The Harlan Police Department reports two people were arrested last Wednesday (May 21st), when officers were called to a fight in front of the HyVee Food Store. 35-year old Robert Croghan, of Harlan, was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with simple assault. 25-year old Jerome Wright, of Harlan, was cited for disorderly conduct and released.

On May 20th, Harlan Police arrested 58-year old Jeffrey Stehr, of Harlan, following an investigation. Earlier in the month officers were called to Taylor Quik Pik for someone caught on video shoplifting on three separate occasions. Stehr was cited with 3 counts of theft 5th degree, given a court date and released.

On May 18th, 18-year old Todd Muell, of Panama, was cited by Harlan Police for reckless driving when several persons witnessed Muell “cutting cookies” on the practice field at the high school, causing damage to the field. That same day, officers were called to Bomgaar’s to investigate a theft from that location. Officers were shown a hole that had been cut in the fence and the owners were able to determine that two lawn mowers, a trimmer and a spreader were missing. The estimated value of the stolen items and the fence repair were approximately $1,500.00. The case remains under investigation.

And, on May 11th, 52-year old Susan Hillgartner, of Harlan, was arrested following an investigation into criminal mischief done to a vehicle belonging to Amy McKay, Des Moines. The alleged vandalism was a continuation of a confrontation at the races. The damage done to the McKay vehicle was estimated at just over $1,000.00. A complaint was filed against Hillgartner charging her with criminal mischief, 2nd degree.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — A Council Bluffs man has pleaded guilty to playing a role in his adult stepbrother’s abuse as part of a deal with prosecutors. KETV reports 23-year-old Ryan Smith pleaded guilty Tuesday to a misdemeanor charge of being an accessory to a crime. He was originally charged with kidnapping.

Prosecutors say Smith’s mother 46-year-old Rebecca Beyer was convicted earlier this month of abusing her 20-year-old mentally disabled son. She’s awaiting sentencing. The man ran away from home in the spring of 2013. Prosecutors have said he was starved at times, chained with a dog leash and had scars from burns.

Smith was fined $625 and ordered to serve two years of probation. He also received a 180-day suspended jail sentence.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa farmers, for the first time this season, are ahead of the five-year average for planting corn and soybean acres. Warm temperatures and below normal precipitation allowed soybean planting and crop progress to rapidly advance during the week that ended May 25. The USDA says statewide there were five days suitable for planting.

The report released Tuesday says 96 percent of the expected corn acres have been planted, 13 points ahead of last year and a percentage point better than the average. Soybean planting progress doubled with 80 percent complete. That’s 5 percentage points above average.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey says after the extremely late planting last year farmers are excited to get the crop in the ground more timely this year.

(Update 3:40-a.m., 5/28)

One person is dead following a single vehicle accident Tuesday afternoon in northeastern Dallas County. Sheriff’s officials told KCCI-TV rescue crews were called to 24572 North Avenue about 1:45 p.m.

Iowa State Patrol spokesman Sgt. Scott Bright said a vehicle went off the roadway and hit the cinder block wall of a mechanical building on the grounds of the privately owned Husband Field, about three-miles west of Dallas Center.  Authorities are still investigating what happened. They believe the truck blew a tire before it crashed into the building, and that the driver died on impact with the cinder block wall. His body remained in the truck for several hours, while crews worked to shore up the building to keep it from collapsing.

The driver’s name had not been released as of early Wednesday morning.

CASS-ADAIR-MADISON-WARREN-MARION-MAHASKA-ADAMS-UNION-CLARKE-LUCAS-
MONROE-WAPELLO-TAYLOR-RINGGOLD-DECATUR-WAYNE-APPANOOSE-DAVIS-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF…ATLANTIC…GREENFIELD…STUART…
ADAIR…FONTANELLE…WINTERSET…EARLHAM…INDIANOLA…NORWALK…
CARLISLE…PELLA…KNOXVILLE…OSKALOOSA…CORNING…CRESTON…
OSCEOLA…CHARITON…ALBIA…OTTUMWA…BEDFORD…LENOX…
NEW MARKET…MOUNT AYR…LAMONI…LEON…CORYDON…SEYMOUR…
ALLERTON…HUMESTON…CENTERVILLE…BLOOMFIELD
1226 PM CDT TUE MAY 27 2014

…CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE FOR FUNNEL CLOUDS…

ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF FUNNEL CLOUDS
THIS AFTERNOON. USUALLY…THESE FUNNEL CLOUDS CAN FORM FROM
SHOWERS AND WEAK THUNDERSTORMS. THESE FUNNELS ARE NORMALLY
BRIEF…DROP ONLY A FEW HUNDRED FEET FROM THE CLOUD BASE…AND
RARELY BECOME A TORNADO OR CAUSE DAMAGE. HOWEVER…IF ONE IS
SPOTTED…PLEASE REPORT IT IMMEDIATELY TO LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT
FOR RELAY TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE. IF A TORNADO WARNING
WOULD BECOME NECESSARY…TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION.

Two men were arrested on separate charges Sunday, in Mills County. Sheriff’s officials say 24-year old John Patrichs Shanahan, of Omaha, was arrested at around 10:15-p.m., on an OWI/1st Offense, charge. Bond was set at $1,000. And, 41-year old Larry Steven Hutchings, of Emerson, was arrested at around 3:30-p.m. Sunday in Emerson, on a charge of Criminal Mischief. His bond was set at $300.

Officials with the Iowa Dept. Of Natural Resources said today (Tuesday) that the City of Mapleton had begun discharging untreated wastewater into the Maple River, after planned repairs on the wastewater treatment plant were delayed. The City began routing wastewater to polishing ponds on May 15th, to enable repairs to a wall in the plant. The ponds filled to capacity Monday after heavy rains. The City began discharging wastewater to prevent damage to the ponds.

Contractors are expected to complete repairs by Wednesday or Thursday. The DNR cautions people to keep children and pets away from the area for 24 hours after repairs are completed. The repairs were scheduled in April after a wall between two sections of the treatment system failed.

ALTOONA, Iowa (AP) – Gov. Terry Branstad has signed a bill that provides increased state funding and coordination for an apprenticeship program to train workers in skilled jobs including those in construction and information technology.

Standing in front of the giant new data center under construction in Altoona in which Facebook is investing nearly $1 billion on Tuesday, Branstad said a skilled workforce is extremely important and in high demand in Iowa. Microsoft and Google also are building data centers in the state.

The bill provides over $3 million for the program which will be administered by the Iowa Economic Development Authority. A previous state apprenticeship program received about $1 million in funding.

The bill also provides about $3 million for other job training programs that will continue to be run through community colleges.

The Page County Sheriff’s Office says no injuries were reported following an accident last Friday afternoon, in Braddyville. Officials say a 2007 Chevy Tahoe and a 1986 Toyota pickup collided at the intersection of Highway 71 and Mulberry Street at around 4:25-p.m.  The Tahoe, driven by 54-year old David Morgan, of Clarinda, was traveling south on Highway 71 and slowing to turn east onto Mulberry Street, when his vehicle was struck from behind by the Toyota, driven by 25-year old Trevor Allan Gray, of rural Blanchard.

Gray was cited for Following too close and No proof of Insurance.