A fire late Sunday afternoon in Harlan resulted in the destruction of the former St. Michael’s Catholic Church, despite the efforts of firefighters from Harlan and at least four other communities, to limit the damage. The blaze at the vacant building on 8th Street took several hours to bring under control, but no injuries were reported. Crews from Harlan, Denison, Kirkman, and elsewhere responded to the scene. Crews were called-out again Monday morning to deal with a rekindle of the flames. The cause of the blaze remained under investigation.

From the Harlan Fire and Rescue Facebook page.

From the Harlan Fire and Rescue Facebook page.

From the Harlan Fire and Rescue Facebook page.

Courtesy Jim Wolf and Rita Knights

Photo courtesy Jim Wolf and Rita Knights

Several arrests were made recently, in Audubon County. Sheriff Todd Johnson reported on Sunday, that 33-year old Joshua Lee Larsen, of Audubon, was arrested Friday evening and charged with Possession of Stolen Property. The charge stems from an ongoing investigation and a second search warrant executed at Larsen’s residence at 311 South Division Street, in Audubon. Larsen was booked into the Audubon County Jail, and later released after appearing before a magistrate. Audubon Police assisted in the execution of the search warrant and arrest. The incident remains under investigation.

Also arrested Friday, was 24-year old Rhiana Marie Christensen, of Cumberland. She was taken into custody at around 8-p.m. in Monona County, on an outstanding Audubon County bench warrant issued for Contempt, when she failed to appear for a court hearing. Christensen was being held in the Audubon County Jail on $1,500 cash bond.

28-year old Ryan Bryce Nichols, of Gray, was arrested at around 9-p.m. Friday for Driving while Suspended. The arrest stems from a traffic stop on Highway 71, near North Division Street. Nichols subsequently posted a cash bond and was released. A passenger in the vehicle, 29-year old Benjamin Daniel Jobe, of Audubon, was arrested for Possession of Marijuana. He was later released, after appearing before a magistrate. Audubon Police assisted in making both arrests.

And at around 2-a.m. Sunday (Dec. 21st), 25-year old Matthew Steven Randeris, of Hamlin, was arrested on a charge of OWI/2nd Offense, following a traffic stop in the 1900 block of Highway 44. Randeris was booked into the Audubon County Jail and later released after appearing before the magistrate.

A Red Oak man was arrested early this (Sunday) morning, on an OWI charge. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports 43-year old Kipp Michael Brower, of Red Oak, was taken into custody at around 2:25-a.m. on a charge of OWI/1st Offense. Brower was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $1,000 cash bond.

A fire last August in Casey that destroyed the City Hall there, was likely caused by arson. And, while arson is suspected as the reason for the blaze, in an interview with the Omaha World-Herald, Ron Humphrey, Iowa’s  chief fire investigator said the damage was so extensive that the cause might never be officially determined.