The Audubon County Community Foundation is issuing a reminder to students, that the deadline for submitting applications for the Exira Lions Club/Harold and Beverly Ann Godwin Endowed Scholarship is March 31^st.  The Fund will award one scholarship for $1,000 and is open to any high school senior from the Exira-EHK School District pursuing a two or four year degree, full-time, at any accredited vocational/technical or educational institution or a college or university.

Applicants are asked to complete the application form; submit a copy of your current transcripts as directed in the scholarship’s fact sheet.  Scholarship applications are available from your guidance counselor.

Officials with the Cass County Community Foundation have announced that applications are currently being accepted for the Dustin McCurdy Endowed Scholarship Fund.  The McCurdy Scholarship provides two scholarships of approximately $500 each to high school seniors from Cumberland Anita Massena High School (C-A-M).

Applications are available from your high school guidance counselor.  Applications are due to your guidance counselor no later than March 31^st.   The scholarship was created to honor the memory of Dustin McCurdy, a Broadcasting major who died from cardiac arhythmia due to an overwhelming viral infection in January 2001, during his Senior year, while attending college at Northwest Missouri State University, in Maryville.

Officials with the American Red Cross say a Blood Drive will be held March 19th at the Underwood High School Gym, in honor of Alexandra “Alex” Peterson, of Neola. Peterson had recently graduated from the Underwood High School and was looking forward to going away to college, when a multiple-car accident in Council Bluffs on July 23rd, 2012 nearly cut the 18-year-old’s life short.

During the accident, Alex’s car was thrust into oncoming traffic and she was broadsided. Her injuries were numerous and life threatening. She stopped breathing and had no pulse for a short time, at the scene of the accident. Emergency surgeries were performed at Alegent Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha, Neb. and Alex received at least 14 pints of blood as doctors worked to repair her broken body.

Now, after months of rehabilitation, Alex’s family says she is nearly recovered. Alex started taking classes at Iowa State University in January. Alex’s family credits blood donors for their role in her recovery and now encourages others to give blood. The Peterson family is partnering with Red Cross and Underwood High School to help host blood drive in Alex’s honor. Alex and her family will be in attendance to thank those who give.

The Blood Drive will be held from 8-a.m. until 2-p.m. March 19th, at the Underwood High School Gym, 629 North St. in Underwood. To make an appointment, please contact the Underwood High School office at 712-566-2703. Blood collected at the blood drive in honor of Alex Peterson may be used for trauma victims – due to accidents and burns – heart surgery patients, organ transplant patients, premature babies, patients with complications during childbirth, and for patients receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or other diseases, such as sickle cell disease.

You can donate blood elsewhere, as well. To find more information, simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license, or two other forms of identification are required at check-in.  Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Officials with the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s office are expected to release details this morning about an early morning chase that began in Neola, and ended with two arrests. According to authorities, the chase began at around 2-a.m. and lasted for approximately 15-minutes. Two suspects in the vehicle, which reportedly had plates matching a vehicle stolen out of Nebraska, were taken into custody. Additional details are forthcoming.

w/ Ric Hanson

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Police in Harlan said Thursday they are investigating two burglaries which occurred on February 25th. Officials say two garages were broken into. A power washer was taken from a garage in the 1600 block of 10th Street, and an air compressor was taken from a garage in the 900 block of Victoria. Both cases remain under investigation.

Police in Red Oak arrested one person on trespassing charges late Thursday night. Officials say 28-year old Tasha Renee Smith, of Red Oak, was being held at the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center on a $300 bond, following her arrest at around 9:20-p.m. for a Trespassing Violation. The incident happened at a residence on West Coolbaugh Street.

No injuries were reported after an SUV and a car collided Thursday evening, in Red Oak. According to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, the accident happened when the car, driven by 42-year old James Burton, of Plattsmouth, NE, turned in front of the SUV, driven by 58-year old Rodney McAlpin, of Red Oak. The accident happened at the intersection of Highways 34 and 48, at around 4:45-p.m.  Damage amounted to $4,500. No citations were issued.

Police in Council Bluffs, Wednesday, arrested the fiance’ of a woman who, along with her 19-month old son, was shot last month outside of the apartment complex the couple shared. According to the Omaha World-Herald, 31-year old Nathan Underwood, was taken into custody on warrants for allegedly possessing a controlled substance with intent to deliver, a tax stamp violation and three counts of child endangerment. His arrest came nearly three -weeks after 22-year old Heather Wilson was shot eight times, allegedly by 30-year old Ronald Farr, Jr., of Harlan, who faces three counts of attempted murder. The incident happened during the early morning hours of February 12th, as Wilson was putting her son and his 4-year-old sister in a car.