Deputies with the Page County Sheriff’s Office Wednesday (today), transported 35-year old Ruby Jean Brownlee, of rural Villisca,  to the Page County Jail from Council Bluffs. Brownlee faces a felony “Assault on Persons engaged in Certain Occupations,” charge. a Class “D” Felony.

The charge is the result of an incident on August 25th, 2014, that started around noon and occurred in the northern part of Page County near the 1100 block of Quince Avenue. Bond on the charge was set at $5000 cash only, by a Page County Magistrate.

Brownlee is currently being held in the Page County Jail.

Crisis negotiators averted a potentially fatal situation Wednesday morning when a man threatened to commit suicide by jumping off the Bob Kerry Pedestrian Bridge over the Missouri River, linking Omaha and Council Bluffs. Authorities were notified at around 10:24-a.m. by the 27-year old Council Bluffs man’s father, that the man intended to jump off the bridge.

Omaha Police observed the unidentified man on the outside of the walkway on the Iowa side of the river. Council Bluffs Police Crisis Negotiators were called the scene. Also on hand were officials with the Omaha Police Dept., Omaha/Council Bluffs Fire and Rescue, and Omaha/Council Bluffs water rescue teams.

Authorities spoke with the man for about two-hours before he came back over the railing. He was transported to a Council Bluffs hospital for a psychological evaluation and treatment of minor injuries. No charges are pending against the individual.

Page County Sheriff Lyle Palmer wants to know if you are missing a rifle. Palmer says just after 7-a.m. Wednesday (today), his office was notified about a gun lying on the south side of the should off Highway 2, between Juniper and K Avenue. Deputies located the weapon and checked to make sure the Ruger 10-22 rifle wasn’t stolen. The check turned up negative.

The Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the incident. Palmer says anyone who is missing the weapon mentioned, should call the Page County Sheriff’s Office at 712-542-5193.  You will need to provide the serial number of your rifle to confirm the weapon is yours. The serial number can be obtained from the Federal Firearms licensed dealer YOU purchased it from.

Officials with the Cass County Sheriff’s Office report a Griswold man was arrested last week for Assault while Displaying a Weapon. 35-year old Roger William Peckenpaugh III was taken into custody Aug. 25th and released the next day, on bond. On August 26th, a Bridgewater woman was arrested on a charge of Burglary in the 3rd degree. 50-year old Toni Lynn Reese, was released from custody the following day, on her own recognizance.

The Harlan Police Department Wednesday (Today), issued a report on recent arrests and incidents. Officials say on Monday, 37-year old Joey Ranney, Jr.,was charged with Driving Under Suspension, following a traffic stop. Ranney was also cited for having dark windows on his vehicle.

Last Friday, Harlan Police arrested 22-year old Kati Jones, Harlan, after officers were called to a domestic disturbance in the 700 block of Baldwin Street. Jones was taken to the Shelby County Jail where she was charged with domestic abuse assault for allegedly striking Rodney Koehrsen, of Council Bluffs.

And on August 25th, 16-year old Brody Larson, of Avoca, was arrested when the manager at Casey’s General Store reported a subject trying to use a fraudulent identification to purchase tobacco. Larson was charged with unlawful use of identification.

On August 22nd, 28-year old Kenny Smith, of Harlan, was taken into custody when officers were called to a disturbance at Westridge Acres mobile home park. Smith was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with disorderly conduct.

Harlan Police report also, Quentin Jacobsen, of Harlan, reported on August 21st, that someone had broken into his apartment. An X-Box, controllers, and several games were reported missing, and there was damage to a flat screen television. The case remains under investigation.

Three people were arrested Monday on drug and other charges in Harlan, following an investigation into the alleged attempted break-in of a laundry room at the Lincoln Pines Apartments. According to the Harlan Police Department, 19-year old Haley Patten, of Harlan, was arrested and charged with unlawful possession of prescription drugs, possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), and aiding and abetting. 36-year old Jeffery McCoy, Council Bluffs, was charged with possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), possession of drug paraphernalia, prohibited acts penalties, and aiding and abetting. And, 35-year old Terry Hannan was charged with attempted burglary, possession of burglary tools, possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), and possession of drug paraphernalia. All three suspects were taken to the Shelby County Jail.

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) today (Wednesday) announced the first confirmed case of Chikungunya (pronounced chik-en-gun-ye) virus in Iowa. A Central Iowa adult (18 to 40 years of age) male who recently returned from a trip to the Caribbean became ill with the mosquito-borne virus; he was not hospitalized and is recovering.

Imported cases of Chikungunya are extremely common in the U.S. and until now, Iowa was one of only six states that had not reported such a case. An ‘imported case’ means an individual was bitten by an infected mosquito while traveling outside the state. As of last week, nearly 700 cases of Chikungunya have been reported across the country and almost all have occurred in people returning from areas of the Caribbean or South America where infected mosquitoes are common. Only six locally transmitted cases (all in Florida) have been reported.

It’s important to remember to protect yourself against mosquito bites whether you are on a vacation far away or in your own backyard. In Iowa, September and October are the months when mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus are the most active. So far this year, seven cases of West Nile virus have been reported in Iowa and surveillance shows mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus are active in nearly all parts of the state. Remember to wear insect repellent when outdoors and remove mosquito breeding areas by emptying outdoor containers that collect water – like bird baths or kiddie pools. For more information on West Nile virus, visit http://bit.ly/Ux5ZgW.

Most people become ill with Chikungunya within a week after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Common symptoms are fever and joint pain and other symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling or rash. Most people feel better within a week, but for some, the joint pain may last for months.

The Cass County Health System is sponsoring a Women’s Health event, “Managing Menopause,” on Wednesday, September 10th. The event will be held in Conference Room 2 at Cass County Memorial Hospital, beginning at 6:00 pm. A group of CCHS medical providers will present a brief program followed by a question and answer session.

The medical panel will include:  James Brown, MD, obstetrics and gynecology; Tressa Wilcox, MD, family medicine; Angela Weppler, MD, family medicine;  Stacey Bean, PA-C, family medicine.

Kim Kopp, RN, Women’s Health Coordinator, says “Menopause is one of those topics that people don’t always talk about, even though it is a major life event experienced by every woman at some point.” She says the event “Will give women the opportunity to learn the facts, pick up some tips to make this transition easier, ask their questions and learn how to effectively manage menopause in their own life.”

There is no charge for the program, and no reservations are necessary.