(Radio Iowa) — A viral video craze perhaps even more foolish than the Tide Pod Challenge is emerging which is making traffic safety experts cringe. It’s called the Shiggy Challenge. People tape themselves hopping out of cars — while the vehicles are still moving — to dance beside the rolling car to a song by rapper Drake. Nick Jarmusz, spokesman for Triple-A Iowa, was stunned to see the videos online. “This is one of those things where I can’t believe that we would have to tell people that this is dangerous,” Jarmusz says, “but at the same time, it’s also not completely surprising. We know that people regularly engage in all sorts of dangerous behavior behind the wheel.”

The videos feature both passengers and drivers jumping out the vehicle to dance, sometimes even splaying themselves across the hood, as the car careens down the road. “You’re kind of torn between not wanting to give it more attention and put ideas in people’s heads if they haven’t already heard about this, but I think it is still important to stress just how dangerous this is,” Jarmusz says. “Anytime you’re talking about a moving vehicle, there is the potential for not just serious injury but death.”

One collection of Shiggy Challenge videos is entirely made up of people falling, getting caught on the open door are even slamming themselves into utility poles, as they’re more interested in mugging for the camera than paying attention to their surroundings. “Certainly, if you’re the driver and you’re doing something like this, that’s unquestionably dangerous,” Jarmusz says. “Even if you’re the driver and you’re the one taking the video of your passenger getting out and doing this, that’s a dangerous distraction. You shouldn’t be using your phone for any purpose behind the wheel. You should be focused on the road and focused on the task of driving.”

The craze is clearly leading to people injuring themselves but Jarmusz says it’s likely only a matter of time before someone is killed. “When it comes to the passengers who are jumping out, you’re basically transitioning from being a passenger to a pedestrian and being a pedestrian is inherently dangerous,” Jarmusz says. “You’re putting yourself into a very risky situation by exiting the vehicle while it’s moving, especially right out into an active roadway.”

Police departments in some communities are posting warnings about the challenge, though there are no reports of any serious incidents in Iowa — yet.

DELHI, Iowa (AP) — A driver whose passenger drowned after the vehicle they were in broke through ice in eastern Iowa has taken a plea deal. Delaware County District Court records say 37-year-old Joshua Juengel, of Manchester, pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide and leaving the crash scene. Prosecutors dropped related charges in exchange for Juengel’s pleas.

A witness spotted Juengel’s vehicle doing doughnuts on the ice before it plunged into the frigid water of Lake Delhi on Jan. 8. The body of 23-year-old Alex Salow was found in the vehicle. The deal includes a recommendation that Juengel be given 10 years in prison and be required to serve at least seven years before becoming eligible for parole. His sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 21.

Members of the CAM School District’s Board of Education met Tuesday morning during a Special Session. CAM Superintendent Dr. Casey Berlau told KJAN News the primary reason for the meeting was to approve contracts for some late new hires. The Board approved contracts for Don Daily, Middle School Special Education Teacher; Rachel Hill, 3^rd Grade Teacher at CAM North Elementary. There were also two Cook positions and a Para-Educator positions filled. Sadie Frederickson and Bridget Clayton were hired as Cooks. Amanda Wheatley was hired as Para-Educator.

Berlau said also, he discussed with the Board, but no action was taken, with regard to facility improvements. He said he provided an update to some previously held discussions about the exterior walls at the CAM Middle School, in Massena. Some of the bricks have been detiorating, he said, so they’ve been looking into possible solutions to solve the issue. Berlau provided the Board with information from a company that might be able to help.

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

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CLARE, Iowa (AP) — A trial has been scheduled for the second defendant in the slaying of a Fort Dodge woman. The Messenger reports that Phillip Williams, of Lafayette, Indiana, on Monday pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder. He and Mackenzie Knigge are accused of killing 26-year-old Jessica Gomez, on or about Aug. 5 last year in Knigge’s apartment in Clare. Williams’ trial is set to begin Sept. 11.

Knigge and Gomez, who were once described as friends, were publicly reported missing on Aug. 9, 2017. Knigge was arrested with Williams on Aug. 10 in Lafayette, Indiana. Gomez’s burned body was found in a ditch near Clare on Aug. 12.

Knigge also has pleaded not guilty to a murder charge. Her trial is scheduled to start Nov. 26.

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

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ELKADER, Iowa (AP) — A northeast Iowa man has been given 25 years in prison for a crash that killed two teenage boys. Clayton County Court records say 21-year-old Kory Doeppke, was sentenced Tuesday in Elkader. He’d pleaded guilty to two counts of vehicular homicide. Authorities say Doeppke, of Elkader, was driving west when he didn’t halt at a stop sign near Edgewood on Feb. 16 and collided with a northbound pickup. The two fatally injured boys were in the back seat of Doeppke’s car. Officials identified them as 16-year-olds Brady Edwards and Izaiah Drinkwater.

The pickup driver suffered minor injuries.

Officials with the Atlantic Community School District have issued information with regard to 2018-19 School Year Student Registration. The district will be opening online student registration on Wednesday, August 1st.  All parents will be receiving an email on Aug. 1st with the information, but if you don’t receive it, all the details can be found in a letter posted to parents or guardians of students, shown below.

Dear Parents/Guardians of ACSD Students:

Welcome to the 2018-19 school year!  Atlantic Community School District will continue to utilize the “rollover” online registration process with JMC, the district’s student information system. If your student(s) attended ACSD last school year (2017-18) and were still in attendance on the last day of school, you need to follow the 6 steps below to verify registration information and pay student fees. Student fees will need to be paid by Friday, October 5, 2018.

Students who are new to the school district and are planning to enroll for the 2018-19 school year will need to register for school at our school buildings. During this time, if administration is available we will be more than happy to give new students tours of their new school. Parents can also access school registration forms by visiting the district’s web page, www.atlanticiaschools.org.

The 6 Quick Steps for “Rollover” Online Registration.

Log on to Parent Portal (Click HERE for detailed instructions, if needed)
Click on Register for School  (Click HERE for detailed instructions, if needed)
View Tuition/Fees & Make Payment (Click HERE for detailed instructions, if needed)
View Lunch Account & Make Payment (Click HERE for detailed instructions, if needed)
Set Up Alert Configuration in Parent Portal (Click HERE for detailed instructions, if needed)
Click HERE to find other information such as: Online Free and Reduced Forms, Physical Forms, Transportation Requests (rural only), Yearbook Orders, Handbooks, Parent Portal Information, and much more).

If you don’t have access to the internet/online, please feel free to stop at your child’s school. The office will be more than happy to assist you in anyway. Should you have any questions regarding school registration or the payment of school fees, please contact our schools at the numbers below.

Washington Elementary School

Pre-K – 3rd grade: Phone: 712-243-5234; Stacey Hornung, Principal; Hours: 7:30 am – 4:00 pm

Schuler Elementary School

Grades 4-5: Phone: 712-243-1370; James Northwick, Principal; Hours: 7:30 am – 4:00 pm

Atlantic Middle School

Grades 6-8: Phone: 712-243-1330; Josh Rasmussen, Principal; Hours: 7:30 am – 4:00 pm

Atlantic High School

Grades 9-12: Phone: 712-243-5358; Heather McKay, Principal, Andrew Mitchell, Asst Principal/Activities Director; Hours: 7:30 am – 4:00 pm

Transportation

All Grades: Phone: 712-243-3374; Dave Eckles, Supervisor

Food Service

All Grades: Phone: 712- 243-5369; DeeAnn Schreiner, Supervisor

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A monthly survey report suggests economic growth is still slowing in nine Midwest and Plains states. The report released Wednesday says the Mid-America Business Conditions Index declined to 57.0 in July from 61.8 in June and 67.3 in May. It’s still the 20th straight month that the index remained above growth neutral 50.0.

Creighton University economist Ernie Goss says the region’s manufacturing growth of 2.6 percent over the past 12 months exceeds the U.S. growth rate of 2.3 percent.

The survey results are compiled into a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Survey organizers say any score above 50 suggests growth in that factor. A score below that suggests decline.
The survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.

Police in Red Oak report 49-year old Robby Dale Lukehart, of Red Oak, was arrested Tuesday evening, for Driving While Suspended. His bond was set at slightly more than $566. And, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department reports two arrests. At around 2:15-a.m. today (Wednesday), 41-year old Alan Levern Walter, of Grant, was arrested near the 33 mile marker of Highway 48. Walter was charged with OWI/2nd offense, and brought to the Montgomery County Jail, where his bond was set at $2,000. And at around 9:45-p.m. Tuesday, Sheriff’s deputies arrested 20-year old Benjamin Parra-Moreno, of Lenox, on a valid Montgomery County Bench warrant for Violation of Probation. Parra-Moreno was taken into custody during a traffic stop at the intersection of Highway 34 and Vine Avenue. His bond was set at $5,000.