An investigator with the State Fire Marshal’s Office was expected to be back in Exira today (Monday), to try and determine what caused Friday’s blaze that destroyed four businesses on a city block. Exira Fire Chief Mike Bintner told KJAN News said they weren’t able to get a close look at the scene because of fire flare-ups that were occurring as late as Noon, Sunday. There was a flare-up 1-a.m. Sunday, as well. Crews rotated in and out of the area throughout the weekend.

Bintner said they were able to hit some hot spots from overhead with the help of some equipment one of the firefighters had access to. The Chief said he didn’t see any smoke this morning coming from the rubble this morning. He said if the Inspector can’t get into the site today, it may be several days before a cause is known. For right now though, it remains under investigation. He said also don’t read too much into some social media posts claiming the incident was a case of arson. Until they’re able to get into the building remains and do a close, forensic examination, the cause remains unknown.

Bintner said also, they still have one truck on the scene in case of another flare-up. He said the support they received from Exira residents, other area communities, and fire departments, has been overwhelming, beginning from the day of the fire, when there were 27 tankers, two ladder trucks and at least three or four pumper trucks and a private business that provided three tankers that unloaded water.  They also received food and cold beverages like sports drinks from people who simply wanted to help by showing their appreciation.

He’s said he’s extremely grateful for the support. The Chuckwagon Restaurant in Adair posted on its socials media site today (Monday), that they are offering a free meal to any firefighter who can show an ID or other form of proof of their service to a fire department. The City of Adair was just one of the 30 departments who sent a crew and equipment to help fight Friday’s blaze in Exira.

Sheriff’s officials in Mills County report five people were arrested on drug charges, recently. Saturday night, 22-year old Augustin Junior Miguel, of Council Bluffs, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Bond was set at $1,300.

At around 3:40-a.m. Friday, 26-year old Devon Leigh Miller, a homeless person, was arrested on five counts of a Controlled Substance Violation, Failure to Affix a Drug Tax Stamp, Carrying a Weapon and Providing False Identification Information. Her bond, at the Mills County Jail was set at $54,300.

Three people were arrested on drug charges July 7th. 32-year old Brandon Heath Smith, of Glenwood, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance (PCS). His bond was set at $5,000. 30-year old Alysse Haywood, of Glenwood, was arrested on two counts of Unlawful Possession of a Prescription Drug, Theft in the 2nd degree, PCS, and Possession of Drug paraphernalia. Her bond was set at $8,300. And, 32-year old Jessica Dawn Whetzel, of Glenwood, was arrested for PCS and drug paraphernalia. Bond for Whetzel was set at $1,300.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office said also, 25-year old Austin Laverne Olson, of Glenwood, was arrested July 8th, for OWI and Failure to Maintain Control. Bond was set at $1,000. 35-year old Jameson Charles Haun McDonough, of Marion, was arrested July 9th, for OWI/1st offense and Unsafe approach to a certain stationary vehicle. His bond was $1,000. 40-year old David Jay Nuno, of Council Bluffs, was arrested in Mills County July 10th, on warrants charging him with four counts of Sexual Abuse in the 2nd Degree. Bond was set at $100,000. Also on July 10th, 20-year old Victor Javier Casilla, of Omaha, was arrested on a warrant for Reckless Use of a firearm. Bond was set at $2,000.

43-year old Jerry Lee Dawson, of Red Oak, was arrested July 10th in Mills County, on a warrant for Burglary in the 3rd degree. Bond was set at $5,000. 61-year old Roberto Rodriguez, of Bellevue, NE., was arrested that same day, for OWI/3rd offense and Improper Use of lanes. Bond was set at $1,300. And, 51-year old Michael Scott Holtz, of Malvern, was arrested on a warrant for Domestic Abuse Assault, for which he was being held without bond.

On July 13th, Mills County Deputies arrested 32-year old Brandon Heath Smith, of Glenwood, on a warrant for probation violation. Bond was set at $10,000. That same day, 38-year old John Ralston Teas, of Henderson, was arrested for OWI/1st offense, Open container, and Speeding. Bond was set at $1,000. Last Saturday, 39-year old Andy Charles Andrews, of Pacific Junction, was arrested for Assault/Use of display of a weapon. Bond was $2,000. And, 44-year old Trevor Lee Narron, of Glenwood, was arrested for Eluding, Injury or Interference with a Police K9, and Interference with Official Acts. Bond was set at $5,300.

Six Iowa hospitals are being named to the Becker’s Hospital Lists of 62 Critical Hospitals To Know for 2017. Floyd Valley Healthcare of Le Mars and Orange City Health Systems of Orange City made the list. Four other rural Iowa hospitals were also listed. They include: Avera Holy Family Hospital at Estherville, Myrtue Medical Center of Harlan, Iowa Specialty Hospital of Belmond, and the Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah.

Critical access hospitals have 25 or fewer inpatient beds and the annual average length of stay is 96 hours or fewer for acute care. These hospitals also offer 24/7 emergency care and must be located at least 35 miles away from any other major hospital.

(Radio Iowa)

The Audubon Community School District’s Board of Education will meet this evening (Monday) in their Boardroom at the High School. On their agenda for the 7-p.m. session, is the first and final readings of Board Policies dealing with: Student Promotion, Retention and Acceleration; Education Record Access, and Student Directory Information.

The first readings of certain policies will be conducted, including: The purpose of Non-instructional & Business Services; Financial Records; Payroll periods and Eligibility for Free or Reduced Cost meals.

The Board is also expected to act on bids for surplus property, approving milk and bread bids for FY 2018, bus routes, and personnel matters. And, they’ll receive an update on the Baseball Field as well as Summer Projects.

Members of the Griswold School District’s Board of Education will meet this evening in the Central Office, beginning at 5:30. On their agenda is “Acceptance of Official Results of [a] Public Measure to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $9.9-million, to remodel, repair, improve, furnish and equip the Middle School/High School facility; to build, furnish and equip an Elementary Addition to that facility; And, to improve the site.”

The Griswold School Board will also discuss and may take action on, cash flow for the building project, as well as re-purposing the Elementary building. Other, action items include: The appointments of a Business Manager/Treasurer, Board Secretary, and District Attorney; And, approval of a Shared Elementary Art Teacher contract with the CAM School District, as well as a Shared Elementary Guidance Contract with the Riverside School District; bids for bakery and dairy, along with trash removal and snow removal.

Members of the CAM School District’s Board of Education will gather at 6:30-p.m. in the CAM High School Media Center this (Monday) evening. On their agenda is an update on the Elementary Building addition, along with discussion and action on: Use of facilities by outside organizations; Resignations and contracts; Facility projects (Including a camera and sound system); Milk and bread bids; The setting of lunch prices and student fees; and, approval with Griswold for the sharing of an Art Teacher.

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

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Officials with the Creston Police Department today (Monday), said two people were arrested Saturday. A little after 12 noon, 31-year old Joshua Coulter was arrested at 404 N. Cherry Street, on a Union County warrant for Failure to comply with his Pre-Trial Release, on an original charge of Forgery. Coulter was being held in the Union County Jail on a $5,000 bond. And, 33-year old Jason Merboth, of Creston, was arrested at around 3:30-p.m. Saturday, for OWI/1st offense. He was later released from the Union County Jail on a $1,000 bond.

Creston Police said also, two residents reported recent incidents of Theft. A resident of the 200 block of E. Mills Street reported Friday morning, that sometime between July 3rd and 14th, someone took three batteries from mowers on his property. The loss was estimated at $150. And, Saturday morning, a resident of the 1300 block of N. Elm Street, in Creston, reported to Police that sometime between 9-p.m. Friday and 7:30-a.m. Saturday, someone took four bicycles and four tricycles from the driveway of 609 W. Adams Street. The loss was estimated at $150.

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

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The Audubon County Sheriff’s Department today (Monday), released information about a collision that took place last Thursday afternoon. Officials say vehicles driven by 41-year old Andrea L. Schramm, of Guthrie Center, and 62-year old Sherry Jane Fenske, of Audubon, collided at around 2-p.m. Thursday, when Fenske failed to stop at the intersection of 190th Street and Pheasant Avenue.

The 2003 Kia Fenske was driving was struck on the passenger side, by Schramm’s 2015 Chevy Tahoe, causing a total of $34,700 damage. Both drivers were transported to the Audubon County Hospital by Audubon Fire and Rescue. Fenske was cited for Failure to obey a traffic control device.