The Iowa National Guard says funeral services have been set for a 23-year old Algona native who was killed in the line of duty earlier this month, in Afghanistan. Sgt. Joseph A. Richardson died while serving on active duty in the U.S. Army on Nov. 16th, during a patrol in Paktika province, Afghanistan. His unit was attacked by enemy forces using an Improvised Explosive Device and small arms fire.

Also killed in the attack was Sgt. Channing B. Hicks, age 24, of Greer, S.C. Both men were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan., as infantrymen. Richardson was assigned to the 1st I-D in October 2008 and had previously served a tour in Iraq with them. This was his first deployment to Afghanistan.

Visitation for Sgt. Richardson will be held from this (Friday) evening, from 5-to 8, at the Oakcrest Funeral Home (218 S. Moore Street), in Algona. The funeral service will be held 10:30- a.m., Sat., Dec. 1st, at the St. Cecilia Catholic Church, (715 E. North St.,) in Algona.

A collision Thursday morning in Atlantic caused $4,000 damage altogether, but no one was injured. According to the Atlantic Police Department, a vehicle driven by Ruben Weirich, of Atlantic, was turning right onto 8th Street from the Iowa Western Community College parking lot, when Weirich failed to yield to a westbound vehicle driven by Ethan Nachtman, of Atlantic. During the collision, the Weirich vehicle hit Nachtman’s vehicle on the right front corner. Weirich was cited for Failure to Yield upon entering a through street. The accident happened at around 9:30-a.m., Thursday.

Deputies and staff with the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Department will hold their 14th Annual Sheriff’s Office sponsored “Shop with the Sheriff” program, Saturday, Dec. 1st.  The shopping event, which is held at the Target Store in Council Bluffs, will benefit twenty-eight children this year. Target opens their doors at 6:45 a.m. to allow uninterrupted shopping before the store opens at 8:00 a.m.  About 43 employees and families from the Sheriff’s Office volunteer their time to assist with the program.

This program is funded by donations from individuals and businesses throughout Pottawattamie County and surrounding areas.  The Iowa Department of Human Services provided names of the families who would benefit from the program.  Each child will receive $175.00 to spend and is encouraged to use most of the money on clothing, shoes and other necessities, but are allowed to purchase toys.  Each family will receive a food basket.

Repairs on the Keg Creek bridge along 1100th Street in Shelby County will result in the closure of that street for about two-weeks, beginning Monday, December 3rd. Shelby County Emergency Management officials say the bridge is located in the 700 block of 1100th Street, between Lincoln Townships 7 and 18, and east of all residences in the area.

Emergency responders need to plan alternate routes nearby residences, should they be called to homes in the area. If you have any questions, call the Shelby County Engineer’s Office at 712-755-5954.

A male juvenile died during a rollover accident Thursday afternoon, in Audubon County. Sheriff’s officials say 12-year old Austin Lane Vais, of Exira, was not wearing a seat belt when the 2003 Ford F-150 pickup he was driving, crashed about seven-miles east of Exira. The truck was traveling east on 290th Street near Swift Avenue, at around 4:30-p.m., when it went out of control, slid sideways into a ditch and rolled over. Vais was ejected from the vehicle. He was transported from the scene by Exira Fire and Rescue to the Audubon County Memorial Hospital, where Vais died from injuries he suffered during the accident.

The crash remains under investigation.

w/ Ric Hanson

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A fire that destroyed a 102-year old apartment building in Harlan Wednesday evening, was apparently caused by a carelessly tossed cigarette. According to Harlan Fire Chief Roger Bissen, a resident in one of the apartments at 707 Durant Street was lighting a cigarette with a butane lighter when the cigarette flared up. The resident reacted by quickly tossing the cigarette, which rolled and ignited materials in the room.

The fire, which started just after 6-p.m. Wednesday, ended-up displacing at least eight residents, one of whom was treated at the local hospital, after suffering from smoke inhalation.

The State Fire Marshall’s Office investigated the fire Thursday, and ruled the cause as accidental.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – A day of free admission has been scheduled at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium.  First National Bank is the sponsor. Gate admission will be free from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

The zoo is located just south of Interstate 80, off Exit 454, South 13th Street, in eastern Omaha. It is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through February.