SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – Sioux City will try out a new Iowa traffic safety campaign before the program is rolled out through the rest of the state. The Sioux City Journal reports that the goal is to reduce the number of pedestrian injuries and fatalities in Iowa through enforcement, education, and street engineer work. The program is a partnership between the Sioux City Police Department, Iowa Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Bureau chief Pat Hoye says the results in Sioux City will determine where the program is implemented next. Police Chief Doug Young says Sioux City was picked because of its high number of pedestrian-related traffic accidents – 132 from 2009 to 2013, including eight pedestrian deaths.

Two people were injured during a crash Saturday afternoon in Montgomery County. Sheriff’s officials say 72-year old Steven Harshaw, of Glenwood, was transported by helicopter from the scene of the crash at Chestnut Street and Highway 48 in Elliott, to a hospital in Omaha. A report on his condition is not available. The driver of the other vehicle, 25-year old Alexandria Strauss, of Elliott, refused treatment at the scene.

Authorities say a 2005 Ford Explorer driven by Strauss was traveling east on Highway 48 at around 1:45-p.m., when she slowed to turn left onto Chestnut Street. In doing so, she failed to she an approaching 2002 Kia driven by Harshaw, and pulled into the path of the car, causing the collision.

Montgomery County Sheriff’s deputies were assisted at the scene by personnel from the Elliott Fire Dept., Elliott 1st Responders, Red Oak Rescue, and the Red Oak Fire Department.

Two Minnesota residents were injured during a crash on Interstate 80 this (Saturday) morning, in Cass County. The Iowa State Patrol says a semi driven by 62-year old Ross Schultz, of Denison, and a car driven by 40-year old Levelle Harris, of St. Paul, MN., were traveling westbound on I-80 just west of the exit to Highway 71, when for reasons unknown, the car approached the semi and swerved to avoid it.

The 2005 Nissan made contact with the front right side of the semi, which came in contact with the left rear corner of the car, causing the car to be disabled on the traveled portion of the road. The accident happened just before 7-a.m.

Harris, and a passenger in his car, 36-year old Brandy Richardson, also of St. Paul, suffered minor injuries during the collision. They pair, who were wearing their seat belts, were transported by Medivac Ambulance to the Cass County Memorial Hospital, in Atlantic.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — It’s been five months since the H5N2 bird flu virus was discovered in the U.S., and producers have lost more than 21 million birds in the Midwest alone. Yet, researchers with federal agencies acknowledge they still know little about the virus’ origin and how it spreads, especially with heightened biosecurity measures at commercial poultry farms and the apparent lack of widespread deaths in largely unprotected backyard flocks.

A leader with the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says not much is known about the virus because it only surfaced in the U.S. in early December. Unanswered questions include how exactly the virus finds its way into sheltered commercial chicken and turkey flocks and if wild birds spread the virus why more backyard flocks haven’t died.

The 8-a.m. Newscast w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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The 7:06-a.m. report w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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(updated 6:59-a.m.)

Atlantic Fire and Rescue and Medivac Ambulance were dispatched to a car-versus-semi accident this morning on Interstate 80, just west of the 60-mile marker, westbound. According to Cass County Communications, the female driver of the car was suffering from chest pains, but was otherwise conscious and breathing. No other injuries were reported. The accident happened at around 6:55-a.m.

No other details are currently available.

Police in Red Oak report one person was arrested Friday night and two people were cited on alcohol-related charges. 21-year old Cole Francis Meek, of Red Oak, was taken into custody at around 7:30-p.m. in the 200 block of E. Oak Street. Meek was charged with Serious Assault and brought to the Montgomery County Jail, where his bond was set at $1,000.

And at around 9-p.m., Red Oak Police received a call about minors drinking alcohol in the 1500 block of N. Broadway Street. Officers subsequently issued $330 citations to  18-year old Tristin Erron Bolinger, of Red Oak, and 19-year old Keaton Ray Kephart, of Stanton, for Possession of Alcohol by a person under the age of 21. Bolinger and Kephart was released at the scene, after receiving their citations.

Main Street Iowa hosted the annual Main Street Iowa Awards celebration on Friday,
May 1st, in Des Moines. During the event, six communities were recognized for reaching significant benchmarks based on private dollar investments made in the purchase and revitalization of properties within their respective commercial districts. Manning was recognized for reaching the $1 million benchmark in the last year. The community of Greenfield received recognition for its 20 years of participation as designated Main Street community.

The event to recognize local Main Street projects, activities and volunteers was attended by approximately 500 individuals representing communities across the state. The honors were presented by Governor Terry E. Branstad and Debi Durham, director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA).

Competitive nominations were submitted for 107 projects and activities within the five categories of design, economic restructuring, organization, promotion and overall program. Twenty-one projects received winner awards recognition and nine received honorable mention. In addition to the competitive nominations, individuals, couples or co-chairs representing the 52 Main Street programs were recognized for their outstanding dedication and volunteer service. The program directors accompanied their volunteers on stage as they received their certificates.