(Radio Iowa) — A report from the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation has cleared a Creston police officer in a fatal shooting. Sergeant Jared Auten will not face any criminal charges. The incident which happened back in mid August involved several officers responding to a person in McKinley park with a weapon. The person later identified as Christopher Cameron did not respond to officers commands as he remained in a position of concealing an item in his right hand. Cameron eventually after several attempts by officers to get him to show his hands advanced on Sergeant Auten. It was found that Auten acted appropriately and within the scope of his lawful duty as a peace officer in a life threatening situation.

MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) — A woman has been accused of stealing prescription drugs turned in to the Mason City Police Department. Cerro Gordo County court records say 43-year-old Melinda Severs, of Dumont, is charged with two counts of unlawful possession of prescription drugs. The records don’t list the name of an attorney who could comment for her. Severs’ next hearing is scheduled for Oct. 26.

Authorities say Severs was working as an administrative assistant for the department when she took the medications. The department building is a collection site for unused and unwanted medicines.
Police Chief Jeff Brinkley says Severs no longer works for his department.

BELLEVUE, Neb. (AP) — Decades after they died, the military is seeing a surge in identifications of U.S. service members who had been classified as missing in action.
The number of identifications is expected to reach 200 this year, more than triple what used to be the norm.
The increase by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency is credited to increased funding and new techniques for tracking remains and identifying them. The soaring number of identifications followed years of complaints that the process was ineffective.
The increase has led to a surge of long-delayed memorial services and burials across the country as families and entire communities honor those killed.
Joani McGinnis, of Shenandoah, Iowa, said her family is planning a service Friday now that they understand what happened to her uncle, Sgt. Melvin. C. Anderson.

(Corrects to indicate the subject is a man) — The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports a man was arrested at the Rodeway Inn in Red Oak, Tuesday afternoon. Following an investigation into an incident at the hotel, 24-year old Adrian Concepcion Gonzalez, of Stephensville, TX, was taken into custody for Obstruction of Emergency Communications. His bond was set at $300. And, 54-year old Deanna Kay Sowers, of Red Oak, was arrested at around 5-p.m. Tuesday, following an incident that occurred in the 1500 block of 150th Street, north of Red Oak. Sowers was booked-into the Montgomery County Jail for Simple Domestic Assault. She was being held without bond, pending an appearance before the magistrate.

A traffic stop in Red Oak at around 2:10-a.m. today (Wednesday), resulted in the arrest of a woman on drug and other charges. Red Oak Police say 35-year old Christina Dawn Short, of Council Bluffs, was taken into custody at around 2:45-a.m. for Possession of a Controlled Substance (Meth) and Driving Under Suspension. Short was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $1,000 bond. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Dept. K9 Unit assisted in the investigation.

At around 11:35-p.m. Tuesday, Red Oak Police conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle with an expired registration. The driver, 20-year old Kevin Ruben Avalos-Ruiz, of Red Oak, was arrested for Driving Under Suspension (4th offense). Avalos-Ruiz was also cited for expired registration and no proof of insurance. He was booked-into the Montgomery County Jail, where bond was set at $566.

A tornado that spun-up in Union County, Tuesday evening, hop-scotched its way northward, apparently forming, dissipating and then reforming along the way.  The National Weather Service in Des Moines say a tornado was spotter-confirmed on the ground five-miles west of Macksburg, near Zion, in Adair County, at around 5:42-p.m. A roof was reportedly blown off of a structure near Creston.

A twister was also observed 6-miles south of Stuart Tuesday evening, and law enforcement confirmed one touched down in a  rural area near Stuart at around 6:10-p.m.  A tornado was also observed on the ground in Guthrie County near Panora/Lake Panorama, according to some dispatch reports.

Other tornadoes were confirmed to have struck in Appanoose, Poweshiek, Tama and Black Hawk Counties, Tuesday. Damage was reported to have occurred at a farmstead near Cedar Falls at around 5:30-p.m., and at the Centerville Municipal Airport at around 3:21-p.m.

The Weather Service will be updating its reports as the day progresses, today (Wednesday).

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:35 a.m. CDT

BELLEVUE, Neb. (AP) — Decades after they died, the military is seeing a surge in identifications of U.S. service members who had been classified as missing in action. The number of identifications will likely reach 200 this year, more than triple what once was the norm. The increase by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency is credited to increased funding and new techniques for tracking remains and identifying them. The soaring number of identifications followed years of complaints that the process was ineffective.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Attorney Michael Avenatti’s brash confidence is being closely watched by Democrats in Washington and key political battleground states with a mix of intrigue and trepidation. Trump’s victory over more experienced politicians in the 2016 campaign has reshaped traditional views of who would make a viable presidential candidate. Yet some party leaders are worried about trying to replicate Trump’s approach by backing another untested and unpredictable candidate.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein says President Donald Trump’s attack on her handling of an allegation against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh is “ridiculous and an embarrassment.” The ranking member of the Judiciary Committee again denied she breached the confidence of Christine Blasey Ford, who said Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her decades ago. Feinstein responded to Trump’s claim Tuesday at an Iowa rally by saying, “Even the reporter who broke the story said it wasn’t me or my staff.”

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — For years the target of the chant “Lock her up!” at Trump rallies has been Hillary Clinton. Now it’s the senior senator from California, Democrat Dianne Feinstein. In Iowa for a rally Tuesday night, the chant came as President Donald Trump repeated his unsupported assertion that Feinstein leaked a letter written by the woman who accuses Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault when they were teenagers. Feinstein denies that she leaked the letter.

Atlantic Rising, in partnership with Hy-Vee, will be taking over the Christmas Box Program this holiday season. Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bailey Smith says “The program was started by the Atlantic Jaycees over 20 years ago and helps families and individuals in need of a Christmas dinner. Chamber Program Director Ashley Hayes says “Last year, the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce picked the program up until another community organization decided to take it on.”

Hayes said also “Atlantic Rising decided to adopt the program as their community project for the year and held a Trivia Night Fundraiser in February specifically for the project. Hy-Vee offered to partner with us this year to help with promotion of the project to reach out to as many people as possible and to supply the food items that will be in the boxes.”

This year, members of Atlantic Rising will help fill boxes with items families and individuals can use to cook Christmas dinner. The boxes will be filled and delivered December 20^th to those who have been nominated. To nominate a family or individual, or if you are interested in volunteering, contact Atlantic Rising at 712.243.3017 or ashley@atlanticiowa.com.

Officials with the Harlan Police Department report two men and a woman were arrested on drug and other charges, Monday. 22-year old Alexander Andrew Davied Lamar, of Avoca, 38-year old Matthew Wayne Tamms  and 33-year old Holli Danielle Polchow, both of Harlan, were arrested following a traffic stop at Chatburn Avenue and Cheyenne Avenue. All three were charged with altering or changing numbers, possession with intent to deliver, and possession of a controlled substance. Each was booked into the Shelby County Jail. Lamarr was also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. Tamms was additionally charged with prohibited acts penalties.

On Oct. 7th, 30-year old Adreana Augustine Bernal, of Harlan, was arrested following a call for service in the 1600 block of Pine St.  Bernal was transported to the Shelby County Jail where she was charged with domestic abuse assault, and public intoxication.

And on Oct. 5th, 21-year old Justin Andrew Dickinson, of Harlan, was arrested on an active Shelby County warrant following a traffic stop around 5^th and Dye St.  He was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was also charged with carrying weapons.

Cass County Auditor Dale Sunderman reports absentee voting is available for the November 6th GENERAL ELECTION.  Absentee ballots may be voted in the Cass County Auditor’s office through Monday, November 5, 2018 at 5 pm. 

IF VOTING AT THE COUNTY AUDITOR’S OFFICE: the absentee voter may come to the CASS COUNTY COURTHOUSE during the regular office hours of 8 AM and 4:30 PM, Monday thru Friday, up through the day before the election and cast a ballot.  In addition to regular office hours, the office of Cass County Auditor will be open Saturday, October 27, 2018 from 8 AM to 5 PM and Saturday, November 3, 2018 from 9 AM to 5 PM.  A voter may register and vote and an absentee ballot on the same day.

IF VOTING BY MAIL: A written request may be mailed or hand delivered to the County Auditor’s office.  (Absentee request forms are available at the auditor’s office and on the Secretary of State’s web site: sos.iowa.gov).  A ballot along with instructions on how to complete the ballot will be mailed to the requester.  For the ballot to be counted the completed ballot then must be returned either by personal carrier to the office of County Auditor before close of polls on November 6 or returned by mail postmarked no later than November 5.  Deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail is 5 PM on Saturday, October 27.  All BALLOTS ARE TO BE RETURNED whether they are voted or not voted.  A postage paid return envelope is provided with each absentee ballot mailed out. 

VOTER REGISTRATION: In order to vote in Iowa a person must be registered in the person’s current county of residence, under the person’s current name, and at the person’s current address.

      The county election commissioner recommends that persons not currently registered or who have moved since last registering and are planning to vote in the November GENERAL ELECTION, pre-register in the office of the County Auditor as soon as possible.  You may register or re-register and vote absentee on the same day.  Last day to pre-register in the office of the County Auditor is Saturday, October 27 2018.

The address for the Cass County Auditor / Election Commissioner is:

CASS COUNTY AUDITOR, COURTHOUSE, 5 W 7TH ST, ATLANTIC, IOWA 50022

(Phone:712-243-4570;   Email: auditor@casscoia.us)