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Walnut City Council discusses chickens

News

May 6th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Conceptual image of Walnut Splash Pad

The Walnut City Council had a discussion about chickens during their meeting Thursday evening. City Clerk Terri Abel says the Council tabled a decision on the matter until more information was available. Able says a woman living on Walnut’s “main drag” wants to raise chickens. They told her to check with her neighbors to see if they would object to having the fowl within the city limits, and report back next month.

Able says it’s not like the woman wanted to build a large egg laying facility or anything. She says she just wants to raise a few chickens for their eggs.

In other business, the Walnut City Council heard an update on the $200,000 splash pad project, the size and scope of which is expected to make the only one of its kind between Omaha and Des Moines. Abel says the project is nearing completion, and it’s hoped they’ll have it finished in time for the Memorial Day weekend. A special event is planned to celebrate the grand opening.

The public is invited to attend a free barbeque in the City Park, and the kids will be able to enjoy the new water attraction.

She says the project has been in the works for the past three-years, and was funded by local kids, grants and other efforts. And, the Walnut City Council, Thursday, discussed and approved a Law Enforcement Services Contract with Pottawattamie County. No changes were made to the contract, but Abel says they also talked about the possibility of sharing law enforcement services with the City of Avoca, however, no action was taken on that idea.

An attempt to serve a single arrest warrant results in several arrests

News

May 6th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

An attempt by authorities in Harlan to serve an arrest warrant on one person, resulted in the arrest of several individuals. According to Harlan Police, officers attempted to serve the warrant on 25-year old Zachary Scheffler, of Harlan, on April 30th. The warrant was issued following alleged incidents of domestic abuse and criminal mischief which occurred April 22nd, in the 500 block of 6th Street, in Harlan, whereby Scheffler allegedly broke out the window of a vehicle owned by Ashley McWilliams, of Harlan, and left several other dents in the vehicle by kicking at it.

When officers attempted to execute the search warrant at 1708 9th Street last Saturday, 19-year old Kolten Kobold, of Harlan, 28-year old Michael Gifford, 19-year old Brandon Barnum and 17-year old Dylan Hansen, all of Harlan, were taken into custody on charges of Interference with Official Acts. The group was also charged with gathering where controlled substances were used.

In addition, 17-year old Emily Boeck, of Harlan, was charged with interference with official acts, and Zachary Scheffler was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possesion of Drug Paraphernalia, prohibited acts, interference with official acts, and gathering where controlled substances are unlawfully used. Scheffler was also served with a warrant for domestic abuse assault and criminal mischief.

Scheffler, Gifford, Barnum and Kobold were brought to the Shelby County Jail, while Boeck and Hansen were cited, and released to the custody of their parents.

Warrant issued for Harlan man

News

May 6th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Authorities in Shelby County last week issued an arrest warrant for a Harlan man following an alleged assault. According to the Harlan P-D, 24-year old Michael Maynard allegedly assaulted Jammie Lemon, of Harlan, on April 24th. The incident was said to have occurred during a domestic disturbance.

A formal complaint was filed with the Shelby County Clerk of Court, and the warrant issued for Maynard’s arrest.

Tuesday accident in Harlan

News

May 6th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Police in Harlan report an Avoca woman was cited for failure to yield upon making a left turn, following an accident Tuesday that caused $4,500 worth of damage. Officials say a vehicle driven by Cory Bolger, of Harlan, was exiting the Cenex drive and heading east, at the same time a vehicle driven by Janet Schneider, of Avoca, was leaving the Pamida driveway, and turning west.

The vehicles collided left-front to left rear. No injuries were reported.

Drug and assault arrests reported in Atlantic

News

May 6th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Police in Atlantic reported Thursday two men were arrested this week on separate charges. On Wednesday, 35-year old Thomas Williamson, of Griswold, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

And, on Monday, 21-year old Darnell Coleman, of Atlantic, was arrested for Domestic Assault. Both men were brought to the Cass County Jail and held pending a court appearance.

Coleman has a history of run-ins with the law. He was previously charged with Domestic Abuse Assault in September , 2010. His trial on that charge is set to take place next Thursday, May 12th. In addition, Coleman was arrested April 20th on a charge of going armed with intent. His trial on the charge is set to take place July 12th.

Disaster declaration for 6 Iowa counties

News

May 6th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – President Barack Obama has issued a disaster declaration for six western Iowa counties damaged by tornadoes and other severe storms last month.

Republican Sen. Charles Grassley says Thursday that the declaration triggers the release of Federal Emergency Management Agency funds to help Iowa recover from the storms on April 9-10. FEMA will provide assistance to Buena Vista, Cherokee, Ida, Monona, Pocahontas and Sac counties.

The agency will help state and local governments, and certain nonprofits. The money could also be used to rebuild damaged roads and bridges and cover the cost of emergency work and debris removal.

Gov. Terry Branstad asked for declaration on April 26.

Iowa Tornado-Disaster Loans – SBA loans available for tornado recovery in Iowa

News

May 5th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

State officials say the Small Business Administration is offering low-interest loans to help homeowners, renters and businesses in 14 Iowa counties recover from a rash of tornadoes that hit the state last month. There were at least 18 twisters in Iowa on April 9, including one that slammed into Mapleton.

Gov. Terry Branstad’s office says Thursday that the SBA has declared a disaster following Branstad’s request, which was originally made for Monona and Pocahontas counties. The declaration also makes assistance available in 12 other counties – Buena Vista, Calhoun, Clay, Crawford, Harrison, Humboldt, Ida, Kossuth, Palo Alto, Sac, Webster and Woodbury.

Disaster loans up available to businesses and homeowners to repair or replace buildings, equipment and homes, and to homeowners and renters to replace personal property.

Manilla Fire Station considered to be a total loss

News

May 5th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Firefighters in Manilla didn’t have far to travel to fight a blaze late last night. That’s because it was right next door to the fire station at 533 Main Street, in downtown Manilla. The Irwin Fire Department was one of several area departments which responded to help fight the blaze.

The fire destroyed two buildings and caused extensive damage to the Manilla Fire station, located next door. Irwin Fire Chief Lynn Gaskill said the fire broke out just after 10:30-pm, Wednesday, in a vacant building next to the station.

He says two firefighters were driving through town and saw flames coming from a building next door. They ran into the fire station and grabbed their equipment, moved the trucks and ambulance, and made a call for help. At least seven area fire departments responded.

The abandoned building that caught fire was formerly a blacksmith shop. Gaskill says the shop located next door to the fire station held antiques. A second, nearby structure had served as a residence, but was unoccupied. It was also destroyed by the flames.

Gaskill estimated the fire station was a total loss as well. He says the steel beams in the building were warped, and several pieces of equipment, including the firefighters’ bunker gear, radios and more were destroyed or damaged beyond repair.

The State Fire Marshall was in Manilla this morning, assessing the damage. A cause for the fire has not yet been determined. uniforms and some equipment were lost in the blaze, but there were no reports of injuries. Firefighters were kept busy this (Thursday) morning as well, after the smoldering mess re-kindled.

National Police Memorial week – Clarinda services set

News

May 5th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Clarinda Police Chief Keith Brothers is inviting the public to attend a memorial service May 18th designed to pay tribute to law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty. The service will begin at 2-p.m. at the Clarinda Cemetery Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

The event is being held in conjunction with National Police Officers’ Memorial Week, May 15th through the 21st. Sunday, May 15th is National Police Officers’ Memorial Day, a day set aside to honor the 160 law enforcement officers who were killed in the line of duty in the U-S and its territories, in 2010. President Obama and Congress have directed all government and state flags to be flown at half-staff on May 15th.

The event being held May 18th in Clarinda, will feature a 21-gun salute performed by the American Legion Sergy Post 98. If there is inclement weather, the ceremony will be canceled.

Boulders Development agreement rescinded by Atlantic CC

News

May 5th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic City Council Wednesday evening approved an order to rescind a resolution approving an expired development agreement and tax increment financing with Boulders Inn and Suites. City Administrator Doug Harris says the council agreed to back away from the agreement because Boulders’ officials didn’t make good on their promise to the City.

He says they didn’t meet the requirement of getting the property on the tax roles by January 1st and certification of that agreement, along with the minimum assessment that would be placed on the property. A required landscaping plan was also not signed by company officials. City Attorney Dave Wiedersteen recommend the agreement be rescinded and a new contract drafted.

Harris said there are some new “wrinkes or considerations” that must considered before any agreement is signed by both parties. He says there are proposals for commercial/industrial tax rollbacks which would affect the tax flow on the projects and the City’s ability to fund them.

Last May, the Atlantic City Council approved a package which included $125,000 in an up-front incentive payment (upon completion of the building), and $100,00 in tax rebates…$25,000 per year, for a period of 4-years, for the 1.5-million dollar, 32-room, four-suit hotel. Construction began last Fall. The hotel was expected to be completed and open for business this month.

In other business, the Council passed a resolution setting the date for a public hearing on an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2011 Budget, for May 18th, and, on a five-to one-vote, they approved their consent agenda which included a resolution authorizing bids for the 2011 Parks Improvement, Hot Melt Asphalt (HMA) and Portland Cement Concrete (or, PCC) paving and storm sewer improvement projects.

The opening date for bids was also set for May 18th.