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

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CEDAR RIVER, Iowa (AP) — A 35-year-old Cedar Rapids woman is accused of intentionally driving her car with her two children inside into the Cedar River on a chilly evening in March. Linn County Court records say Alicia Cole is charged with two counts of child endangerment causing injury. The records don’t list the name of an attorney who could comment for her. Authorities say firefighters and police were sent to Cedar Rapids’ Mohawk Park around 4:45 p.m. on March 11. They found that boaters already had helped Cole and the two children from the sinking car. A court document says all three “were exposed to potential hypothermia and drowning.”

A man from Union County was arrested Thursday afternoon at a motel in Creston, on a Union County warrant for (Felony) Sexual Exploitation of a Minor. Creston Police say 37-year old Brian Lee Rhodes, of Creston, was arrested at the Creston Super 8 at around 1-p.m., Thursday. Rhodes was being held in the Union County Jail on a $10,000 bond. Thursday evening, 42-year old Tommy Dewayne Watters, of Creston, was arrested for Public Intoxication. His bond was set at $300. And, Thursday night, 25-year old Shelby Rhae Bishop, of rural Creston, was arrested at the Union County Law Enforcement Center, after she turned herself-in on a Probation Violation warrant. Bishop was being held without bond, in the Adams County Jail.

Creston Police said also, a man living in the 900 block of N. Division Street, reported Thursday, that a flower solar light had been taken from his residence sometime between Wednesday and Thursday morning. The loss was estimated at $100.

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

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The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office reports this (Friday) morning, 51-year old David Long, of Bedford, was arrested in the 600 block of Court Avenue in Bedford, on an active Taylor County warrant for delivery of a controlled substance. A subsequent search warrant was executed on the residence, resulting in Long being charged with possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver. Authorities say 51-year old Lorretta Marecale, of Bedford, was also charged. Both Long and Marecale are being held at the Taylor County Jail without bond, pending an appearance with a magistrate

“Take Back Bridgewater” founder Doug Miller has announced a Public Forum and Potluck dinner will take place this Sunday, June 10th, at the Bridgewater Activity Center. Doors open at 4:30-p.m., with the Potluck at 5, and the Forum getting underway at 6:30-p.m.  Beverages and glasses will be provided. You’re asked to bring your own table service (plates, silverware, napkins).

Nationally recognized speakers Frank and Kim Spillers, with Global Horizons, will share and discuss their 30-years of experience and ideas to help grow the population of the tiny community, create jobs and new businesses, while increasing wealth and reducing poverty, and keeping youth in the area. Everyone, not just the citizens of Bridgewater, is welcome to attend the potluck and forum. There is no cost to attend, but donations will be accepted, and fundraiser items will be available. “Takeback Bridgewater” a grassroots community-based initiative, was founded in Feb., 2017, with a mission of working in partnership with citizens to address criminal activity and improve the quality of life in and around Bridgewater. Since then, there have been numerous community meetings, including one featuring Congressman David Young and other notable individuals.

More information can be found at “Take Back Bridgewater, Iowa,” on Facebook. Or, call/text Doug Miller at 641-745-5108.

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A $25 million complex proposed for West Des Moines would include indoor space for youth and adult hockey and soccer. West Des Moines City Manager Tom Hadden told The Des Moines Register the number of indoor facilities to meet the demand is lacking. There are three ice rinks and two indoor soccer fields in the metropolitan area.

The Iowa Soccer Association and the Iowa Ice Sports Foundation are working with the city and an unnamed corporate sponsor to pay for and build the complex on 60 acres (24 hectares) of farmland. Hadden says the city is expecting to pay about 60 percent of the project’s $25 million price tag, with the rest coming from the unnamed corporate sponsor and other donors.

Police in Red Oak arrested a man Thursday night, for Disorderly Conduct. Weston Price Jespersen, of Red Oak, was taken into custody at around 8:45-p.m. in the 300 block of W. Washington Avenue. He was brought to the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center, and held on a $300 cash bond.

Anita Rescue and Wiota 1st Responders were called to the 65-mile marker of Interstate 80 westbound at around 4:40-a.m. today for a car versus semi-tractor trailer accident. A female in a Hyundai Sonata was trapped in the vehicle and extrication was requested. A medical helicopter was also dispatched to the scene. The woman was said to have suffered head and other, unknown injuries.

Additional information is currently not available.

The 22 women competing to be “Miss Iowa 2018” next week will still be evaluated for their appearances in swimsuits and evening gowns. Changes announced this week to the Miss America competition — like the end of the swimsuit competition — will be in place for the NEXT round of state and local pageants. Racheal Vopatek is president of the Miss Iowa Competition Board. “Swimsuit going away is a big change and I think there are a lot of mixed feelings out there,” Vopatek says. “We’re all still processing it.”

Miss Iowa 2017 Chelsea Dubczak of Urbandale says change was needed because the swimsuit competition tended to focus on the “physique” of the women, but Dubczak disagrees with eliminating it altogether. “There should still be some component that takes into consideration the lifestyle and the fitness of the title holder so that she can be a positive role model and a good representative in all facets of life,” Dubczak says.

The Miss America organization emphasizes it is a scholarship competition, not a beauty pageant. Dubczak says evaluating how well contestants speak and how well educated they are is important — but she says with obesity and chronic diseases associated with a sedentary lifestyle on the rise, physical fitness is important, too. “Day in and day out, how do you take care of yourself? How do you show people to respect people and admire your body, not just by how it looks, but by how well it functions?” she says.

For the past year, Dubczak has promoted a “Ladies Who Lift” platform, emphasizing weight lifting and other activities that focus on what a woman’s body is capable of doing rather than what it looks like. The opening round of competition among the women vying to be Miss Iowa 2018 starts next Thursday. A winner will be crowned on Saturday, the 16th.

(Radio Iowa)