a meth distribution operation most of 2019. In October of last year, Hendrickson was found with nearly a pound of meth during a traffic stop.

This will be Hendrickson’s second stint in federal prison as he previously served 14 years on a federal weapons charge.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Senator Joni Ernst says it’s clear there’s a need for additional relief to individuals and businesses struggling financially during the pandemic, but Ernst is not yet signaling which plan that’s emerged she might support. “We’ve heard a lot about the Covid relief package and the discussions that are ongoing,” Ernst says, “and I do continue to hear from Iowans as well on the importance of getting something done.”

The latest twist in negotiations came from the White House yesterday (Tuesday). President Trump’s treasury secretary unveiled a package that would provide a six-hundred dollar direct payment to most Americans, but would not extend unemployment benefits. A bipartisan group of senators has developed a plan that would provide an extra three-hundred dollars a week to unemployed Americans, plus send more federal aid to states, cities and counties. Ernst is part of the G-O-P leadership team in the Senate, but she is not among the bipartisan group of senators working on that package. “Regardless of how we end up getting this done, I do think it is important that we get this done,” Ernst says.

The Senate’s Republican leader has said the senate will not adjourn until a pandemic relief package has been enacted.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports a Nebraska man, 24-year old Jason Charles Brandt, of Omaha, was arrested Tuesday afternoon. Brandt was taken into custody on a warrant for Violation of Probation. He was booked into the Pott. County Jail. Sheriff’s officials say seven inmates being held in other jails, were transported to the Pott. County Jail, Tuesday, and held.

Among them was:

• 31-year old Phillip Durrell Gonzales, who was wanted on an Iowa warrant for Felony, Domestic Assault Abuse – strangulation w/bodily injury.
• 57-year old Raye Shale Mimms, who was wanted on an Iowa warrant for False Information and Interference w/official acts – obstruction of prosecution.
• 22-year old Lee Tyler Star, wanted on an Iowa Felony warrant for Burglary/3rd Degree-vehicle – 1st offense, and Theft in the 2nd Degree.
• 46-year old Ann Michelle Sulsberger was transported to the Pott. County Jail on Iowa Felony warrants for Violation of Probation.
• 43-year old Enrique Torres, who was wanted on an Iowa Felony warrant for Theft in the 2nd Degree.
• 32-year old Ashley Mercedes Wilson, was picked up from the Douglas County, NE. Jail on an Iowa Felony warrant for Violation of Probation. And,
• 32-year old Derek Massey Moore was up from the Platte County, NE, Jail on an Iowa Felony warrant for Violation of Probation.