Here’s the latest area news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson….

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A Creston man arrested in mid-November on numerous charges was sentenced to 5-years in prison last week, on a forgery charge. The Lenox Police Department reported this week 24-year old Antonio Gutierres pled guilty February 7^th to one count of forgery. In a plea agreement with prosecutors, Gutierres’s prison sentence was subsequently suspended, and he was placed on supervised probation for a period of two-years. As part of the plea agreement, additional charges of Eluding a Pursuing Law Enforcement Vehicle and Possession of a False Identification Card, were dismissed. Gutierres was ordered to pay fines and court costs amounting to at least $450. He was also ordered to submit a DNA sample. Gutierres remained in custody on a hold for Federal Immigration authorities.

The events leading up to Gutierres’ arrest on November 18^th, 2011, began when Lenox Police were notified of a medical call at Village Park Apartments. While responding, the officer activated his emergency lights in an attempt to safely pass a car on County Road J-13. The car refused to yield to the police Vehicle. The ambulance arrived at the scene with adequate personnel. The officer then determined he should attempt to stop the vehicle he had attempted to pass, to learn why the driver failed to yield. The vehicle was pursued for over 2 miles before finally pulling over. When the driver was questioned, he presented the officer with a Nebraska ID card identifying him as Raul Pena. The officer determined the ID card was a forgery and the driver placed under arrest.

During a search of the suspect, another ID card was found that identified him as Antonio Gutierres. The felony charges were leveled against Gutierres after he was brought to the Taylor County Jail, and following an investigation into the false ID’s.

The Adams County Sheriff’s Department reports a Clarinda man was arrested early this (Saturday) morning. 51-year old Roger Woodsmall was taken into custody at around 4:10-a.m. following a traffic stop on Highway 148. Woodsmall was charged with Driving Under Suspension. His bond was set at $566.

Sheriff’s Officials in Mills County said Friday, two Pacific Junction men were arrested earlier in the week on theft and burglary charges. 20-year-old Cody Jacob Blezek, and 18-year old Dustin Wayne Griffin, both of Pacific Junction, were arrested Tuesday in connection with incidents which were reported this past week, in Imogene. 

Blezek was charged with being an Accessory to 4^th degree theft, Accessory to 4^th degree Criminal Mischief 4^th and Accessory to 2^nd degree Burglary. Griffin was arrested for 4^th degree theft, 4^th degree criminal mischief, and 2^nd degree burglary. Both men were being held in the Mills County Jail on $12,000 bond each.

The suspects are also wanted on warrants out of Fremont County, in connection with a second burglary reported Tuesday, in the Imogene area. In Fremont County, Griffin and Blezek were charged with 3rd degree burglary, 3rd degree theft and 2nd degree criminal mischief.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

Authorities in Page County are investigating two incidents of theft which were reported to have occurred earlier this month. On Feb. 2nd, Brian Holmes, of rural Shenandoah informed the Sheriff’s Department someone had taken about 30 batteries for vehicles and farm equipment from a pallett in a tree line road ditch on his property. The pallet was visible from the road. The batteries were valued at $180.

And, on Feb. 10th, Doug Ohnmacht, of Essex, reported to the Sheriff’s Department, someone removed four extension cords from a property on J Avenue in rural Essex. Ohnmacht was also missing a grain bin unload auger motor, which was removed from another location in rural Essex. The items were valued at a combined $300.

The Page County Sheriff’s Office reports two people have been arrested in connection with recent incidents of theft, while other cases remain under investigation. Sheriff Lyle Palmer says 30-year old Sara Jeanine York, of Shenandoah, and 35-year old Christopher Lee Jones, of Essex, were charged with Burglary, theft from a building, trespassing and conspiracy, in connection with a break-in and theft at Mount Arbor Nurseries, in Shenandoah on Feb. 11th.

The nurseries’ Craig Holmes reported to authorities Feb. 12th, that someone had pulled a door open and crawled through it. Footprints in the snow led to a hopper that fed into a belt conveyor, which feeds into the side of the building. Four, heavy-duty electrical cords were cut out of electrical boxes on an elevated cat walk. The cords were valued at $500.

York and Jones were also charged with burglary and theft from a building, stemming from an investigation into the Feb. 8th theft of a surveillance camera from a rural property on 190th Street, in Shenandoah.  The Sheriff’s Office used pictures from other cameras along with other information in conducting their investigation, which resulted in the execution of a search warrant at 407 1/2 West Lowell Avenue in Shenandoah.

Additional charges are possible against the pair. Jones, who was also wanted on an outstanding warrant, was being held in the Page County Jail on $12,600 bond. York’s bond was set as $5,600.

An anonymous tip to authorities in Shelby County earlier this week led to a  Harlan woman being charged with supplying alcohol to persons under the legal age. The Harlan Police Department reports 43-year old Kimberly Musich allegedly supplied booze to 20-year old Jesse Seyler, and 16-year old Shantel Ayers, both of Harlan. Seyler and Ayers were charged with Minor in Possession. All three of the individuals were cited for the offenses and released.

And, assault charges were filed last week against a Harlan man. The Harlan P-D says 53-year old Michael Garrison allegedly assaulted Garth Brammann, a custodian at an apartment complex on Durant Street. Garrison also faces a charge of criminal mischief.

Officials report also: 24-year old Joshua Koziol, of Harlan, was arrested February 9th on charges that include possession of a simulated controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was also wanted for a parole violation in Nebraska. Koziol was taken into custody following a traffic stop in Harlan. And, the staff at the Elm Crest Retirement Home reported to police a 24-inch flat screen tv was stolen. The tv had been placed outside of a resident’s room, while work on the floor was being conducted. The theft remains under investigation.

Officials with the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic have announced CCMH Women’s Health Services is hosting an educational evening, Hints for a Happy, Healthy Heart, on Thursday, February 23, 2012.  The 5:30 pm event will include: an educational program presented by Dr. Amy Arouni; stories featuring area women who have successfully restored their heart health after cardiac disease; refreshments, and tours of the CCMH Cardiac Rehab Center.  The event will be held in the CCMH atrium, and is open to the public; there is no charge and no pre-registration is necessary.  Dr. Arouni is a board-certified cardiologist with The Creighton Cardiac Center and Creighton Medical Associates.  She cares for patients in the CCMH Outpatient Clinic several times each month.  CCMH Women’s Health Services provides ongoing programming related to women’s health issues and education.  For more information, contact Barb at 712-243-3250, x3450.