Rescue crews have been dispatched to a reported four-vehicle accident on Highway 92 near the Cass-Adair County line. The accident took place at around 6:15-p.m., Wednesday. Four people have been hurt, at least one is said to have been trapped in a vehicle. At least two people, possibly three, were critically injured according to scanner traffic. Three people were transported by two separate ambulances, to the Cass County Memorial Hospital. LifeNet was also enroute from Clarinda to the scene.

The road was blocked, as well. Travelers should take an alternate route. Multiple law enforcement agencies are responding for traffic control.

No other details are currently available. Check back for updates.

A collision between a dump truck and a semi this (Wednesday) morning in Council Bluffs caused traffic to be blocked in one lane for more than an hour. According to Bluffs Police, a semi operated by 35-year old Chad Followell, of Garrett, IN., had broken down and was legally parked on the shoulder of Interstate 80 near the South 24th Street exit, with triangular warning reflectors placed on behind the vehicle, as required.

A dump truck, driven by 47-year old Russell Chase, of Omaha, was traveling west on I-80 when he dozed off or passed out, possibly as the result of exhaust fumes entering the cab. Chase said the vehicle has recently had issues with its exhaust. The dump truck collided with the parked semi, resulting in minor injuries to Followell, who was on the passenger side of his semi’s tractor, 46-year old Shawn Smith, of LaPorte, IN., a passenger in the semi who was in the semi’s sleeper compartment, and Russell Chase.

Each of the individuals complained of pain but refused medical treatment. Chase was cited for Failure to Maintain Control. The right lane of I-80 westbound was closed for about 90-minutes, and while it has since re-opened, work was continuing Wednesday afternoon on the shoulder of the road.

Police in Council Bluffs arrested a man late this (Wednesday) morning for allegedly brandishing a knife in front of Thomas Jefferson High School, in Council Bluffs. Officers responded to the school located at 2501 W. Broadway, just before Noon, after authorities received a report of a man swinging a knife at the flagpole in front of the school. The school resource officer was notified and the school was placed into lock-down. Officers arrived on scene and took 23-year old Anthony James Featherstone into custody without incident. Featherstone was in possession of a butter knife. He also caused damage to the flagpole, but the damage was less than $200.Officers transported Featherstone to Pottawattamie County Corrections, where he was charged with Disorderly Conduct and Criminal Mischief 5th degree. The school was released from lock down at 12:01-p.m. No students were involved or injured during the incident.

COUNTIES: SAC-CRAWFORD-CARROLL-AUDUBON-GUTHRIE-DALLAS-CASS-ADAIR-MADISON-ADAMS-UNION-TAYLOR-RINGGOLD…-
323 PM CDT WED APR 22 2015

Freeze Warning for Counties in purple

…FREEZE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 2 AM TO 8 AM CDT THURSDAY…

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN DES MOINES HAS ISSUED A FREEZE WARNING…WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 2 AM TO 8 AM CDT THURSDAY.

* TIMING…LATE TONIGHT INTO EARLY THURSDAY MORNING.

* TEMPERATURE…TEMPERATURES WILL FALL TO THE MID 20S TO AROUND 30 DEGREES BY EARLY THURSDAY MORNING.

* IMPACTS…SENSITIVE VEGETATION MAY BE AFFECTED BY THE FREEZING
TEMPERATURES.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A FREEZE WARNING MEANS SUB-FREEZING TEMPERATURES ARE IMMINENT OR
HIGHLY LIKELY. THESE CONDITIONS WILL KILL CROPS AND OTHER
SENSITIVE VEGETATION.

Sheriff’s officials in Mills County report a woman was arrested on an assault charge, Monday. 40-year old Mary Jo Villegas, of Glenwood, was taken into custody at around 6-p.m. in the vicinity of Deacon Road, and charged with Assault Causing Bodily Injury. Her bond was set at $1,000. And on Tuesday, Mills County deputies arrested 26-year old Robert David Dulaney, of Fluvanna, TX, on a charge of Theft in the 1st Degree. Dulaney was arrested along I-29 at around 2:35-p.m. His bond was set at $10,000.00.

A school in Council Bluffs was on a brief lock-down late this (Thursday) morning. The Daily NonPareil reports Council Bluffs Police were called to the Thomas Jefferson High School at around 11:45-a.m., upon reports of a man allegedly brandishing a knife outside the school. The unidentified suspect was standing outside the school, on West Broadway, holding a knife.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Federal officials say they’re taking steps to create a human vaccine for the bird flu virus that’s affected the Midwest poultry industry, though they still consider the danger to be low. Dr. Alicia Fry, an influenza expert with the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, says they’re optimistic there won’t be any human cases of the H5N2 strain that has cost chicken and turkey producers nearly 6.8 million birds so far.

She said Wednesday that most human infections with other bird flu viruses have required close, prolonged contact with infected birds. So, officials are monitoring farm workers who’ve been exposed to affected flocks. Fry said the CDC has taken early steps toward developing a human vaccine in case it’s needed, but that’s a standard procedure with all emerging diseases.

The Creston Police Department is investigating the theft of two riding mowers from a local business. Agrivision, in Creston, reported to authorities a 2004 and 2015 John Deere riding mower were taken from the business at 710 E. Taylor Street, sometime between Noon April 8th and 2:30-p.m. on April 20th. The loss was estimated at $10,029.

The City Council in Massena will hold a Special Session Thursday evening. According to their agenda, the Council will review bids for spraying in the City Park. And they will discuss and/or act on: Nuisance addresses (with regard to the Urban Renewal Plan); Ball Park Bleachers; Manhole issues; and Sewer Rates.

The meeting begins at 6-p.m. on Thursday at the Massena City Hall.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Leaders in the Republican-controlled Iowa House are offering their budget outline, which includes a lower overall spending goal than the plans put forth by the governor or the Democrat-majority Senate.  House Republicans released their plan Wednesday. Their budget would spend about $7.17 billion, compared to the $7.3 billion spending proposals from Senate Democrats and Republican Governor Terry Branstad.

House Speaker Kraig Paulsen, a Republican from Hiawatha, says House Republicans want spending to stay within the expected revenue for the next fiscal year, which begins July 1. But Democratic Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal says the House proposal would cause “significant problems” in managing state government.

Democrats and Republicans remain at odds over how much new funding to provide to schools for the upcoming academic year.