Three Vehicles Collide At Rural Intersection
(Le Mars) — Three vehicles collided Wednesday morning at the intersection of County roads C-38 and K-22 about eight miles southwest of Le Mars. The accident happened at about 10:15 a.m. 36 year old Kari Robinson of Akron was traveling southbound on county road K-22 when 68 year old Russell Martin of Elk Point, South Dakota was heading east-bound on C-38. Martin had thought the intersection was a four-way stop. He pulled out into the intersection striking the Robinson vehicle which made the Robinson vehicle spin and strike a pick up truck being driven by 20 year old Andrew Brown of Merrill. Brown was heading northbound on K-22, but was wanting to make a left-hand turn heading westbound on C-38. Brown had stopped at the intersection and was waiting for the two vehicles to pass. During the accident, the weather conditions were rainy and foggy. Both the Robinson and Brown vehicles sustained major damage and the two vehicles appeared to be totaled, Plymouth County Sheriff’s deputies indicated there were only minor injuries and none were thought to be life-threatening injuries. Robinson was transported by the Le Mars Ambulance Service to Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City. Also responding to the accident were the Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department and also the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office. Plymouth County Sheriff’s deputies are investigating the accident.
Iowa State Patrol To Watch Teen Driving Habits During Prom And Graduation Season
(Le Mars) — This time of year a teenage driver’s thoughts often turn to high school proms and graduations. But according to officials with the Iowa State Patrol, it is also one of the deadliest times when teen age drivers are involved with an accident.
Listen to
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Trooper Vince Kurtz says the Iowa State Patrol has kicked off the “I got caught” campaign that offers incentives and rewards to teenage drivers who are doing the correct things as it relates to driving.
Listen to
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Kurtz says the program has helped teen age drivers become more aware of their driving habits, and many times it encourages the teen drivers to make good decisions when it comes to their driving.
Listen to
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Senate Democrats Critical Of Privatized Medicaid Program
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Members of a legislative committee in the Democratic-majority Senate say they’re hearing multiple reports of problems with Iowa’s Medicaid program under private management.
Lawmakers in the Senate Human Resources Committee said Wednesday they’ve received complaints from Medicaid service providers and program recipients. Those complaints range from questions over rejected claims and confusion about coverage.
Lawmakers say the problems conflict with reports from Gov. Terry Branstad’s office and others that there have been no serious problems since three insurance companies took over Medicaid on April 1.
A Branstad spokesman says positive reports from the governor’s office are directly from Medicaid patients. State officials and representatives for the insurance companies say they’ll investigate any ongoing complaints.
The $4.2 billion Medicaid program provides health care to about 560,000 poor and disabled Iowa residents.
House Republicans Pass Legislation To Ban Funding For Planned Parenthood
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Republican-controlled Iowa House has passed a health and human services bill for the next budget that would remove state funding for Planned Parenthood.
The chamber voted 56-42 Wednesday for the legislation, which is expected to hit roadblocks in the Democratic-majority Senate over a proposal to remove Medicaid funding for family planning facilities that provide abortions. The bill is expected to be resolved through a special legislative committee.
The House voted after a debate that began Tuesday night.
Lawmakers continue to pass bills that will make up the budget that goes into effect in July, but there’s growing conflict about some decisions.
Wednesday marks the first day lawmakers are working without reimbursement payments for expenses like food and housing. The date is often seen as a deadline for adjournment activity.
Motorcycle Driver Identified
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – Authorities have identified the man who fled from police on a motorcycle and died after a crash in Council Bluffs.
Police say an Iowa Transportation Department officer was trying to pull over two motorcyclists around 10:20 p.m. Tuesday near the Pottawattamie County Jail when they sped away.
Police say 18-year-old Lance McCormick lost control of his motorcycle, struck a curb and then a fence. He was ejected.
The other motorcyclist raced away.
Police say McCormick was injured and later died at a Council Bluffs hospital.
Police say the motorcycle was stolen.
