The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports two people were injured during two recent, separate accidents. Authorities say on Monday, a vehicle driven by 24-year old Yamini Chebrolu, of Clarinda, was traveling south on Highway 59 at around 10-p.m., when her 2013 Chevy began to pull hard to the left for no apparent reason. She tried to correct the vehicles’ course, but over-corrected, causing the vehicle to enter a ditch. The vehicle then struck a driveway embankment in the ditch, vaulted over the driveway and landed on an embankment on the west side of the road before rolling over and coming to rest on its top. Chebrolu was treated at the scene by Emerson and Red Oak EMS, before being transported by LifeNet helicopter to a hospital.

Late Sunday morning, a 2018 Chevy driven by 52-year old Deborah Koperski, of Glenwood, was traveling north on Levi Road. A second Chevy was traveling south in the wrong lane, forcing Koperski to take to the shoulder of the road. The roadway was recently re-done, and had high, uneven shoulders. When Koperski’s vehicle hit a driveway, it went airborne and dove nose-first into a ditch. Koperski was injured and transported by Glenwood Rescue to Mercy Hospital.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa parole officer has been fired after an investigation concluded that she abused her power by conspiring with a detective to conduct an illegal search of a drug suspect’s home. A termination decision from the Department of Correctional Services says that officer Kari White committed “egregious” unethical and unprofessional conduct. The firing stems from White’s unusual role in a criminal investigation of Daniel Vinnece, who was on parole for drug crimes and lived in Boone.

White was not Vinnece’s parole officer. But a Boone narcotics investigator who was investigating Vinnece sought her help getting into his home without a warrant last year. Unlike police, parole officers can conduct warrantless searches to check on parolees. The search uncovered some marijuana and led to charges against Vinnece. But a judge dismissed the case after ruling the search violated his rights. White has appealed her firing, contending she acted appropriately.

The Iowa Department of Transportation  is restoring limited mobility at the Interstate 29 and Iowa 2 interchange in southwest Iowa today (Wednesday). Officials say all interstate ramps are now open. Iowa 2 east of the interchange is fully open, but Iowa 2 west of 210th Avenue remains closed due to flood damage. Fuel and other services are now accessible at this interchange.

Some limited mobility is expected to be restored to Iowa 2 west of 210th Avenue by late August. We are working on an extensive long-range plan to modify Iowa 2 to help mitigate future flooding impacts. A contract has been awarded to re-align the levee and build an overflow bridge. That work is anticipated to be complete next Spring.

Other flood-related closures continue on Iowa 275 and Iowa 333. Travelers should check 511ia.org, the Iowa 511 mobile apps or call 511 (within Iowa) or 800-288-1047 (nationwide) for up-to-date closure information on state-owned roadways across Iowa. Closures due to flooding can be viewed by turning on the incident layer on the online map and mobile app.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — An eastern Iowa firefighter who was seriously injured in a fiery explosion that killed one of his colleagues early this year has returned to work. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that 23-year-old Adam Cain returned to full duty just six months after the fire that injured him and killed 33-year-old fire Lt. Eric Hosette.

The fire at the ADM grain facility left Cain with two broken bones in his back, a dislocated elbow, bruised brain, two broken bones in his right arm and most of his ribs broken.
Cain says he just kept working steadily to get better.

Fire Chief Frederick Roling says he is grateful to have Cain back at work, and it’s fortunate that he was found during the fire because he was in bad shape.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Kim Reynolds is transforming the Iowa Supreme Court from one that leaned left to a solidly conservative body, prompting concerns that it could erode past rulings on social issues. Reynolds already has made two appointments to the seven-member court, which now has a 5-2 Republican majority, and will get a third before here term ends in 2022 because of a mandatory retirement age of 72 for judges. If she runs and wins a second term, she will complete the conservative transformation.

It marks a stark contrast from the recent past, when an Iowa Supreme Court ruling in 2009 made it the third state in the nation to pave the way for same-sex marriage. As recently as 2018, the court established a fundamental right to abortion under the Iowa constitution.

The City Council in Walnut, Tuesday evening, adopted a Lease Agreement the Community Center, with regard to Family, Incorporated. Walnut Mayor Gene Larsen told KJAN News the Community Center is “doing very well,” and that Family, Inc. will be the first long-term tenant to occupy the building. They’re a family assistance organization that was formerly based in Avoca. They will serve the entire area. Larsen says the City expects to eventually have numerous long-term leases from various entities to occupy space in the building.

The Community Center, which in its former life served as the town’s school, “Is doing very well” to promote itself, according to Larsen. He said they are developing a kitchen, with two main halls and two small spaces being rented more often now, and they expect to develop a Fitness Center in the building as well. He says they expect it to be the hub of the town and a great service to the community. The Walnut City Council also discussed issues with staffing the Welcome Center.

Larsen said their biggest concern right now is trying to find someone to run the Welcome Center, as the previous person has resigned. The Welcome Center, which has public restrooms downtown, is very important to the community. Larsen says “It’s hard to find volunteers who are willing to work for nothing. And, this is a big responsibility.” He says it’s not the City Council’s responsibility to find someone, but it does affect the City, so they’re working hard to try and fill the position.

The Mayor said also, the Council discussed RAGBRAI. He said the citizens are excited to have the throngs of riders make their way into town. There’ll be 10 vendors, entertainment and so on. “It ought to be a good time,” he says. Mayor Larsen also announced the window for submitting paperwork for persons wanting to run for his seat or City Council. He says there are two Council seats up for vote in November. Larsen hasn’t decided yet if he will run for re-election.