An overheated dehumidifier is what caused a small fire in the basement of a home near Massena this (Monday) morning. Firefighters from Massena and Cumberland were called to the Joel McCurdy home south/southwest of Massena at around 6:47-a.m.

Massena Fire Chief Drew Williams told KJAN News when they arrived, dark smoke was coming from the door to the basement. After crews suited up with their air packs, they entered and found a dehumidifier had overheated and caught fire. The flames spread to a Christmas tree and ornaments.

The residents of the home at 72313 740th Street got out safely, and crews had the flames extinguished and room ventilated within a half hour.  Williams said everything went smoothly.

Two people were arrested on drug charges over the weekend, in Creston. According to the Creston Police Department, 18-year old Sydney Lynn Sanders, of Prairie Du Chien, WI., and 18-year old Leah Noelle Stroh, of Clive, were arrested at the Union County Jail on Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, charges. Both were taken into custody at around 11:20-p.m., Saturday, and later released on $1,000 bond, each.

Last Friday, 24-year old Rachel Marie Tucker, of Creston, was arrested by Creston Police on a Union County warrant for violating the terms of her probation. Tucker was being held without bond in the Ringgold County Jail.

And today (Monday), 24-year old Jonathan Scott Robison, of Creston, was arrested just before 4-a.m., on a warrant out of Missouri for a Probation Violation. Robison was being held without bond in the Union County Jail, awaiting extradition to Missouri.

Firefighters from Massena and Cumberland were called to the Joel McCurdy home south/southwest of Massena this (Monday) morning. A resident of the home at 72313 740th Street reported smoke in the home, and that everyone was being evacuated.

Firefighters were paged out at 6:47-a.m.  No other details are currently available.

A shortage of bus drivers left junior high school students in the AHST Community School District with a tough choice: miss class or miss activities. The Daily NonPareil reports the school district – serving Avoca, Hancock, Shelby, Tennant and secondary students in Walnut – has needed an after-school activities bus driver. Now several parents have stepped up to get their bus driving licenses.