DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A House panel has approved a bill that would require a physician to offer an ultrasound image to a woman seeking an abortion in Iowa. Members of a human resources subcommittee approved the bill Wednesday. It heads to a full committee for consideration, where it will need to advance by Friday to beat a procedural deadline in the Legislature.

The bill would require a physician to perform an ultrasound on a woman and give her an opportunity to view an image of the fetus. The woman would be given the option of hearing a description of the ultrasound image and the potential heartbeat of the fetus. Physicians could face jail time and fines if they didn’t comply. It’s unlikely the bill will advance in the Democratic-controlled Senate.

Police in Harlan say no injuries were reported following an accident that took place last Saturday. Officials say a 2001 Mercury driven by Shawn Gessert, of Harlan, was traveling north on 6th Street and had entered the intersection with Pine Street, when his car was hit on the right front corner by a 2000 Dodge that failed to stop as it traveling west on Pine. The car was driven by Brian Parker, of Harlan.

After the impact, Parker continued to drive up into a yard of a residence to avoid further damage to Gessert’s vehicle. Parker was subsequently cited for Failure to Obey a Stop or Yield sign.
Damage from the collision amounted to $3,500.

Police in Harlan report five people were arrested over the past week. On Feb. 24th, 50-year old Curt Anstey, of Audubon, was arrested in Harlan on a charge of impersonating a public officials, after police investigated complaints of harassing messages and texts. Anstey was brought to the Shelby County Jail.

On Feb. 26th, 21-year old Nhial Lam, of Denison, was taken into custody when officers investigated a suspicious vehicle. Lam was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of contraband.

On Feb 25th, three people from Harlan were arrested after officers were called to a domestic disturbance in the 1700 block of 6th Street. 43-year old Timothy Sorensen was charged with domestic abuse assault, possession of stolen property, and possession of drug paraphernalia. 29-year old Marcia Finch was charged with criminal mischief and assault. 43-year old Pamela Frieze was also charged with assault.

Officials report also, following a traffic stop, 31-year old Lindsay Schulte, of Portsmouth, was cited Feb, 27th, for driving under suspension and failure to obey stop or yield sign. Schulte was given a date to appear in court, and released.

And, Police in Harlan were called to the 1700 block of 6th Street on March 1st, after receiving a report  tires had been slashed. The investigation showed that a total of eight (8) tires had been slashed. The estimated cost of damage was $1,500. The case remains under investigation.

Shelby County Emergency Manager Bob Seivert says a bridge on Timber Road will be closed beginning next Monday (March 9th), while the bridge is removed and replaced with a culvert. The affected area is between 149 and 117 Timber Road, over an unnamed tributary of Walnut Creek, between Monroe Townships 34 and 35.

The road will be closed for about 5- to 6-weeks, weather permitting. Residents and emergency responders who use the affected section of road will need to find an alternate route. If you have any questions, call the Shelby County Engineer’s Office at 712-755-5954.