DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Business leaders from Des Moines and four other Midwestern cities have announced the launch of a regional economic initiative. The Tuesday kick-off event was held at the Greater Des Moines Partnership to announce the Heartland Civic Collaborative, a coalition of metro areas made up of Des Moines, Kansas City, Omaha and St. Louis that will work to strengthen the region’s economic competitiveness.

Members of the group said they would work together to lobby federal officials and seek funding for projects that help the region’s long-term growth. Other goals include improving interstate transportation, supporting entrepreneurs, and increasing the number of biotech and science organizations in each state.

The Harlan Police Department has released a report on recent arrests and incidents. Officials say on Saturday (Jan. 16), 53-year old Robin Andersen, of Avoca, was taken into custody following a traffic stop. Andersen was transported to the Shelby County Jail where she was charged with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. She was also cited for failure to have a valid driver’s license and speed.

On Sunday, 20-year old Jaykob Lewis, of Avoca, was taken into custody when officers were called to Myrtue Medical Center emergency room for a patient that was out of control. Once Lewis was cleared by the hospital, Lewis was taken to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with public intoxication.

There were also two, non-injury accidents, in Harlan. Officials say on Monday, a 2003 Kenworth semi driven by Fred Ash, of Harlan, was backing into the lined parking area in the Harlan Hy-Vee parking lot, facing north, when he accidentally backed into the driver’s side door of a legally parked 2008 Buick, owned by Julie Leahle, of Walnut. The car sustained $8,000 damage, while damage to the semi was estimated at just $500.

And, a Harlan man was cited following an accident Saturday at 10th and Durant Streets. Officials say vehicles driven by Ronald Moon, of Harlan, and Rhonda Nordby, of Logan, collided at the intersection when Moon’s 2004 Ford struck the driver’s side door of Nordby’s 2015 Ford. Damage from the collision amounted to $8,000. Moon was cited for Failure to Obey a Stop or Yield sign.

Officials with the Ben Carson for President 2016 Campaign in Alexandria, Virginia issued a statement today (Tuesday) with regard to an accident that took place on Interstate 80 in Cass County (IA). The statement said “Earlier today in Iowa, a van transporting three campaign volunteers and a Carson campaign employee hit a patch of ice and flipped on its side where it was struck by another vehicle. Three of the passengers, including the campaign staffer driving, are currently being checked out at Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic.”

The campaign said also, “One volunteer is being transported to the trauma center at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska. Dr. Carson has spoken with the family of the volunteer being transported to Omaha, as well as the attending physician.”

The accident happened near exit 54 at around 9:30-a.m. Numerous emergency personnel from Atlantic, Marne, Elk Horn and Walnut, as well as and law enforcement responded to the scene. Both eastbound lanes of the interstate were blocked for a time.

According to statement, “Dr. Carson has cancelled all remaining campaign events today and will be traveling to Omaha this afternoon to be with the family during this difficult time. Dr. Carson is asking people to join him in prayer for all the individuals and families involved.”

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports as the result of a traffic stop Sunday, two men were arrested on drug charges. 18-year old Collin Christian Baker, and 19-year old Logan Roger Dean Nielsen, both of Atlantic, were taken into custody on charges of Possession with Intent to Deliver Marijuana (a Class- D Felony) and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (a Simple Misdemeanor). Baker was also charged with OWI 1st Offense (a Serious Misdemeanor). Both men were taken to the Cass County Jail. Baker was released later that day on $6,300 bond; Nielsen was released the following day on $5,300 bond.

Today (Tuesday), 51-year old Jeffrey Leon Lillard, of Wiota, was booked into the Cass County Jail on a Sheriff’s Office charge for Domestic Abuse Assault. Lillard was released afterward on his own recognizance.

38-year old Adrian Duane Hansen, of Atlantic, was arrested Sunday, on charges of Domestic Abuse Assault, False Imprisonment, and Obstruction of Emergency Communications. Hansen was booked into the Cass County Jail and was released the following day on $2,300 bond.

On Saturday, deputies in Cass County arrested 21-year old Shawn Alexander Jensen, of Walnut, on a Cass County Sheriff’s Office warrant for OWI 1st Offense. Jensen was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released later that day on his own recognizance.

Two people were hurt during a single-vehicle accident this (Tuesday) morning, in Montgomery County. Sheriff’s officials say a 1998 Chevy Cavalier driven by 16-year old Francisco Rohner, of Red Oak, had just pulled into a private driveway on the east side of the Red Oak High School, and approaching the circle drive area, intending to turn right. When the teen braked to negotiate the turn, the car began sliding toward the grassy area of the circle drive on the snow covered road. The vehicle collided with a metal post that was filled with concrete.

The impact caused the car’s airbags to deploy. Rohner, and his passenger, 14-year old Thomas Bentley, of Red Oak, suffered minor/possible injuries and were transported to the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital by Red Oak Rescue and EMS. The car was considered to be a total loss. No citations were issued.

Sheriff’s officials in Adams County report a Prescott man was arrested today (Tuesday) on an Adams County warrant for two counts of sexual abuse in the 2nd degree. 26-year old Zachary James was taken into custody just after 10-a.m.

No other details were made available.

Zachary James (Adams Co. S/O photo)

Mills County Attorney Tricia McSorley said Tuesday charges have been dismissed against three men involved in a physical altercation that led to a shooting last Sept. in Glenwood. KETV in Omaha reports through an ongoing investigation by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, local law enforcement, and the Mills County Attorney’s Office, it was determined that there is reasonable doubt as to who was the primary physical aggressor in the incident.

21-year old Colton McDaniel, of Pacific Junction, 19-year old Denver Cook, of Glenwood, and42-year old Hurl Beechum III, of Queen Creek, Arizona were charged with assault, intimidation with a dangerous weapon and going armed with intent in connection with the incident that took place Sept. 27th, in front of the home of Glenwood High School Principal Richard Hutchinson. A group had gathered outside Hutchinson’s house when a witness said someone used a racial slur and Hutchinson, who is black, confronted them about it. A fight ensued and McDaniel was wounded. Hutchinson was knocked to the ground unconscious during the incident and transported to the hospital, but he returned to his job later that week.

Attorneys said Beechum appears to have be justified in his actions, and that continued efforts by the State to prosecute was not prudent.

Two people were fatally injured during a collision west of Atlantic Tuesday morning. The crash happened at around 10:45-a.m. on Marne Road (Highway 83), just east of the intersection with 590th Street/Highway 173.

No other details are currently available. The accident was one of several reported late this (Tuesday) morning, due to the snow and limited visibility.

CARTER LAKE, Iowa (AP) – The Carter Lake City Council has ended the contracts of the city attorney and city clerk after a dispute about whether a newly elected council member can also work for the city’s library. The Daily Nonpareil reports that the council voted to not renew the contracts of City Clerk Doreen Mowery and City Attorney Joe Thornton Monday. Mowery said that she had advised Mary Schomer and Carter Lake Mayor Gerald Waltrip that it wouldn’t be legal for Schomer to serve on the City Council and work for the city.

Mowery said that she looked into the matter after Schomer was elected and forwarded the information to Thornton, who issued a legal opinion affirming the illegality of holding both positions. Schomer said at the meeting that she did not break any laws.

The CAM and Griswold School District Boards of Education held separate meetings Monday evening in Anita and Griswold, respectively. CAM Superintendent Casey Berlau said prior to the regular Board meeting, there was a Special, Community meeting to discuss the upcoming Physical Plant and Equipment Levy vote, but there weren’t many people in attendance.

He expects more will likely attend the meeting Wednesday evening, in Massena. The meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m. in the CAM Middle School Commons, in Massena. Berlau said the questions they’ve received so far haven’t been unexpected.

He said there are concerns about taxes going up, and how the money will be used.
The district currently has the voter approved PPEL in the amount of .67 cent per $1000 of property valuation which and the district is asking for an increase to $1.34 per $1000 of property valuation. The district plans to use the funds to improve and maintain its current facilities, purchase school buses and purchase technology for students and staff.

He said also the CAM School Board continued discussion begun last month with regard the Early Retirement/resignation policy. Berlau says they approved Monday a $1,000 incentive for those who submit their retirement notices early. That’s the same as has been offered in the past. Berlau also mentioned the CAM School District was one of 17 area districts invited to a meeting and presentation at the Griswold Community Center to discuss conference realignment. Schools in the Corner Conference have talked about trying to expand their conference or create a new conference for the past couple of years. Wednesday’s meeting will be held at the Griswold Community Center, beginning at 10-a.m.

At the Griswold School Board meeting, Superintendent Dana Kunze said their Board discussed a licensed employee early retirement policy, which is a monetary offering over several years. Details regarding the policy are set to be released later today (Tuesday). Kunze said they also discussed long-term financial planning, based on Gary Sinclair’s work with the Iowa Association of School Board. He said also, work is expected to begin in a few weeks on the installation of security cameras and door entry systems.

Dana said also, the Board appointed Don Smith, of Griswold, as a New Board Director to replace Tom Moore, who won a special election in December for an Iowa Legislative seat. Kunze said they were pleased to have three very qualified candidates who applied for the School Board seat.