Authorities in Adams County say two people were arrested Friday morning on drug charges, following the search of a home in Corning. 26-year-old Michael Scott Walton, of Corning,  was arrested at around 10:45-a.m. on a warrant out of Polk County. During the arrest Sheriff’s Deputies identified drug paraphernalia in plain view, inside the residence. A second search warrant was issued, which resulted in the recovery from the residence, of two pounds of marijuana.
Walton and 22-year-old Katherine Lynn Coleman, also from Corning, were taken into custody on charges which included Child Endangerment, Possession of a Controlled Substance (PCS) and Failure to Affix a Drug Tax Stamp.

Authorities in Pottawattamie County are urging residents, especially those in the rural areas, to be on the lookout for strange activity at their neighbors’ homes, in light of recent reported burglaries which occurred while residents were away. Pott Co Sheriff Jeff Danker says there’s been a recent string of break-ins off U.S. Highway 6 near Westfair.

On Thursday burglars hit the home of Richard and Cathy Torneten on Hunt Avenue. Danker said the suspects stole jewelry, radios, televisions, computer and other, possibly unaccounted for items.  The family dog, a tan Yorkshire, was also missing, though it’s unclear if the burglars took the dog. Danker said “With the door open and the dog scared, it might’ve run out.” The suspects entered the house sometime between 8 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Thursday.

Danker encourages people, especially those in the rural areas, to call the Sheriff’s Department if they see any suspicious activity at another residence.  He says also, locking doors is a must and a installing a security system would certainly help prevent or at least deter, theft.

Sgt. Chad Meyers with the Council Bluffs Police Department also reported an increase in burglaries, which he says is common during the holiday season. Meyers said a majority of residential his department has investigated, occur during the day, when residents are at work. He says having a dog and alarm system helps prevent such crimes, but he added that “Most important is neighbors looking out for neighbors. If you see something suspicious at your neighbor’s house, call 9-1-1.”

A man from Central Iowa was injured during a single-vehicle rollover accident Thursday morning, in Guthrie County. According to the Iowa State Patrol, 36-year old Joseph George, of Altoona, was transported to the Dallas County Hospital by Panora Rescue, following the crash which occurred just after 8-a.m., on a wet or frost covered Highway 141 about two-miles west of Jamaica.

The Patrol says George was traveling east on Highway 141 in a 2004 Ford Expedition, when he lost control of the SUV on the slick roadway. Witnesses said George passed them about 5-miles prior to the crash, and was traveling too fast for conditions. The vehicle crossed the center line of the road and rolled onto its top. It was considered a total loss.

Joseph George was cited for Driving While License suspended/denied/cancelled or revoked, Driving While Barred/Habitual Offender, and Failure to Maintain Control.

Officials with the Atlantic Rotary Club donated $5,000 Tuesday, to the Atlantic Fly Iowa Committee for their Sept. 15th, 2012 Air Show. Fly Iowa Chairman Garry Pellett said “This event is expected to bring quite a crowd to town. These funds will help us market the event and provide free entertainment to the attendees.”

Atlantic Rotary donates to Fly Iowa

Pellett said the Iowa Aviation Promotion Group invited Atlantic to be the host for Fly Iowa 2012 a few months ago. The event is aimed at promoting aviation and the Atlantic Municipal Airport. According to Pellett, there will be acrobatic pilots, hot air balloons, military aircrafts and activities for children. He says “We hope families can come to the Atlantic Airport and make a day of it.”

Several committee chairs have been appointed, but Pellett said there are still some gaps to be filled. Volunteers interested in helping the planning committee can contact the Atlantic Area Chamber at 712.243.3017 or email chamber@atlanticiowa.com. Pellett stressed that the event “Is going to take community support and the enthusiasm of some of our local pilots to work.” So far, he says the group thinks things are falling into place, and they “Hope to make it a memorable day for everyone involved.”

In addition to the Rotary funds, the Atlantic Community Promotion Commission granted the Fly Iowa Committee $10,000 for marketing and promotion. The projected attendance at Fly Iowa is between 4,500 to 8,000 people.

A member of the Shelby County Board of Supervisors was found guilty of 3^rd degree harassment Thursday, in Shelby County District Court. Southwest Iowa District Court Judge William T. Early found 62-year old Delbert Hull, of Kirkman, guilty of 3^rd degree harassment, in connection with a letter he sent to a Harlan teen, in hopes of changing what he saw as the teens’ self-destructive behavior. Hull was fined $100 plus court costs and surcharges which totaled $300. He had faced up to 30-days in jail and fines of up to $625. Hull is a member of the Shelby County Board of Supervisors and is up for re-election next year.

Shelby County Supervisor Delbert Hull

His trial began December 13^th.  A complaint filed with authorities, alleged Hull had sent an anonymous letter to 16-year old Austin Hess of Harlan. The teen received the unsigned letter on September 20^th. Hess’ mother Diane reported the letter to authorities after her son became upset over what was written in the note. Shelby County Sheriff Mark Hervey enlisted the help of Audubon County Sheriff’s Deputy David Bean, in conducting an investigation into the incident. Bean said on the witness stand that it is procedure for another county deputy to help investigate such matters, especially when they concern an elected official. Hervey told the judge he compared the writing on the letter to court documents with Hull’s writing, and confirmed it was Hull who sent the letter. 

A mailing label on a local newspaper article sent along with the letter was also traced back to Hull. When authorities interviewed Hull on September 22^nd, he admitted to having written the letter. Hull was subsequently charged with Harassment and posted a $300 bond the same day he was questioned. During his trial, a video of Hull’s interview was played, during which he was quoted as saying he was “fed up with the kids and frustrated.”

On the witness stand, Hull told the Judge it reminded him of when he was in high school and had a friend who was athletic and academically gifted, but became involved with alcohol and drugs. He said he saw Hess in the same light, and wanted to open the teen’s  eyes in hopes he wouldn’t take the same path.

(Joel McCall/KNOD, Harlan)

Officials with the Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources say an adult male mountain lion was shot and killed early this (Friday) morning by local law enforcement officers in western Iowa’s Monona County. The incident occurred in the City of Blencoe. The Blencoe police chief and a Monona County Sheriff’s Deputy responded to a citizen’s call regarding the mountain lion around midnight. After finding the lion in a tree in the northwest part of town, the officers shot the lion.

The lion will be analyzed to determine its age, what it has been feeding on as well as DNA tests to try and determine its place of origin. The lion will eventually be mounted and used as a display somewhere in Monona County. Iowa law does not provide wildlife protection to mountain lions.

Mountain lion sightings have been documented periodically in Iowa and DNR biologists believe that most of the lions seen here are likely young males that have been pushed from their native areas by older, dominant males. The lion likely came from a state west of Iowa.

Officials say in general, a mountain lion will sense human presence before humans know they are in the area and the mountain lions will quickly vacate the area. Sightings of a mountain lion can be reported to local law enforcement or to DNR conservation officers.