THERE'S STILL TIME FOR SIOUX CITY RESIDENTS TO RENEW THEIR DOG OR CAT LICENSE WITHOUT PAYING A PENALTY. CAPTAIN MARTI REILLY OF THE SIOUX CITY POLICE SAYS FEES ARE DUE BY MARCH 1ST:

RESIDENTS NEED TO BRING PROOF THEIR PET HAS BEEN VACCINATED FOR RABIES WHEN THEY PURCHASE THEIR LICENSE.

REILLY SAYS PIT BULL OWNERS MUST MAKE SURE THEY RENEW THEIR DOG'S LICENSE BEFORE MARCH 1ST:

AND THERE'S ALSO A RESTRICTION ON THE NUMBER OF PETS PER HOME WITHIN CITY LIMITS:  

   YOU CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT THE REGULATIONS BY GOING TO THE CITY'S WEBSITE AT www.sioux-city.org OR BY CALLING 224-7387.

TWO SIOUX CITY RESIDENTS ARE DEAD AFTER THEIR PICKUP CRASHED INTO AN ICY POND AROUND 7:45 WEDNESDAY MORNING IN RURAL WOODBURY COUNTY.

THE VICTIMS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS 37 YEAR OLD JAMIE AARON ANDERSON AND 25 YEAR OLD JESTAINE MARRIE OLSEN.

THE IOWA STATE PATROL SAYS ANDERSON APPARENTLY LOST CONTROL OF HIS TRUCK NEAR MILE MARK 25 ON OLD HIGHWAY 141 BETWEEN SMITHLAND AND AND HOLLY SPRINGS.

THE PICKUP ROLLED SEVERAL TIMES AND LANDED ON ITS TOP IN THE ICED OVER POND.

A PATROL SPOKESMAN SAYS ANDERSON WAS NOT WEARING A SEATBELT BUT OLSEN DID HAVE HERS ON. THE ACCIDENT REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

A Ute man was killed in a car-truck crash in Crawford County on Tuesday morning near the town of Charter Oak.

According to the Iowa State patrol accident report, 29-year-old Benjamin Randall Monk of Ute was killed when the 1989 Mazda he was driving rear-ended a 2001 Peterbuilt semi tractor trailer driven by 37-year-old Justin Hanson of Ute.

Hanson was eastbound on Highway 141 when he stopped to take a left turn into a farm drive and was waiting for traffic.

The Monk vehicle failed to stop and struck the rear of the trailer. Monk was pronounced dead at the scene.

Monk was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident.

A BILL PENDING IN THE IOWA LEGISLATURE COULD BRING SWEEPING CHANGES TO MENTAL HEALTH CARE FUNDING IN THE STATE....AND CREATE PROBLEMS FOR COUNTY BUDGETS AND FACILITIES.

WOODBURY COUNTY SOCIAL SERVICES COORDINATOR PATTY ERICKSON-PUTTMANN SAYS THE 90 PAGE BILL REGIONALIZES MENTAL HEALTH CARE:

   
SHE TOLD COUNTY SUPERVISORS THE BILL WILL FORCE THE COUNTY TO COME UP WITH FUNDING FOR GROUPS OF PATIENTS THEY CURRENTLY TO NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THE CARE OF.

THAT WOULD CREATE A 3-POINT-8 MILLION DOLLAR SHORTFALL IN WOODBURY COUNTY'S MENTAL HEALTH CARE BUDGET.

PUTTMANN-ERICKSON SAYS THERE ARE NO FUNDS CURRENTLY ALLOCATED IN THE PROPOSED STATE BUDGET FOR THE REDESIGN EFFORT. SHE SAYS THE COUNTY WOULD HAVE TO ELIMINATE SEVERAL CURRENT PROGRAMS LIKE MENTAL HEALTH COURT TO MEET THE PROPOSED BILL'S FUNDING GUIDELINES.
   JIM RIXNER OF SIOUXLAND MENTAL HEALTH CALLS THOSE PROPOSED CUTS UNACCEPTABLE:

SUPERVISOR GEORGE BOYKIN DOESN'T THINK COUNTIES WILL BE ABLE TO MEET THE PROPOSED CHANGES:

COUNTY SUPERVISORS SAY THEY WILL VOICE THEIR OBJECTIONS TO LEGISLATORS AND AT AN UPCOMING STATE MEETING ON FEBRUARY 9TH.