The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports numerous arrests took place over the past few days, with most offenders taken into custody on warrants. Among those arrested, was 29-year old Mallory Alece McCormick, of Council Bluffs, who faces charges that include Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana, Unlawful Possession of Prescription drugs (Clonazapam), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (a glass pipe). McCormick was arrested at around 9-a.m. Sunday, after a Pott. County Deputy noticed a pickup parked at the end of Hamlet Lane, off of River Road.

The driver of the truck was attempting to change a flat tire. A check on both subjects indicated a felony warrant had been issued for McCormick, who faces 10-counts of Forgery. A subsequent investigation determined she had the pipe and a bag of marijuana, in her bra. In her purse, the Deputy found prescription drugs, along with debit and credit cards in the name of two separate individuals. McCormick was booked into the Pott. County Jail on the Forgery and Drug charges.

And, Genevieve Kate Bartles, of Council Bluffs, was arrested Friday afternoon, on a warrant for making False Reports. The woman was taken into custody after Deputies met with her father at a residence in the 300 block of Wildwood Road. Officials say while they spoke with her father, Bartles left the home out the back door, but after Deputies searched the area, she was located and taken into custody before being booked into the Pott. County jail on the warrant.

Dozens of children were adopted in ceremonies held over the weekend in six Iowa cities as part of National Adoption Day. At the Hamilton County Courthouse in Webster City, 21 children were adopted by 15 families. Deborah and Mike Kleis from Stratford added to their family.

The Kleis family

“It was a calling from God,” according to Deborah Kleis, while her husband says: “This is our granddaughter, now our daughter. She needed us and we’re glad we were able to be there for her.”

The child, Jacey, is two years old. Mike Kleis says he’s thrilled to have her as a part of the family. “It changed our plans but we’re extremely happy,” he says. “She brings a lot of joy to us and we really like having her around.” Kleis has a recommendation to those Iowans thinking about adoption. “There’s a lot of children out there who need help and if you’re able to provide, I think it’s one of our duties to make sure these kids grow up with every opportunity and chance that they deserve,” he says.

Adoption Saturday ceremonies were held in Burlington, Council Bluffs, Davenport, Des Moines, Sioux City and Webster City. The largest ceremony was in Des Moines with 70 children being adopted. Learn more about adoption at www.iowakidsnet.com.

(Radio Iowa)

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports two recent arrests. On Friday, 26-year old Tyler Jason Chambers, of Glenwood, was arrested at the Mills County Jail, on a warrant for Probation Violation. His bond was set at $11,000. And, last Wednesday, 44-year old Laurie Elizabeth Holmes, of Glenwood, was arrested at the Mills County Sheriff’s Office on a warrant for Domestic Abuse Assault. Holmes was being held without bond in the Mills County Jail.

The Sheriff’s Department also investigated four incidents of theft and/or burglary over the past week.

Creston Police say two arrests and four incidents were reported over the weekend. Taken into custody on Saturday (11/19), was 26-year old Joey Baxter, and 32-year old Paul Daniels,  both of Creston. Baxter was arrested at the Union County Law Enforcement Center on a Union County warrant for Solicitation to Commit a Felony, and Dominion/Control of a Firearm by a Domestic Abuse Offender. He was being held in the Union County Jail on a $5,000 bond. Daniels was arrested at his residence for Domestic Abuse/Serious Assault, and Public Intoxication/2nd offense. His bond was set at $1,000.

Last Friday, Creston Police received a report from a woman living in the 1000 block of S. Sumner Street. The woman told authorities someone siphoned gas from her vehicle while it was parked in front of her home. The loss was estimated at $18. A resident of the 500 of W. Mills Street reported to Police someone broke into her vehicle sometime between 8-p.m. Thursday and 7-a.m. Friday. Taken from the vehicle was a wallet and bank cards. The loss was estimated at $360.

A Creston man reported to Police Friday, that sometime overnight Thursday into early Friday morning, someone entered his vehicle parked in the 1000 block of W. Adams Street, and stolen two pairs of Carhart long underwear, an Under Armor infrared camouflage suit, another camo suit, and camo bibs, along with $300 cash. The total loss was estimated at $900. And, a Creston woman told Police Friday, that sometime overnight, someone entered her vehicle and took her wallet, with $360 cash inside. The incidents remain under investigation.

One person was transported to the Cass County Memorial Hospital following a house fire early this (Monday) morning, in Atlantic. Cass County Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Kennon told KJAN News a woman living in the home at 204 E. 6th Street (Tammie Sempek) was transported to CCMH by private vehicle, to be checked out and treated for smoke inhalation. The fire was reported at around 1:20-a.m.

Atlantic Fire Chief Mark McNees acknowledged the residents’ statement that a space heater was the apparent cause of the blaze.

The structure was a total loss.

The flames were under control about 75 minutes after crews first responded to the scene. Crews were on the scene until just before 5-a.m. conducting mop-up operations. McNees said the incident should serve as a reminder to residents of the area to take precautions when using space heaters.

(He said respect the devices, have them plugged into a dedicated circuit and not extension cords. Make sure the heater is not near your bed, clothing or other combustible materials, and try to avoid leaving it running overnight.)

The incident is reminiscent of numerous fires that occurred in a short time frame a few years ago.

(He said efforts to educate the public since then were helpful, but McNeed reminds you the devices are still dangerous, even if they are brand new.)

Rolling Hills Bank and Trust in Atlantic is accepting donations for Tammie Sempeck, to help her recover from the loss of her home. For more information, call them at 243-2244, or stop by 1307 E. 7th Street.