Authorities in Cass County say two people were arrested recently on separate charges. According to the Sheriff’s Department, 22-year old Michael Jay Sherman, of Atlantic, was arrested last Friday, on a District Court Warrant for Probation Violation. Sherman was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was being held on $5000 bond.

And, last Tuesday (Dec. 11^th), deputies in Cass County arrested 42-year old Michael Maurice Croghan, of Atlantic, on a charge of Public Intoxication. Croghan was taken to the Cass County Jail, plead guilty to the charge, and was released the following day.

Sheriff’s officials in Audubon County report the arrest early Sunday morning, of 58-year old Bernard Dean Beach, of Atlantic. Beach was taken into custody at around 1-a.m. on a charge of OWI/1st offense. The charge was the result of a traffic stop in Kimballton. Beach was brought to the Audubon County Jail and later released, after appearing before the magistrate. A preliminary hearing on the charge was set for January 3rd.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The family of world’s oldest person Dina Manfredini says the woman from Johnston, Iowa, has died at age 115.  Manfredini’s granddaughter Lori Logli says she died early Monday. She had lived at a care center in Johnston, just north of Des Moines. Guinness World Records had confirmed Manfredini inherited the title of world’s oldest living person less than two weeks ago.  Guinness spokesman Robert Young says a Japanese man, Jiroemon Kimura, now holds the title. He is just 15 days younger than Manfredin.

For many years the bronze sculpture of the Little Mermaid sitting in a fountain on Main Street has been the pride and joy of Kimballton residents. the statue depicts the well-known fairy tale of Denmark’s famous storyteller, Hans Christian Andersen.  Now, an “Iowa Great Places Grant” has allowed Kimballton to consider adding more sculptures as part of their Park Improvement Project.

“Thumbelina” print, one of 6 sketches to be turned into a 3-D bronze sculpture.

Troy Muller, the Art Director of New Geneses Art Studio in Kimballton, is prepared to work with the town to provide 10 smaller bronze sculptures depicting other Andersen fairy tales for the park.  The Little Mermaid Trail Committee is providing an opportunity for donors to dedicate individual sculptures for their loved ones.  The artist has presented six sketches that will be turned into three-dimensional bronze statues.

Current sketches include: Thumbelina, The Ugly Duckling, The Emperor’s New Clothes, Little Match Girl, Steadfast Tin Soldier, Princess and the Pea.  These sketches are available to view at the New Century Art Guild annex, formerly Mama Bear’s, on Kimballton’s Main Street. Each sculpture will measure approximately 18” tall and sit on a concrete pedestal with a speaker so visitors may hear the story.  A bronze plaque will recognize a specific donor. Madsen says they are collecting $1,000 donations for anyone who would like to commemorate their loved ones with one of the six statues.  She says they prefer to have one family name per sculpture.

For more information please contact Pat Crosley, tcrosley@metc.net, or Jill Madsen at jill@metc.net