Residents of Carson are being asked to boil their water used for consumption until further notice. The City issued the boil order this (Friday) morning, when a chlorine pump malfunctioned at the city’s water plant. For more information, contact Carson City Hall at 712-484-3636.

A black cow valued at $1,500 died, after it was struck by a pickup truck Thursday night, in Union County. The Sheriff’s Office says 25-year old James Coverdell, of Osceola, was traveling north on Highway 169 just before 10-p.m. Thursday, when his 1995 GMC truck struck the cow, which was on the roadway. The pickup sustained $1,500 damage during the incident. The cow was owned by Brett Weis, of Afton.

Some 315-thousand Iowans are of voting age who also have a disability. With the national political conventions starting next week, Iowans with disabilities are being urged to register to vote. Rik Shannon, project manager for the group Iowans with Disabilities in Action, says there’s a disparity between Iowans who vote and Iowans with disabilities who vote.

“In the last presidential election in 2012, that gap between the rate at which voters with and without disabilities turned out was about 5.7%,” Shannon says. “It was even a little higher in Iowa, up to about 6.3%.” According to research from Rutgers University, had people with disabilities voted in the same numbers as able-bodied people in the last presidential race, another ten-million votes would have been cast. This is National Disability Voter Registration Week and Shannon says he wants to make sure the voices of Iowans with disabilities will be heard at the polls in November.

“We’re really hoping to use this campaign to raise awareness of people with disabilities about the importance of engaging in the 2016 election,” Shannon says. “Getting them registered to vote is just the first step in becoming a voter.” Iowa does offer same-day voter registration, meaning, people can register at their polling places on Election Day, but Shannon says people should sign up now instead.

“It eliminates some of the hassles and some of the time that it takes to register on Election Day,” Shannon says. “You do have to jump through a couple of extra hoops. People may have some difficulty producing the proper identification or proof of residence. That’s a whole lot easier to do if you register early.” You can register to vote at the Iowa Secretary of State’s website: sos.iowa.gov. Iowans can also register at county auditors’ offices, driver’s license stations, D-H-S offices and other state agencies serving people with disabilities.

(Radio Iowa)

The Audubon County Fair continues through Sunday, in Audubon. Thursday evening, 2015 Fair Queen Tess Albright passed the crown on to Molly Armentrout, who was named the winner of the 2016 Audubon County Fair Queen contest. Molly is the daughter of Tim and Tracey Armentrout, of Audubon. Molly told KJAN her older sister Rebecca Grabel persuaded her to try for the crown and title.

‘Becca was the Audubon Fair Queen about eight-years ago. Molly said also she also wanted to get involved in a new way, because she hasn’t been in 4-H, so she wanted to step out of her “Comfort zone,” and learn a little bit more about agriculture that she doesn’t already know.

Molly is in the green dress. Thanks to Cassie Irlmeier for the photo.

The path to the stage and her crowning included interviews last week with the Queen candidates. Molly said she just tried to be herself during the interviews, and answer the questions as best as possible. She said she stumbled over the question “If you could have dinner with any person living or dead, who would it be?,” but in the end, it all worked out ok. Molly says she plans on attending Iowa State University after the State Fair Queen Competition. She prefers ISU because it’s closer to home, and because her sister attended the college. At ISU, she’ll study English and Secondary Education.

1^st runner-up in the Queen contest was Kaitlin Schultes, the daughter of Chris and Shandy Schultes, of Audubon. Kaitlin will be a Senior at the Audubon High School during the 2016-17 school year. She says she has plans on attending college after graduation, but she’s not sure where that will be at this time. Kaitlin said even though she didn’t think she would enjoy the process of competing for Fair Queen, it turned out to be better than expected.

And, the 2^nd runner-up honors went to Taylor Nielsen, the daughter of Robert and Christy Nielsen, of Hamlin. Like Molly Armentrout, Taylor said participating in the Fair Queen contest brought her out of her “Comfort Zone.” Taylor would like to attend college to become a Veterinarian, because she loves animals and wants to make sure they stay healthy and happy.

More area and State news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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One person was transported to the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital by private vehicle, Thursday evening, following a collision at the intersection of W. Joy and N. Broadway Streets, in Red Oak. Authorities say 34-year old Brandon Strunk, of Red Oak, complained of ringing in his ear, possibly the result of a side airbag deployment.

Strunk was traveling south in a 2007 Honda Civic, when his car was hit on the driver’s side rear door by a 2007 Chevy Impala. The Impala was driven by 17-year old Ryan Green, of Red Oak. Green told Police he stopped at the intersection headed westbound, but due to the sun being in his eyes, didn’t see the Civic. A witness told Police Green did not properly stop at the intersection before proceeding into it.

The impact spun Strunk’s car around 180-degrees. Damage from the crash amounted to $15,000. Red Oak Police issued Green a warning.

A Union County man was arrested late Thursday night. Creston Police say 20-year old Ryan Jason Parmenter, of Creston, was arrested for Domestic Abuse/Simple Assault. Parmenter was being held at the Union County Jail on a $300 bond until he’s seen by the magistrate.

The area’s top news at 7:06-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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OAKLAND, Iowa – July 15, 2016 – The Iowa Department of Transportation’s District 4 Office in Atlantic report, that in the next few weeks, motorists will see crews working at the intersection of U.S. 59 and U.S. 6 near the new Riverside High School. The Iowa Department of Transportation will begin installing a four-way stop at the intersection complete with stop signs, flashing beacons, rumble strips, new pavement markings and pre-warning signs. The work is scheduled to be completed July 28th, weather permitting.

The Iowa DOT has been working with the Riverside School District and the architect the last several years to improve safety at this intersection. One of the changes this group developed was moving the entrance into the school to line up with westbound U.S. 6 and installing the four-way stop. The new four-way stop is being installed prior to the beginning of the school year to allow motorists to become more familiar with the new safety feature.

The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.