Authorities in Montgomery County investigated a rollover accident that occurred this (Wednesday) morning, about 2.5-miles east of Red Oak. Officials say a 1993 Mercury Topaz driven by Samantha McCuen, of Villisca, was traveling west on 200th Street at around 7:10-a.m.  McCuen told authorities that as her car topped a small hill, it was met by a white vehicle traveling in the opposite direction, in her lane of travel. McCuen was unable to provide any other details about the oncoming vehicle.

She swerved to avoid a collision, and in the process lost control of the car, which slid about 219-feet sideways before hitting a culvert. The car then rolled three times before hitting a power pole and coming to rest. The vehicle was a total loss. Damage to the power pole was estimated at $500. A fence owned by John Henningsen also sustained damage, but a dollar amount was not available.

No injuries were reported, and no citations were issued.

An electrical problem was apparently responsible for a fire that damaged a house in rural Shelby County, Tuesday afternoon. Irwin Fire Chief Lynn Gaskill says the fire at  2247 County Road M-56 was reported at around 4:15-p.m. Gaskill says when they arrived, flames were coming through the roof and appearing outside the house. He says they were able to knock down fire on the outside and make entry into the home to contain the spread to one room of the house and the attic. 

Crews from the Defiance and Manning Fire Departments provided mutual aid for Irwin Fire. Firefighters were on the scene for about 2-hours. Gaskill said the damage to the home was contained to one bedroom and the attic. The damage was estimated at around $25,000. No injuries were reported, as the residents of the home were on vacation.

(Joel McCall/KNOD)

The Harlan Police Department today (Wednesday) released a weekly report on investigations, arrests and accidents. Officials say a Harlan resident reported on May 23rd, he was missing a 70-horsepower Mercury boat motor. The motor was later located, and no charges were filed.

On Monday, May 27th, 29-year old Danny Sanchez, Jr., of Harlan, was arrested for driving while revoked. Sanchez was taken into custody following a traffic stop.

And, no citations were issued Monday following an accident in the 600 block of Court Street in Harlan. Officials say vehicles owned by Evan Dille, of Manilla, and Tosha Dilks, of Oakland, were parked facing east on the south side of the courthouse in Harlan, when Dille backed up his 1995 Ford and struck the front of Dilks’ 2013 Chrysler. Damage from the mishap amounted to $1,500.

Sheriff’s officials in Pottawattamie County are warning area residents about a scam involving Walmart.  Sheriff’s Dept. spokesman, Lt. Pat McGinn told KJAN News they’ve received a couple of reports that residents have received calls indicating they’ve won a cash prize, but in order to claim it, they need to go to a Walmart and buy a reloadable “Green Dot” debit card, which are legitimate, but they “winner” is told to call back when they have purchased the money pack, so arrangements can be made to have someone collect it. The attempt to purchase the Green Dot money packs in order to receive a cash prize, is a scam.

Another variation on the scame, includes the person calling about the price instructing the consumer to scratch off a number on the back of the card and call them with that number. In some cases, the callers may claim to be from a debt collection agency. The Green Dot website itself warns customers about possible scams and reminds them to never give their card number to people they don’t know. It says “If anyone asks you to buy a Walmart MoneyCard and then give them the card number, it is a scam.”