Semi Truck Loaded With Hogs Overturns On Highway 75
(Hinton) — A semi truck loaded with hogs rolled over on its side blocking northbound traffic on Highway 75 during the early morning hours of Wednesday. According to an accident report issued by the Plymouth County Sheriff’s office, the accident happened at about 3:40 a.m. on Highway 75 south of Hinton about three miles. Apparently, the driver, 23 year old Benjamin Timmerman of Osmund, Nebraska, was traveling northbound when he reached down to get a bottle of pop and his eyes left the roadway. The semi truck and trailer went off the median shoulder and dropped into the ditch. Timmerman attempted to get back up on the roadway, but the trailer, loaded with hogs, began to roll onto its side taking the truck with it. The semi truck and livestock trailer ended up on its left side in the median, facing north. The driver was checked at the scene by medical personnel and found to be uninjured. The live hogs were off loaded by the owner and the dead hogs were picked up by a rendering company. Officials at the scene estimate at least a dozen hogs had perished as a result of the accident. The Hinton Fire and Ambulance responded to the accident.
Highway Patrol Reminds You to “Click it or Ticket”
(Le Mars) — “Click it or ticket” is not only a catch phrase, but its what law enforcement officials will do during this Memorial Day weekend if they see you driving with out a seat belt. Iowa Highway Patrol Trooper Vince Kurtz.
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The Iowa State Patrol trooper points to an accident that happened on the bypass in Sioux City last week as a reason to always buckle up. During that accident it was determined a female driver was not wearing her seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle and fatally wounded.
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Kurtz says the Memorial Day holiday weekend traffic is busier, and often times deadlier.
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DNR Warns Boaters To Be Aware Of Invasive Species
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is reminding boaters and anglers to be aware of invasive water species ahead of Memorial Day weekend.
In an effort to prevent the spread of species such as zebra mussels or Eurasian watermilfoil, department officials recommend cleaning and draining boats and equipment before leaving a body of water. They also recommend allowing boats and equipment to dry for at least five days before transporting them to another body of water.
Kim Bogenschutz, DNR aquatic invasive species program coordinator, says overland transport of boats is a common way to spread such species. She says these precautions reduce the likelihood of them spreading.
The department says these species cause problems when they become established in Iowa’s lakes and rivers.
Middle School Student Threatens Classmates
EARLY, Iowa (AP) – A 14-year-old boy has been accused of sending a threatening email to several students and a staff member at a middle school in northwest Iowa. The Sac County Sheriff’s Office says the boy sent the email May 12 to 16 students and one staff member at Ridge View Middle School in Early. Authorities say the email told recipients they had three days to live. Law enforcement officials removed the boy from school and he was taken into custody.
Treynor Teacher Charged With Sexual Exploitation
TREYNOR, Iowa (AP) – A teacher in western Iowa faces felony charges in connection to alleged inappropriate contact with former high school students.
The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office says 44-year-old Mike Travis turned himself in to authorities Tuesday morning. He was released a short time later on pretrial supervision.
Travis faces two counts of sexual exploitation by a school employee. A message left for his attorney was not immediately returned Tuesday evening.
Travis is a fifth-grade teacher at Treynor Elementary School and an assistant softball coach at Treynor High School. He was placed on paid administrative leave in April.
Pottawattamie County Sheriff Jeff Danker says it has identified three women that may be victims of inappropriate contact from Travis. They are pressing charges on behalf of two women.
West Des Moines Student Sets Fire To School
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A West Des Moines teenager has been accused of setting a small fire inside a high school bathroom. Police say the 16-year-old boy set the fire Tuesday morning at Valley High School. The fire set off the sprinkler system, and no injuries were reported. The student was taken into custody.
Des Moines Police To Open Forensics Lab
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The public will get a chance to learn more about forensic technology by touring the Des Moines Police Department’s new crime scene evidence processing lab.
The lab on the second floor of the city’s downtown police headquarters at 25 E. First Street will be open Wednesday from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
It will be a rare chance for people to see the forensic technology the department uses in criminal investigations.
Visitors also can tour the evidence storage facility and learn about the types of evidence officers gather and examine.
Many of the areas are usually closed to the public.
Penitentiary Employee Assaulted By Inmate
FORT MADISON, Iowa (AP) – Officials say an Iowa State Penitentiary employee has been assaulted by a prison inmate.
Prison spokeswoman Rebecca Bowker says the assault occurred Monday morning after the employee directed some inmates to move away from a restricted area. One inmate began to argue with the staffer, which led to the alleged assault.
Prison staff at the Fort Madison facility responded immediately and subdued the prisoner. The staff member sustained bruises to the face and head. He was treated and returned to work.
The prison remains on restricted movement as of Tuesday night. An investigation into the incident is ongoing. Additional information was not released.
Branstad To Sign Veterans Bills On Memorial Day
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Gov. Terry Branstad says he will sign measures passed by the Iowa Legislature designed to make the state a more attractive place to live for returning veterans.
Branstad says he’ll sign the bills at the Iowa Gold Star Military Museum at Camp Dodge in Johnston on Memorial Day.
Branstad made the initiative part of his priorities for the year calling it Home Base Iowa.
One bill he’ll sign exempts military pensions from state income tax, allows companies to give veterans preference in hiring and promotion, and directs Iowa’s licensing boards to adopt rules allowing credit for military training and experience in the licensing process.
A second bill he’ll sign provides an additional homestead tax credit for certain disabled veterans.
