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

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Officials with Project ChildSafe, a nationwide firearms safety education program, report the Red Oak Police Department has partnered with organization to provide free firearm safety kits to local residents. Red Oak Police Chief Justin Rhamy said in a press release, “We encourage residents to pick up a Project ChildSafe safety kit so that they can securely store their firearm.” The Chief says “Each kits contains a safety curriculum and cable-style gun lock, that fits most types of handguns, rifles and shotguns.” The goal, he says, “Is to prevent a child or any other unauthorized person from accessing a firearm in your home.”

The safety kits will be distributed at the Red Oak Police Department Office at the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center during the month of June. Project ChildSafe, a program developed by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, has distributed more than 37 million firearm safety kits throughout the country, since 2003.

The program is supported by the U-S Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance, and the firearms industry.

One person was killed, another hurt, in a head-on collision Tuesday afternoon near Carroll. The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of an accident near the intersection of Highway 71 and 250th Street. An initial investigation determined a maroon Toyota Camry was traveling southbound on 71 and crossed the centerline for unknown reasons. The Camry struck a northbound Toyota RAV4.

The driver of the Camry was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the RAV4 was transported to St. Anthony Regional Hospital by Carroll County Emergency Medical Services for treatment of injuries. The names of those involved in the crash have not yet been released.

(Radio Iowa)

Police in Council Bluffs, Tuesday evening arrested a man on one count of Sexual Abuse in the 3rd Degree, following a reported disturbance at around 6:41-p.m. in the vicinity of 9th Street and Avenue I. Authorities say upon arrival an officer located 18-year old Zachary Cox, of Council Bluffs, who immediately told the officer that he had sex with a 13 year old girl.

The officer detained Cox and transported him to the Criminal Investigations office for an interview with a detective. After a brief interview Cox was arrested on the Sexual Abuse charge and was transported to Pottawattamie County Corrections. The 13 year old female was identified, located and found safe with family members.

18-year old Zachary Cox, of Council Bluffs

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

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Now second in Iowa’s line of succession, Senate President Jack Whitver is declining to receive a permanent Iowa State Patrol security detail. Patrol spokesman Scott Bright confirmed Tuesday the agency offered “executive protection” to Whitver when he became Iowa’s second-highest ranking official last week but he declined the offer. Such protection is normally provided by troopers who travel with the governor, first lady and lieutenant governor.

ALTOONA, Iowa (AP) — The long-promised repeal of “Obamacare” is unlikely, and any final agreement with the Republican-controlled House is uncertain. This assessment comes from Iowa Republican Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst as the Republican-controlled Senate moves forward on its work to dismantle the 2010 health care bill while facing conflicting demands within their own party and lockstep Democratic opposition.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Police have identified three of four people killed last week following a Des Moines apartment fire. Des Moines police said in a news release Tuesday that 57-year-old Rosetta Toole, 71-year-old Henry Ellis, and 32-year-old Christopher Lander all died from injuries suffered in Thursday’s fire at the Eddy Apartments, about two miles west of downtown Des Moines. Police say the fourth victims’ identity had not yet been confirmed by Tuesday.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds will lead a trade mission to China this summer focusing on agriculture. Reynolds announced Tuesday she and representatives from the Iowa Farm Bureau and other agriculture groups will travel to China between July 19 and July 28 to meet with officials and industry partners. Reynolds says the delegation will try to create trade opportunities for Iowa’s corn, pork, soy, beef, egg, poultry, dairy and turkey industries. The agricultural groups will cover Reynolds’ expenses.

Sheriff’s officials in Shelby County, Tuesday, said a Cass County man was arrested last Thursday on an outstanding warrant for Probation Violation. 28-year old Joshua James Dyer, of Atlantic, was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was awaiting his court appearance and was being held under a $2,500 bond.

And, last Saturday, a Shelby County Deputy arrested 27-year old Dane August Dodge, of Harlan, for OWI/2nd offense. Dodge was also cited for careless driving. He was transported to the Shelby County Jail and released later that afternoon after posting a $2,000 bond.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office today (Tuesday) released a report on arrests that were made over the past few days. Early Monday morning, 49-year old Terry James Fernside, of Council Bluffs, was arrested for Possession of Controlled Substance and Driving Under Suspension (DUS). Early Sunday morning, 28-year old Chelsea Jo Griffeth, of Red Oak, was arrested in Malvern, for Public Intoxication.

Friday afternoon, 35-year old Aaron Lee Gillespie, of Glenwood, was arrested on a  Warrant for 5th Degree Theft. Friday morning, 23-year old Jason Thomas Meidl, of Columbia, MS, was arrested for Possession of Controlled Substance. That same morning, 20-year old Justice Renee Weilage, of Glenwood, was arrested in Mills County for Possession of a Controlled Substance.

And, last Thursday night, Shelby Marie Leialoha Fincher, of Bellevue, NE, was arrested for Public Intoxication.

The Red Oak Police Department reports the arrest of a Malvern man on Tuesday after a traffic stop. At 1:30pm Officers conducted a traffic stop on a Kawasaki motorcycle in the 1000 block of North 4th Street in Red Oak. After investigation is was determined that the driver, 41-year-old Willard Edward Frazier of Malvern, had a barred drivers license. Frazier was arrested for Driving While Barred and cited for No Valid Insurance. He was taken to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $2,000 bond.

A new interactive map on the Iowa Department of Transportation website offers Iowans a glimpse into the conditions of the state’s 24-thousand bridges. The D-O-T’s Andrea Henry says the map is searchable by county, city or state legislative district and it indicates whether bridges are in good, fair or poor condition.

“We want to make sure people understand where the issues lie on the system and what we’re doing about those,” Henry says, “and to get a little glimpse into some of the resources necessary to be able to help us make decisions.” The map was created to help elected officials make decisions about repairs, considering whether some bridges have become structurally deficient or functionally obsolete. Henry says regular citizens can also check out bridges nearby.

“For the general public, they may be able to have an awareness of what bridges to avoid or where they may need to be concerned about any potential deterioration of a bridge condition,” Henry says. “However, really this map is primarily more for decision-makers.” To see the map, visit the Iowa Department of Transportation website (www.iowadot.gov), click on the Performance tab at the left, and choose the Bridge Condition link.

(Radio Iowa, w/thanks to Michael Leland, Iowa Public Radio)

(Updated) A stand-off in Crawford County that began early Tuesday morning, ended without anyone being hurt. Authorities say at approximately 7 a-m, the Iowa State Patrol Area B Tactical Team assisted the Division of Narcotic Enforcement (DNE) and Crawford County Sheriff’s Office in serving the warrant at 315 Eagle Street.

An unidentified man barricaded himself inside the home and refused to surrender to authorities. After several hours of trying to convince the man to come out, law enforcement used chemical munitions to resolve the situation. The suspect was taken into custody at approximately 11:30-a.m. .

(Radio Iowa)