A northern Iowa man riding a bicycle that was struck by a van in northwest Iowa early Saturday morning, has died from his injuries. The Iowa State Patrol reports 57-year old Kent Eugene Harfst, of Webster City, was riding a bicycle eastbound on Woodbury County Road D-12 at around 6:35-a.m., Saturday, when he was hit from behind by a 2017 Ford Transit van, driven by 19-year old Aaron Joshua Albert, of Mondamin.

The accident happened near the crest of a hill, in dark conditions. Following the collision, Harfst came to rest in the south ditch. He suffered critical injuries and was flown by air ambulance to Mercy One Medical Center in Sioux City, where he died. The driver of the van was not hurt.

Friends say Harfst was the Park and Recreation Director for the city of Webster City. He was also known for his numerous contributions of time to city projects and events.

The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, Saturday, said a Mills County man was arrested Wednesday on drug & weapon charges, following a traffic stop by the Fremont County K9 Unit, near the intersection of Highway 59 and Nishna Road, in Shenandoah.

Robert M. Justice (Fremont County S/O photo)

After deputies made contact with the driver of the vehicle, 40-year old Robert Matthew Justice, of Glenwood, they learned he was barred from driving, and subsequently was placed under arrest. A probable cause search was conducted on the vehicle and methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia was discovered. Deputies also located a hatchet concealed between the front seats of the vehicle.

Justice was placed under arrest for: Driving While Barred, Habitual Violator; Possession of Methamphetamine 2nd Offense; Possession of Drug Paraphernalia; and Carrying Weapons. He was being held at the Fremont County Jail on $5,000 Cash/Surety bond

One person died during collision in Mills County, Friday afternoon. The Iowa State Patrol reports 63-year old Vicki Byrum, of Sidney (IA), was driving a 2013 Subaru Impreza southbound and had left Interstate 29 at Exit 42, when she failed to stop at the posted intersection with Bunge Avenue. Her car was hit broadside by westbound a 2019 RAM Pickup driven by 23-year old Joshua Gordon, of Beaumont, TX. The crash happened at around 4:40-p.m.

Following the collision, the car came to rest in the south ditch, and the pickup came to rest in the eastbound lane of Bunge Avenue. Byrum died from her injuries at the scene. Gordon was not injured. Both drivers were wearing their seat belts.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Police say a man who witnesses reported was sitting in a Des Moines street has been hit by a vehicle and killed. Police Sgt. Paul Parizek says the incident happened around 9:30 p.m. Friday on SW 9th Street. Medics arrived to find a 62-year-old Des Moines resident had been hit by a southbound vehicle as it crossed the Racoon River. The man was taken to an area hospital, where he died.

The man’s name had not been released as of Saturday mid-afternoon. Police say the driver of the vehicle did not appear to be distracted or impaired at the time of the incident.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Rev. William Joensen has been ordained as the 10th bishop to lead the Roman Catholic Diocese of Des Moines. The Des Moines Register reports that more than 1,500 parishioners witnessed the ordination Friday at St. Francis of Assisi Church in West Des Moines, the diocese’s largest. Pope Francis selected the 59-year-old Joensen, an Iowa native, to replace former Bishop Richard Pates, who retired after holding the role for more than a decade.

In his inaugural address, Joensen addressed young people, saying that “some of the church’s actions in the past merit reproach” and that reproach of that by younger parishioners was to be expected. But he implored them to You are to “be open to the wisdom passed down from generation to generation.”

Cases of severe respiratory illness associated with vaping continue to be reported across the U.S. and in Iowa. Nationwide, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported 805 cases and 12 deaths. In Iowa, there have been 23 reported cases and no deaths. Of the 23 Iowa cases, ages range from 17 to 60 and 18 have reported the use of THC. Mirroring national statistics, most of the cases (78%) have been male. All Iowa cases have recovered.

Nationally, most cases have reported the use of vaping and e-cigarette products containing THC; however, vaping products and devices that do not contain THC have also been reported among affected states. Case numbers will likely continue to increase as this investigation continues.

Iowans should not use vaping and e-cigarette products since the cause of this outbreak is not yet clear and the long-term health impacts of these products are unknown. Patients with a history of vaping who are experiencing breathing problems should seek medical care. Health care providers should ask patients with respiratory illness about the use of vaping and e-cigarette products. Health care providers are asked to report severe respiratory illness in patients with a history of vaping or e-cigarette use to the Iowa Department of Public Health (1-800-362-2736).

To learn more, visit https://idph.iowa.gov/ehi/lung-disease-vaping. Weekly Iowa case counts may also be found on this page.