OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – A 28-year-old man sought in an Omaha assault case has been arrested after a two-state chase.  Omaha police say Allen Williams was spotted late Saturday night in a pickup that soon halted after officers deployed stop strips that flattened the truck tires. But police say Williams then threatened a woman at a gas station nearby, stole her car and then took off on a chase that crossed the Missouri River into Iowa and then back into Nebraska.

Police say Williams was arrested after the vehicle he was driving plowed through some backyards in western Omaha. Police say an officer fired his gun but didn’t hit anyone.  Williams faces robbery, drug, assault and other charges. He’s previously served prison time.

A chase in Montgomery County early this (Monday) morning that began with a traffic stop, ended with the suspect vehicle getting away, and Sheriff’s vehicle going up in flames. No injuries were reported. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports Red Oak Police attempted to stop a vehicle at around 1:03-a.m., but the car took off. Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputy’s Buttercase and Anderson engaged in the pursuit just southeast of Red Oak.

As the suspect vehicle continued westbound from J Avenue on 215th Street and was able to maneuver around a deputy’s vehicle that had approached eastbound on 215th from Hickory. Officials say Deputy Buttercase was behind the offender and continued past Deputy Anderson’s patrol vehicle, attempting to maintain a visual on the suspect’s vehicle. During the chase, Buttercase attempted to slow down as he approached a the t-intersection after topping a hill, but his patrol car skidded past the turn and went into the west ditch off Hickory. The car sustained minimal damage at the time. The deputy secured his cruiser and was picked up by another officer as they continued to pursue the suspect.

The chase was called-off after authorities lost sight of the vehicle. When deputies returned to the ditched patrol vehicle, they found it to be fully engulfed in flames. Red Oak Fire was called and extinguished the fire. The 2011 Dodge Charger owned by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and its contents, were a total loss.

An investigation into the offender’s identity continues.

The Atlantic School District’s Board of Education will meet tonight at the High School during a regularly scheduled session in the Media Center. During the 7:30-p.m. meeting, the Board will hear Special Presentations from the Student Council, Ag Instructor/FFA Advisor Eric Miller – with regard to the National FFA Convention, and Jerry Purdy with Design Alliance Engineers – with regard to the Middle School renovation project.

The Board will also act on approving: Volunteer Coaches positions; Resignations and the receipt of gifts, grants and bequests. Other action items include approval of an increase in substitute nurse pay, the District Affirmative Action Plan, an additional Para-Educator for the K-8 Link Center, and a bid for Middle School weight equipment.

The Board will also discuss, but take no action on the District’s 5-year Capital Needs Plan, and Long-term Board goals.

Newborns are being outfitted with purple hats at hospitals around the state this month. The campaign is part of a national effort to help parents cope with crying babies. Alyssa Hague is an assistant nurse manager at Mercy Medical Center’s Birthplace in Cedar Rapids. “For every baby that’s born, they’re getting a purple knitted hat to try and raise awareness about the ‘period of purple crying’ and reduce the risk of Shaken Baby Syndrome,” Hague says.

Research shows that frustration with a crying infant is the number one trigger for the shaking and abuse of infants. Hague says it’s import for parents and caregivers to realize that a certain amount of crying during the first few weeks and months of life is normal. “It can be frustrating, but they’re not doing anything wrong and their baby isn’t doing anything wrong,” Hague says. Coping with a crying baby can be difficult, so Hague suggests calling on another family member or a neighbor to watch the child if frustration levels are running high.

“If that’s not an option, because you’re alone with your child, then put them in their crib because that’s a safe place,” Hague says. “It’s okay to leave them for 10 minutes, reset your clock a little bit, get yourself in a better frame of mind and go back your baby.” Volunteer knitters and crocheters have donated thousands of purple caps for the campaign. More information about the Period of PURPLE Crying program is available online at: PURPLEcrying.info.

(Radio Iowa)