Five Northwest Iowa counties have received a Presidential Disaster Declaration.  Sioux, Dickinson, Lyon, O'Brien, and Osceola received the declaration in response to severe weather which occurred between April 9th and 11th.

The severe weather produced damaging winds, heavy rains, freezing rain, ice and snow that caused damage to utility lines, poles, trees and vegetation.

A Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for Public Assistance puts into motion long-term federal recovery programs, some of which are matched by state programs, and designed to help public entities and select non-profits.

Public Assistance funds may be used for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities.

it's the 15th Major Presidential Disaster Declaration Iowa has received since March, 2007.

The Siouxland Initiative has been recognized as one of the top 12 economic development organizations in the United States in 2012 by Site Selection magazine.

TSI functions as the economic development arm of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce.

Ron Starner, General Manager of Site Selection magazine, says "This year's 'Best to Invest Top Groups in the U.S.' all demonstrated a resiliency to bounce back from previous economic setbacks. In addition, they continued a long track record of supporting innovation and entrepreneurship in their communities.

The rankings were based on  new jobs, new jobs per 10,000 residents, new investment amount and new investment per 10,000 residents.

The organizations were also scrutinized for innovation, leadership and customer service.

Nebraska authorities say eight students from Battle Creek public schools were taken to hospitals after a school bus collided with a semitrailer at a foggy intersection in Madison County.

The Nebraska State Patrol says the collision occurred around 7:15 a.m. Monday on U.S. Highway 275, four miles west of Norfolk. The patrol says the northbound bus was crossing the highway when it and the westbound truck collided.

Nebraska State Patrol trooper Justin Koch says neither driver saw the other vehicle because of the dense fog.

Both drivers were wearing seat belts and neither were injured.

Ray Spencenbaugh of Faith Regional Health Services in Norfolk says two students suffered serious head injuries and were transferred to Omaha hospitals. He says the other injured students were expected to be treated and released on Monday.

The patrol says the bus was carrying 13 students.

SIOUX CITY POLICE CHIEF DOUG YOUNG SAYS JAMAL DEAN WAS LIKELY TRYING TO MAKE IT TO MEXICO WHEN HE WAS STOPPED BY FEDERAL MARSHALS IN TEXAS ABOUT A HUNDRED MILES FROM THE BORDER LATE FRIDAY NIGHT:



YOUNG SAYS DEAN WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY WITHOUT INCIDENT AFTER AUTHORITIES RECEIVED INFORMATION THAT DEAN WAS IN A TAN DODGE DURANGO IN TEXAS.

HE WAS TRAVELING WITH ANOTHER COUPLE, ESTEBAN HERNANDEZ JR AND EVETTE MORRIS-HERNANDEZ OF SIOUX CITY, AND FOUR CHILDREN.

IT'S NOT YET CLEAR IF THAT COUPLE WILL ALSO FACE CHARGES:



DEAN IS BEING HELD IN THE KLEBERG COUNTY JAIL IN TEXAS ON A CHARGE OF ATTEMPTED MURDER PENDING EXTRADITION TO IOWA.