A traffic stop on pickup with a headlight out Tuesday evening, resulted a man’s arrest on drug charges. The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office says 52-year old Russell Delbert Root, of Crescent, was taken into custody at 15th and Big Lake Road, for Driving While Barred, Possession of a Controlled Substance -Meth/1st offense and Possession of Drug paraphernalia. Two grams of meth were found on Root, along with a meth pipe. He was transported to the Pott. County Jail, and booked-in.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Judges in central Iowa are using a new pretrial risk assessment tool to reduce bias and inequality when releasing individuals or setting bonds after an arrest. The Des Moines Register reports that Polk County officials began using the new assessment system last week to try decreasing the number of individuals awaiting trial in jail. The tool scores each person based on factors that help determine whether they’re likely to commit another crime or appear at their court date.

Advocates say the assessment reduces bias by not considering factors like race or gender. Advocates also argue that it will treat low-income people more fairly in a cash bail system where many are stuck in jail because they can’t afford to pay. Three other Iowa counties are piloting the program, which may expand to a statewide initiative.

The Audubon State Bank is warning businesses in the area to be on the lookout for fake U-S currency that has some distinctive features that will indicate the cash is fake. The bills have been appearing more frequently recently, in the Midwest.  The counterfeit large denomination bills may have Chinese and/or Cyrillic writing printed on the front of the note. The Counterfeit also has no watermark or security thread when held up to the light. Another type of fake bill may have the words “For motion picture use only,” stamped on the front and back of the bill.

A sample is available for viewing here: Chinese Writing on Notes – SFO[6145]

If anyone attempts to pass one of the counterfeit notes, please obtain as much information as possible about the individual(s) and contact your local Police and the U.S. Secret Service’s San Francisco Field Office (415) 576-1210.

Audubon Police Chief Matt Starmer reports, that on Jan. 18th, 45-year old Patrick James Jensen, of Audubon, was arrested for Theft in the 5th Degree. Jensen appeared before a magistrate on Monday, and pled guilty to the charges. He was assessed a fine of slightly more than $272.

The Page County Sheriff’s Office reports three recent arrests and one accident. Sheriff Lyle Palmer says that at around 1-a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 23rd, Deputies with the Page County Sheriff’s Office initiated a traffic stop on Highway 71 near the intersection of 290^th Street, where a Pontiac Grand Prix was pulled over for a traffic violation. The scene is approximately three-miles north of Braddyville. During the investigation it was discovered that 20-year old Aaron Craig Whitehill, of Clarinda, was driving the vehicle with a suspended / revoked driver’s license. Whitehill brought to the Page County Jail and later released on $566.25 bond, pending future court proceedings. And, at around 3-p.m., Tuesday, Page County Deputies arrested 18-year old Melissa Jean Wiechman, of Villisca. She was taken into custody at the Pottawattamie Iowa County Jail on a Page County Warrant for Probation Violation. Wiechman was transported to the Page County Jail where she was being held on a $1,000 cash only bond.

Jonathan L. Gray

Melissa Wiechman

Aaron C. Whitehill

And, at around 7-p.m. Monday, Deputies from the Page County arrested at his residence, 36-year old Jonathan Lynn Gray, of Shenandoah, Gray was taken into custody on a Page County Warrant for Failure to appear for arraignment on original charges of Gathering where controlled substances are used and Possession of a controlled substance 2^nd offense. He was transported to the Page County Jail where he was being held on $5,000 bond.

Sheriff Palmer says an accident that occurred at around 4:20-p.m., Sunday, about six-miles west of Clarinda on Highway 2, near K Avenue. An investigation determined 20-year old Tyler William Wilson, of Clarinda, was driving a 2012 Chevy Impala eastbound on Highway 2 and approaching a bridge, when for an unknown reason, the vehicle drifted to the south side of the road and struck the guard rail of the bridge approach. The damage to the vehicle is estimated at $6,500.00. Damage to the guardrail was estimated at $4,500. Neither Wilson nor his passenger, 18-year old Selena Marie Lopez, Clarinda, were injured in the accident. Wilson was issued citations for No valid insurance (accident related), No driver’s license, and Failure to maintain control.

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

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BUFFALO, Iowa (AP) — A federal investigation has concluded a worker wasn’t following safety protocols when he was killed last year in a limestone mine collapse in Scott County. The Quad-City Times reports a Mine Safety and Health Administration investigation concluded that 52-year-old Ronald Trich Jr. had entered an area of the Linwood Mine that was barricaded due to unsafe conditions when he was killed on Jan. 25, 2017.

Investigators concluded Trich, of Rock Island, Illinois, had entered the area in search of crystals despite being warned twice by management to stop such efforts. Other miners also warned him not to seek crystals in dangerous areas of the mine. Trich worked as a truck driver at the mine, located near Buffalo. The operation employs 61 people.

The Creston Police Department reports a man from Kansas City, Missouri, was arrested at around 12:37-a.m. today (Wednesday), on a Cass County Sheriff’s warrant. 25-year old Kevin Davis was arrested at the intersection of Montgomery and Oak Streets in Creston, on the warrant for Failure to Appear on an original, Possession of Controlled Substance, charge. Davis was later released from the Union County Jail on a $5,000 bond.

And, Tuesday evening, 43-year old Carrie Johns, of Creston, was arrested on a Union County warrant for Violation of Parole. Johns was being held without bond, in the Ringgold County Jail.

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

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An Atlantic civic organization is holding an event February 3^rd to raise funds for the Christmas Box Program, that was previously organized by the Atlantic Jaycees. Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bailey Smith said the upcoming event is being hosted by “Atlantic Rising” as part of their community service projects. Atlantic Rising was formerly the Young Professionals of Atlantic. Their mission, according to Smith, is to connect, engage and attract young leaders into the community, and take steps to volunteer and help the community and surrounding area.

As part of that mission, their “Trivia Night Fundraiser” takes place Saturday, February 3^rd at 7-pm., at The Venue. Atlantic Rising is encouraging people of all ages to join them in supporting the Christmas Box Program.This past year, the Christmas Box Program served over 50 families during the holidays. In years past, the program has reached over 100 families yearly in the area. You can register teams of six-to 10-people for $150. You may also register as an individual for $25. You will then be assigned a team. For more information or to register a team, visit www.atlanticiowa.com, call the Chamber at 712-249-3017 or email chamber@atlanticiowa.com. All of the profits from registrations fees will go directly to the Christmas Box Program. Atlantic Rising has partnered with Olsen Fuel Supply to provide pizzas for teams who are interested. Upon registration, people can order their pizzas and they will be waiting for you at your table. You can order a large, single-topping pizza for $10 or a large Supreme Pizza for $12, no limit. Complimentary popcorn will also be available all night as well as a cash bar. As an added fundraiser, Atlantic Rising will be selling raffle tickets for $1 or 6 for $5. Items will be raffled off throughout the evening. All sales will go towards the Christmas Box Program.

Another service project Atlantic Rising is in charge of, takes place in late March. They’ll handle the Easter Egg Hunt March 31^st, in the Atlantic City Park. There are about 15,000 eggs that will be filled with candy. Smith said on average, about 500 kids participate in the event, and the eggs are generally found within about 10-minutes. She recommends parents bring their kids early, as they start at 10:30-a.m.