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

The Cass County Health System has announced it recently joined hospitals and healthcare providers throughout the state as a member of the statewide health information exchange known as Nebraska Health Information Initiative, or NeHII. Steve Stark, Cass County Health System Chief Information Officer says “NeHII is an interconnected health information exchange where CCHS staff can send and receive vital patient information to authorized care-givers resulting in quicker, safer care.  Stark says the web-based system “Securely displays important medical information to clinics, hospitals, and other healthcare providers.”

Relevant patient information, such as lab results, past medical history, X-ray reports, allergies, and medication prescriptions are available in real-time to authorized physicians and clinicians.  Starks says that will reduce duplicate testing, reduce calling back and forth between providers, and improve patient outcomes.  He says it’s especially helpful in emergencies or when CCHS receives a patient from another NeHII participant hospital or sends a patient to one.

According to Dr. Harris Frankel, President of the NeHII Board of Directors, “Patient participation in NeHII is optional.” Frankel says while   they would like everyone to recognize the benefits of participation, “A patient may decide not to share their medical information and may opt-out of the exchange simply by contacting NeHII.”

The Atlantic Police Department reports the arrest on Sunday of 58-year old Rodney Rasmussen, of Atlantic. Rasmussen faces Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana, Possession of a Controlled Substance/Methamphetamine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia charges, along with a charge of Driving Under Suspension. He was booked into the Cass County Jail and held pending an initial court appearance.

And, the A-PD reports 49-year old Brenda Buboltz, of Atlantic, was arrested today (Monday), on Public Intoxication and Interference with Official Acts, charges.  In addition, 41-year old Gregory Jennings, of Atlantic, was arrested for Simple Assault. Jennings and Buboltz were booked into the Cass County Jail.

Three people were arrested Saturday evening in Fremont County. Sheriff’s deputies from Fremont and Mills Counties, along with the Iowa DNR, assisted Tabor Police in arresting:

24-year old Brendan James Minor, of Council Bluffs, who was charged with Possession of a Schedule 1 substance, Failure to affix a drug tax stamp, Driving While Barred, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia;  26-year old Jami Kristen Garber, of Council Bluffs, who was charged with Allowing an unauthorized person to operate a motor vehicle; and, 21-year old Larry Joseph Tyler West, of Randolph, who was arrested Saturday for  Possessing a concealed weapon.

Garber and West bonded out of jail, while Minor remained at the Fremont County Jail this (Monday) morning. His bond was set at $50,000.

The Fremont County Sheriff’s Department said Monday (Today), no injuries were reported after a County plow rolled into a ditch last Monday. Officials say Anthony Pitzen, of Hamburg, was driving a 1996 International truck equipped with a plow on Bluff Road, when the blade caught the soil on the shoulder of the road. The impact caused the southbound plow to slide into a ditch before it rolled onto its side. There was no dollar of amount of damage provided in the Sheriff’s report.

The Fremont County Sheriff’s Department reports three Nebraska City, NE residents were arrested Friday afternoon, on 5th Degree Theft and Trespassing charges. Taken into custody was 40-year old Verrell Rusty Clark, 33-year old Ryan Allen Kurtzer, and 41-year old Brian Keith Nerison. The trio was arrested after a citizen reported persons allegedly stealing scrap metal in the 2600 block of 225th Avenue in Fremont County. Clark posted a $600 bond and was released. Nerison and Kurtzer plead guilty to the charges and were sentenced to 10-days in jail.

Also arrested Friday on a separate charge of 5th degree theft not connected to the other incident, was 34-year old Kevin Lewis Culley, of Hamburg.