One person was injured shortly before 3-p.m., Wednesday, during a collision that took place about one-half mile north of Harlan. The accident took place on Highway 59, as a 2018 Hyundai Sonata, driven by 55 year old Jean Whitfield, of Harlan was traveling northbound on Highway 59, and slowing to make a turn. A 2004 Dodge Ram 2500 pickup, driven by 45 year old Douglas Schneider, of Panama, struck the rear of Whitfield’s car. Whitfield suffered non-life threatening injuries, and was transported to Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan by Medivac Ambulance. Damage to her vehicle was estimated at $20,000. Damage to Schneider’s pickup was estimated at $12,000. Schneider was cited with Failure to Stop in an Assured Clear Distance.

The driver of a Chevy Lumina suffered minor, unknown injuries during a collision Tuesday evening, with a tractor. The Union County Sheriff’s Office reports the car driven by 31-year old Matthew Dylan Rinehart, of Creston, was traveling northbound on the High and Dry Road at around 5:40-p.m., Tuesday. Ahead of him was a 2008 John Deere 7320 tractor driven by 75-year old Walter Edward Glynn, of Creston. As Rinehart attempted to pass the tractor, Glynn turned left into a private driveway. A witness said the tractor had its left turn signal on.

The car hit the tractor on its front wheels, causing damage to the passenger side of the Lumina. The tractor was not damaged. Rinehart complained of pain, but was not transported to the hospital. Damage from the collision amounted to $1,000. No citations were issued.

(Radio Iowa) — A Reinbeck man is accused of exposing himself to students and others around the University of Northern Iowa campus.  Cedar Falls Police have charged 35-year-old Benjamin Lewis Williams with two counts of indecent exposure and UNI Police say they’ve also filed charges for incidents on the campus. Williams was arrested Wednesday in Iowa Falls. Police issued a warrant for his arrest after investigating several reports of a motorist who would ask people for directions and when they approached his car, discovered the man was not fully clothed.

(Radio Iowa) — Newly released information from the National Safety Transportation Board’s investigation into a fatal airplane crash last month near Guthrie Center, shows a crack in an exhaust muffler that provided heat inside the plane, contributed to the crash. The report says the inner surface of the muffler heat shroud was coated in sooty tan and grey colored deposits. Similar deposits were also present on the inner surface of the cabin heat hose that ducted air from the shroud to the cabin heat distributer box assembly. Toxicology testing performed by the Iowa State Medical Examiner’s office revealed elevated levels of carbon monoxide in the blood of all four occupants. Killed in that plane crash were 49-year old Ed Anderson, of Le Mars, the pilot. 36-year old Patrick Kellen of Le Mars, 15-year old Samantha Clark of Le Mars, and 28-year old Tyler Douvia of Merrill.

Read the entire report here: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdfgenerator/ReportGeneratorFile.ashx?EventID=20181110X83525&AKey=1&RType=HTML&IType=FA&fbclid=IwAR3F8avOpqlc38kV_73rioE5unn1DrCWKKdi9q83ekwh6SWhdv6eFeve-wo

WAUKEE, Iowa (AP) — A special state audit report says Waukee Community School District administrators improperly used state credit cards and spent nearly $129,000 on items and services that “were not in the taxpayers’ best interest.” The report issued Thursday says the items included nearly $28,000 for lounge chairs and furniture for the superintendent’s office and more than $83,000 on district administrators’ retreats.

The report says the audit covered July 1, 2013, through Dec. 31, 2017, and was conducted in response to lawmakers’ and residents’ concerns about the district’s chief operating officer. In May the district reached a lawsuit settlement with the second of two former employees who had reported what they say was misconduct by the officer, Eric Rose. The district superintendent has denied the allegations.

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest on Nov. 30th, of 19-year old Dakota Rain Toepfer, of Audubon. He was taken into custody on an outstanding Theft warrant and held in the Audubon County Jail on a $300 bond. And, on Nov. 15th, 27-year old Michael Paul Ives Jr., of Council Bluffs,  was arrested on a charge of Driving While Suspended. His arrest took place following a traffic stop in Hamlin. Ives was released from custody the following day.

The Atlantic Police Department, today (Thursday), issued a reminder to citizens of the community, that phone scams are still taking place, and are affecting residents. Officials say “Lately, the police department has had reports of high-dollar amounts and personal information being taken over the phone, from persons who call, pretending to be from “Microsoft” and “Discover Card.” Authorities warn you to be very careful in handing out any personal information, and do not allow companies to access your computer to “fix” anything.

Microsoft will never contact you to tell you your computer is infected by a virus. If you have any questions about your credit card account, contact the company directly.

Atlantic Police Chief Dave Erickson informed the City Council during their meeting Wednesday night, that Lt. Devin Hogue was presented with the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce’ Angel of Christmas award, Sunday, during the Holiday Concert. Hogue started the can food drive for the Food Pantry six-years ago, and the collection has for the most part, grown each year since. He said in the first year, kids in the community collected 3,126 cans; the 2^nd year, 3,891; the 3^rd year 3,173; the 4^th year, 3,608; the 5^th year, 5,991 and this year, 4,896 cans.

Another program coming up Dec. 15^th, is the Atlantic Police Department’s “Christmas Family Dreams.” It starts at 8-a.m. In front of the Police Station, with stops for shopping all over town. “Shop with a cop” takes place 12:45-p.m. Dec. 16^th at Wal-Mart in Atlantic. Erickson says his officers will show-up, along with a boy by the name of Myles Jones, from Cumberland. He came to the Police Department in June with a hand written note inviting officers to his birthday party. His grandmother made a Police uniform for him.

Lt. Devin Hogue and “Officer Myles” (APD Facebook photo)

Myles also raised almost $1,000 on his own, for the kids’ Christmas programs this year in Atlantic. Lt. Hogue drove Myles around town to collect the donations, and the P-D made Myles an honorary Policeman. They also invited him to the “Shop with a Cop event” this Sunday. Erickson said also, the P-D has invited Atlantic kids to attend a free movie this Saturday, with the help of some chaperones.

The Chief also thanked the Council for their investment last May in new, Load Bearing Vests (LBV’s), that replaced the standard duty belts officers wear that weight nearly 30-pounds with all the added equipment necessary for them to perform their duty. Those belts were responsible for causing lower back pain among many officers, old and young alike.

A type of Load Bearing Vest similar to the one in use by the Atlantic P-D.

12 vests were purchased for about $5,130 altogether. The vests have a five-year warranty, and match the current color of A-PD uniforms. They were paid for through the Employee Benefits Fund.

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office reports a suspect wanted in connection with the search for a stolen vehicle, was arrested Wednesday afternoon. 30-year old Joshua Michael Ackerson, of Fort Dodge, was arrested at around 3:45-p.m. and held in the Audubon County Jail, pending extradition to Greene County. Authorities say just before Noon, Wednesday, the Audubon County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a suspicious vehicle stuck in a field on the 1800 block of 170th Street. The reporting party advised Dispatch the male occupant of the vehicle was walking through his field. When Law Enforcement arrived a short time later, the license place on the car came back stolen out of Jefferson earlier that morning. The occupant or occupants were not around.