(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office today (Monday) released a report on arrests spanning Jan. 18th through the 29th. Most recently:

On January 29th, 2024, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested 19-year-old Dakota Allmer, of Lewis, on a warrant for Theft 2nd Degree.  Allmer was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held; and, 22-year-old Haley Helinski, of Harlan, was arrested on a warrant for Theft 2nd Degree.  Helinski was taken to the Cass County Jail where she was booked and held.

(As previously reported) On January 22nd, 2024, 37-year-old Jason Wingrove, of Anita, was arrested in Cass County, on a warrant for Forgery.  Wingrove was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked, held and later released on his own recognizance; that same day, 30-year-old Kalee Nolte, of Exira, on a warrant for Forgery and Ongoing Criminal Conduct.  Nolte was transported to the Cass County Jail where she was booked and held pending her later release on her own recognizance.

On January 19th, Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 63-year-old Rhonda Hafner, of Griswold, on the charges of Forgery, Dependent Adult Abuse and Theft 2nd Degree.  Hafner was transported to the Cass County Jail where she was booked and held pending her later release on her own recognizance.

And, on January 18th, 36-year-old Jennifer Holz, of Elliott, was arrested on a warrant for Theft 2nd Degree.  Holz turned herself in to the Cass County Jail where she was booked and held pending her later release on her own recognizance.

(Carroll, Iowa) – The Carroll Police Department reports an eastern Iowa man was arrested on an outstanding warrant, following an investigation into a fight Friday evening that resulted in three people being taken to the hospital in Carroll. Those persons were treated and released.

The fight broke out at a Carroll convenience store in the 600 block of W. Highway 30, around 7:30-p.m., Friday. Authorities say a brawl between numerous individuals broke out in the parking lot. The subjects ranged in age from 16-to 47.

One of the individuals brandished a knife during the incident. 47-year-old Gene Wegg of Mechanicsville, was arrested on an outstanding Linn County warrant. He was also charged with assault while displaying a dangerous weapon. Wegg remains in custody at the Carroll County jail. Additional charges are pending against multiple suspects following the completion of the investigation.

The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office and Carroll County Emergency Medical Services also assisted at the scene.

DES MOINES – State Treasurer Roby Smith reports the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt had its biggest year ever in 2023. “We completed over 43,000 claims worth more than $30 million to rightful owners last year alone! But even with these record-breaking numbers, our work isn’t done,” said Smith. “Thousands of names were recently added, and we’ll be highlighting some in top 10 lists posted on social media as we celebrate National Unclaimed Property Day on February 1.”

Celebrated annually, Unclaimed Property Day is a national initiative to raise awareness for and reunite people with their unclaimed property. For the celebration, Smith’s office will be announcing names of individuals, businesses and non-profits around Iowa who had unclaimed property reported to Great Iowa Treasure Hunt in 2023.

“Join us on Facebook, Instagram and X on February 1 as we share some names recently reported to the State,” Smith continued. “Even if you’ve checked for your name in the past, check our website again. While our numbers for 2023 are exciting to share, we want to return even more in 2024!” Past and present Iowans can search anytime for their unclaimed property by visiting GreatIowaTreasureHunt.gov.

Every year, millions of dollars in abandoned property are turned over to the State Treasurer’s Office. Administered by the State Treasurer, Great Iowa Treasure Hunt is the State’s only legitimate source for unclaimed property, and the State never charges a fee to reunite owners with their lost funds.

Unclaimed property refers to money and other assets held by financial institutions, businesses and organizations that have lost contact with the owner for a specific period of time. In addition to abandoned safe deposit box contents, other common forms of unclaimed property include dormant checking and saving accounts, uncashed checks, lost stocks, life insurance policies and utility deposits.

Celebrate National Unclaimed Property Day by sharing information about Great Iowa Treasure Hunt with friends and family. Be sure to follow the Treasurer on Facebook, Instagram and X for the celebration on February 1.

(Guthrie Center, Iowa) – Sheriff’s officials in Guthrie County say suspected minor/non-incapacitating injuries were reported following a single-vehicle, rollover accident that took place Saturday morning. Authorities said a 2006 Ford F-150 pickup driven by 59-year-old Erich Palait, of Scranton, was traveling south on Justice Road at around 8:30-a.m., Saturday, when the vehicle went out of control just south of 160th Street. The pickup went off the road onto the west shoulder and out-of-control, before coming back onto the roadway. The pickup then entered the east ditch and rolled over, striking a Guthrie Center REC-owned power pole, snapping the pole in-two.

The pickup was a total loss (estimated damage $9,500). The power pole was valued at $5,000. Guthrie County Deputies cited Palait for Failure to Maintain Control.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports two arrests. Friday night, 56-year-old Mark Eugene Greene, of Shenandoah, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Poss. of Drug Paraphernalia. His bond was set at $1,300. And, Saturday afternoon, Deputies in Mills County arrested 28-year-old Bradley Clark Perry, of Red Oak, for Driving while license is denied or revoked. His bond was set at $1,000.

Sheriff’s officials said also, a man from Hastings reported Friday, an incident of Attempted Burglary in the 3rd Degree. The incident took place at his property on Hutchings Avenue.

(Radio Iowa) – Parents and teachers came out in force in North Liberty on Sunday to speak out against proposed changes to Area Education Agencies. When Britney McDonald was a kid, she had a special education plan to work on her speech. Now a parent of three, she says the local A-E-A is helping her 10-year-old daughter catch up on reading skills. McDonald says she’s concerned about the impact changes to the A-E-A could have on the support that has helped her children. “She works so hard on her sounds and practicing because the AEA was able to come into the school and have the evaluation for her and to get the resources she needs,” McDonald says. “It’s just amazing.”

There were a number of A-E-A employees at the hearing. Teran Buettell is a behavior and autism specialist for the Great Prairie A-E-A. Before that she was a parent of a non-verbal child. Buettel says the A-E-A got her son the services he needed. Buettel says, “Unlike decisions made for one child, this decision will have long lasting effects for tens of thousands of children.” A-E-As provide special education, professional development and curriculum assessment to families, teachers and school districts.

Since its release, Governor Kim Reynolds has walked back the scope of her original proposal to limit A-E-As to providing special education services. Now, she would allow A-E-As to continue providing general education services that request them, so long as the state approves.

(Radio Iowa) – [Update] This summer’s 51st running of the statewide bicycle ride will take a southern route. Organizers say it’ll be the hilliest RAGBRAI ever, with more than 18-thousand feet of climb, including daily climbs for cyclists of at least 3,000 feet. Perhaps to compensate, the ride will also be 434 miles, making it the eighth shortest route. Running July 21st through the 27th, RAGBRAI will start in Glenwood this year and end in Burlington, with overnight stops in Red Oak, Atlantic, Winterset, Knoxville, Ottumwa and Mount Pleasant.

Last year, ride organizers footed the bill for each overnight town’s musical performances, but this year, RAGBRAI will instead be giving each town $50,000 to spend, including to book their own entertainment.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – Police in Glenwood report the arrest last Friday (Jan. 26), of 58-year-old Ralph Springs, of Glenwood. He was taken into custody for Possession of a Controlled Substance/3rd offense – Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Springs was being held in the Mills County Jail on $7,300 bond.

Authorities said also, no injuries were reported following an accident Saturday afternoon on S. Locust Street, in Glenwood. Officials say a 2004 pickup driven by 78-year-old Kenneth Booth, of Pacific Junction, was backing out of a parking stall at the Glenwood Dollar General Store, when his receiver hitch struck a parked 2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser located behind him. The rear bumper portion of the car sustained about $2,500 damage.

No visible damage to the pickup was observed, except for some paint transfer from the other vehicle. No citations were issued, but the Police report stated “starting or improper backing” was a factor in the accident.

(Shelby, Iowa) – Shots were fired in Omaha early this (Monday) morning, leading to a high-speed pursuit that crossed state lines. KETV says according to Omaha Police, an officer saw someone firing shots from a vehicle near 33rd and Leavenworth streets and tried to pull them over. Officers said the vehicle refused to stop and police pursued it through downtown Omaha and into Iowa. Scanner reports said a gun was tossed out the window of the vehicle, during the chase.

Council Bluffs police took over the pursuit, which was eventually stopped on Interstate 80 near Shelby, at around 4:30-a.m. Omaha Police said Officers took the driver, 30-year-old Cachelle Martin, into custody. Charges are pending. Omaha police said they will seek to extradite Martin to Nebraska.

GRAND JUNCTION, Iowa (KCCI) – A woman is parting ways with a homemade quilt to benefit the family of Ahmir Jolliff. Joliff was shot and killed at Perry High School on Jan. 4. Ellen McElroy made the quilt just months after her son Arnold Thomas died. Thomas was hit by a truck when he was just nine years old. But until recently, she said the quilt hasn’t seen any use- and shops have valued it at over a thousand dollars.

McElroy decided to enter the piece in a silent auction hosted by Perry High School, with all proceeds going to Joliffs family. She told KCCI, “I know what they’re going through, and it’s not an easy situation,” Ellen McElroy said. “If it even helps them that much, it’ll be worth it to me.”

The bidding on the auction closes tonight (Monday), at 8 o’clock.