(Updated 3/20) – Firefighters in Massena were called to a structure fire at 109 E. Cedar Street in Massena several times over the past few days. Crews were originally dispatched at around 3:24-p.m. , Saturday, to the home, following a report of the deck on fire on the southwest corner of the structure. Despite efforts by Massena and Cumberland Fire, the home was a total loss. Crews were called back to the residence at around 4:19-a.m. Sunday, and then again about four-hours later, for rekindling of the flames, with flames visible inside the home.They also responded Sunday evening and early Monday morning (3/20).

Firefighter Brad Penton said the rekindles were due to multiple layering in construction and reconstruction throughout the years. With structural integrity in mind, he said it becomes difficult to completely extinguish due to firefighter safety.

No injuries were reported, but a couple of family pets in the home were lost on Saturday. The cause of the original fire was under investigation, but may have been the result of a fire pit being used on the deck a few days ago, according to reports.

Photo by Cass County Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Kennon

A traffic stop early this (Sunday) morning in Fremont County, resulted in the driver of the vehicle fleeing on foot but being captured a short while later. Fremont County Sheriff Kevin Aistrope reports his Deputies tried to conduct a traffic stop on a speeding vehicle. As they attempted to turn around and follow the vehicle, the suspect vehicle pulled into a nearby parking lot, and the suspect driver, 33-year old Ryan Keasey, of Hamburg, took off on foot.

Deputies, assisted by the Fremont County K9 unit, found Keasey a short time later, hiding in a tractor trailer near this vehicle.He was arrested and charged with Interference with Officials Acts. Keasey was subsequently released after posting bond.

Ryan Keasey

Sheriff’s officials in Adams County report the arrest Saturday afternoon, of 30-year old Stephanie Wilkinson, of Corning. Wilkinson was taken into custody at around 1:40-p.m., for allegedly breaking out a car window. She was charged with Criminal Mischief in the 5th Degree and brought to the Adams County Jail, where her bond was set at $300.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office says a Villisca man was arrested Friday afternoon for allegedly Violating a No Contact Order. 18-year old Wyatt D. Baldwin was transported without incident to the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center, where his bond was set at $300.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A federal judge has dismissed a Des Moines water utility’s lawsuit against three counties, claiming their agricultural drainage districts have been sending nitrate pollution into the rivers the water utility uses for drinking water.

The judge on Friday dismissed all of Des Moines Water Works’ claims against drainage districts in Sac, Buena Vista and Calhoun counties, ruling that water pollution is an issue for the Iowa legislature to address.

The water utility alleged the three counties that oversee the drainage districts should be required to obtain federal water pollution discharge permits and pay the utility more than $1 million it has spent for increased filtration methods to remove the nitrates from water.

Utility CEO Bill Stowe says the utility’s board will review its options in the case.

Red Oak Police report 70-year old woman was arrested this (Saturday) morning, following an investigation into a possible Theft and Trespass incident. Authorities were notified about the incident at a residence in the 1400 block of E. Coolbaugh Street, on Friday. Their investigation led them to arrest Martha Jean Barnett, of Red Oak, on charges of Theft in the 5th Degree and Trespassing. Barnett was brought to the Montgomery County Jail and held on a $300 cash bond.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – State officials have issued burn bans in four Iowa counties due to dry conditions. The Iowa Department of Public Safety’s State Fire Marshal issued the bans this week for Decatur in southern Iowa and Lee, Wapello and Muscatine counties in southeastern Iowa. The ban prohibits open burning unless a fire chief issues a permit and supervision is planned.

Also allowed are fires in outdoor fireplaces, barbecue grills and properly supervised landfills, as well as burning of trash in incinerators or trash burners made of metal or masonry.

Approximately 60 Soldiers from the Iowa National Guard will be welcomed home today (Saturday) in a ceremony at the Des Moines air base. Guard spokesman, Colonel Greg Hapgood. “The 185th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion from the Iowa Army National Guard is based at Camp Dodge. And they’ve been mobilized for the past year. They’ve spent approximately nine months in the Afghanistan theater operating out of Bagram Airfield and some other locations in Afghanistan,” Hapgood says.

Col. Hapgood spoke about the 185th CSS Battalion’s responsibilities. He says the soldiers specialize in command and control of units and support the coalition and U-S forces through transportation, maintenance, supplies, water purification and other logistical tasks.

Hapgood says their work is key to the entire mission. “Certainly when you are talking about operations like we have in Afghanistan, its incredibly important that you have logistics on time, you have what you need, when you need it and where you need it. And these soldiers do an excellent job at making sure those who are in combat directly have everything they need to do their job,” Hapgood says.

The public is welcome to attend the homecoming ceremony which will be held at 3 p-m today (Saturday).

(Radio Iowa)

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