Authorities say a man from Minnesota was injured during a collision between a car and his motorcycle, Wednesday afternoon. The accident happened near the eastbound Interstate 80 off ramp and Highway 71, at around 2:40-p.m.

Authorities say the motorcyclist stopped at the end of the ramp at the stop sign, before proceeding to cross the Highway. He saw a car approaching and stopped, but the driver of the car was unable to avoid the collision. The motorcyclist was transported by Medivac to the Cass County Memorial Hospital and flown a short time later to an undisclosed hospital. The driver of the car and his passengers were not hurt. They were all from Ontario, Canada. No names were immediately released.

Atlantic Fire and Rescue assisted at the accident scene.

One of the biggest boosters of the state’s new fireworks law says lawmakers may move to address some of the legal wrangling over where fireworks may be sold. Senator Jake Chapman, a Republican from Adel, is concerned about some city ordinances restricting fireworks sales.

“The issue of cities using some zoning to put these in heavy industrial, that was never the intention of the bill,” Chapman says. “In fact, within the guidelines incorporated into the bill…it says that they shall be limited to mercantile occupancy, which we intended to be commercial zoning, so we’re going to have to look at that.” For nearly eight decades, Iowa law had forbidden the sale and ignition of fireworks in Iowa.

Chapman was the senate manager of the bill that legalized fireworks displays this summer. Chapman says he’s getting lots of “thanks” from folks who’ve waited for years to see private fireworks displays made legal. “The bill did what we had anticipated,” Chapman says, “and I think if folks were out last night and the last couple of nights, they could hear that Iowans were celebrating in full force with the celebration of the Fourth with fireworks.” Chapman says local control is allowed “on the use” of fireworks.

“There’s folks who absolutely don’t want it at all,” Chapman says. “But then you have others that say: ‘Hey, how can be enforce the law with people who are shooting them off after hours?’ And of course, with any law, you’re going to have people and that will be up to local jurisdictions to enforce it.”

The penalty is 250-dollars for people caught shooting off fireworks after hours or in cities that have local ordinances banning fireworks displays. Fireworks may be SOLD in Iowa through this Saturday, July 8th, and fireworks ignition may legally continue through Saturday in many jurisdictions. Chapman followed a personal, long-standing tradition and got a permit to host a fireworks display in rural Dallas County last (Tuesday) night that lasted about 20 minutes.

(Radio Iowa)

Homeowners, renters and business owners in southwest Iowa and southeast Nebraska who had damage during severe weather almost a month ago may qualify for federal aid. The U-S Small Business Administration has declared a disaster for the storms, tornadoes and high winds June 12th through the 16th. S-B-A spokesman Rick Jenkins says they’re long-term, low-interest loans.

“It’s one of the quirks of the SBA’s program,” Jenkins says. “Not only do we help businesses rebuild and recover with loans of up to $2-million to repair or replace damages they incurred as a result of a disaster, but also we help homeowners and renters.” The disaster declaration makes S-B-A assistance available in Fremont and Mills counties in Iowa and in Cass, Lancaster, Otoe, Sarpy and Saunders counties in Nebraska.

“A homeowner could borrow up to $200,000 to repair or replace their primary residence,” Jenkins says, “and homowners and renters can borrow up to $40,000 to replace personal property that was lost in the disaster.” The interest rates are very low, according to Jenkins, one-point-nine percent for homeowners and renters, and three-point-two percent for businesses, with terms up to 30 years. An S-B-A Disaster Loan Outreach Center is opening tomorrow (Thursday) in Plattsmouth, Nebraska, but Iowans with damage don’t necessarily have to make the drive.

“There’s three ways to apply for a loan: You can come into the center, sit down and talk to our customer service reps, you can call the toll-free 800-number and our customer service representatives will help you through the application process while you’re on the phone, or you can do it online yourself.”

For help, call the S-B-A at (800) 659-2955 or visit https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

(Radio Iowa)

A man from Nebraska died during a rollover accident Monday morning, in Audubon County. The Iowa State Patrol says 40-year old Eric Rutledge, of Omaha, was traveling south on Highway 71 near Littlefield Drive at around 4:50-a.m., when for reasons unknown, his 2006 Lexus IS250 crossed the northbound lane and entered the east ditch before rolling numerous times and coming to rest in a nearby gravel lot.

Rutledge was pronounced dead at the scene. The accident remains under investigation.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office said late Wednesday afternoon, that no injuries were reported after a car struck the Casey’s General Store in Anita, Tuesday evening. The accident happened at around 6:30 p.m., as a 2010 Dodge Caliber driven by 74-year old Carolyn Kay Symonds, of Anita, was pulling into a parking stall in front of the building. The car jumped the curb and struck the building, causing about $500 damage to the structure, and $2,000 damage to the vehicle.

Red Oak native, John Norris, is set to announce his intention to run as a Democrat candidate for governor of Iowa in 2018. The officials announcement is expected Saturday night on the farm he grew up on.

His bio says Norris is a fifth generation Iowan, raised on the Montgomery County family farm his Great-great grandfather settled in 1881. Educated at Red Oak Community Schools, Simpson College and The University of Iowa College of Law.

John Norris

His previous experience in government includes serving as former Gov. Tom Vilsack’s Chief of Staff, and, early on, campaigning for and working with, former Senator Tom Harkin. He was also Leonard Boswell’s Chief of Staff. His other political achievements include an appointment by President Obama to represent the United States on agricultural policy at the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization and World Food Program in Rome, Italy, becoming Chief of Staff at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and more.

Norris has also owned and operated the Old Hotel restaurant in Greenfield. He is currently a co-owner of the State Public Policy Group where he works on policy initiatives in education, health care and renewable energy. He and his wife Jackie live in Des Moines. The couple has raised three sons.

His campaign kick-off takes place from 5-until 7-p.m. Saturday at the Norris Farm, 2479 B Avenue, in rural Red Oak. Hamburgers will be provided by the Montgomery County Cattlemen, with a side dish potluck. Please bring a lawn chair if you plan to attend, and reserve your spot by calling 712-621-4427, or follow his campaign on Facebook at Norris For the People.

Page County Sheriff Lyle Palmer said today (Wednesday) “It appears that scammers are at it again.  They are now using local phone numbers and local names to attempt to get information and or money from people.  All sorts of different scenarios are being used.”

Palmer went on to say “In this day and age, it seems that people want to believe that they have won something that they have not even entered. What it basically comes down to is if someone wants personal information from you or for you to pay them any sort of money, then it is more than likely a scam.  If anyone has something like this happen, it is not advisable to give any information at all.”

Atlantic Fire and Rescue, along with Medivac Ambulance were called to the scene of a vehicle versus motorcycle accident this afternoon, just south of Interstate 80 from the Highway 71 eastbound off-ramp. Iowa State Patrol Troopers who came upon the accident reported at least one person was injured. Emergency crews were dispatched to the scene at around 2:42-p.m.

LifeNet helicopter was enroute to the Cass County Memorial Hospital just after 3-p.m. No other details are currently available.