Sheriff’s officials in Audubon County say a Pottawattamie County woman turned herself-in to the Sheriff’s Office today (Tuesday). 39-year old Julie Ann Luetje, of Walnut, was wanted on an outstanding Audubon County warrant for Probation Violation. The charge is the result of Luetje allegedly violating the terms of her probation related to an OWI conviction in 2016. Luetje posted a cash bond and was released. She’s scheduled to appear in court, Feb. 13th.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – A bell that tolled for Council Bluffs fire calls as early as the 1800s is again hanging outside a city fire station after years in storage. Fire Chief Justin James tells The Daily Nonpareil that the bell is now hanging from a newly constructed Centennial Bell Tower at a fire station in the center of the city. It was placed in its new home Monday.

Jim and Kelly Salvo of Salvo’s Construction provided the heavy equipment needed to hang the 1,300 pound brass bell with a crane. The Salvos are also Council Bluffs firefighters. James says the $200,000 cost to construct the tower and restore the bell was funded by donations. He says the fire department’s next task is working on the roof and the plaza below.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office says a resident of the 2200 block of S. Cherry Road in Creston, reported Monday morning, that a man and woman had broken into her home and fled when she discovered them. The pair got away with property valued at $1,575. The items included a Sony laptop computer, meat slicer, wallet, DeWalt drill and bits, and a Cannon camera.

Police in Glenwood report officers with the Glenwood Police Department, Monday evening, assisted U-S Marshals Service Deputies, the State of Iowa Probation Office, and Mills County Sheriff’s Office, in apprehending a Nebraska man wanted on a U-S Marshals warrant. 59-year old Lloyd Thomas, of Omaha, was apprehended for Violating terms of his Federal Probation.

Thomas was located in Glenwood, after authorities received a tip, and searched two homes in the community. He was found by Sgt. Aaron Johansen in the vicinity of 3rd and Walnut Streets, in Glenwood.

The Glenwood Police Department reports the arrest on Monday of 42-year old Jason Schultz, of Glenwood. Schultz was taken into custody for Serious Assault, the bond for which was set at $1,000.

The future of the Elite Octane Ethanol plant proposed for Atlantic has apparently come down to fractions of a cent. In August 2014, Elite Octane said 6.5-cents per kilowatt hour (Kwh) was acceptable to meet their project energy load. That all changed two weeks ago. Steve Tjepkes, Atlantic Municipal Utilities General Manager told KJAN News the local utility’s Board met in a special, closed session Monday afternoon to discuss the company’s latest demands.

He said two weeks ago, officials with the ethanol plant told AMU they wanted an industrial electrical rate of 5.6-cents per kwH. They said if they were unable to get that rate, AMU should transfer its service territory to Mid-American Energy, which likely can charge 5.5-cents per kwh.

Tjepkes says the AMU Board is unable to provide the requested rate, and voted against transferring the service territory to Mid-American because of a contractual obligation AMU has with its regional power provider. He says they have a power supply contract with Missouri River Energy that requires AMU to purchase any load growth from MRE. If AMU signs that over to Mid-American, that would be a breach of contract that would result in costly litigation.

In addition, the transfer of service territory has to be approved by the Iowa Utilities Board, which MRE would likely contest. Tjepkes said if AMU were to lower its rate for the ethanol plant, they would have to raise rates for their other customers, and it’s forbidden by the State of Iowa. He said AMU has done all it can to accommodate the needs of the ethanol plant, at great expense, and it’s frustrating the project may have come to an end.

On a related note, the Cass County Board of Supervisors today (Tuesday) tabled until their meeting on February 8^th, action a Resolution pertaining to an $8.5-million incentives package for the proposed Elite Octane Ethanol Plant, due to issues the plant has with an electrical supply and other matters. Board Chair Gaylord Schelling said he would contact Snyder and Associates Engineers and have them hold up on further work on preliminary design and other services until the future of the plant is known. Their fee for the preliminary design and engineering phase costs the County $9,750, with additional costs to be determined.

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

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The Creston Police Department has made an arrest in connection with the theft or attempted theft last Friday, of property from at least a dozen vehicles. 18-year old Johnathan Palmer, of Creston, was arrested at his residence Monday and was being held in the Union County Jail on a $2000 bond. Palmer faced 13 counts of Burglary in the 3rd Degree.

Authorities said the vehicles were all unlocked, and most were parked along the street. Coins, cash and other personal property was reported missing following the reported incidents.

Members of the Atlantic Fire Department held their annual recognition banquet last Saturday night. During the event, Iowa Firefighters Past President Cliff Renslow presented certificates to Gene Schmeling for 25 years of service, Dustin McLaren for 20 years, and Russell Peck for 30 years. The Department also recognized Trent Cappel and Bob Reynolds for 15 years of service.

Alex Smith was awarded the Rookie of the Year award. Tom Cappel was awarded Firefighter of the Year, the highest award given by the department to a firefighter.

In a statement, Atlantic Fire Chief Mark McNees said, ‘’ The firefighters recognized [Saturday night] are all very integral parts of the department and have demonstrated their commitment their entire careers. Without members like them, the AFD could not function.”

Tom Cappel – Firefighter of the Year

From left to right (Gene Schmeling, Dustin McLaren, Russell Peck and IA Firefighters past President Cliff Renslow (Pics courtesy Mark McNees)

Alex Smith – Rookie of the Year

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

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