Residents in the City of Harlan who let their dogs run at large will pay a more significant fine. The Harlan City Council Tuesday approved two ordinances pertaining to dog laws in the city with one being heftier fines. The owner of the animal will see a $100 fine for the first offense with the 2nd offense, $200 and the 3rd, $300. A fourth fine would lead to a fine of $500 or imprisonment not to exceed 30 days. Vicious dogs At Large fines also will increase with the 1st offense $200, 2nd offense $300, 3rd $400 and 4th $500 or imprisonment. Other fines added into the ordinance include: A $25 fee for impounding on the first offense, doubling to $50 for the 2nd and $75 thereafter.

In other business, the Harlan City Council held two public hearings during their meeting. The first was on re-zoning a residence in Harlan so the owner can build an apartment complex. The residence at 1401 7th Street had to be placed in an R-3 Medium Density Residential zone in order for the apartment complex to be structured. The council heard no public comments, closed the hearing, dispensed with the 2nd and 3rd hearings and approved. The other hearing was for the 2013 Sewer Rehabilitation Project. The council did not have any comments from the public, closed the hearing but did not approve a bid. City Administrator Terry Cox informed the council the city only received one bid and it was $80,000 over budget. The Harlan City Council tabled the item for 30 days.

(Joel McCall/KNOD)

The City of Harlan has announced they will be receiving a new K-9 for the Harlan Police Department. Following a few fundraisers, Officer Tim Pedersen recently gave an update on the movement for the Department to purchase the dog. He told the city the department has raised $11,500. The cost for the dog is $5,500, $2,000 for a new kennel and the remainder of the funds will be used for miscellaneous expenses. The city is expecting to receive the dog within the next two months and training will begin in October.

(Joel McCall/KNOD)

Iowa Farm Service Agency State Executive Director, John R. Whitaker today (Wednesday)announced that the nomination period for this year’s County Committee election will begin on June 17th, 2013.  The nomination period continues through August 1, 2013, with elections taking place this fall. 

“The committee election process allows all producers to have a better chance of having their opinions and ideas expressed in the community in Iowa and the nation.  FSA sees the role of our county committees as one that is vital,” said Whitaker.  “County Committees operate under official regulations for federal farm programs. Committee members apply their judgment, experience, and knowledge when making local decisions.”  

Individuals that serve on local FSA County Committee make decisions regarding producer’s appeals; commodity price support loans and payments; conservation programs; employing county executive directors; incentive, indemnity, and disaster payments for commodities; as well as for other farm disaster assistance.  Members serve three-year terms. Nationally, there are more than 7,800 farmers and ranchers serving on FSA county committees. Committees consist of three to five members who are elected by eligible local producers. 

“FSA’s want to ensure that we have a diverse committee, not only in the physical make up of the committee, but making sure we have representative from all forms of agriculture,” added Whitaker.  The USDA says it is committed to increasing the participation of all farmers on the FSA County Committees, with an emphasis on women and minority farmers.  Beginning farmers are also highly encouraged to become involved.  

To be eligible to serve on an FSA county committee, a person must:  

• Be of legal voting age and eligible to vote in a county committee election
• Live in the LAA holding an election
• Participate or cooperate in a program administered by FSA

w/ Ric Hanson

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Police in Red Oak report a routine traffic stop Tuesday night resulted in the arrest of a man wanted on Forgery charges. 32-year-old Joshua Edward Mastin was taken into custody at around 10:30 p.m., after police were notified there was an active warrant for his arrest out of Page County. Mastin was released to Page County deputies and was being held at the jail in Clarinda on a $10,000 cash only bond.

Sheriff’s officials in Fremont County say a man being served an arrest warrant for Operating a vehicle While under the Influence of marijuana and Failure to Yield, faces additional charges following a search of his residence. 20-year old Thomas Joseph Bersch, of Sidney, was charged Tuesday with Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana – 2nd offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Bersch was being held in the Fremont County Jail on $3,600 bond.

Authorities in Montgomery County report two arrests. Officers with the Red Oak Police Department arrested 51-year old David Lawrence Howe, of Red Oak, at around 1:25-a.m. today (Wednesday). Howe was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a charge of Public Intoxication. His bond was set at $300. Tuesday night, deputies in Montgomery County arrested 28-year old Kyle William Chase, of Red Oak, on a charge of trespassing. Chase was taken into custody at around 9:55-p.m. following an investigation into an incident in the 900 block of G Avenue, west of Red Oak. He was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $300 bond.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

ONAWA, Iowa – Authorities in Nebraska late Tuesday evening located a woman and two children who were the subject of an Amber Alert issued in Iowa a few hours earlier. Sheriff’s officials in Monona County (Iowa) say the Dodge County (Neb.) Sheriff’s Office found 30-year old Cari Ann Eich, and her children 4-year old Labrie Parker and 1-month old Lawson Gualazzi, at around 8 p.m.  Authorities say 30-year-old woman, who may have been strung out on meth, allegedly abducted the boys.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Terry Branstad has issued a disaster declaration in Des Moines County in the wake of recent storms and flooding. Branstad announced the declaration yesterday. He has issued disaster proclamations in more than 40 counties due to the storms. The declaration helps counties access state resources to help with the flood response

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Catholic church is suing the city of Des Moines over the right to demolish two properties for development. St. Augustin Catholic Church filed its lawsuit in Polk County District Court earlier this week. Church officials want to force the city to issue permits that would allow for the demolition of two houses on the city’s west side.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — A Davenport man has been accused of using his cellphone to record video of a woman undressing at a tanning salon. The Quad-City Times reports Justin Coffey made an initial court appearance yesterday in Scott County District Court. He is charged with invasion of privacy-nudity.

The Amber Alert issued for two children from western Iowa Tuesday evening was terminated a few hours later, after a vehicle matching the description and license plate issued during the Amber Alert was stopped north of Fremont, Neb. The Monona County (Iowa) Sheriff’s Office said 30-year old Cari Ann Eich, who was described as a “Noncustodial parent,” was arrested and her two boys, ages  4-years and one-month, are safe. 

Authorities said Eich was arrested without incident after a motorist who heard the Amber Alert saw the pickup the trio were in, and called police. Authorities had feared for the boys’ safety, because Eich was suspected of being under the influence of methamphetamine when she took off with her kids from her grandparents’ home. Iowa authorities said later, she did not appear to be under the influence of drugs when she was apprehended.

Family members say Eich was scheduled to check in to rehab at Women and Children’s Center in Sioux City at 2-p.m. Tuesday, but as the family was loading vehicles, Eich managed to leave with the children at around 12:45-p.m., before anyone had a chance to react. The Amber Alert was issued at around 6:30-p.m. It was cancelled just before 9-p.m., after Eich and the boys were located about an hour-earlier.

Officials said it appears Eich never had the rights to have her children in her custody.