Page County Sheriff Lyle Palmer Friday night, issued a report on three recent arrests. Palmer says at around 12:50-p.m., Friday, deputies responded to a domestic disturbance near the Bethesda area. Their investigation concluded with the arrest at 1389 O Avenue, of 32-year old Benjamin Lee Blackman, of Clarinda. Blackman was charged with Domestic Abuse Assault. He was brought to the Page County Jail and held without bond pending an appearance before the magistrate.

On Thursday, Page County deputies responding to a reported assault at 612 South Street in College Springs, arrested 20-year old Joseph Calvin Hull, of Braddyville, for allegedly assaulting 28-year old Joshua Baer. The arrest took place at around 7:35-p.m. Hull was charged with Trespassing and Simple Assault. He was being held in the Page County Jail on $300 bond, pending an appearance before the magistrate.

And, on Monday, 24-year old Kiel Martin Brittain, of Clarinda, was arrested on a warrant for Animal Neglect (a Serious Misdemeanor). Brittain was unable to post bond and was being held in the Page County Jail. His arrest was the result of an investigation that began in late November. During the course of the investigation over a period of several days, authorities consulted a veterinarian, who determined 17 cows, 1 bull and 15 calves, which were located on property owned by Brittain were severely malnourished. The animals were seized by authorities.

The Adam’s County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest of Steven Baucom Jr. of Red Oak for a number of traffic violations.  Baucom was pulled over around 1:41pm Friday (12/7) for speeding.  He was then charged with driving while suspended, speeding and no proof of insurance.  Baucom was taken into custody on $448 bond.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest early Saturday morning of a Red Oak man.  At approximately 2:07am Sheriff’s deputies arrested 25-year-old Joshua Kenneth Wolcott of Red Oak for OWI 2nd offense following a traffic stop on Summit Street and Miller Avenue in Red Oak. Wolcott was transported to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $2,000 bond.

An employee of Mid American Auto was approached and robbed by two men in all black clothing at 20 S. 15th Street in Council Bluffs on Friday.  The victim was locking the gates when he was approached by two men, one of which had a handgun.  The robbers demanded he give them his wallet.  The employee attempted to struggle with the suspect holding the gun when the suspect struck him in the face.  The victim then cooperated and turned over his wallet.

The two suspects then fled to S. 15th Street and 2nd Avenue where a white car pulled up and allowed the two men to get in and escape West on 2nd Avenue.

If anyone has information about this investigation is asked to contact the Council Bluffs Police Criminal Investigation Division at 712-328-4728 or 712-328-STOP to leave information anonymously.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Another Iowa educator is a finalist to become superintendent of the Omaha district in Nebraska.  The district said Friday that Superintendent Stephen Murley, of the Iowa City schools, is one of three finalists. Murley took over in Iowa City in 2010 after working in Wisconsin.

The Omaha board is trying to replace John Mackiel, who retired in August after 15 years. In April the board hired former Des Moines Superintendent Nancy Sebring, but she withdrew in June after sexually explicit emails sent to and from her work account became public.

The two other finalists for the Omaha job are the chief academic officer for the District of Columbia Public Schools, Carey Wright, and Mark Evans, who is superintendent at Andover Public Schools in Kansas.