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

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A van and an SUV collided Friday afternoon in northwest Iowa’s Cherokee County. The accident resulted in the drivers of both vehicles being transported to the hospital. According to the Iowa State Patrol, a 2007 Dodge Caravan driven by 26-year old Elizabeth Timmins, was traveling west on Highway 3 at around 3:15-p.m., when it crossed the center line of the road and side-swiped a 2013 Chevy Traverse SUV. The SUV was driven by 65-year old Constance Mohn. Both woman are from Cherokee.

Following the impact, the van came to rest in the westbound lane, and the SUV entered the south ditch. Both women were transported by ambulance to the Cherokee Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries.

Timmins was charged with Driving the wrong way on a two-lane highway.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:45 a.m. CST

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A former lawmaker says the Iowa Legislature has done nothing “to prevent additional inappropriate behavior and ensuing problems” after sexual misconduct allegations were reported in the Republican Senate caucus. Republican Mary Kramer was tasked with reviewing policies and released her report Friday. She says a formal process needs to be made in which all employees at the Capitol can file misconduct complaints. She says there also needs to be assurance the complaints will be fairly investigated.

DAKOTA CITY, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a man’s body has been found inside a house that burned down in northeastern Nebraska’s Dakota City. The Sioux City Journal reports that the fire was reported late Thursday night. The Dakota County Sheriff’s Office says firefighters who arrived to battle the blaze found the body inside. The body was taken to Sioux City, Iowa, for an autopsy. Officials say the victim was Native American, but do not yet know his identity.

NASHUA, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a man plowing snow has been killed in a crash with a train in northeastern Iowa. The Iowa State Patrol says 64-year-old David Zwanziger, of Nashua, was driving a grader and plowing along a county road when he was struck by a westbound train at a crossing around 7:45 a.m. Friday. Officials say Zwanziger died at the scene.

PLEASANT HILL, Iowa (AP) — Police in the Des Moines suburb of Pleasant Hill are looking for a man suspected of firing a gun he found in an unlocked car at a homeowner who confronted him. Television station KCCI reports that that the victim, Billy Sowder, found the man rummaging through a neighbor’s truck early Thursday morning. Sowder says he took his own rifle with him to confront the man. He says that’s when the thief turned and fired a handgun. No one was hurt.

A new law that went into effect on July 1^st, 2017, requires newly issued weapon permit cards to be of uniform appearance, size and content. The new cards became available January 2^nd, 2018. The Union County Sheriff’s Office reports persons with gun permits issued in Union County from July 1, 2017 to Dec. 31^st, 2017, have been printed using the new system, and mailed to the Union County Sheriff’s Office in Creston.

Anyone issued a permit during the mentioned time frame is welcome to bring their permit to the Sheriff’s Office and switch it for the new, uniform card. This is NOT REQUIRED, because the permits that were issued are still valid, and can be used until they expire.

If you have any questions, call the Union County S/O at 641-782-7322.

More than five-million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease and that number is expected to grow to as high as 16-million by 2050. Researchers at the University of Iowa are studying ways to help the caregivers of family members or friends who have Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. The study’s director, Diane Blyler, says one of the greatest challenges for those caregivers is the uncertainty of the disease.

“You can’t say, if someone has a diagnosis…of dementia, that this is going to happen here and then this is going to happen here,” Blyler said. “Each one is different, progression is different, so people don’t always know what is going to happen next. It’s a challenge to be ready for the unpredictability of what’s going to happen.”

More participants are needed in the U-I College of Nursing study. “We are able to enroll families who are caring for people with any type of dementia,” Blyler said. “So, it’s not just Alzheimer’s, for example. It can be any type.”

Participants in the study fill out questionnaires and also use an iPAD, provided by the U-I, to record and share videos with a team of dementia care experts. Each caregiver enrolled in the study is paid $225 for a three-month commitment. Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in Iowa, which ranks among the top five states for the percentage of people 65 and older.
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Iowans who are caring for a dementia patient in their home and want to participate in the study can contact Blyler by email ( diane-blyler@uiowa.edu ) or by calling 319-335-3488.

(Radio Iowa)

The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office has taken a pledge to keep tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor products out of the hands of Guthrie County youth. Known as I-PLEDGE, the program is a partnership with the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division (ABD) to educate local retailers and to enforce Iowa’s tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor product laws. Since the program’s inception in 2000, the statewide tobacco compliance rate has grown to 91%. By participating in the program, the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office has committed to do its part to increase the compliance rate even more this year.

I-PLEDGE places emphasis on retailer training. Clerks who successfully complete and online training course and then pass an exam will become I-PLEDGE certified. This allows a retail establishment to use an affirmative defense against a civil penalty if the certified clerk makes an illegal sale.

Guthrie County Sheriff Marty Arganbright said in a statement, “I-PLEDGE’s retailer training is a great way for clerks to prepare themselves to refuse illegal tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor product sales. The training also assists retailers to ensure they maintain a compliant and responsible establishment.”

Deputies will also be conducting compliance checks on local establishments as part of the I-PLEDGE program. Underage customers, under the supervision of law enforcement official, will enter the establishments and attempt to buy tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor products. Clerks who make the illegal sale will be cited on the spot.

Criminal penalties for selling tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor products to a minor include a $100 fine for a first offense, a $250 fine for a second offense and a $500 fine for third or subsequent offenses. However, handing out citations is not the intent of the I-PLEDGE program.

Agranbright said “By partnering with the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division, we hope to educate clerks and maintain a compliant retail environment in our community. Moreover, we pledge to help keep tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor products out of the hands of Iowa’s youth.”

To take the I-PLEDGE training or search certification records, go to https://abd.iowa.gov

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a warning about a rising fad in social media known as the “Tide Pod Challenge,” in which teenagers record videos of themselves eating detergent pods.

Manufacturers have addressed the risk of toddlers mistakenly ingesting detergent pods — which include ethanol, hydrogen peroxide and polymers — a highly-toxic mix of detergent meant to wash out dirt and stains. Now teens are purposely eating pods and posting videos of their experiences online.

Ann Marie Buerkle, acting chairman of the CPSC, said that those who ingest any of the liquid contained in the pods are risking death. At least 10 deaths have been linked to ingesting detergent pods — two were toddlers, and eight were senior adults who were suffering from dementia. Buerkle said that the CPSC has worked with manufacturers to make the detergent pods less appealing to children by “Making that laundry packet opaque, less attractive, less colorful, reducing the toxicity and the strength of laundry detergent.”

Procter & Gamble, the manufacturer of Tide products, issued a statement regarding the pods, saying, “They should not be played with… Even if meant as a joke. Safety is no laughing matter.”

In 2013 and 2014, more than 62,000 children under the age of six were exposed to laundry and dishwasher detergents, prompting Consumer Reports to announce in 2015 that it would no longer recommend detergent packets, citing “the unique risks” and urging the “adoption of tougher safety measures.”

(DML News Service)

DETROIT (AP) — Fiat Chrysler is recalling more than 160,000 minivans mainly in North America to fix a software problem that can make engines stall. The recall covers certain Chrysler Pacifica vans from the 2017 model year with gasoline engines.

The company says under rare conditions, the engine control computer can incorrectly determine the operating status and cause the engine to shut off. Fiat Chrysler says it knows of one potentially related crash but no injuries caused by the problem.

Dealers will upgrade engine control software. Customers will be advised when to bring their vans in for the free service, which will be available sometime before April 1.

The recall comes about two months after the nonprofit Center for Auto Safety filed a petition asking the government to seek a recall of the vans. The group told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that over 50 people have complained about stalling.

A call to the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Department about a disturbance Wednesday afternoon near the Joslin Road and Old Morman Bridge Road, resulted in the arrest of a man on a warrant and additional charges. The Sheriff’s Office reported Friday (today), that a deputy dispatched to the area was informed a female was covered in mud and was seen walking through a field. She was being followed by an older, Ford truck.

When Deputy Josh Harker arrived on the scene, he made contact with a male and female at the intersection of Pokeamoke Lane and the Old Morman Bridge. Both were inside a 1995 Ford F-250 pickup. The driver, 36-year old Bret David Hauptman, of Council Bluffs, was bleeding from an apparent cut on his nose and a cut below his left eye. The windshield of the truck appeared to have been recently broken.

Dispatch advised the Deputy the Hauptman had a warrant out of Pott. County for Failure to Appear on a Violation of Compulsory Education Mediation Agreement. He was arrested just before 3-p.m. on the warrant, Violation of a No Contact Order, and for Driving While License Denied or Revoked. The 28-year old female in the pickup was not charged, and did not appear to have been injured.

Authorities said in their report, that woman was Hauptman’s girlfriend.

(DES MOINES) – Gov. Kim Reynolds today (Friday) announced appointments to Iowa’s boards and commissions. Gilbert Thomas, of Clarinda, was appointed to the Iowa Finance Authority Board of Directors. And, Beverly Wharton, of Sioux City, was appointed to the Higher Education Loan Authority Board. Their positions are unpaid,  and subject to Senate confirmation.