No injuries were reported following a chain-reaction crash Wednesday, in Creston. Authorities say the accident happened at the intersection of Sumner and New York Avenue at around 11:30-a.m., when a pickup driven by 25-year old Andy Gist, of Creston, came up too fast on two other vehicles waiting for the stop light to change.

Gists’ 2005 Ford F16 hit the rear of a 2003 Dodge Dakota pickup driven by Shaiyena Weaselhead, of Diagonal, which in-turn, struck a 2016 Chevy pickup, driven by George Queck, of Fontanelle, as he was starting to pull away from the light when it turned green.

Damage from the collisions amounted to $2,200. No citations were issued.

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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The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday, approved an engineering agreement with Snyder and Associates Engineers, with regard to the Connector Trail and Pedestrian Bridge Project. The services will be paid for through a grant, with the City acting as the flow-through agency for the funds.

The agreement allows the City to begin the engineering and design phase of the $600,000 project, which will connect the Schildberg Recreation Area to a trail that will eventually connect to the T-Bone Trail connector head off of Highway 71, in the area known as the “Valley.” The pedestrian bridge will cross Troublesome Creek, just to the west of the KJAN studios.

The Council also approved a nearly 2-million dollar budget amendment for the current (Fiscal Year 2015) budget. City Administrator John Lund said the changes are not related to new spending or overspending, rather it’s more about moving monies designated for the next fiscal year into the current year.

And, the Council approved Mayor Dave Jones’ decision to appoint Dick Casady to the 5th Ward Council seat, effective June 4th, to fill the remainder of a term created by the resignation of Councilperson Lori Stuart. The seat will come up for election in November, unless a petition is circulated calling for a special election.

Officials with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), serving Nebraska, South Dakota, The Kansas Plains and Southwest Iowa, is warning businesses in the region that someone impersonating a BBB representative may contact your company with threats of prosecution. Business owners should be aware that these phone calls are not legitimate.

Earlier this week, a man using the name “Drew Aldridge” called a business located in Rapid City, South Dakota. He claimed that he was from the local BBB and informed the business that there were “several cases filed against their business that they had neglected to take care of over the past three years.” He proceeded to say that they now have an “F” rating and claimed there is a local attorney who is interested in prosecuting them. The caller said, “I am letting you know that formal charges may be coming against your business. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us and have a good day.”

BBB President and CEO Jim Hegarty said “There is nobody employed at BBB with the name ‘Drew Aldridge’ and this company does not have unanswered complaints.” Hegarty said “This appears to be a pretty common scam that occurs all across the country. The callers will claim to be from well-established organizations such as the IRS, FBI and BBB, and they anticipate their message will scare the business enough to call back. Callers reportedly ask for detailed personal and business information. It is likely a phishing scam, designed to get information that can be used for illicit purposes or a means of gathering a list of leads that can be sold to other companies. The business owner may also be told that they can pay a fee to avoid prosecution.”

Representatives from BBB may contact businesses periodically by phone to handle complaints, update BBB Business Reviews or invite select businesses to apply for BBB Accreditation, but they do not threaten legal action. Businesses are encouraged to verify the legitimacy of a BBB representative by calling 800-649-6814. Additionally, any business that believes it has been contacted by someone who may be impersonating someone from BBB is urged to contact BBB with information that may aid in the investigation of this call.

Deputies in Montgomery County arrested a man early this (Wednesday) morning for failing to stop. Authorities say 25-year old Brett Alan Querry, of Red Oak, was charged with OWI/1st offense, Speed by Radar, Failure to Obey a Stop Sign, and Failure to Yield to an Emergency Vehicle, following an incident during which he failed to stop for a Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputy.

Querry was taken into custody at around 12:45-a.m. without further incident at 150th Street and F Avenue, northwest of Red Oak. He was brought to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $1,000 bond. Sheriff’s Deputies were assisted during the incident by officers with the Red Oak Police Department.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office was called to the scene of a hit and run, motor vehicle accident with injuries, Wednesday morning. The accident happened at around 6:30-a.m., in the 1600th block of Highway 59. Officials say a 1999 Chevrolet Lumina, driven by Chadwick Sachau, of Denison, was northbound on the highway at the same time a 2000 Chevy Suburban driven by Efrain Chavez-Mendoza, of Denison, was traveling southbound.

Sachau’s car crossed the center line and struck Suburban in the left rear corner panel. Officials say after the collision, Sachua continued north bound, in an attempt to flee the scene. When his car became disabled in the 1700 block of highway 59, Sachua fled on foot. Deputies with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office arrived on the scene, located Sachua a short distance away, and took him into custody.

Sachau was not injured during the incident. He was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, and driving while barred. His bond was set at $2,000. A passenger in the Chavez- Mendoza vehicle, identified as 21-year old Andy Armondo-Casanova, of Denison, suffered minor injuries and was transported to Myrtue Memorial Hospital by Medivac Ambulance.

Personnel with the Westphalia Fire Department assisted the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office at the accident scene.

The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, Wednesday, reported one person was hurt during a single-vehicle rollover accident early that same morning. Deputies responded at around 12:35-a.m. to the intersection of 130th Street and 405th Avenue, where they discovered a full-size truck lying on its side in the south ditch.

The driver, 23-year old Darin Profitt, of Shenandoah, was still in the vehicle. The man was extricated from the truck and transported to the Shenandoah Memorial Hospital, before being transferred to the Nebraska Medical Center for further treatment. AN investigation indicated alcohol may have been a factor in the crash, which remains under investigation.

Fremont County Deputies were assisted at the scene by Shenandoah Police, Deputies from Page County and Shenandoah Fire and Rescue personnel,

It would be legal to sell and set off fireworks in Iowa if a bill that cleared the Iowa House last night (Wednesday) becomes law. Representative John Wills, a Republican from Spirit Lake, was among the 53 House members who voted “yes.” “We need to have people understand that what they do and how they do it is their responsibility,” Wills said. “This bill gives freedom back to the people and I’m in favor.”

Representative Kirsten Running-Marquardt, a Democrat from Cedar Rapids, was among the 43 who voted “no.” “This bill does not make Iowa a safer place to live,” she said. “In fact, it does the opposite.” Critics cited concerns about fires started by the sparks of fireworks, as well as complaints that veterans with post traumatic stress disorder suffer from the sounds of fireworks. Representative David Maxwell, a Republican from Gibson, says he doesn’t have P-T-S-D, but couldn’t watch fireworks for several years after he got out of the military.

“I still don’t enjoy them,” Gibson said. “And I’m not a kill joy, believe it or not, but I know a number of people that really do not look forward to summertime and the 4th of July because what happened to them 40 or 50 years ago or even longer. I think we’re being a little bit shortsighted for a few bucks here.” That would be because the bill legalizes the sale of commercial fireworks in Iowa. Representative Matt Winschitl (WIND-shit-ull), a Republican from Missouri Valley, says he didn’t support the bill because of the tax revenue the state might collect.

“It’s about letting Iowans make the choice for themselves,” Windschitl says. “You’ve got 43 other states out there that allow one degree of fireworks or another beyond what Iowa does.” If the bill becomes law, it would be legal to set off fireworks between the hours of 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. every day. Representative Dave Heaton, a Democrat from Mount Pleasant, says his dog, Molly, isn’t a fan of the fireworks that go off in his community over the 4th of July holiday.

“She gets through that, but I’ll be darned if I want to vote for a bill that makes the 4th of July year round,” Heaton said. Representative Walt Rogers, a Republican from Cedar Falls who voted for the bill, says he has “nothing but good memories” of setting off fireworks. “I can remember lots of 4th of July where we had a lot of fun with fireworks,” Rogers said. “And I remember doing the same thing with my own kids, in Cedar Falls.” A few legislators like Representative Mary Gaskill of Ottumwa admitted they were conflicted on the issue.

“I have young people in my district who really want me to vote yes on this bill,” Gaskill said. “And then I listen to the veterans and the fire fighters and those people who would be directly affected with the bill and I have changed my mind and I have decided I’m a no on this.” Representative Mike Sexton, a Republican from Rockwell City who voted for the bill, says far more Americans are injured by dog bites than by fireworks.”Folks, whatever happened to apple pie and baseball and Chevrolet and hot dogs and fireworks?” Sexton asked. “We are not talking about blowing up the state of Iowa.”

If the bill becomes law, cities and counties would be allowed to pass local ordinances restricting fireworks, plus the bill calls for a 250-dollar fine for improper use of fireworks. It would also be illegal to sell fireworks to a minor. A similar bill cleared a senate committee earlier this month and is eligible for senate debate.

(Radio Iowa)