A Nebraska woman was arrested on a charge of OWI/1st Offense, following an investigation into an accident early Friday morning on Interstate 80, in Cass County. The Sheriff’s Department says deputies responded at around 2:40-a.m.  to the single-vehicle accident on I-80 eastbound, near mile marker 68 (or, just west of the Anita Highway 148 Exit).

Officials say a 2006 Ford Taurus driven by 18-year old Kayla Ann Richmond, of Omaha, left the road and entered the north ditch. No injuries were reported. Upon investigation, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested Richmond on the OWI charge. She was also cited for Minor in Possession and Failure to Maintain Control. Richmond was taken to the Cass County Jail where she was released later that day on her own recognizance.

And on Saturday, deputies in Cass County arrested 20-year old Russell Logan Barker, of Council Bluffs, on two District Court warrants for Failure to Appear. Barker was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held on $1,500 bond.

Atlantic Fire Chief Mark McNees reports Cass County Fire Chiefs have been discussing a possible Burn Ban for Cass County. The Chiefs contacted Cass County Emergency Management Director Mike Kennon, after receiving some concerns by local residents. McNees says at this time, the overall consensus is to remind residents that conditions today (Monday) are very dangerous and ANY open burning should not be conducted. All precautions should be taken by farmers harvesting their crops to clean and maintain their equipment to help prevent equipment fires that could easily result in a large out of control field fire.

Atlantic Chief Mark McNees says also, “ At this moment it seems to be a typical fall harvest season with a large fuel load of unharvested crops. However, there are still reasonably green areas surrounding fields and some areas that are fairly wet in parts of the county. At the current pace, and with the two week outlook in the forecast, it appears much of the harvest will be completed within 2 to 3 weeks. I would not encourage any open burning until later in the fall or early winter when the crops are out and there may have been some more precipitation. It would be best to wait as long as possible. If conditions worsen greatly a ban may be issued and residents will be advised.”

Grassland Fire Danger Index 10/12/15

It is best always to contact your local fire department chief before any burns are conducted to get their advice and to give notice that a burn is being planned. Cass County has been very successful the past few years in keeping wildland fires from occurring by communicating with residents in this regard.

McNees added, “Several area departments have specifically trained to conduct prescribed burns for CRP mid management burns, and have instituted programs to do other planned, controlled burns for landowners in their districts. This provides a much safer and timely outcome for everyone. Fire departments can train, plan, and conduct land burns at times when they have personnel, and landowners benefit from the control of such burns.”

Landowners are encouraged to contact their departments now if they would like to discuss such burns, including the timing, areas, and costs. McNees says “ last year Atlantic began a program for prescribed burns and it became difficult to get them all done when several waited until late to make requests. Departments want to stay within their districts, but will aid neighboring departments if necessary, which is another reason to contact your department to see if they have such a program instituted and can assist the landowner.”

A woman from Page County turned herself-in to authorities Saturday afternoon. Officials say 24-year old Taylor Paige Mulkins, of Clarinda, was wanted on a Page County District Court warrant issued Oct. 7th for Probation Violation. The warrant was issued in connection with an OWI charge in 2013. Mulkins was able to post the $1000 cash bond, and was released pending court proceedings.

Two people were arrested over the weekend on drug charges, in Shenandoah. According to the Police report, 45-year old Laura Esser, of Farragut, was taken into custody at around 2:30-a.m. Saturday, for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Open Container. At around 11:50-p.m., Saturday, 44-year old Anja Hummel, of Sidney, was arrested for OWI/1st Offense, Open Container, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of a Controlled Substance.

Early this (Monday) morning, officers with the Shenandoah P-D arrested 31-year old Matthew Magers, of Shenandoah, on two Page County warrants, Operating a non-registered vehicle, and Driving While Suspended. And, last Friday, 35-year old Daniel Martin, of Shenandoah, was arrested on a Page County warrant for Probation Violation.

All four subjects were released after posting bond, and given a date to appear later, in court.

Police in Glenwood report three, recent arrests. 19-year old Kameron Myers, of Glenwood, was arrested Sunday for Driving Under Suspension, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of Alcohol by a person under the legal age. His bond was set at $900. Also arrested Sunday, was 20-year old Liam Whitehouse, of Pacific Junction, for Carrying a weapon, and possession alcohol under age. His bond was set at $2,300.

And, last Friday, 21-year old Harold Hodges, of Omaha, was arrested by Glenwood Police, for Public Intoxication. His bond was set at $300.

The Adair County Sheriff’s Office today (Monday) issued a report on recent arrests. Sheriff Jeff Vandewater says 31-year old Jason McGowan, of Stuart, who was already being held at the jail in Greenfield, was served with a felony arrest warrant Oct. 5th, associated with an arson incident at a Stuart motel last month. McGowan remains held without bond at the Adair County Jail.

Last Tuesday, an Adair County deputy arrested 67-year old Darrell LeRoy Edwards, of Adair, for being a felon in possession of multiple firearms, including rifles, pistols and ammunition. Edwards was later released on $5,000 bond.

On Saturday, 32-year old Samantha Lin Cummins, of Osceola, was arrested for OWI/1st Offense. She was released Sunday after posting 10-percent of her $1,000 bond.

And, 18-year old Noah Keith Atkinson, of Winterset, was arrested at around 12:30-a.m. Sunday, for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia/Marijuana pipe, and Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana – 1st offense.

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (5.5MB)

Subscribe: RSS

Police in Creston report an Adair County man was arrested this (Monday) morning. 25-year old Spencer Leitzel, of Greenfield, was arrested at the Union County Law Enforcement Center on a Union County warrant for Violation of Probation. Leiztel was later released from the jail on a $5,000 bond.

The area’s top news at 7:05-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (4.8MB)

Subscribe: RSS

Police in Red Oak arrested a man Sunday night on a 5th Degree Theft charge. 31-year old Kirby David Stoneking, of Red Oak, was taken into custody at the Casey’s store in Red Oak, around 9:25-p.m., and was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $300 cash bond.