Three people from Harlan were injured in a three vehicle, chain-reaction collision just before 10-a.m. Tuesday, in Pottawattamie County. The Iowa State Patrol reports a 2012 Chevy Cruze driven by 20-year old Jessica Throlson, of Harlan, was westbound on Interstate 80 near mile marker 19.

Due to an earlier crash near the 18 mile marker, traffic was merging to the right lane. 72-year old Marilyn Rosman and 61-year old Sharon Davidson, both of Harlan, were traveling in a 2019 Toyota Avalon in the right lane, when Throlson rear-ended the Toyota.

The collision cause the Toyota to collide with a 2018 Jeep Wrangler driven by 21-year old Taylor Axelson, of Loveland, CO. The Chevy and the Toyota came to rest in the right lane, while the Jeep came to rest in the median.

Throlson, Rosmann and Davidson were all transported to Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs, by rescue crews from Neola and Underwood.

On Monday, authorities in Pottawattamie County identified the victim of a fatal vehicle versus bicycle accident that took place Saturday. Tuesday evening,  investigators identified a black 2014 Ford F-150 as the vehicle that struck William Shepard on Saturday, May 11, 2019 at approximately 2:10-a.m., near Old Lincoln Highway and Northline Drive.  Shepard was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

56-year old Robert Christensen, of rural Council Bluffs, was identified Tuesday as the driver of the vehicle.  No charges have been filed at this time. The case remains under investigation.

OSCEOLA, Iowa (AP) — An Osceola husband and wife accused of abusing two adopted children have pleaded guilty to two counts each of child endangerment.
Television station KCCI reports that 42-year-old Kenneth Fry and 40-year-old Kelly Fry entered their pleas Monday in a deal with prosecutors that saw several other charges dropped.

Prosecutors say the children, ages 8 and 9, were adopted from Ghana and that the Frys kept them in an unfurnished room divided by a wooden wall. The divided room contained only a couple of blankets and buckets for use as toilets, and its door was equipped with an alarm that would sound if opened. Doctors say the children were also dangerously malnourished.

Prosecutors say the Frys’ five other children had typical age-appropriate bedrooms and did not have food restrictions. The Frys each face up to two years in prison when they’re sentenced May 23.

Officials with the Harlan Police Department report five arrests.

On May 11th: 29-year old Cody Emmett Lister, of Harlan was arrested in the 600 block of Main Street.  Lister was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and interference with official acts.; and, 29-year old Jacob Brady Scheffler, of Harlan, was arrested on an active warrant.  Scheffler was transported to the Shelby County Jail.

On May 9th: 36-year old Brent Michael Swisher, of, Avoca, was arrested following a call for service.  Swisher was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with assault and criminal mischief 4th.

And on May 6th: 45-year old Frances Williams, of Milwaukee, WI was arrested on an active warrant out of the state of Arizona.  Williams was transported to the Shelby County Jail.; 23-year old Angel Nicole Knowles, of Harlan was arrested on an active warrant.  Knowles was transported to the Shelby County Jail.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Sioux City officials have approved nearly $15 million for a new center featuring 80,000 feet of exposition space that they hope will attract events such as trade show and youth sports tournaments. The Sioux City Journal reports that the City Council awarded the contract to L&L Builders on Monday for the Siouxland Expo Center project. The contract bid was over $2 million higher than initial projections.

The multi-functional venue will be constructed on a plot of land near Interstate 29 and the Floyd River channel. The Expo Center is part of the downtown Sioux City Reinvestment District , which includes three other projects that developers say could generate a total $13.5 million in hotel and sales taxes. The facility is expected to start hosting events in 2020.

The Cass County Board of Supervisors today (Tuesday), approved a 2.8% increase in wage for County Engineer Charles Bechtold for Fiscal Year 2020. Supervisor Steve Green said other counties are paying their Engineers with years of experience more than Bechtold, so it’s fair his wage should be adjusted just like the three elected offices were compensated earlier this year. He said when the Board discussed raises in January, they talked about a dollar amount being the same as the three elected offices on the second floor [of the courthouse].

Those offices received an increase of $1,661. Green said Cass County was “Kinda leading the charge at one point,” where wage increases are concerned, many county engineers’ pay has gone up 3% . In Cass County, the top floor offices received a 2.8% increase. Green said “We would be remiss not to at least do 2.8% with the County Engineer. Green said Bechtold is talented and has 30-years experience compared to other engineers.

The Supervisors then moved to set Bechtold’s salary at $111,024/year, which he said was agreeable. In other business, the Cass County Supervisors heard from Kenner Baxter, Cass County Tourism representative, with regard to advertising in local papers and eventually on radio, to promote what’s happening in Cass County. They plan to feature two ads per week in the local paper and two shoppers per month, through August, plus an Ad in a “Staycation Guide.” The total cost of which amounts to $2,930, which stills leaves money in their budget for radio ads. She said they will also turn the Ads into flyers for distribution around the County. No action was needed from the Board for the advertising, since it is in the Tourism Committee’s budget.

The Supervisors today (Tuesday), approved the final payment for the Valley Business Park loan, from the CABEDA (Cass-Audubon Border Economic Development Agreement), in the amount of $59,200 to purchase the property. Last fall, the County made two advance payments for around $500,000 each, according to Auditor Dale Sunderman. The County acts as a flow-through agency for the funds.

DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation has interviewed the two Iowa City Police Officers involved in an incident that resulted in shots being fired by both officers following their response to a burglary alarm at around 2:30-a.m. May 9th.

Authorities say Officer Travis Neeld, an Iowa City Officer for 10 years, and Officer Alex Stricker, an officer for 9 years, responded to two burglar alarms at the Pizza Hut and Second Act businesses on the south side of the city. While investigating, officers located 34-year old Michael Arturo Cintron Caceres, in the area of the businesses. A foot chase ensued and Caceres was located in a fenced area at Big Ten Rentals, 1820 Boyrum Street, where the shooting occurred.

The investigations into the alarms and the events surrounding the shooting are continuing and both officers remain on administrative leave in accordance to police department policy. Caceres has been charged with two counts of Robbery 1st Degree for previous incidents unrelated to Thursday’s events.  He remains hospitalized in stable condition.