Firefighters from Minden, Shelby, Neola, Avoca and Harlan Fire and Rescue Departments were called to a residential structure fire at around 2-p.m. Wednesday. According to the Minden Fire Department’s social media post, heavy smoke was observed on approach, and additional resources were requested.  Despite hard and aggressive work by all agencies, the structure experienced heavy fire damage.

Photo from the Minden Fire and Rescue Dept.’s Facebook page.

Fire officials extended their thanks to all the volunteers who gave of their time and work in the hot and humid conditions, and for those who made sure everyone stayed hydrated on the grounds. Additional information about the fire was not immediately available.

The Council Bluffs Police Department reports a man was arrested Wednesday afternoon following a high speed pursuit and a crash. Authorities say 31-year old TJ Lebaugh, of Council Bluffs, was charged locally with eluding, reckless driving, and no proof of insurance. He was also wanted on Federal charges. The incident leading to his arrest began at around 3-p.m., Wednesday, as officers with Iowa Adult Probation and the U-S Marshall’s Service (USMS) began to follow Lebaugh near the Walgreens Store on Madison Avenue and Bennett Street. They followed him for a short time before he fled in a 2002 Pontiac Bonneville at a high rate of speed on Interstate 80 westbound, from Madison Avenue.

TJ Lebaugh

Lebaugh left I-80 at the South Espressway and turned north. Council Bluffs Police attempted to deploy stop sticks in an attempt to deflate the car’s tires, but Lebaugh evaded the device at 23rd Avenue and the South Expressway. He headed north on the Expressway at a high rate of speed. As an officer deployed stops sticks and 19th and the South Expressway, Lebaugh slammed on his brakes and slid into the back of a 2017 Dodge Durango driven by 50-year old Julia Santon, of Council Bluffs. Her pickup was pushed into the back of a 2001 Chrysler mini-van, driven by 74-year old Carolyn Brown, of Council Bluffs.

Lebaugh’s vehicle also struck the mini-van. He then fled to the west but was quickly apprehended by officers. No injuries were reported to Lebaugh or Santon. Brown was transported by Council Bluffs Fire to Mercy Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. Labaugh was booked into the Pott. County Jail by the US-MS.

Rescue crews in Cass County were called to an accident on eastbound Interstate 80 at the 69.5 mile marker, Wednesday night. According to dispatch reports, a car was pinned under a semi partially in the median. Anita Rescue, Wiota 1st Responders and Medivac Ambulance, along with Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies and Iowa State Patrol were on the scene. The accident was reported at around 8:15-p.m.  One male subject was reported to be trapped in the vehicle and injured. A medical helicopter (Midwest Air) was requested and arrived on the scene to transported the victim to an undisclosed hospital in Omaha. Traffic was stopped and temporarily re-routed while the helicopter was on the scene. Emergency crews were at the crash site until about 9:20-p.m. Traffic began to flow eastbound on the shoulder of the road, at around 9:25-p.m.

No other information was immediately available.

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A 54-year-old man known as the “Double Hat Bandit” has pleaded guilty to robbing banks and credit unions in seven states. Shayne Carson said in his plea agreement filed in federal court in Utah Friday that he stole from 18 banks from Oregon to Iowa. The crime spree went from October 2016, until shortly before his arrest last September. In many of the robberies, Carson is believed to have worn two hats — typically a beanie over a baseball cap. Several robberies took place at banks inside grocery stores.

Carson said he frequently told bank tellers he had a gun and demanded they hand over money in their till. Officials believe the handgun was a fake. The plea deal stipulates that he will be sentenced to between 12 and 15 years in prison. Sentencing is set for Aug. 15.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Democratic congressional campaign took responsibility for erroneous text messages sent to voters directing them to incorrect polling places. Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate said Wednesday that Abby Finkenauer’s campaign was the source of the texts, which an investigation found were sent in error. Finkenauer’s campaign manager says they never intended to misdirect any voters.
Finkenauer is the Democratic U.S. House candidate for the 1st District, but some texts went to voters outside the district.

The campaign says “a few dozen people” received incorrect information. The campaign sent a second text asking them to check their polling place. On Wednesday, the Finkenauer campaign apologized for any confusion caused to voters. Pate, a Republican, encouraged candidates to always include an attribution statement in messages sent to voters.