SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — The death of a Sioux City woman killed in a fire has been ruled a homicide. Sioux City police say the state report on the autopsy of 51-year-old Wanda Blake’s body will go to Woodbury County prosecutors for consideration of any new charges. The man suspected of setting the Feb. 4 fire, 51-year-old Robert Mahoney, has pleaded not guilty to arson. His trial is scheduled to begin April 17.

The blaze damaged several units at Central Apartments. Court documents say Mahoney told police he was bored and started lighting papers. He said he saturated a table full of papers with aerosol bug spray and lit it on fire, and the flames spread.

Sheriff’s officials in Pottawattamie County report 39-year old Terrance James Brierly, of Carson, was arrested at around 8:20-p.m. Wednesday, on a valid warrant out of Nebraska, for being a Fugitive from Justice. Brierly was arrested at his home in Carson, and transported to the Pott. County Jail where he was being held while awaiting extradition to Nebraska.

A traffic stop at around 1-a.m. today (Thursday), in Pott. County resulted in the arrest of 21-year old Cody Loring Sindt, of Neola.  Sindt was taken into custody for OWI/1st offense, after a Deputy responded to a property damage, unknown injury accident, near 350th and Tamarack Road, in Pottawattamie County.

And, 33-year old Charlene Raedine Colton, of Underwood, was arrested Wednesday afternoon following a traffic Stop. She was taken into custody for Driving While Barred.

The City of Atlantic will host its first ever “Easter Dog Bone Hunt,” for dogs and their owners. The event takes place 2-p.m. March 31st , at the Buck Creek Dog Park. Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department Director Seth Staashelm provided the City Council with the details during their meeting Wednesday evening. He said the event follows up on the Easter Egg hunt that will be at the Atlantic City Park at 10:30-a.m., March 31^st . Each dog will receive a special bandanna, homemade dog biscuits, a picture with the Easter Bunny, and a chance to hunt for eggs.

The Dog Bone event costs $3 per dog, with the proceeds going towards the Atlantic Animal Shelter. Registration will start at 1:30 pm with the event kicking off a little after 2 pm. There will also be a costume contest with prizes going towards the top 3 best costume dogs. The event requires dogs to be on leash and accompanied by their guardian.

For more information you can contact Atlantic Animal Shelter at 712-243-2287 or the Atlantic Parks and Rec Dept. at 712-243-3542.

2018 Easter Bone Hunt Flyer

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

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Council Bluffs Police say no injuries were reported, but one person was arrested, following an accident that happened today (Thursday) at around 5:40-a.m.  Officers were dispatched to Big Lake Park for a vehicle in the lake. Upon arrival officers made contact with 58-year old Frank Spring, of Council Bluffs. Spring stated he looked away from the road and lost control of his 2008 Chevy Malibu. He was transported to the Pottawattamie County Jail and processed on traffic charges.

A Union County woman has promised to appear in court, on a charge of Criminal Mischief in the 5th Degree. Creston Police say 57-year old Pam Claiser, of Creston, was cited for the offense Saturday night. She was released at the scene on a citation, and on the promise to appear.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — A young woman who tried to claim $50,000 she won from an Iowa scratch-off lottery ticket has been charged with fraud: She was too young to buy the ticket. The Daily Nonpareil reports that Katelyn Dolezal, of Macedonia, is charged with lottery fraud. Court records don’t list the name of an attorney who could comment for her.

Iowa law requires players to be 21 or older. Authorities say she was 19 when she bought the winning ticket Nov. 18. A relative went to the Iowa Lottery office in Council Bluffs to claim the prize for Dolezal, and a check was issued in the relative’s name. They tried to cash the $35,000 check — $15,000 in taxes had been withheld — but a bank placed a hold on it.

Police say Dolezal later called the lottery office for help because the relative wasn’t going to share the money with Dolezal.

The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:06-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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A traffic stop at around 4-a.m. today (Thursday), resulted in the arrest of a man for OWI. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports 26-year old Cameron Thomas Chambers, of Villisca, was arrested for OWI/1st offense and Driving While Suspended. Chambers was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $1,000 bond.