The Union County Sheriff’s Office says three people were injured during two separate accidents Tuesday afternoon. The first accident happened at around 1:25-p.m. on 160th Street near the “12 mile parking lot,” when a 1996 Ford Taurus driven by 18-year old Evan James Skelton, of Corning, left the road at the bottom of a hill, and struck a tree. Authorities say he was driving too fast to make the turn in the road. Skelton was not injured, but two passengers in the car, 18-year old Nicole Bent, of Creston, and 23-year old James Cox, of Corning, were hurt. Bendt complained of pain, and was transported to her residence by a friend. Cox was transported by ambulance to the Greater Regional Medical Center, in Creston for treatment of suspected minor injuries. Damage to the vehicle was estimated at $3,000. Both passengers were wearing their seat belts.

And, at around 3:15-p.m. Tuesday, a 2015 Buick LaCrosse driven by 57-year old Michael Carroll White, of Rhodes, was traveling south on 130th Street in Union County, when his vehicle slid off the road on a curve and struck a tree. Authorities said he was driving too fast for road conditions. White, and his passenger, 66-year old Karen Cross, of Colfax, were transported to the hospital in Creston for observation and treatment of any injuries. Damage to the SUV was estimated at $6,000.

The Cass County Board of Supervisors heard a report this (Wednesday) morning from Guthrie County Executive Director of Health Services, Jotham Arber. After Sanitarian Steve Patterson passed away last March, Guthrie County officials decided to move all environment health services under the wing of the Guthrie County Health System, while retaining all the employees and services previously provided.

Arber explained they are updating some of the 28-E agreements for soil services, so all counties are on the same page. There are only minor changes in the way Cass County is charged for services, and the implementation of a Cost Report mechanism. The Cost Report, which will be presented once a year to the Supervisors, so they can see the costs broken down. It wraps the various elements of inspections and services into one hourly rate, such as postage, office supplies and so on. Mileage would be charged separately. Last year in Cass County, there were 35 Perc Tests, 34 Septic Systems Installed, 8 new wells, 46 water tests, 26 time of transfer inspections, 16 wells plugged and 2 well rehab’s conducted. The total number of hours of service amounted to 725, with a total of 17,632 miles driven by inspectors. After his report to the Board, Cass County Auditor/Board Secretary Dale Sunderman, read the Resolution for the 28-E agreement, which the available Board member approved unanimously, with Supervisor/Chair Gaylord Schelling and Supervisor Steve Green absent.

And, in his report to the Board, newly appointed Cass County Attorney Michael Hooper answered some Board member questions with regard to how bad checks are prosecuted in the County. Hooper said there are essentially two options that have been available for many years when a business comes in to his office with a bad check. The first is, it can be prosecuted as a Theft charge. The amount of the check determines the Degree of Theft charge.  The offender would be required to pay restitution at a rate of about $50 per month. There is also an informal way of handling such cases, a method Hooper says was in-place long before he was appointed.

He says the County Attorney’s Office collected money on the bad checks. They meet with the offender and let them know prosecution could move forward, but that they could also simply pay back the money, with the County Attorney’s Office receiving the payment and returning the funds to the affected business. In that scenario, there would be no prosecution.

A woman from Audubon County who was arrested and being held on a Pottawattamie County warrant, was picked-up by Pott. County Deputies, Tuesday afternoon, and transported to the Pott. County Jail. 27-year old Rebecca Lyn Matzen, of Exira, was wanted on a warrant for OWI/1st offense. Her bond was set at $2,000.

Atlantic Police Chief Dave Erickson today (Wednesday), reported two people were arrested recently. 29-year old Justin Cooley, of Atlantic, was arrested Tuesday for Theft in the 3rd Degree, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of Contraband in a Correctional Institution (Jail). He was booked in the Cass County Jail. And, this (Wednesday) morning, 42-year old Samantha Clark, of Atlantic, was arrested on a Cass County warrant for three-counts of Supplying Alcohol to a Person Under Legal Age. Clark was also booked into the Cass County Jail.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest of 30-year-old Shae Daniel Lewis of Red Oak on Wednesday morning. Lewis was arrested at 7:55am in the 1200 block of Summit Street on two warrants for a domestic assault incident on January 14th. The warrants were for Domestic Assault 1st Offense and Criminal Mischief 3rd Degree. He was taken to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $2,000 cash bond.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest Tuesday afternoon, of 36-year old Justin Wayne Schomburg, of Malvern. Schomburg was taken into custody for Driving Under Suspension. His bond was set at $300.

VINTON, Iowa (AP) — Authorities have seized hundreds of animals from an eastern Iowa residence that’s also home to four children. Officials executed a search warrant around 9:10 a.m. Tuesday at the Vinton house and garage. The animals found included rabbits, rats, mice, hedgehogs, turtles, birds, guinea pigs, gerbils and a hall python. Several carcasses were scattered through the residence in various states of decomposition or stored in a freezer.

No charges have been reported. Officials say the children’s parents have been cooperating with state and local authorities. Volunteers from the Cedar Valley Humane Society and other rescue groups removed animals all day. Many of the animals were malnourished, dehydrated and living in overcrowded areas contaminated with fecal matter.