(Update 6-a.m. 1/26 to include Marne Fire/Rescue response) Multiple accidents were reported in Interstate 80 east and westbound in Cass County at around 7:45-p.m., Wednesday night. The crashes happened between the Marne and Elk Horn Exits (51.5-mile marker). Two trucks, one a semi the other possibly a straight truck were in opposite ditches, and one other semi, had rolled over west of the 51-mile marker. I-80 westbound was blocked between Exit 46 and 51. There was also a van that had gone off into the ditch, and possibly other vehicles. Traffic was diverted to Atlantic and Marne until the wrecks could be cleared. For a time, Olive Street just a couple of miles south of I-80 was blocked by semis that were having difficulty navigating the hill between Boston and Chicago Road. The trucks made it into Atlantic by around 9:45-p.m. No serious injuries were reported.

The Iowa DOT’s 511ia.org website indicated the road was partially covered with snow, and blowing snow was occurring at the time of the crash. Atlantic Fire and Rescue, Marne Fire and Rescue, Medivac Ambulance, Walnut Rescue, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa State Patrol and Cass County Emergency Management all responded to the scene of the accidents.

A rollover accident was also reported to have occurred in Montgomery County Wednesday night. No further details are currently available concerning the incidents.

Pictures from the Marne Fire and Rescue Facebook page.

The Harlan Police Department today (Wednesday), issued a report on arrests made and citations issued over the past couple of weeks. On Tuesday, 34-year old Beau Croghan, of Harlan, was arrested following a traffic stop.  Croghan was cited for driving under suspension, given a court date, and released. Sunday, 21-year old Shantel Ayers, of Harlan, was arrested following a traffic stop.  Ayers was taken to the Shelby County Jail where she was charged with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated.  She was also cited for failure to use headlamps.

On Jan. 16th, 50-year old Carolyn Wurr, of Denison, was arrested following a traffic stop in Harlan.  Wurr was transported to the Shelby County Jail where she was charged with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. Wurr was also cited for open container, driver, and careless driving. On Jan. 15th, 34-year old Justin Henriksen, of Harlan, was taken into custody when officers were called to a disturbance in the 1000 block of Willow Street.  Henriksen was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

January 13th, 64-year old Pal Machar, of  Omaha, was cited during a traffic stop, for failure to have a valid driver’s license and speeding. And on Jan. 11th, 27-year old Jacob Bernal, of Harlan, was arrested when officers were called to a subject who refused to leave a residence in the 900 block of Laurel Street.  Bernal was taken to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with interference with official acts, trespass, and disorderly conduct.

Clarinda Police Chief Keith Brothers says his officers this (Wednesday) morning, arrested 49-year old Douglas Franklin Nicholas, of Clarinda, on an outstanding arrest warrant from Page County District Court for violation of terms and conditions of probation.

At the time of his arrest at around 12:15-a.m., Nicholas was found in possession of a controlled substance believed to be methamphetamine and instruments used for the ingestion of methamphetamine. He was booked into the Page County Jail on held on $2,000 bail.

All reports have been forwarded to the offices of Page County Attorney Carl M. Sonksen for review and determination regarding the filing of formal charges.

Police in Atlantic, Tuesday, arrested a Red Oak man on a Pottawattamie County warrant for Lascivious Acts with a Child. 24-year old Zachary Marchese was booked into the Cass County Jail. Today (Wednesday), 25-year old Morgan Dvorak, of Atlantic, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault/2nd Offense. Dvorak was also booked into the Cass County Jail.

CRESCENT, Iowa (AP) – School district officials recommend closing Crescent Elementary at the end of the 2016-2017 school year due to declining enrollment. The Daily Nonpareil reports the Council Bluffs Community School District board will hear a presentation on the potential closing during its meeting on Feb. 14. Superintendent Martha Bruckner says the school is too small and only half full.

District spokeswoman Diane Ostrowski says that if the decision is approved at the Feb. 28 vote, Crescent students and teachers will move to Lewis and Clark Elementary in Council Bluffs.

Crescent Mayor Brian Shea says the move “pulls the guts out of the town.” Shea says the vote comes a day before open enrollment deadline, which can affect parents’ decisions on where to send their children for school.