Sheriff’s officials in Crawford County say two people were arrested Monday on drug charges following the execution of a search warrant at 857 2nd St. South, in Charter Oak. As a result of the warrant, 28-year old Nicholas McClure, of Charter Oak, was arrested for Possession of Methamphetamine and Drug Paraphernalia. And, 23-year old Elizabeth Melby, of Moorehead, Iowa, was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine and Drug Paraphernalia. Their bonds were set at $1,000 each. A small quantity of Meth was seized, along with drug paraphernalia.

The arrests were the result of an ongoing drug investigation conducted in cooperation with the Monona County Sheriff’s Office. Also assisting in the search, was officers with the Denison Police Department, and the K9 “Bayou.”

The Cass County Sheriff’s Department reports the arrest of Abdon Rodriguez of Des Moines on Sunday for a charge with first offense O-W-I. Rodriguez was taken to the Cass County Jail and was released earlier today (Monday) on his own recognizance.

The Atlantic Police Department investigated a two vehicle accident at 29th and Palm Streets Sunday afternoon. The report states Nancy White of Atlantic was backing from the driveway at 3009 Palm Street and struck a legally parked vehicle owned by Julie Mead of Atlantic. No injuries were reported and no citations were issued.

The Atlantic Police Department investigated a second two-vehicle accident at the intersection of 10th Street and Plum Street. Johnathon Traver of Atlantic was traveling north entering a stop sign at the intersection. After stopping at the stop sign; Traver pulled out in front of Peggy Jacobs also of Atlantic who was traveling west on 10th Street. Traver was transported to Cass County Hospital for non-life threatening injuries by Medivac and Jacobs denied any medical services but did complain of some neck pain. Traver was cited for failure to yield entering a thru street.

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A western Iowa couple chose an unusual venue for their wedding, tying the knot in front of the JC Penney store at a West Des Moines mall where they met for the first time a year earlier. The Des Moines Register reports Bob Jackson and 68-year old Rita Dennis found one another through an online dating site. He’d lost his wife to a terminal illness and was struggling with depression. She’d lost her job, her only distraction in the years after a divorce.

Their first in-person meeting was Sept. 11, 2013. He suggested outside JC Penney at the Valley West Mall because she noted on her profile that she loves to shop and he needed slacks and shoes anyway. Soon they were inseparable. In February, Dennis moved into Jackson’s house in Anita. He cooks. She cleans. “At our age it’s amazing and wonderful,” said Dennis. “I am much more mature and know who I am and what I like and what makes me happy.”

Judge Odell McGhee, who married the couple Friday, which was Jackson’s 70th birthday, wasn’t fazed by the couple’s choice of a wedding venue. Mall managers don’t remember any other weddings there. “You know people,” he said. “They do all sorts of crazy places.”

Dennis wore a dark blue gown and Jackson a gray suit. After the brief ceremony, they ate with their wedding party at a local steakhouse. Next week they’ll leave for a honeymoon cruise to Jamaica and the Cayman Islands.

A Missouri Valley man has died from injuries he suffered in a motorcycle crash Friday night, three-miles west of Woodbine. Rescue personnel responded shortly before 7-pm and treated 45 year old Blake Shipman, of Missouri Valley, for serious head injuries before he was flown byLife Net Helicopter transported to the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, where he later died.The man was not wearing a helmet.

Authorities say the motorcycle Shipman was driving was traveling west on Easton Trail and rounding a curve when it went out of control.

(KNOD/Harlan)

A judge has denied a request for bond reduction and pre-trial release for an Atlantic woman involved in a scheme to make her 5-year old daughter appear to be sick with cancer, and solicit money for treatment never rendered.

Leatha Kay Slauson enters the courtroom accompanied by Cass County Sheriff Darby McLaren. (Ric Hanson/photo)

In denying the request by 30-year old Leatha Kaye Slauson and her attorney Jay Mez, 4th District Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Larson today (Monday) said Slauson continues to pose a risk to the community. The judge said was not concerned about her being a flight risk, though. Even so, her bond remains at $35,000, and Slauson will continue to be held in the Cass County Jail. A No contact order remains in place for Slauson, who is not allowed to have any contact with her children.

Slauson appeared in court dressed in a Cass County Corrections orange and white-striped uniform, her long blonde hair in a ponytail, which featured reddish-pink highlights. Attorney Jay Mez had proposed Slauson be released and reside with her mother in Hampton, IA., but the judge rejected that request because the “Charges are very serious in nature and assaultive in nature.” Cass County Attorney Dan Feistner, requested bond continue.

Slauson, who entered a written plea of Not Guilty to the charges, faces 20 counts, including one count of drug distribution to a person under 18, two counts of child endangerment causing bodily injury, two counts of administering harmful substances, two counts of assault while committing a felony, two counts of domestic abuse and 10 counts of unlawful possession of prescription drugs, and one count of Theft in the 1st degree. Online records say the alleged offenses date back to September 2013.

Slauson had claimed her 5-year-old daughter Riley was dying from colorectal cancer. Authorities learned the girl wasn’t sick, when officials with the Atlantic Community School District looked for medical records showing how to best deal with her condition after she registered to attend school. Courts documents say Slauson inserted a feeding tube through the nose and into the stomach of her daughter to administer cannabis oil, and injected a drug called Neupogen without any medical advice. Neupogen helps the body produce white blood cells, and is used during chemotherapy. It can cause muscle and joint pain, cramping, stiffness and bodily injury.

The Theft charge filed against Leatha Slauson is with regard to the thousands of dollars raised by the community of Atlantic and others, to help pay for the girls’ medical expenses and send the family on a trip to Disney World.

Slauson’s Pre-Trial Conference is still set for October 13th, while her trial is slated to begin November 12th.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s department reports deputies attempted to stop a vehicle being driven by 34 year old Tabitha Rose Ann Holste of Yorktown earlier this morning. A pursuit of the vehicle ensued as Holste accelerated away from authorities. Holste was driving south on ‘S’ Avenue when she went off the ‘T’ intersection at 240th Street into the south ditch causing the vehicle Holste was driving to rollover. Holste was then taken into custody without further incident. Holste was cited for driving while revoked; failure to yield to an emergency vehicle; failure to maintain control; no proof of insurance accident related; and failure to carry registration card. Holste was transported to the Montgomery County Jail and held on 1-thousand dollar bond. Assisting the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department included the Red Oak Police Department; Villisca Fire and Rescue; and Red Oak Fire and Rescue.

The Creston Police Department reports three arrests over the weekend.

Jeremy Culbertson, 33, of Perry was arrested and charged by Creston Police Friday evening with two counts of child endangerment and interference with official acts. Culbertson was arrested at the corner of Cherry Street and Townline Road and was released on 2-thousand dollar bond.

Chad Cozad, 24, of Creston was arrested by Creston Police Saturday morning at his residence for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Cozad was released on 2-thousand dollar bond.

Jeremy Seddon, 33, of Creston was arrested by Creston Police Saturday afternoon at the Union County Law Enforcement Center on 3rd Degree Burglary Charges and was released on 5-thousand dollar bond.

Southwestern Community College in Creston also reported to Creston Police an individual stole a Gateway Laptop, Electrical Meters, and a GoPro Camera and accessories. Estimated loss listed at 950-dollars.