Accident knocks out phone service to two Northeast Iowa towns

Residents of two northeast Iowa towns can’t send or receive telephone calls this morning. All telephone service, including emergency 9-1-1 calls, to Hazelton and Fairbank was lost this morning after a fiber optic cable was cut. Buchanan County Emergency Services Director Rick Wulfkuhle says anyone needing emergency service will have to use a cell phone. Wulfkuhle says a construction crew cut the cable. Iowa Telecom officials hope to have the service restored by 1 this afternoon.