DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Environmental Council says Iowa has set a new state record for the number of beach advisories issued because of toxic algae dangers. The council says 37 beach advisories have been issued this year because of a toxin produced by blue-green algae blooms in water. That surpasses last year’s previous record of 34 warnings.

Skin exposed to the toxin can develop rashes and blisters. Someone who drinks water containing the toxin is at risk for headaches, nausea and muscular pain. Animals have died from drinking algae-tainted water. Since 2006, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources has issued 185 beach warnings for high levels of the toxin.

Blue-green algae blooms are often fed by agriculture fertilizers, livestock waste and other pollutants. It is exacerbated by hot temperatures.

(In an update to our earlier report) Cass County Sheriff Darby McLaren told KJAN News Friday evening, two males and a female were injured in a collision that took place at around 2:45-p.m. Friday northwest of Massena. McLaren says the accident happened at 730th and Quincy Road, when a car failed to stop as it was traveling eastbound on Quincy Road. The vehicle collided with a pickup truck that was headed south on 730th.

The male driver of the car and his female passenger were injured, along with the driver of the pickup.

Photo courtesy Cass County EMA Coordinator Mike Kennon

All three were transported to the Cass County Memorial Hospital, with the driver of the car later flown by LifeNet Helicopter to Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha. That individual reportedly suffered from a broken leg, head and shoulder lacerations. Injuries to the other individuals were not believed to be life threatening.

The accident was under investigation by the Iowa State Patrol, with more information, including the names, expected to be released later.

The Cass County Board of Supervisors are expected to act during their meeting next Wednesday morning (Sept. 7th), on granting permission for a Bible Reading Marathon to take place on the courthouse block grounds, Sept. 19th through the 25th. The action to be taken during their meeting that begins at 8:30-a.m., is with regard to a proclamation made by Governor Terry Branstad on April 26th, that encouraged all Iowans to participate in the historic 99 county marathon, from  June 30th through July 3rd. Branstad also encouraged “Individuals and families in Iowa to read through the Bible on a daily basis each year until the Lord comes.”

The proclamation as signed by the Gov. April 26 2016

The American Civil Liberties Union and the Freedom from Religion Foundation raised constitutional concerns over the proclamation, arguing the government should be “neutral” toward religion. The “First Liberty Institute” has said it will defend Branstad if he is sued over the matter.

In other business, the Board of Supervisors will act on a resolution abating the taxes on parcels of land owned by the City of Atlantic, per Iowa Code.

No injuries were reported following a two-vehicle accident Friday afternoon, in Atlantic. A Pontiac apparently rear-ended a Chevy near the intersection of 7th and Mulberry, at around 4:15-p.m. Atlantic Police, Atlantic Fire and Rescue and Medivac Ambulance were called to the scene, but no one required transport to the hospital. One of the vehicles sustained extensive front end damage, while the other had a broken tailpipe mount that caused the tailpipe and muffler to drag on the ground. Both vehicles were driven from the impact site to a nearby parking lot.

No other details were immediately available.

Photos by KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

Officials with the Glenwood Police Department have released additional details about a man who was found with a gunshot wound Wednesday evening. Authorities say 63-year old Wendell James Prindle, died from his injury early Thursday morning. An investigation by the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation and the Glenwood Police Department determined foul play was not involved in the incident.

Prindle was found in a residence at 310 N. Vine Street, at around 5:20-p.m. Wednesday. He was flown to UNMC in Omaha where he later died.

Rescue crews were called to the scene of a two-vehicle accident Friday afternoon, northwest of Massena. The crash was reported to have occurred at 730th and Quincy Road at around 2:40-p.m.  Three people were injured. One patient was set to be transported from the Cass County Memorial Hospital to Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha, by LifeNet helicopter. That individual reportedly suffered from a broken leg, head and shoulder lacerations.

Photo courtesy Cass County EMA Coordinator Mike Kennon

No other details are currently available.

Patrons of the Atlantic Public Library can now take advantage of a new means of dropping off their checked-out reading and media materials. Library Director Natalie Struecker says a drop box was just installed this week for your convenience. The drive-up book drop allows you to leave your library materials checked-out from the Atlantic or other libraries, without having to enter the building. It was installed Tuesday morning.

Natalie says they want to thank personnel from the Atlantic Wastewater Treatment Plant, Code Enforcement and Atlantic Parks and Recreation, who put the box together and installed it. Struecker says the drop box hasn’t seen a lot of use yet, mainly because people haven’t heard it’s available. She hopes you’ll take advantage of the service.

The box is easy to find. It’s in the alley on the southwest side of the Library, just off the Library parking lot. She says because the area does see quite a bit of traffic, you should be cautious, and use the drop box for returned materials only. She asks you NOT to drop off materials intended for donation to the library. You need to bring those inside during their regular hours of operation.

The Iowa Attorney General’s office has filed a consumer fraud lawsuit against three California companies, claiming they sent libraries in Iowa bills with inflated prices of photocopier toner, though the supply was never ordered. It began with Cate St. Clair, director the Robey Memorial Library in Waukon. After the library received a mysterious bill for about $400 for toner, St. Clair called the number printed on the invoice.

“They were very surly on the phone and it was a California number,” St. Clair said. “They were like, ‘just disregard it. Just disregard it.’ And I was like, ‘Well this is super sketchy.'” At least 14 other Iowa libraries have received similar bills this year. Iowa Attorney General’s office spokesperson Geoff Greenwood alleges the scheme starts with a phone call and someone inquiring about the brand and model number of the office photocopier.

“And then they will get back to you with an invoice that has toner in it, very high-priced toner,” Greenwood said. “And they’ve got the brand name and the model number of your copier and the person who orders the toner. Well, someone else may receive this invoice and think, ‘well the other person in the office must have ordered it and I need to pay this invoice.'”

The companies named in the lawsuit are Central Supply Solutions, Central Supply Center, and Elite Supplies. Greenwood said it’s unclear why so many of Iowa’s public libraries are being targeted by the scam this year.

(Radio Iowa)

The last holiday weekend of summer is just ahead and many thousands of Iowans will be on the road. Extra law officers are being called in to keep an eye out for speeders, drunks and other lawbreakers. Iowa State Patrol Lieutenant Kelly Hindman of the Fort Dodge office offers some advice to keep from getting pulled over. “Obey the posted speed limits and travel at prudent speeds,” Hindman says. “This time of year, there’s lots of road construction still going on and trips are often delayed. Just be patient to get to your destination and don’t be in such a rush.”

One of the most important and easiest ways to save lives is simply by fastening your seat belt.  “We’ve had about 43% of Iowa’s fatalities this year have been not belted,” Hindman says. “We’re certainly encouraging everyone to put on their seat belt before they begin any trip, short or long.”

In addition to the holiday travel putting extra traffic on the roads, there are home college football games in both Iowa City and Ames on Saturday.

(Radio Iowa)

AMES, Iowa – Sept. 2, 2016 – The Iowa Department of Transportation is holding a sale of the remaining items from the Corning Maintenance garage Tuesday, Sept. 6 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

All items are being sold as is. Items in the sale include, steel work benches, welding table, folding tables, chairs, paint gun parts, misc. hand tools, drills, steel shelving units, grease guns and lubrication pumps, desks, school type lockers, empty steel drums, miscellaneous truck and tractor parts, large treated wood posts of various sizes, 3-point mower, unused bundles of shingles and roofing felt,  5,500 gallon ploy tanks, concrete and metal culvert pipes/sections, and more.

Payment must be made by cash or personal check. Credit and debit card payments will not be accepted. Items must be removed the day of the sale after payment is made.