w/ Ric Hanson

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A routine traffic stop resulted a rollover accident early this (Thursday) morning, in Montgomery County. Sheriff’s officials say neither the driver, 21-year old Cody K. Blystone, nor his passenger, 20-year old Cody W. Chapin, both of Red Oak, were injured.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, a Red Oak Police officer activated his emergency lights just before 4-a.m., in an attempt to stop a 2006 Chevy Equinox that was traveling east on Bluegrass Road. After he did so, the SUV accelerated and continued east on Bluegrass, through the S-curves where the road becomes 207th Street. The SUV was exiting the curve back to the east when it went out of control near 1961 207th Street. The vehicle crossed the center of the road, entered the north ditch and rolled onto its left side. It continued to overturn as it slid in the ditch, and made contact with a field drive. The SUV finally came to rest after it flipped once more, and landed on its wheels.

After Blystone and Chapin were checked for injuries by Red Oak Fire and Rescue personnel, Blystone was transported to the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center, where he was charged with OWI/1st Offense and Reckless Driving. Blystone was being held in the jail on $1,000 bond. The SUV, owned by 20-year old Megan Backstrom, of Red Oak, sustained about $15,000 damage.

A Red Oak man was arrested Wednesday, on drug and other charges. According to the Red Oak Police Department, 33-year-old Ronald William Jennings was taken into custody on Possession of a Controlled Substance/marijuana and Interference with Official Acts, charges. Jennings was being held at the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center on $2,000 cash bond.

The Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency says no injuries were reported after an anhydrous tank being pulled by a pickup, overturned Wednesday evening in an area near Villisca.

Overturned Anhydrous tank near Villisca, 11/21/12. (All photos courtesy Brian Hamman, Montgomery County EMA)

According to EMA Director Brian Hamman, the accident happened at around 4-p.m.   The tank was leaking after it overturned, but the leak was stopped after a valve was quickly shut off by Villisca Firefighters.

Hamman says the road remained closed while crews worked to upright the tank, and no evacuations were needed. No other information is currently available.

A southwest Iowa woman died and a passenger in her vehicle was seriously injured Wednesday, after the SUV they were in struck a deer on Highway 34, west of Red Oak, in Montgomery County. The Iowa State Patrol says 26-year old Shawna Michelle Curtis, and nine-year old Lydia Powell, both of Creston, were traveling east on the highway at around 7:15-p.m., when a deer entered the roadway. When Curtis’ 2008 Ford Edge struck the animal, the deer came through the windshield, hitting Curtis, causing her to lose control of the SUV.

The vehicle continued east on Highway 34 before it left the road, entered the north ditch and rolled over twice. Curtis died at the scene. Powell was flown by helicopter to Creighton Hospital in Omaha. A report on her condition is currently not available. The Patrol says the woman and the girl were wearing their seat belts.

Officials with the Shelby County Emergency Management Agency said Wednesday, that they have been advised by Audubon County that 185th Street, between Yellowwood Road in Shelby County, and Bluebird Avenue in Audubon County, will be closed indefinitely, for bridge repair. The road is currently closed, and there is no known or set date for its re-opening.

Emergency Responders should plan to take alternate routes in order to reach residences in the area. If you have any questions, please call the Audubon County Engineers Office.

The Cass County Salvation Army Chapter officially kicked off its Red Kettle Campaign last week. Teresa Kanning, Cass County Salvation Army Co-Chairperson says the event was held November 13th, at the Main Street Grill in Atlantic. Kanning says last year (2011), the Red Kettle Campaign raised more than $8,500, which was the largest amount ever collected for the Cass County Unit.  The money has been used for assisting individuals with food and shelter after being stranded in the area either due to bad weather or car problems, etc.

Kanning says over $6000 was used to assist with needs in the local area.   Programs receiving funds this year past included: Parents As Teachers – for books;  School Principals – receiviedgift cards for identified students in need and, the Camp with a Cop program. In addition, donations to the Red Kettle Campaign allowed each Cass County School district to receive book bags for distribution to kids, the Family Crisis Support Network received food, The Cass County Alternative School received funds for food and hygiene products as well as clothing, to assist students in getting a job, and, stethoscopes for students attending CNA classes

Kanning says the community has been very supportive of the Red Kettle Campaign in Cass County, and local organizers thank you for your donations, as well as those who volunteered to ring the bell last year. She said Duane McFadden and Dave Hancock have been instrumental in finding volunteers and making sure shifts have been covered, but anyone who would like to volunteer to assist in the Campaign this year, is welcome to call Duane McFadden at 712-781-2287.

Donations that are mailed-in, need to be marked as being for Iowa Unit #209. The Unit number should be indicated on the front of your check’s “For” or “Memo” line,  or, on the online donation form, in order for it to be credited to the local unit. The money collected here locally stays in the community to be used to assist local community members.

SHELDON, Iowa (AP) — Investigators are searching for several hundred pigs and hogs that were stolen from a northwest Iowa farm last weekend. KMEG reports the animals that were taken from the Dekker family’s farm last Saturday night were worth more than $38,000. The Dekkers say 220 feeder pigs and 195 fat hogs went missing.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — A federal jury in Iowa has found a 28-year-old New Jersey man guilty of running a nationwide sex trafficking and prostitution ring. Jurors in Council Bluffs on Tuesday found Johnelle Bell guilty on 12 counts of sex trafficking and interstate prostitution.

NORWALK, Iowa (AP) — A central Iowa fruit and vegetable distributor is recalling several lots of cherry tomatoes after the grower notified the distributor that Salmonella was found in random sample testing by the Food and Drug Administration. Capital City Fruit Inc., of Norwalk says the recalled cherry tomatoes from Rio Queen Citrus are packaged in one-pint containers as Capital Brand Clamshell Cherry Tomatoes. They were shipped to retail stores from Nov. 14 to Nov.18 and sold in stores in Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin.