DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — The Scott County attorney says a court bailiff’s firing of his handgun was reasonable after a man wielding a wooden pole struck him in the face outside the courthouse. County Attorney Mike Walton said in a news release Thursday that bailiff Tim Hutcheson “believed his force was necessary to avoid injury or risk to his life or safety, or the life or safety of others.” Authorities have said Hutcheson, another bailiff and a Davenport police officer tried to subdue 29-year-old Adam Lafrentz on April 25 after responding to a report about someone being assaulted. The other bailiff used a stun gun on Lafrentz that seemingly had no effect on him. He ran away but was captured later. No one was hit by the gunshot

The Quad-City Times reports that Walton says the pursuit of charges against Lafrentz “has been deferred while mental health alternatives are explored” for him.

Sheriff’s officials in Pottawattamie County say a man walked into the Sheriff’s Office Thursday morning and turned himself-in on a warrant for Possession of Methamphetamine/1st offense. After the warrant for 36-year old Jeremy Guy Thomas, of Council Bluffs, was confirmed, he was transported to the Pott. County Jail.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports two accidents took place in the County, Wednesday afternoon. The first happened at around 12:48-p.m., and involved two-vehicles. The collision occurred at 7th and Ash Streets, in Atlantic. Officials say a 1994 Chevy trash truck driven by 56-year old Donald Duane Cook, of Atlantic, was stopped heading southbound at the stop sign on Ash Street, and proceeded to pull onto 7^th Street. In the process, his truck hit a westbound 2018 Hyundai Elantra owned and driven by 65-year old Rosemarie Leah Jones, of Atlantic. No injuries were reported. Damage to the trash truck is estimate at $100; damage to the Hyundai is estimated at $1,500. Cook was cited for Failure to Yield Upon Entering Intersection.

And, at around 3:20-p.m. Wednesday, a two-vehicle accident happened at the intersection of Highways 71 and Highway 92. Officials say a 1999 Jeep Cherokee driven by 20-year old Lindsey Noel Pace, of Clarinda, was northbound on Highway 71 when it was struck in the front passenger side by a westbound 2012 International tractor trailer. The semi was driven by 73-year old Ronald Dean Schroeder, of Griswold. The accident happened as he pulled away from the stop sign at Highway 92. Damage to the Jeep is estimated at $6,000; damage to the tractor trailer is estimated at $2,000. Pace was transported to CCMH via Griswold Rescue. Schroeder was cited for Failure to Yield Upon Entering Intersection.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office says as the result of a search warrant in Atlantic on May 16th, Deputies arrested 42-year old Samantha Sue Clark, of Atlantic, on felony and other charges. Clark faces felony charges of Burglary 3rd Degree and a Drug Tax Stamp Violation; Four counts of Possession of Controlled Substance; Six counts of Unlawful Possession of Prescription Drugs; Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Theft 5th Degree. She was taken to the Cass County Jail, where her bond was set at $21,000.

Also arrested was 30-year old Amber Catherine Stephens, of Atlantic, on charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Unlawful Possession of Prescription Drug. Stephens was being held in the Cass County Jail on $2,000 bond.

The Atlantic Kiwanis will be tribute to those in Law Enforcement Saturday (tomorrow), during an event in the Atlantic City Park. Kiwanis member Randy Maas said local law officers will be the focus of the services.

He invites everyone to come to the Atlantic City Park at Noon Saturday, by the Avenue of Flags, to watch the ceremony and thank our local law enforcement personnel. Maas said the tribute to law enforcement fits in with their mission to serve the community.

The non-profit organization gives out 200 bicycle helmets to kids throughout the County. Griswold students will receive the safety helmets next year. Steve Green started the program 22-years ago. Maas said the Kiwanis Fund Drive will be coming up soon, so be watching for news on that.

Kiwanis members are also installing two playgrounds at the Schildberg Recreation this coming July. If you would like to be a member of the organization, come out to the event taking place Saturday morning in the Atlantic City Park. There’s an added incentive to becoming a member…

(He said for every person that sign’s up to join, he has to take a pie in the face. “So how many people want to throw a pie in Randy’s face?” he says. “Come on out and join up.”)

Maas said as a member, you need to come to at least one meeting, be involved with children and their well being, and show-up at events when possible.

A day-long event celebrating Armed Forces Day takes place Saturday, in Atlantic. Steve Livengood and his wife Marie created the “BaDa BaDa Bing Bang Rally” four-years ago. The event also serves to recognize Atlantic’s Sesquicentennial year with the monthly theme being “Atlantic Salutes the Military.” Owner/operators come from all over the state of Iowa. They also come from Minnesota, Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri. The rally continues to grow every year. Steve says most of the military vehicle owners will allow you touch and explore their vehicle, if you ask. He said many of the participants will already be there in the morning, but some will come a bit later. The event wraps up by 3-p.m.

At that time, a cannon will be fired, and each of the military vehicles will begin a cruise through the town and out. The vehicles will make their way back into town, stopping at Wal-Mart for ice cream at around 3:20-p.m., and then finally its back to the Armory. His goal was to put 150 military equipment tires on the ground for Atlantic’s 150^th birthday. The equipment ranges in age from early World War Two [1940 or so] to some of the newest equipment…a span of about 55-to 60-years. There won’t be any tanks though, due to their weight and other issues.)

More than 35 vehicles are planning to be at the Rally providing 173 tires on the ground. The event will begin and end at th Armory (the American Legion Memorial Building), located at 201 Poplar Street in Atlantic. Inside the Armory, the Military Museum and Military Library will be open for viewing. A display of military rations, cooking, eating and cleaning, is set up in the Museum. A display of hundreds of military weapons and related items will be in the Memorial Hall. It includes high explosives, none in working condition.

A lunch for free will offering is provided by Atlantic Rock Island Society Enterprise (ARISE), hosts for the Rally.

MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) — A railroad company intends to demolish a historic train depot in northern Iowa. Canadian Pacific Railway spokesman Andy Cummings tells the Mason City Globe Gazette that the Milwaukee Road Depot in Mason City is scheduled for demolition. Cummings says the depot has been vacant since the railway relocated its operations to another structure in 2013. He says the structure can’t be repurposed because it’s next to an active rail yard. The depot was originally built around 1895.

Bob Storozuk is the president of the Milwaukee Road Historical Association. He says the depot acted as a focal point for the town, offering transportation and a location to pick up packages and telegrams.
Cummings didn’t say when demolition would begin or how much it would cost.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — Authorities have arrested a man accused of fleeing after his vehicle injured his girlfriend’s 11-year-old daughter near their Waterloo home.
Black Hawk County Court records say 52-year-old James Smith is charged with leaving the scene of an injury accident, child endangerment causing serious injury, and other crimes. The records don’t list the name of an attorney who could comment for him.

Police say the girl was injured April 18 when Smith drove out of the home’s driveway. The girl’s mother, 32-year-old Anita Nelson, told officers she didn’t know who struck the girl and denied Smith was involved. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that prosecutors have charged her with making a false report.

Authorities in Pottawattamie County are investigating an accident that claimed the life of a Nebraska man. Officials say at around 7:50-p.m. Thursday, Pottawattamie County deputies were dispatched to County Road L-34 and Whippoorwill Road for a motor vehicle accident involving a motorcycle and a truck pulling a livestock trailer. Deputies arrived at approximately 8:03 PM. Upon arrival of Neola Fire and Rescue, the driver of the motorcycle was determined to be deceased. A preliminary investigation indicates that 19-yearold Joseph Jensen, of Neola, was southbound on County Road L-34 in a 2012 Dodge Ram truck and making a left turn on to Whippoorwill Road. The truck was pulling an empty livestock trailer.

26-year old Adam Blake, of Omaha, NE was southbound on County Road L-34 behind Jensen’s truck and trailer. Blake’s 2006 Suzuki motorcycle struck the rear of the livestock trailer, resulting in fatal injuries.

More area and State news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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