Starting today (Saturday), a new state law goes into effect that may reduce some paperwork for truckers and companies that haul cargo. The law deals with so-called “straight trucks” that are different from semis that pull loaded trailers. Straight trucks carry cargo in the body of the truck. Iowa law had restricted the length of “straight trucks” to 41 feet. Iowa’s new law lets a single truck operate on the state’s roads if it’s four feet longer — 45 feet from bumper-to-bumper.

During the 2017 legislative session, Senator Michael Breitbach, of Strawberry Point, encouraged his colleagues to back the move. “This is similar to what happens in some of the states that surround us, that their feet are allowed to be 45 feet when they cross into Iowa,” Breitbach said. “They run into problems and have to get special permits for overlength loads. This would just give us a little more uniformity from state-to-state.”

The federal government sets a minimum size for SEMI tractors and trailers, but size limits for straight trucks vary from state to state. Iowa’s new law will align with straight truck size limits in Missouri, Minnesota, South Dakota and Kansas. It also means a straight truck that’s 45-feet long will be able to travel the entire length of Interstate 35 from Minnesota to Texas without getting permits for being oversized. This Saturday, July 1st, is the date when many new state laws take effect.

Nebraska and Wisconsin have straight truck size limits of 40 feet. Illinois has a 42 feet limit.

(Radio Iowa)

One person is dead following a shooting on Friday night in Charles City. Police are searching for 36-year-old Antoine Williams, a black man who is 6’ 7”, weighs around 250 pounds. A warrant has been issued for first degree murder. Williams is considered armed and dangerous. He may be in a 2006 Chevy Equinox with Iowa license plate number DOW 568.

The victim of the shooting was transported to the hospital where they were pronounced dead. The name of the victim has not yet been released pending notification of relatives.

(Radio Iowa)

Police in Red Oak, Saturday, said two people were arrested for Public Intoxication early Saturday morning. 42-year old James Reed Mitroff II of Red Oak was arrested at 12:45-a.m., and 40-year old Kelly Lee Peterson Jr., of Storm Lake, was taken into custody at around 2-a.m.  

On Friday, 43-year old Steven Lynn Ronfeldt, of Red Oak, was arrested for Public Intoxication. Bond for all three men was set at $300 each.

Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputies report the arrest this (Saturday) morning, of a Nebraska woman on an alcohol-related charged. 49-year old Jennifer Mulholland, of Elk Horn, NE., was taken into custody OWI/1st offense, following a traffic stop. Mulholland was held at the Montgomery County Jail on a $1000 cash bond.