w/ Chris Parks

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The Council Bluffs Police Department reports a shooting at approximately 1:35am Saturday (9/7) morning near the intersection of 34th Avenue and South 24th Street.  Shots were fired from an unknown vehicle which was traveling north on South 24th Street and one of the rounds struck 31-year-old Leo Guajardo of Omaha, NE as he was driving his vehicle in the same direction as the unknown shooter.  The round struck Guajardo in the left side of the face.

Guajardo was transported to University Hospital by private vehicle and is currently in critical but stable condition with non life threatening injuries. Witnesses reported hearing 6-7 shots during the incident as the vehicles sped towards Interstate 80. The investigation is ongoing.

No injuries were reported following a rollover accident Friday afternoon, in Montgomery County. The Sheriff’s Office reports a 2003 Ford Ranger pickup driven by 17-year old Jacob Ballard, of Red Oak, was traveling north on J Avenue at around 3:50-p.m., when the vehicle went out of control and into a ditch before rolling onto its top. The accident happened as Ballard was attempting to turn east onto 160th Street. Officials say the pickup was traveling too fast when the accident occurred.

Damage to the pickup, owned by Chad Harold, of Red Oak, was estimated at $5,000. Ballard was cited for Failure to Maintain Control and for Violating the terms of his instruction permit. The Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by Red Oak Fire and Rescue.

(Corrects earlier info. from Bill Ayers w/regard to aircraft owner/operator)

A 24 year old Rock Port, MO., man was transported to the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic following the crash of  biplane single engine aircraft about 4-miles west of Atlantic, Friday. Cass County Chief Deputy Sheriff Bill Ayers told KJAN News Christopher Peeler walked away from the scene of the crash at 3:25 pm one-quarter of a mile west of 570th Street and north of Highland Road. The man’s clothes was smoldering as he walked to the nearby gravel road and got a ride from a citizen to the Atlantic Airport, before getting another ride to the hospital.

A report on his condition is not available, but Ayers said his injuries were not life threatening. The 1971 aircraft, registered to Shenandoah Flight Service and based in Atlantic, is owned by Bob Pettis. It was doing aerial seeding when it crashed. The aircraft was a total loss. The FAA has been contacted and an investigation into the accident continues. Ayers said the wreckage will remain in the field until the FAA can investigate.

The pilot of a single engine aircraft, which was apparently a crop duster, was transported by private vehicle after the plane crashed into a soybean this (Friday) afternoon, west of Atlantic. The accident happened at around 3:25-p.m., just west of 570th Street, between Galveston and Highland road.

Atlantic Fire and Rescue and Medivac ambulance were dispatched to the scene. Deputies with the Cass County Sheriff’s Office, officers with the Atlantic Police Department, and Cass County Emergency Manager Mike Kennon also responded. The pilot was out of the plane and in a vehicle shortly after the crash.

A report on the pilots condition and other details are not currently available.

The Carstens Farmstead in Pottawattamie County is the site for a family fun weekend as the 1880 Farmstead Days are here. This is the 31^st year for the Carstens Farmstead Days featuring horse, steam and gas power exhibits. Over two hundred restored antique tractors will be on hand. Terry Torneten, member of the 1880 Carstens Committee, says the event starts out with the most important meal of the day.

He says  “The activities start right on Saturday morning with a breakfast by the Shelby Fire Department. The thresher breakfast will starting at 6:30 in the morning.” The breakfast will be held on both Saturday and Sunday. Saturday night is highlighted by the Staley’s chicken supper at 5:30pm with proceeds going towards the maintenance of the farm. This year the Carstens days plans to feature Case IH tractors. Torneton says “We have the Heartland JI Case collectors club looking to invite people to bring their tractors to display. They want to make sure this is the biggest turnout of Case IH tractors ever at Carstens.”

As far as entertainment, Carstens has invited Cloggers to perform at 12:30pm on Saturday, Country Kickers America performs on Sunday at 12:30 and a few local bands will play a variety of music during the entire celebration. The 2013 Carstens 1880 Farmstead Days will also have a quilt show, crafts galore and several vendors selling antiques. Admission is $5 per day for everyone nine years or older. The Carstens farm is located off I-80 exit 34 south of Shelby where signs will be posted.

(Joel McCall/KNOD)

The Shelby County Chamber of Commerce is reporting counterfeit money has been in the area. The bills are slightly smaller than normal and the ink is darker. If you encounter a person attempting to pay with counterfeit bills, contact your local authorities. The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce also issued an alert to its member merchants about phony $20 bills. The Chamber says one bill that was received did not have the security string in place, and a test marker turned the bill brown. The Chamber advises its members to look closely at suspect $20 bills and run the marker test if there’s any doubt about its authenticity.

A vacancy on the Walnut City Council created by the departure of Councilperson Mayre Bierbaum, will be filled by the voters on November 5th. City Clerk Terri Abel told the Daily NonPareil Bierbaum resigned August 30th because she was moving out of town.

The Nov. 5th election will include ballots for four council members and the mayor. The fifth council seat, which is not up for re-election, is held by Kathy Humann.

Volunteers are needed this weekend for a clean-up project along the Missouri River’s banks in the Omaha-Council Bluffs area. Jeff Barrow, spokesman for the group Missouri River Relief, says there’s plenty of work to be done. “Trash comes in from upstream and collects in the woods and islands in the metro area,” Barrow says. “We’ll probably get ten tons of trash with the volunteers who turn out on Saturday.”

This is the fifth annual event to clean up the river and Barrow says volunteers are key in making it a success. “River Relief has the boats and equipment and tools to run the event but we need the volunteers to provide the muscle and the heart and soul,” he says. “That’s what gets the job done.

During last year’s event, volunteers hauled out 58 tires, three refrigerators, four T-Vs, 400 pounds of metal, 100 pounds of rebar, a 500-gallon metal diesel tank and a plastic pink flamingo. If you can offer a hand, Barrow says to dress accordingly. “They don’t call it the Big Muddy for nothing,” he says, “so wear good shoes that are strong and that you don’t mind getting dirty.”

The clean-up is from 9 to noon on Saturday, rain or shine. Registration will be at the Riverfront Marina at Lewis and Clark Landing in Omaha. Volunteers will be treated to a complimentary lunch. Details are available at “riverrelief.org“.

(Radio Iowa)