The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports five arrests. Last Thursday (Aug. 5th), 18-year-old Johnathan Scott Clarke,of Fontanelle, was arrested for Disorderly Conduct – Threat. He was taken into custody by Fontanelle Police at around 8:45-p.m. after he got into verbal altercation with another male that threatened to turn physical. Clarke was released that same evening on a $300 cash or surety bond.  At around 12:50-p.m., Thursday, 41-year-old James Bernard Block, of Cumberland, was arrested at the Adair County Jail on an Adair County warrant for Failure to Serve Jail Sentence. He remained in the Jail without bond, until his sentence is completed.

On Aug. 3rd, 40-year-old Timothy Robert Hudek, of Creston, was transferred from Creston Police at the Adair-Union County Line & Highway 25, and arrested on an Adair County warrant for Domestic Abuse Assault/2nd offense. Hudek was released later that day on a $2,000 cash or surety bond. A man from Illinois was arrested August 1st, following a traffic stop that result in a four-county pursuit where speeds approached 120-mph.

The incident began when a Trooper on patrol at around 8:30-p.m. on I-80 eastbound one-mile west of Menlo, when he saw a black Honda Accord coming up fast in the left lane, behind the Trooper’s vehicle. The vehicle was clocked at 90-mph. When he attempted to stop the Honda, the driver – later identified as 37-year-old Ramakrishna R. Ghanta, of Springfield, IL., failed to yield, and refused to acknowledge the Trooper when he pulled up beside the Honda and tried to get Ghanta’s attention. The car continued eastbound with speeds increasing to 120 mph as it entered Madison, Dallas and Polk Counties.

Spike strips deployed by a Dallas County Deputy were effective in blowing out one tire of the Honda, but the vehicle continued at 90 mph, while the tire lost rubber. Spike strips were deployed once again, causing both driver’s side tires to deflate and lose tread. As the car approached the Jordan Creek exit, it went out of control and into the south ditch. It continued through the ditch and jumped a small terrace before getting back on I-80 eastbound, approaching the west mixmaster (I80/35/235) and trying to exit onto I-35. The car went out of control again and crash into the south ditch, landing on its side.

Ghanta refused law enforcement commands to lay on the ground, and was taken into custody at gunpoint. While he was being transported by ambulance to Mercy Hospital in Des Moines, Ghanta escaped and took off on foot down the Interstate. He was taken into custody, restrained on a gurney and sedated. Authorities say the man was unable to answer questions or make sense. Inside his vehicle they found several open containers of alcohol, and a basket he used for a toilet. Ghanta was charged with OWI/1st Offense, Reckless Driving and Eluding.  Bond was set at $5,000.

And, on Aug. 1st at around 12:40-a.m., at traffic stop on Highway 25 near Orient resulted in the arrest of 32-year-old Justen Michael Shannon, of Greenfield. He was taken into custody for OWI/1st offense, cited, and later released.

Sheriff’s Deputies in Montgomery County, Monday (Today) arrested a 74-year-old man from Villisca on felony sexual abuse and other charges. Davis Charles Crawford was taken into custody for:

• Sexual Abuse in the 2nd Degree – a Class B Felony
• Lascivious Acts with a Child – a Class C Felony
• Enticing a Minor – Also a Class C Felony.

Crawford was transported to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $25,000 bond. Deputies from Adams County assisted in the investigation.

Page County Sheriff’s Deputies, Friday, arrested a man wanted on a couple of warrants. Authorities say 40-year-old Christopher Charles Bowers, of Essex, was arrested on two Page County Warrants for Failure to appear. Bowers failed to appear for original charges of Reckless driving and Driving while license Denied, Suspended, or Revoked.

He was arrested at the Page County Sheriff’s Office on the warrants, and posted a $600 bond, with 10% allowed to the court. He was subsequently released, pending future court appearances.

Christopher C. Bowers (Page Co. S/O photo)

(Atlantic) – On Wednesday August 11th, a mobile food pantry through the Food Bank for the Heartland will be held at the Cass County Community Center from 4:00-6:00 PM, or as supplies last. Anyone in need is welcome to visit the mobile pantry, and no documentation is needed. People from surrounding towns and communities are welcome to attend. Details can be found below….

Atlantic Food Bank for the Heartland Mobile Food Pantry August 11
When: Wednesday, August 11 (4:00-6:00 PM, or until supplies run out).
Where: Cass County Community Center (805 West 10th St. Atlantic IA 50022). Traffic will be
directed by volunteers.
What: A mobile pantry is a traveling food pantry that delivers food directly to families in need
for a one-day distribution. The mobile pantry is available free of charge. Visitors are asked stay
in their vehicles with the trunk open.
Who: Anyone in need is welcome. No documentation needed.
Questions and Delivery Requests: Cass County Wellness Coordinator Brigham Hoegh at 712-
249-5870.

For more information on local food, farmers markets, and food access, follow the Cass County Local Food Policy Council’s Facebook page @CassCountyLocalFood.

The Cass County Board of Supervisors, Tuesday, are expected to act on making appointments to various Board, including:

• A licensed physician as a member of the Cass County Board of Health.
• A Cass County resident/property owner to the Condemnation in Eminent Domain Board* to fill a vacancy.
• the appointment of two persons to the Cass County Compensation Board**.
• and, the appointment of a person to the County Conservation Board.

*Condemnation is when a government orders that a piece of property be vacated and kept vacant, due to some public purpose or concern. … The two most common are due to the unsafe condition of the property or to carry out a government taking of the property under the legal doctrine of eminent domain.

** The County Compensation Board recommends the annual compensation of elected county officials, including: Attorney; Auditor; Board of Supervisors; Recorder; Sheriff and Treasurer.

The Board also continue discussion with regard to use of funding from the American Rescue Plan. Their meeting begins at 9-a.m. in the Supervisor’s Board Room inside the Cass County Courthouse (and, electronically via ZOOM).

(Atlantic, Iowa) – One person was taken into custody following a reported “shots fired” incident in Atlantic, Sunday. The incident took place at around 10:06-p.m. at the Turkey Creek Lodge located at 1104 E. 7^th Street. As a result of the investigation, deputies arrested 53-year-old Julian Joe Gallegos, Jr., of Albuquerque, NM for reckless use of a firearm and going armed with intent.  Gallegos was transported to Cass County Jail where he is currently being held.

Julian Gallegos (Booking photo courtesy Cass County Sheriff’s Office)

(Radio Iowa) – Authorities are investigating the cause of an apparent home explosion in north-central Iowa around nine o’clock last (Sunday) night. Fire departments from Duncombe, Vincent, Woolstock and Webster City responded to the scene two miles northeast of Duncombe. The home was unoccupied with no injuries reported.

The one and a half story house was completely leveled, with debris landing 50 to 100 yards away.

The Ringgold County Sheriff’s Office reports Larry Dale Trower, of Mount Ayr, was arrested a little after 7-p.m., Friday, for Assault while Displaying a Dangerous Weapon. Trower was transported to the Ringgold County Hospital, and upon discharge he was arrested on the ADW charge and transported and booked into the Ringgold County Jail. His cash bond was set at $2,000.

Larry Dale Trower (Ringgold County S/O booking photo)