Sheriff’s officials in Adams County say 22-year old Jacob Jones, of Corning, was arrested today (Thursday) on a felony charge of Possessing contraband inside a jail, and a simple misdemeanor charge of Interference with official acts. His bond was set at $5,000.

On Wednesday, Jones was escorted into the Adams County Sheriff’s Office with his Probation Officer, for the purpose of conducting a random urine test. Once inside the jail, Jones allegedly attempted to pour clean urine from a bottle that he had concealed on his person, into the urine test cup, in an attempt to alter the test results.

Deputies noticed Jones’ attempt and seized the bottle before any liquid could be poured into the test cup.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Oct. 6, 2016 – Road construction work for the expansion of U.S. 20 in Ida and Sac counties will require closing the roadway to traffic between Ida County Road M-25 (near Galva) and U.S. 71 (near Early) from 6 a.m. Monday, Oct. 17, until late fall 2018, weather permitting, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s District 3 Office.

Motorists will be directed around the work zone on a signed detour using Ida County Road M-25, Ida/Sac County Road D-15, and U.S. 71 (see map).

C.J. Moyna and Sons Inc. was awarded the $45,778,318 road construction project.

The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.

The Atlantic Police Department reports a man from Minnesota was arrested at a local motel in Atlantic, in connection with a series of sexual assaults perpetrated against a juvenile relative over a period of several years. 31-year old Shawn Michael Stransky was being held in the Cass County Jail, and will be extradited to Minnesota, as soon as next week.

Atlantic Police Chief Steve Green says his department assisted investigators from the Minneapolis and South St. Paul, MN Police Departments in the arrest, and in handling the execution of search warrants related to the case. The search was also executed at a residence in Atlantic where Stransky had stored some of his belongings.

Green said Stransky had lived in Atlantic for a short time, and was attempting to “Start a life away from his past crimes.” Green said also, “We are confident that no one in Atlantic had any knowledge or involvement in [Stransky’s] case.”

The grassland/field fire Danger rating will remain HIGH in Shelby County, until further notice. Emergency Management Coordindator Bob Seivert said Thursday (today), while some rain has fallen and more is likely, the amount of crops and vegetation in the fields is significant, and those elements can dry out in a matter of hours, creating a potential fast burning situation.

Adair County Auditor Mindy Schaefer says voters in the County will find a question on their Nov. 8th General Election ballot, with regard to how Township Trustees and Clerks are selected. In July, the Adair County Board of Supervisors passed a Resolution to put a question on the November 8, 2016 General Election Ballot asking if their Township Trustees and Clerk positions from should change from elected to appointed.

Currently 10 townships appoint the Trustees and Clerk.  Harrison, Jefferson, Lincoln, Richland, Union, Walnut and Washington in Adair County currently elect the Trustees and Clerk.  If township voters pass the question, it would change those offices to be filled by appointment, and the appointment would be for a four-year term.  When a vacancy occurs, the remaining position holders would choose a replacement, and then present that name to the Board of Supervisors for appointment.  If the remaining position holders were unable to find a replacement, the Board of Supervisors work to find the replacement.

The reasons for the proposed change is two-fold:  First, the same people tend to be elected each time the position comes up for election with no opposition for the office.  The change would no longer require that person to have his/her name put on the ballot. This would also save trying to fill the position by write-in when no one puts their name on the ballot; Second, the change Schaefer says, would save Adair County money.  The programming and ballot production costs are based on the number of ballot styles in the county. If all townships were to pass this public measure there would be 5 ballot styles.  This year the County has 13 ballot styles.

If passed, the people elected in 2014 would serve through 2018 and then, if they wanted to remain in the position, would be appointed at the first meeting in January 2019.  People on the ballot in 2016 would be appointed at the first meeting in January 2021.  If a vacancy occurs after the question is passed, the replacement person would be appointed.  Every four years the person would be re-appointed until they no longer want the position.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Adair County Auditor’s office at 641-743-2546.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest Wednesday evening, of an Oakland man. James Gardner was taken into custody on a 2007 Pottawattamie District Court warrant for Probation Violation. Gardner’s arrest was the result of a complaint filed by his neighbor in Oakland. The citizen alleged Gardner caused damage to his front door earlier this week. Gardner claimed the damage was accidental. During the investigation, the deputy learned through dispatch about the warrant that had been issued for Gardner, who was taken into custody without incident.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office say a Ringgold County man, 22-year old Michael Allen Bergman, of Mount Ayr, was arrested Wednesday night at the Union County Law Enforcement Center, on a Union County warrant for failure to appear on an original charge of theft 3^rd degree.  Bergman was being held in the Union County Jail without bond until seen by a Judge.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports two men were arrested on assault charges this week. On Tuesday. 43-year old John Stratton Eichelberger, of Atlantic, turned himself in at the Cass County Jail, on an Atlantic Police Department warrant for Assault with Injury. Eichelberger was released later that day on $1,000 bond.

And today (Thursday), deputies with the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested 58-year old Timothy Dayle Meyer, of Massena, on a Felony charge of Domestic Abuse Assault 3^rd or Subsequent offense. Meyer was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held pending appearance before the magistrate.

Officials with the Department of Veteran’s Affairs say a 79-year old U-S Army Veteran with no known living family members, will be buried this afternoon at the Omaha National Cemetery. Roger Cromey died Sept. 28th at the V.A. Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System. His remains have gone unclaimed.

When veterans die with no known next-of-kin, and insufficient resources, the Veteran’s Administration says it strives to make their remains receive the respect they deserve. The committal service for any unclaimed veteran includes VA Memorial Benefits such as Military Honors, rifle salute, honor guard and the playing of TAPS.

The public is invited to attend and pay respects to Roger Cromey. Parking at the Omaha National Cemetery (14250 Schram Road), is limited, and the cemetery staff will have guides along the road.  The ceremony, at the Committal Shelter, takes place at 1-p.m.

The VA operates 135 national cemeteries and 33 soldiers’ lots in 40 states and Puerto Rico. Eligible individuals are entitled to burial in any open VA national cemetery. The burial includes open and closing of the grave, a grave liner, perpetual care of the gravesite, and a government-furnished upright headstone or flat maker, all at no cost to the family. Veterans are also eligible for a burial flag and Presidential Memorial Certificate.

For more information on VA burial benefits, go to www.cem.va.gov, or call 1-800-827-1000.