Two people who were the subject of notable court cases in CassCountywere sentenced Tuesday, in Atlantic. Judge James Richardson sentenced 56-year old Charles Collins Cutler, of Marne, to one-year of probation, in connection with the shooting of a Colorado woman’s dog on December 24^th, 2012. Richardson also ordered Cutler to perform four-hours of community service each week with the Atlantic Humane Society, and to make restitution to the owner of the dog, which amounted to $1,964.

Cutler, who was found guilty in April of Animal Abuse, is also required to surrender all of his firearms while on probation, and submit written letters to the local newspaper, apologizing for his actions. Cutler had faced up to 2-years in prison and fines of up $6,250, but the judge suspended the prison term in favor of probation.

And, a Griswold woman was sentenced Tuesday in Cass County District Court to a total of 20-years in prison, after her she plead guilty in March to drug, conspiracy and criminal mischief charges. 46-year old Katrina Sue Bates received five years in prison for Possession of a Controlled Substance, five years for Conspiracy, and 10 years for 1^st Degree Criminal Mischief. The sentences will run concurrently, and concurrent with a Federal sentence Bates received for Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in and around Cass County. Bates must also pay fines amounting to $2,500 plus court costs.

The Iowa Department on Aging is trying to make everyone aware of possible abuse of the elderly. Department spokesperson, Machelle Shaffer, says elder abuse is the “abuse, neglect and financial exploitation” of anyone who is age 60 or older. And they are urging people to educate themselves about the problem. “And to share what they learn with others, to report any concerns and to get involved in community prevention efforts, and make a long-term commitment to reach out to those who’re vulnerable. They may be our friends, our neighbors, our family members who’re older,” Shaffer says.

National data shows one in 13 people over the age 60 report some type of abuse. Shaffer says you can get involved without intruding on someone’s life. “People want their independence, they don’t want to have people impede on that, but it’s okay to ask questions and to offer help, or to just be a good listening ear,” Shaffer says. “And look for signs, look for some warning signs that may be signs of elder abuse. Things where their personality may have a drastic unexplained change. It could be self-neglect as well. They don’t seem to have any money, or don’t know where their money is.” There are other signs a person may be suffering abuse or exploitation.

“Their responses to questions may seem unreasonable or unlikely. They withdrawal from their usual activities, and there may be financial transitions that occur with their bank account that unexplained or unnormal for their pattern,” according to Shaffer. “So there are ways to ask questions that don’t impede on their independence in any way.” Shaffer says there are ways to help people.

“Obviously if someone is in immediate danger they can call 9-1-1, otherwise they can go to our website to find out more about the signs of elder abuse and how to prevent it. Go to www.iowaaging.gov, or they can call toll free, 800-532-3213, again that’s 800-532-3213,” Shaffer says. Many people now live miles away from parents or other elderly relatives. Shaffer says you can still help them from afar. She says if you can’t be there, get to know a neighbor and have them check in on them, or talk with a member of the clergy and have them check. “And call often, call often and keep those lines of communication open, that’s very important,” Shaffer says. She says staying engaged can help you spot when things don’t seem right and you can help the person who might be undergoing elder abuse.

(Radio Iowa)

The National Weather Service in Des Moines says a stronger storm system will arrive later this (Wednesday) afternoon and tonight across the region. This will lead to several periods of thunderstorms today and this evening and again overnight and Thursday. The combination of repeated rainfall may lead to additional flooding across the region especially over areas that have already seen heavy rainfall the past several days. In addition severe weather is a possibility as this stronger system moves northeast across Iowa tonight and Thursday. Monitor forecasts for the latest updates on this upcoming storm system.

(Corrects day of the accident to Tuesday instead of Wed.)

No injuries were reported following a two-vehicle accident Tuesday morning, in Red Oak. According to the Red Oak P-D, a 1995 Chevy pickup driven by 17-year old Morgan Walford, of Red Oak, was backing out of a driveway at 800 north 6th Street at around 8:50-a.m., when the truck hit a westbound 2013 Chrysler driven by 64-year old Tracy Elliott, of Red Oak. Damage from the collision amounted to $5,500. Walford was cited for Failure to Stop before crossing a sidewalk/yield right of way.

A bridge over the Missouri River, linking the cities of Omaha and Council Bluffs, was the scene of a a triple shooting early this (Wednesday) morning. According to the Omaha-World Herald, three people were wounded during the incident which took place on the Omaha side of the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, at around 1:15-a.m.

The extent of the injuries was not immediately clear, but one person was apparently shot in the stomach, another was hit in the foot. Two of the victims were transported to the Nebraska Medical Center, the other to Creighton University Medical Center. All were said to be in critical condition.

One person was taken into custody in connection with the incident, while others were being sought by police. The paper reports the walkway was littered with spent shell casings after the shootings. The bridge has been cordoned-off to foot traffic while an investigation into the shooting is underway.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

A Pottawattamie County man was injured in a near head-on collision Tuesday afternoon, near Clarinda. According to the Iowa State Patrol, 21-year old Cory Smith, of Council Bluffs, was transported to the Clarinda Regional Medical Center by Clarinda Ambulance, following the crash on Highway 2, near the 44-mile marker. Officials say Smith was driving a 2008 KIA Optima westbound on Highway 2 at around 4:12-p.m., when an eastbound 2002 Ford Focus, driven by 58-year old Richard Wilcoxson, of Bedford, crossed the center line and hit the KIA in the westbound lane. The accident remains under investigation.

Clarinda Fire and EMS, along with deputies from the Page County Sheriff’s Office, assisted at the scene.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture says 85 percent of Iowa’s corn crop and 40 percent of the state’s soybean crop has been planted. The estimates released Tuesday by the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service show the corn crop is far behind the five-year-average of 98 percent for this time of year. The soybean crop’s five-year average is 83 percent planted by this time.

Although planting is behind the average due to a cold spring and recent persistent rain, farmers were able to make a lot of progress during a dry stretch last week. The rain also has improved pasture and range conditions, with 89 percent now seen as in fair, good or excellent conditions, though some land along streams has flooded.

A construction company is out nearly $34,000, after some of its equipment was stolen sometime over the past week. The Page County Sheriff’s Office says an employee of Cedar Falls Construction, out of Waterloo, called Tuesday (today) to report the theft of a skid loader, brush attachment and trailer. The items, which were being used for a road construction project, were located in at Rapp Park parking lot when not in use. Authorities are asking the public to be on the lookout for a yellow, Gehl 4840-E skid loader, 20-foot long PJ Trailer that the skid loader was parked on, and a Sweepstar 21072 pavement broom, that was attached to the skid loader.

The items were taken sometime between 5-p.m. May 23rd, and 8:45-a.m. May 28th.  Anyone with information about the theft should contact the Page County Sheriff’s Office at 712-542-5193.

The Page County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest on Monday of 37-year old Kevin Allen Long, of College Springs. Long was arrested at around 4:40-p.m., after deputies responded to a reported assault involving a 14-year old and an adult. Long was subsequently charged with Simple Assault. He was being held in the Page County Jail pending an appearance before the magistrate.