Governor Terry Branstad received word today (Tuesday) that two counties have been added to the Presidential Disaster Declaration granted for 22 Iowa counties impacted by severe weather in June and July. Crawford and Shelby counties have been added to the disaster declaration granted Aug. 5, 2014.

Those two counties now join several of the other counties, including Audubon, in the declaration approved by the President, which provides federal funding to the declared counties under the Public Assistance Program. Public Assistance funds may be used for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities and may include debris removal, emergency protective measures, repair of damaged public property, loans needed by communities for essential government functions and grants for public schools.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office Tuesday (8/19), issued a report on an accident that occurred back on Aug. 10th. Officials say at around 1:55-p.m, a two-vehicle accident happened on I-80 westbound near the 54 mile marker.

A 2001 Ford owned and driven by 70-year old Gloria E. Brown, of Doniphan, NE, was westbound on I-80 when the vehicle merged into the left lane and hit the rear of a 2011 Nissan Altima, owned and driven by 41-year old Roxanne Salsberry, of Des Moines.

The Salsberry vehicle in turn, was pushed into the rear of a 2015 Subaru Forester driven by 67-year old Linda K. Roskens,  of Chapman, KS. No injuries were reported. Damage from the collisions amounted to $2,700. No citations were issued.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest on Saturday of a Madison County man. 18-year old Mason Ross Crabbs, of Earlham, was taken into custody on a charge of OWI 1st Offense. Crabbs was also cited for Minor in Possession of Alcohol. He was brought to the Cass County Jail, booked, and released later that same day on his own recognizance.

A former Council Bluffs doctor was found guilty this (Tuesday) morning in Pottawattamie County District Court, of an amended charge of felony Lascivious Acts with a Child. The Daily NonPareil reports up until 4th District Court Judge Richard Davidson handed down the sentence against 69-year old Dennis Seaborn Jones, Jones maintained his innocence.

Davidson then sentenced Jones to the maximum of 10 years in prison, which Jones will serve concurrently with a 10-year federal sentence on child pornography charges he was sentenced to on Friday. Concurrently means the two sentences will be served at the same time.

The Harlan Police Department has released their report for the week. A convenience store in Harlan reported to police a theft from their business. A review of the surveillance video showed Eddie Peterson of Harlan taking merchandise off the shelf and leaving without paying for it. Police went to Petersons home where he was cited and released on 5th degree theft charges.

Harlan Police also cited Tamie King West for trespass after officers were called to the 16-hundred block of 8th Street in reference to a dispute over a cell phone.

Several hand tools and power tools were reported stolen by Scott Kobold of Harlan at his residence. The Harlan Police Department continues to investigate the matter.

A Harlan man was also arrested by Harlan Police following a traffic stop. Jerome Wright as arrested on an active Shelby County Warrant for failure to appear. As a result of the stop Wright was round to be in possession of a controlled substance and paraphernalia and was transported the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with possession of a controlled substance being marijuana with intent to deliver, possession of drug paraphernalia, prohibited acts, and failure to affix a drug tax stamp Wright was also cited by the Harlan Police department for failure to prove security against liability.

Area Counties are starting the process of gearing up for this fall’s election. Five residents of Shelby County have been nominated for four year terms on the county extension council by the nominating committee. Those nominated include; Ellen Baughman of Kirkman, Renee Hansen of Harlan, Incumbent Jo Kenkel of Defiance, Lorie Knudsen of Harlan, and Ellen Rosman of Harlan.

In addition to Kenkel, those whose terms will expire include; Laura Freund of Earling, Kay Goshorn of Harlan, Travis Lane of Shelby and Jake Schecheinger of Harlan. Those running for election will have their names on the November 4th general election ballot. The extension council is the county governing body for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

Members of the council manage the county extension budget, determine programming and hire county staff. Candidates who agree to run must file nominating papers with Shelby County Auditor by 5pm Aug 27th. Individuals who were nominated may file petitions with the names of 25 registered voters to have their names placed on the ballot. Petition forms are available at the local county extension offices.

The Cass County Board of Supervisors are set to meet Wednesday morning, in Atlantic. During their 8:30-a.m. session, the Board will act on approving an application for Industrial Property Tax Exemption by A.M. Cohron & Son, Inc., for the reconstruction of an existing building, and new construction.

In other business, the Board will review and act on approving applications for Multi-family Construction Program (Round 6) Community Development Block-Grant (CDBG) funding.

The Atlantic Police Dept. reports one person suffered minor injuries during a three vehicle, chain reaction accident in Atlantic, Monday night. Officials say at around 5:45-p.m., vehicles driven by Shandi Christensen, of Atlantic, and Gretchen Beer, of Anita, were both eastbound on 7th Street and stopped at the red light at the intersection with Plum Street. Another eastbound vehicle, driven by Samantha Schroeder, of Atlantic, failed to stop in time.

Her vehicle hit the rear of Beer’s vehicle, which then struck the rear of the Christensen vehicle. Authorities say Beer was transported by private vehicle to the Cass County Memorial Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. A passenger in Christensen’s vehicle hit the window with his head, but was not transported.

Schroeder was cited for Failure to Stop in Assured Clear Distance. Damage from the collisions amounted to $6,800.

The Adair County Board of Supervisors will meet Wednesday morning. Supervisors will hear from County Auditor Mindy Schaefer with her annual financial report. Custodian Rick Wallace will have a resignation of his hourly help and discuss with the supervisors advertising for a replacement. County Engineer Nick Kauffman will have contracts for two bridge replacements in the county one in Harrison Township and the other in Union Township; a Right of Way contract will be approved for a project in Harrison Township, plus a new hire for a bridge crew along with his regular report on maintenance and activities. Adair County Supervisors are also scheduled to receive and act on correspondence from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources regarding two hog confinement permits one from Circle G and the other from Geidel Pork Sites at 9-30. The Adair County Board of Supervisors will meet Wednesday morning at 9 in the board room of the Adair County Courthouse in Greenfield.

w/ Mark Saylor

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