Officials with the Council Bluffs Police Department say federal search warrants were executed today (Tuesday) at several locations in Omaha and Council Bluffs. The warrants were executed by agents and investigators with the FBI’s Task Force. The nature of the warrants were not revealed, and officials say no comments will be released until documents have been filed with the court, as part of the public record.

Authorities say warrants were executed at the following locations in Council Bluffs:

• Two warrants executed on Tenth Avenue, Council Bluffs.
• Avenue B, Council Bluffs.
• South 19th Street, Council Bluffs.

Additional warrants were executed at the following locations in Omaha:
• North 15th Street, Omaha.
• North 93rd Street, Omaha.
• Rees Street, Omaha.
• South 39th Street, Omaha.
• North 111th Plaza, Omaha.
• South 48th Street, Omaha.

DAKOTA CITY, Neb. (AP) – A 45-year-old Iowa man has been found guilty of vehicular homicide in the crash deaths of three people in northeast Nebraska. Online court records say Christopher Cox, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, pleaded no contest to three counts last week in Dakota County Court. He’s scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 4.

Authorities say Cox’s car ran off U.S. Highway 20 west of Jackson on June 9 and struck a concrete creek barrier. He told officers he swerved to avoid hitting a deer.

Two of his passengers died at the scene: 57-year-old Connie Fauzae and 9-year-old Espinoza Lara, both of Council Bluffs, Iowa. A third passenger died later at a Sioux City, Iowa, hospital: 10-year-old Jose Lara, also of Council Bluffs. Cox was treated for minor injuries.

The Harlan Police Department reports three men from Nebraska were arrested Sunday, following an investigation into threats they allegedly made to a woman in Harlan.  Following a traffic stop, 27-year old Carlos Roberto Fonseca Triminio,18-year old Samael Steven Lopez Duran, and 18-year old Jose Joaquin Sagura Mendez, all of Omaha, were taken into custody and transported to the Shelby County Jail. Each was charged with Possession of a controlled substance, Possession of drug paraphernalia, and Prohibited acts penalties.  In addition, Fonseca Triminio was charged with violation of a no contact order and open container passenger.  Lopez Duran was charged with open container driver and failure to have a valid driver’s license.  Sagura Mendez was charged with open container passenger.  31-year old Amber Larsen, of Harlan, was charged with violation of a no contact order.

Harlan Police said also, on Nov. 19th, 20-year old Brandon Henderson, of Harlan, was arrested after Officers were called to a disturbance in the 1500 block of 7^th Street.  Henderson was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with domestic abuse assault and disorderly conduct.

Last Friday, Harlan  Police responded to the 700 block of 9^th Street for a subject who allegedly had kicked in the door and stolen a phone, keys, and a baseball bat.  As a result of the investigation, complaints were filed with the Shelby County Clerk of Court charging 25-year old Michael Tremayne, of Harlan, with burglary 2^nd degree and trespass.

And, last Thursday, 50-year old Derrick Kaldenberg, of Harlan, was taken into custody when he was seen by officers coming from behind private property.  Kaldenberg was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with trespass, possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of prescription drugs.

The Griswold School Board, Monday night, approved a draft Request For Proposal (RFP) for the services of an architectural firm, with regard to the possible construction of an Elementary School Building addition to the Middle School High School Building, in Griswold. The Facilities Committee had earlier asked the Board to consider hiring an architectural firm so the Committee can get a better idea of the costs associated with the construction option.

Superintendent Dr. Dave Henrichs, told KJAN News RFP’s have been sent out to various firms. Their resumes or qualifications is due back to the District by Dec. 19^th.

(As said: The Committee consisting of Board Members, the Administration, the Business Manager and a member of the Facilities Committee, will meet Dec. 20^th and select which firms they want to interview. Those interviews will take place January 5^th.)

The Committee will then recommend to the Board, the hiring of one of the interviewed architectural firms. The firm will put together a schematic plan of what a new building would look like, as well as help the District engage the community, with the intent of going forward with a bond referendum.

(As said: Henrichs wants to be clear “No decision has been made to build this building. We’re just getting all of our ‘ducks in a row,’to make sure that’s the right choice.”)

If the building is constructed, all Griswold School District facilities would be located in Griswold. In other business, the Griswold School Board elected Heather Pelzer as Board President. Rod Peterson will continue to serve as Vice President. And, the Board approved a change in next month’s school calendar, to accommodate a special sporting event for basketball players.

The boys and girls basketball teams have been invited to participate in the Jennie Edmundson Shootout Dec. 16^th at the Mid-America Center, in Council Bluffs. The girls game begins at 2:30, the boys game at 4. The Board was asked and approved an early dismissal Dec. 16^th, at 1-p.m.

The Page County Sheriff’s Office reports a woman was arrested Monday in Shenandoah, on a valid Page County warrant for Drug Distribution to Persons Under 18, & Harboring a runaway minor. 23-year old Victoria Diane LeeAnn Kimbro-Johnson, of Shenandoah, was unable to post the $25,000 bond, and was transported to the Page County Jail where she was being held pending future court appearances.

Victoria Diane LeeAnn Kimbro-Johnson

The CAM School Board, Monday night, reluctantly approved the resignation of their Talented And Gifted (TAG) Program instructor, Ksenia Zhbanova. Superintendent, Dr. Casey Berlau told KJAN News their decision wasn’t an easy one.

(The Board will now look to find a replacement for the position.)

Zhbanova, who has been with the CAM District for about four-years, recently got married. Since her husband accepted a job in Mississippi, she requested the Board release her from her contract in January, so she can be with him. Ksenia has indicated a willingness to help find her replacement to finish out the year.

In other business, the Board approved a bid from the Massena Telephone Company to replace the High School and Elementary School phones, which have been down the entire semester. Dr. Berlau says also, if you have ever wanted to own a school bus, you’ll have the chance to buy one or two.

(An ad requesting bids will be in the local paper, and the Board will approve any bids received during their meeting next month.)