(in an update to our earlier reports) — The Atlantic Police Department has released additional information about a vehicle-versus-bicycle accident that took place at around 3:25-p.m., Monday. Officials say a Chrysler Town and Country van driven by Patrick Odell, of Griswold, was traveling east on 10th Street and approaching the intersection with Plum. A 15-year old female on a bicycle, Jordan Thomas, of Atlantic, was traveling north on the sidewalk parallel to Plum Street, and tried to stop, but her brakes locked up and she proceeded into 10th Street, where her bike was hit by the van.

Thomas was transported to CCMH by Medivac Ambulance, for treatment of minor injuries. Damage to Odell’s van was estimated at $800. No citations were issued.

The President of the United States and the United States Congress has declared the week of May 15-21, 2016 as National Police Officers’ Memorial Week. Clarinda Police Chief Keith Brothers says on Friday, May 13^th, at 2:00 p.m. the Clarinda Police Department will conduct a memorial service at the Clarinda Cemetery Armed Services Flag Stand/ Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to pay tribute to law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty.

Peace Officer Memorial Day, May 15th.

Clarinda Police Department Chaplain Dr. Richard F. Iske will provide the invocation. American Legion Sergy Post 98 will provide a three volley salute and taps at the service. Chief Brothers and his staff invites the public to attend the memorial service and pay tribute to those law enforcement officers who have given their lives in the line of duty. In the event of inclement weather the memorial service will be cancelled.

One hundred and twenty-eight federal, state and local law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty in the United States and its territories in 2015 according to the United States Department of Justice.

A Pottawattamie County man was arrested on drug charges last week, in Harlan. In the Harlan Police Department’s weekly report issued today (Tuesday), authorities said 38-year old Clinton Gardner, of Oakland, was arrested April 20th, when officers were called to a disturbance in the 2100 block of Lincoln Avenue.  Gardner was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

On April 22nd, 41-year old Jeremano Mock, of Des Moines, was arrested in Harlan, when officers responded to a possible intoxicated subject in the area of HyVee.  Mock was located and taken into custody on charges that include public consumption and intoxication in public.  At the time of his arrest Mock had several items on him, each containing different names on them.  Officers then received several phone calls reporting break-ins to vehicles and several items of value missing. As a result of the ensuing investigation, Mock was also charged with possession of stolen property and six counts of burglary in the 3rd degree.

On Sunday, Harlan Police arrested 32-year old Oscar Garcia-Vega, of Denison, for driving while suspended and violating a one-way traffic designation. Monday, officers with the H-PD arrested 48-year old Brian Sorensen, of Harlan. He was cited for driving while suspended, given a court date and released from custody.

And, on April 18th, 42-year old Joe Betances, of Harlan, was arrested following a traffic stop.  Betances was cited for driving while suspended and failure to prove security against liability, given a court date and released from custody.

Warmer temperatures are leading to more things for motorists to watch out for as they travel the state’s roadways. Iowa State Patrol Trooper Vince Kurtz says many farmers are on the road taking their planting equipment from field to field. He says motorists need to be aware of the big difference in speed from their car to the slower moving tractors pulling farm equipment.

“The closing distance and the closing speed is very hard to judge. That gap closes very quickly,” Kurtz explains. “And if you add to that any type of distraction — whether that’s a cellphone call, or you are reaching down to pick up something that is dropped on the floor — that distance can close very quickly.” Kurtz says there are accidents every year between cars and farm equipment simply caused by distracted drivers who are not prepared to see slower moving farm equipment.

“Or on the other side of that, that implement may not be marked properly. That’s a great reminder for our farmers as well that every piece of equipment needs that is out on the roadway to be marked properly, ” Kurtz says. He says the farm equipment needs a slow-moving vehicle triangle on it, they need lights if they are out at night, and red light at the back that is visible to the traffic coming up behind. Warmer temperatures also lead to motorcycles and bicycles out on the roads. He says it’s important for drivers to be looking for motorcycles.

Kurtz says motorcycles are a low profile vehicle that can easily be missed, and drivers should watch especially close to avoid any accidents. Although Iowa does not have a helmet law, Kurtz reminds motorcycle riders to always wear a helmet and to wear bright colored clothing to make themselves as visible as possible. He officers the same advice for bicyclists.

“You need to be visible, you need to make sure you are following the rules of the road when you are riding your bicycle. Make sure that you have that red light and a headlight after dark,” Kurtz says. Kurtz says the same rules apply for drivers in not being distracted to avoid any accidents with motorcycles or bicycles.

(Radio Iowa)

A western Iowa woman died during a two-vehicle crash Monday afternoon, in Carroll County. The Iowa State Patrol says 56-year old Carol Jane Roetker, of Carroll, who was wearing her seat belt, died at the scene of the head-on crash that took place just before 2-p.m., on the northwest side of Carroll.

Roetker was a passenger in a 2009 Honda Civic driven by 39-year old Debra Kay Clausen, of Carroll. The Civic was northbound on Highway 71 just south of 180th Street, when it was struck in the northbound lane by a southbound 2010 Chevy Malibu, driven by 23-year old Kera Ann Shriver, of Jefferson. Both drivers were wearing their seat belts.

Authorities say Shriver and Clausen were transported by Carroll EMS to St. Anthony’s Hospital in Carroll for treatment of undisclosed injuries.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports two, drug-related arrests. On Monday, 21-year old Aaron Robert Gerald Cole, of Atlantic, turned himself-in to the Cass County Sheriff’s Office on a Sheriff’s Office felony warrant for Use of a Minor in Drug Trade, and a felony Delivery of a Controlled Substance charge. Cole was booked into the Cass County Jail and released later that day on his own recognizance.

On Sunday, deputies in Cass County arrested 28-year old Casey Charles Sampson, Jr., of Atlantic, on charges of Possession of Methamphetamine 1st Offense, Driving while Revoked, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Sampson was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held on $2,300 bond.

30-year old Joseph Duane Tye, of Griswold, was arrested Monday in Cass County, on a charge of OWI 2nd Offense. Tye was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released the following day on his own recognizance.

On April 23rd, 48-year old Kenneth Lee Klindt, of Griswold, was arrested by Cass County deputies on a charge of Domestic Abuse Assault, a serious misdemeanor. Klindt was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released the following day on his own recognizance.

And, on April 21st, Cass County Sheriff’s deputies arrested 32-year old Christopher Leon Bomer, of Atlantic, on a charge of Driving While Barred. Bomer was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released later that day on $2,000 bond.