The Harlan Police Department Wednesday (Today), issued a report on recent arrests and incidents. Officials say on Monday, 37-year old Joey Ranney, Jr.,was charged with Driving Under Suspension, following a traffic stop. Ranney was also cited for having dark windows on his vehicle.

Last Friday, Harlan Police arrested 22-year old Kati Jones, Harlan, after officers were called to a domestic disturbance in the 700 block of Baldwin Street. Jones was taken to the Shelby County Jail where she was charged with domestic abuse assault for allegedly striking Rodney Koehrsen, of Council Bluffs.

And on August 25th, 16-year old Brody Larson, of Avoca, was arrested when the manager at Casey’s General Store reported a subject trying to use a fraudulent identification to purchase tobacco. Larson was charged with unlawful use of identification.

On August 22nd, 28-year old Kenny Smith, of Harlan, was taken into custody when officers were called to a disturbance at Westridge Acres mobile home park. Smith was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with disorderly conduct.

Harlan Police report also, Quentin Jacobsen, of Harlan, reported on August 21st, that someone had broken into his apartment. An X-Box, controllers, and several games were reported missing, and there was damage to a flat screen television. The case remains under investigation.

Three people were arrested Monday on drug and other charges in Harlan, following an investigation into the alleged attempted break-in of a laundry room at the Lincoln Pines Apartments. According to the Harlan Police Department, 19-year old Haley Patten, of Harlan, was arrested and charged with unlawful possession of prescription drugs, possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), and aiding and abetting. 36-year old Jeffery McCoy, Council Bluffs, was charged with possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), possession of drug paraphernalia, prohibited acts penalties, and aiding and abetting. And, 35-year old Terry Hannan was charged with attempted burglary, possession of burglary tools, possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), and possession of drug paraphernalia. All three suspects were taken to the Shelby County Jail.

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) today (Wednesday) announced the first confirmed case of Chikungunya (pronounced chik-en-gun-ye) virus in Iowa. A Central Iowa adult (18 to 40 years of age) male who recently returned from a trip to the Caribbean became ill with the mosquito-borne virus; he was not hospitalized and is recovering.

Imported cases of Chikungunya are extremely common in the U.S. and until now, Iowa was one of only six states that had not reported such a case. An ‘imported case’ means an individual was bitten by an infected mosquito while traveling outside the state. As of last week, nearly 700 cases of Chikungunya have been reported across the country and almost all have occurred in people returning from areas of the Caribbean or South America where infected mosquitoes are common. Only six locally transmitted cases (all in Florida) have been reported.

It’s important to remember to protect yourself against mosquito bites whether you are on a vacation far away or in your own backyard. In Iowa, September and October are the months when mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus are the most active. So far this year, seven cases of West Nile virus have been reported in Iowa and surveillance shows mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus are active in nearly all parts of the state. Remember to wear insect repellent when outdoors and remove mosquito breeding areas by emptying outdoor containers that collect water – like bird baths or kiddie pools. For more information on West Nile virus, visit http://bit.ly/Ux5ZgW.

Most people become ill with Chikungunya within a week after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Common symptoms are fever and joint pain and other symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling or rash. Most people feel better within a week, but for some, the joint pain may last for months.

The Cass County Health System is sponsoring a Women’s Health event, “Managing Menopause,” on Wednesday, September 10th. The event will be held in Conference Room 2 at Cass County Memorial Hospital, beginning at 6:00 pm. A group of CCHS medical providers will present a brief program followed by a question and answer session.

The medical panel will include:  James Brown, MD, obstetrics and gynecology; Tressa Wilcox, MD, family medicine; Angela Weppler, MD, family medicine;  Stacey Bean, PA-C, family medicine.

Kim Kopp, RN, Women’s Health Coordinator, says “Menopause is one of those topics that people don’t always talk about, even though it is a major life event experienced by every woman at some point.” She says the event “Will give women the opportunity to learn the facts, pick up some tips to make this transition easier, ask their questions and learn how to effectively manage menopause in their own life.”

There is no charge for the program, and no reservations are necessary.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office, Wednesday, issued a report on recent arrests. On Tuesday: 51-year old Lori Lynn Harris, of  Bellevue, NE., was arrested at the Mills County Sheriff’s Office on a warrant for Assault. Her bond was set at $1,000;  35-year old Joshua James Evans, of Crescent, was arrested at the Pottawattamie County Jail on a warrant for Domestic Abuse Assault. Evans was being held without bond; and, 27-year old Michael Franklyn Pollock, of Omaha, was arrested at the Pott. County Jail on a warrant for Failure To Appear on a Driving While Barred charge. His bond was set at $7,500.

On Sunday: 39-year old Timothy Edward Runyon, of Hastings, was arrested for OWI/2nd offense. Bond was set at $2,000; 51-year old Ernest Leroy Runyon, of Hastings, was arrested for OWI/1st offense. His bond was established at $1,000; and, 20-year old Tyler Allen Dittus, of Carson, was arrested on a warrant for Probation Violation. His bond was set at $10,000.

On Saturday, deputies in Mills County arrested 25-year old Ryan Scott Wendt, of  Pacific Junction, on a warrant for Theft 2nd, Theft 2nd, Burglary 3rd and Burglary 3rd. Bond was set at $16,000.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Some military groups are questioning whether a Vietnam veteran from Marshalltown earned a Silver Star presented to him in a June ceremony. The Des Moines Register reports  Sen. Tom Harkin’s office presented 64-year-old Dennis William Myers this summer with the military honor, which is awarded for courageous behavior while in action. Two military groups say Myers duped the senator’s office in providing what they say was fake certification to obtain the medal.

Military records from the National Personnel Records Center show Myers was on active duty in the Navy from 1968 to 1972.  Myers denies the allegations over the document he submitted. He says the paperwork came from a private California business that issues certificates.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa has settled a case with a state worker who had sued after being fired from the Polk County Clerk of Court’s office in 2004. The Des Moines Register says the state agreed Tuesday to pay Tina Lee more than $377,000 in back wages and post-judgment interest.

The Iowa Supreme Court ruled in March that Iowa had violated Lee’s rights under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act. Lee was fired after she took time off to cope with anxiety. Lee sued, alleging wrongful discharge and retaliation. In 2007 a jury found in her favor and she was awarded lost earnings totaling $165,122, attorney fees and expenses.

The state had argued originally and in appeals that it had sovereign immunity against being sued for damages under the federal act.

Bella Bean Boutique specializes in girl’s one on kind clothing from newborn to 14/16. Bella Bean is located at 412 Chestnut Street with Lou Lou’s Boutique. A one stop shop for all the style minded girls and ladies in Atlantic.  “We hope to start carrying boy’s fashion soon too. Stop in often, our inventory changes so often you never know what will be new,” own/operator, Brandy Rossell said.

(Press Release/Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce)

The Iowa Department of Transportation says seven open-house public input meetings will be held to discuss and gather input regarding the Iowa Park and Ride System Plan. The Iowa DOT is developing the plan to identify ideal locations for park and ride facilities to serve commuters in the state. The public input meeting schedule includes a session Sept. 18th in Council Bluffs. The meeting takes place from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Charles E. Lakin Human Services Campus, Salvation Army Building ( 715 N. 16th St).

At each meeting, a presentation will be made and Iowa DOT personnel will be available to individually discuss the plan. The meeting rooms are accessible for persons with disabilities. To provide comments, to request special accommodations at a meeting, or to ask about transportation options to a meeting, contact the Iowa DOT, Office of Systems Planning (800 Lincoln Way, Ames, Iowa 50010). Call 515-239-1520 ( or email Iowa.Motion@dot.iowa.gov).

The Iowa DOT will be accepting public comments on the plan through Oct. 16th, 2014. There are several ways to provide your input on the plan. You can provide input via the open-house meetings, the online survey (www.surveymonkey.com/s/ParkAndRide2014), or both. You can view the plan online at: www.iowadot.gov/iowainmotion/park_ride.html.

with KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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