The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office reports a search warrant for narcotics executed Sunday at a residence in Bedford, resulted in the arrest of one person on a felony drug charge.

Donald Lee Barrett

Deputies from the Taylor County assisted the Bedford Police Department in executing the search warrant at a home in the 200 block of Pearl Street, in Bedford. As result of the investigation and search warrant by the Tri-County Narcotics and Bedford Police, Donald Lee Barrett was charged with Possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver (a class D felony). Barrett was being held in the Adams County Jail on $5,000 cash bond.  Also assisting in the search warrant were Adams County Sheriff and Lenox Police Department.

Police in Red Oak responded to a two-vehicle accident Monday afternoon. The accident happened in the 700 Block of West 2nd Street, when  22-year old Lorena Olarte-Hernandez of Red Oak was backing her 1999 Dodge Dakota out of a parking space and onto the street. In the process, her pickup hit a 2005 Ford Taurus being driven by 50-year old Shelly Shuffler of Red Oak. No injuries were reported.

Olarte-Hernandez was issued a warning for unsafe backing and was also issued a citation for Operation of a Motor Vehicle with No Driver’s License and a citation for Failure to Provide Security Against Liability (Accident Related). Damage to Olarte-Hernandez’s vehicle amounted to $200, while damage to Shuffler’s vehicle was estimated at $4,000.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – The Omaha Veterans Affairs hospital is referring surgeries elsewhere in the city because of humidifier problems in its operating rooms. VA officials say the rooms have been temporarily shut down and will remain out of service until the humidifiers are fixed or replaced. The hospital performs about 300 surgeries a month. The VA says the rooms have been checked for mold problems, but none was detected.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports two people were arrested on drug over nearly the past two-weeks. Last Friday, 49-year old Daniel Duane Johnston, of Omaha, was arrested near the intersection of Highway 34 and Deacon Road. Johnston was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance. His bond was set at $1,000.

And, on March 9th, deputies in Mills County arrested 47-year old Leann Kay Rigatuso, of Glenwood. Rigatuso faces a charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance/Methamphetamine – 2nd offense. She was arrested in Glenwood and released two days later on $2,000 bond.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Department says a Manning resident was arrested Sunday afternoon after he called to report his vehicle was stuck in the mud. As it turns out, the same vehicle was the subject of a brief pursuit that same afternoon. Officials say 20-year old Russell Erickson, of Manning, faces numerous charges, including Eluding, Trespassing, and Reckless Driving.  Erickson was also cited for Leaving the Scene of an Accident, Failure to Maintain Control, and Failure to Use Headlights. He was brought to the Cass County Jail where he was released later that day on $1000 bond.

The incident that resulted in his arrest began when Erickson’s vehicle was pursued by a Cass County Sheriff’s Deputy at around 1:50-p.m., Sunday, near Dallas Road and Olive Street in Cass County. During the pursuit, Erickson’s vehicle became stuck on Dunbar Road and the driver left the scene. The driver (later identified as Erickson) called the communications center to report the vehicle he had been driving got stuck. Upon investigation, deputies took Erickson into custody.

In other news, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest today (Monday), of 23-year old Jesse James Flowers, 23, of Arion. Flowers was taken into custody on two district court warrants for Probation Violation. He was being held in the Cass County Jail on $10,000 bond.

In  an update to a story we first told you about on March 8th, officials in Harlan report they have experienced a high number of sick raccoons this winter and early Spring. Callers to the Harlan Police and Animal Control Departments are reporting raccoons out in the broad daylight, acting sick and/or disoriented. City officials have not, however, received any reports of the animals biting or attacking humans. Authorities say the raccoons are infected with Canine Distemper, which does not pose a risk to humans. Even so, residents are being urged to leave the animals alone and not attempt to help them, even if they appear docile.

Many of the sick raccoons have been picked up and euthanized to prevent the spread and progression of the disease, which has been confirmed ISU’s Veterinary Diagnostic Lab. Distemper is spread by shared bodily excretions. Unvaccinated dogs are at risk, according to the experts, and need to be vaccinated to prevent the disease from affecting those animals.

Raccoons are attracted to food sources, such as pet food, grill drippings, bird seed, trash or compost. Officials recommend you discard those items and not invite the animals to your home. During the early stages of the illness, a raccoon may look calm and approachable, while days later, the animal becomes disoriented and weak. At that point, they are usually able to be caught by trained personnel. Sick raccoons are unlikely to find their way into live traps, as they lack the coordination to do so.

Again, officials in Harlan recommend dog owners have their animals vaccinated against Canine Distemper. You should also keep them from roaming free, and keep dogs away from strange animals. If you encounter a sick raccoon, call the City of Harlan at 712-755-5137, or, after hours, call the Harlan Police Department at 755-5151. Do not attempt to capture or dispose of the animals yourself.

(12-pm News)

Officials with the Danish Immigrant Museum in Elk Horn say the museum has received a Prairie Meadows Community Betterment Grant in the amount of $5,000.

Standing L-R representing Prairie Meadows, Paul Rogness, Board of Directors, Linda Grandquist, Board of Directors and Grant Advisory Committee, Dolph Pulliam, Grant Advisory Committee; seated is Terri Johnson, The Danish Immigrant Museum. (Danish Immigrant Museum/photo)

The grant, which was presented at an awards luncheon on March 4th,  will help provide for the contract position of educator for The Danish Immigrant Museum.

That person will create grade-specific lesson plans, plus an activity plan for field trips that can be implemented by existing staff at the Museum and the Danish Windmill, in collaboration with the Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton Schools.   The topics will include: “Wind Power Past and Present” (Grades 6-12); “From Prairie to Farm to Table” (K-6); and “Immigration and Iowa Pioneer Life” (Grades 3-6).   The project is to be completed between June 2013 and March 2014.

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For more information about the museum, call 712-764-7001, or visit www.danishmuseum.org