One person was in listed extremely critical condition after a semitrailer truck crashed into a house in Minden, this (Friday) morning.  Pottawattamie County dispatchers said the semi hit the house at 210 Lincoln Street about 7:15 a.m.  Emergency responders worked to resuscitate one person. The victim was taken to Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs.

Sheriff’s Department spokesman Sgt. Dwayne Riche, said the semi was an empty grain-hauler traveling northbound on County Road L-66 from Iowa Highway 83 when it left the roadway to the east and struck the residence. There was no one inside the structure when it was hit,  and the semi didn’t pass through the home, but did knock down some exterior walls.

Pott. County Sheriff Jeff Danker told KJAN News it appears that the driver of the semi suffered from a medical condition, possibly a heart attack, prior to the crash. The name of the driver has not yet been released.

Members of the Cass County Compensation Board met Thursday night at the courthouse in Atlantic, and voted unanimously to approve a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors, for a 2.5-percent across the board increase in pay for County officers (Attorney, Auditor, Recorder, Sheriff and Treasurer). The Compensation Board also voted to give Board of Supervisor’s Chair Duane McFadden a $1,000 salary increase. The Board of Supervisors, however, have the final say in the matter, and may act to adjust the percentage and figures as they see fit.

Prior to approving the increase, the Compensation Board discussed current statewide salary increases, which Board Chair Erich Wickman said ranged anywhere from zero to three-percent. They also considered the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which Wickman said indicated the economy was not “real strong,”  and was not a “real surprise.”

Last year, the Compensation Board approved a 2-percent across the board increase, but none was allowed in the year prior.

Police in Harlan say 26-year old Elijah Fecht, of Harlan, was arrested last Saturday (Dec. 10th), on two-counts of 2nd Degree Theft, and one count of Trespassing, in association with scrap metal and equipment reported missing from Superior Midwest Foods. Officials say Fecht was observed allegedly taking stainless steel scrap and equipment from the business. When he was found, Fecht was in possession of the allegdly stolen pieces. Authorities were also called to S.M.F. four days earlier, when employees became aware of the missing items.

And, the Harlan Police Department reports two other men, 45-year old Darvin Grant, of Sumrall, MS, and 37-year old Brian Ramaker, of Central City, NE, were arrested December 10th. Grant was charged with Public Intoxication, while Ramaker faces charges of indecent exposure and urinating in public. The charges were the result of an investigation into a disturbance in front of 1022 6th Street, in Harlan. Both men were brought to the Shelby County Jail. Ramaker was later cited for his offenses and released.