Sheriff’s officials in Harrison County today (Friday), identified the victim of an accident that occurred a little after 5-a.m. Thursday, near the Hallett Materials plant. A large dump truck was found submerged in the water in a sand pit near Dunlap. Crews spent hours trying to remove the truck, and recovered the man’s body Thursday afternoon. He was identified as the truck’s driver, 38-year old Christopher McMullen, of Madelia, Minnesota.

Authorities say the truck had been traveling northbound on a private road when it failed to make an eastbound turn. The vehicle drove over a dirt berm and rolled down a steep embankment before coming to rest submerged in a sand pit, under water. Hallett Materials crews had been in the process of digging a pit to collect sand and gravel, which is then loaded into dump trucks and unloaded in a different area. Sheriff’s officials say the recovery effort was slow because of thick ice, and the size of the dump truck, which is believed to have been carrying 166,000 pounds of material.

When the truck was removed from the pit at around 4:15 p.m., McMullen was dead inside the cab. An autopsy has been ordered. The Harrison County Sheriff’s Department says the recovery effort was led by crews with the Woodbine Fire Department, with assistance from dive teams out of Crawford County, Carroll County and from Yutan, Nebraska. Other agencies assisting at the scene included: Harrison County Emergency Management; Harrison County Roads Department; The Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, and the Woodbine Police Department.  Aarow towing was called to remove the submerged truck from the water.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports 53-year old Randall Joe Conry, of Atlantic, was arrested this (Friday) morning on two felony charges, including OWI 3rd or Subsequent Office, and Eluding. He was also charged with Driving While Revoked, Interference with Official Acts, and Driving Under Suspension. Conry was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held on $11,600 bond.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office would also like to remind people of the many telephone scams that come and go. Sometimes it’s a “Publisher’s Clearinghouse” scam, or something in that vein. One recently reported to the Sheriff’s Office, is the good old “Grandma/Grandpa, I Need Some Money” scam. The  person who reported it was successful in getting the scammers to hang up by asking some good questions, like, “What’s my (first) name?” and “What’s your last name?” The only name the knew was the grandchild’s first name, and they hung up upon questioning. If you get a scam like this, it’s okay to ask questions and be skeptical – it can save you from being scammed! If there’s a call asking you for money for a deal that’s too good to be true, or for a family member, usually a grandchild, question it or simply hang up and contact another family member to verify the information. You can also feel free to call the Cass County Sheriff’s Office.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports a man from Council Bluffs was arrested Wednesday, on a warrant for Violation of Parole. 34-year old William Daniel Mendez was taken into custody at around 1:45-p.m., at a residence in Carter Lake. Mendez was also wanted on a warrant for a Sex Offender Registry Violation.

A Story County man turned himself-in to the Pott. County Jail at around 1-p.m. Thursday. 23-year old Lucas Scott Brooks, of Maxwell,  was wanted on two Pott. County Felony warrants for Violation of Probation. He was subsequently booked into the jail.

A man already being held in the Pottawattamie County Jail, was arrested and charged Thursday, with being a Fugitive from Justice. Authorities say 23-year old Alan Calderon Reyes, of Sioux City, was wanted on warrants out of Nebraska and South Dakota. Reyes was then returned to the custody of jail staff.

And, 30-year old Jacob Harrison Uptegrove, of Wright City, MO., was arrested at the Pott. County Jail, on warrants for Criminal Mischief in the 2nd Degree (A Class D Felony), and an Aggravated Misdemeanor charge of 1st Degree Harassment. Uptegrove was booked into the jail.

A collision Thursday afternoon near Afton, in Union County, resulted in possible/unknown injuries to one person. The Union County Sheriff’s Office reports the accident happened on Highway 34, at around 3:50-p.m.  It occurred as a school bus was dropping of children near 1784 Highway 34. Officials say a 2017 Jeep Renegade driven by 55-year old Shellie Ann Mayne, of Afton, stopped for the school bus, along with a couple of other vehicles. 41-year old James Aaron Evans, of Keokuk, was distracted by objects in his 2015 Chevy Malibu, and failed to stop in-time. His car hit the Jeep on the passenger rear side.

Mayne, who was wearing her seat belt, complained of pain and possible injury following the collision, but was not transported to the hospital. Evans was also wearing his seat belt, and appeared to be uninjured. Sheriff’s Deputies cited Evans for Following too Close. Damage from the collision amounted to $5,000 ($2,500 per vehicle).

City officials in Exira say crews are continuing with repair work on a water leak that was reported this past week, and which resulted in residents being asked to conserve water. The leak is being repaired but residents are still being asked to conserve water through this weekend, as the repairs are in progress. They hope that repairs will be completed by Monday.

OTTUMWA, Iowa (AP) — A woman has been sentenced to 10 years of probation for stealing around $160,000 while working as bookkeeper for Ottumwa Christian School. The Ottumwa Courier reports that 42-year-old Joni Stinson also was ordered to pay restitution and was given a suspended prison sentence of 10 years at her sentencing Thursday in Ottumwa. A restitution hearing is scheduled for April 23.

Court records show Stinson pleaded guilty to theft, after prosecutors dropped three related charges. In court Stinson apologized to her former colleagues and acknowledged that she’d embarrassed her family and betrayed her friends.