Rescue crews from Anita, Wiota and Medivac Ambulance from Atlantic were dispatched to a rollover accident about three-miles east of the Wiota exit off of Interstate 80 in Cass County. The accident, which was reported to have occurred on I-80 westbound at around 7:15-a.m, took place near the 67-mile marker. The lone  female occupant of the vehicle was reported to be trapped in the vehicle, which was on its top. She was said to be conscious and breathing, and did not appear to have been seriously injured.The driver was however transported to the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic, as a precaution.

The accident temporarily shut down a portion of the right lane of I-80 west bound, until the wreckage could be removed. No other details are currently available.

The City of Atlantic’s Parks and Recreation Department Board of Directors, Monday, approved the fees for Summer Recreation Programs, and a local Eagle Scout’s project to improve the Sunnyside Park Disc Golf Course. Parks and Rec Director Roger Herring asked for, and the Board approved, no change in rates charged for swimming at the City Pool. Herring says they will also be offering punch cards again this year, which, if you plan to be a frequent user of the Sunnyside Pool, will save you some money in the long run. The punch card allows you to buy 15 punches for $50. That’s a savings of $10 over the daily rate of admission.

Herring says sponsorship rates for the Men’s slow-pitch softball program will also be unchanged from last year. The cost of sponsorships went up last year from $150 per team to $300 to increase revenue and break even expense-wise. An incentive to the sponsors came in the form of a banner, and their sponsorships were tax deductible. Herring says while that resulted in a decrease in the number of teams from 10 to 8, it increased the cost savings to the Parks and Rec Dept. and reduced the amount of red ink in the books.

Atlantic Eagle Scout Nick Podhajsky speaks before the Atlantic Parks & Rec Board. (Ric Hanson/photo)

In other business, the Parks and Rec Board heard from Atlantic Eagle Scout Nick Podhajsky, who proposed a bridge replacement project near hole number 7, for the Sunnyside Park Disc Golf Course. The current bridge was built by course designer and facilitator Frank Saddlemire, and while functional and fits the natural environment, is also a potential liability to the City, because of its undersized main supports…small, and widely spaced decking branches, and single rails on each side.

Podhajsky proposed upgrading the bridge to incorporate: utility poles for the main supports; treated 2×6 lumber for the decking; and treated 4×4 posts to support three rails on each side. It would be very similar to the design used for the bridge near the Sunnyside Schoolhouse. Donations and supplies for the project would come from local groups, companies and individuals, with the labor for construction and installing the bridge to come from the Scout and other volunteers.

The Board gave approval for Podhajsky to proceed with the project, which could be completed by the end of June.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office reports a search warrant for narcotics executed Sunday at a residence in Bedford, resulted in the arrest of one person on a felony drug charge.

Donald Lee Barrett

Deputies from the Taylor County assisted the Bedford Police Department in executing the search warrant at a home in the 200 block of Pearl Street, in Bedford. As result of the investigation and search warrant by the Tri-County Narcotics and Bedford Police, Donald Lee Barrett was charged with Possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver (a class D felony). Barrett was being held in the Adams County Jail on $5,000 cash bond.  Also assisting in the search warrant were Adams County Sheriff and Lenox Police Department.

Police in Red Oak responded to a two-vehicle accident Monday afternoon. The accident happened in the 700 Block of West 2nd Street, when  22-year old Lorena Olarte-Hernandez of Red Oak was backing her 1999 Dodge Dakota out of a parking space and onto the street. In the process, her pickup hit a 2005 Ford Taurus being driven by 50-year old Shelly Shuffler of Red Oak. No injuries were reported.

Olarte-Hernandez was issued a warning for unsafe backing and was also issued a citation for Operation of a Motor Vehicle with No Driver’s License and a citation for Failure to Provide Security Against Liability (Accident Related). Damage to Olarte-Hernandez’s vehicle amounted to $200, while damage to Shuffler’s vehicle was estimated at $4,000.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – The Omaha Veterans Affairs hospital is referring surgeries elsewhere in the city because of humidifier problems in its operating rooms. VA officials say the rooms have been temporarily shut down and will remain out of service until the humidifiers are fixed or replaced. The hospital performs about 300 surgeries a month. The VA says the rooms have been checked for mold problems, but none was detected.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports two people were arrested on drug over nearly the past two-weeks. Last Friday, 49-year old Daniel Duane Johnston, of Omaha, was arrested near the intersection of Highway 34 and Deacon Road. Johnston was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance. His bond was set at $1,000.

And, on March 9th, deputies in Mills County arrested 47-year old Leann Kay Rigatuso, of Glenwood. Rigatuso faces a charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance/Methamphetamine – 2nd offense. She was arrested in Glenwood and released two days later on $2,000 bond.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Department says a Manning resident was arrested Sunday afternoon after he called to report his vehicle was stuck in the mud. As it turns out, the same vehicle was the subject of a brief pursuit that same afternoon. Officials say 20-year old Russell Erickson, of Manning, faces numerous charges, including Eluding, Trespassing, and Reckless Driving.  Erickson was also cited for Leaving the Scene of an Accident, Failure to Maintain Control, and Failure to Use Headlights. He was brought to the Cass County Jail where he was released later that day on $1000 bond.

The incident that resulted in his arrest began when Erickson’s vehicle was pursued by a Cass County Sheriff’s Deputy at around 1:50-p.m., Sunday, near Dallas Road and Olive Street in Cass County. During the pursuit, Erickson’s vehicle became stuck on Dunbar Road and the driver left the scene. The driver (later identified as Erickson) called the communications center to report the vehicle he had been driving got stuck. Upon investigation, deputies took Erickson into custody.

In other news, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest today (Monday), of 23-year old Jesse James Flowers, 23, of Arion. Flowers was taken into custody on two district court warrants for Probation Violation. He was being held in the Cass County Jail on $10,000 bond.

In  an update to a story we first told you about on March 8th, officials in Harlan report they have experienced a high number of sick raccoons this winter and early Spring. Callers to the Harlan Police and Animal Control Departments are reporting raccoons out in the broad daylight, acting sick and/or disoriented. City officials have not, however, received any reports of the animals biting or attacking humans. Authorities say the raccoons are infected with Canine Distemper, which does not pose a risk to humans. Even so, residents are being urged to leave the animals alone and not attempt to help them, even if they appear docile.

Many of the sick raccoons have been picked up and euthanized to prevent the spread and progression of the disease, which has been confirmed ISU’s Veterinary Diagnostic Lab. Distemper is spread by shared bodily excretions. Unvaccinated dogs are at risk, according to the experts, and need to be vaccinated to prevent the disease from affecting those animals.

Raccoons are attracted to food sources, such as pet food, grill drippings, bird seed, trash or compost. Officials recommend you discard those items and not invite the animals to your home. During the early stages of the illness, a raccoon may look calm and approachable, while days later, the animal becomes disoriented and weak. At that point, they are usually able to be caught by trained personnel. Sick raccoons are unlikely to find their way into live traps, as they lack the coordination to do so.

Again, officials in Harlan recommend dog owners have their animals vaccinated against Canine Distemper. You should also keep them from roaming free, and keep dogs away from strange animals. If you encounter a sick raccoon, call the City of Harlan at 712-755-5137, or, after hours, call the Harlan Police Department at 755-5151. Do not attempt to capture or dispose of the animals yourself.

(12-pm News)