A juvenile is being blamed for a fire that destroyed the Stuart Sale Barn Sunday night. Stuart Police late Monday afternoon said their investigation determined that a juvenile entered the structure at some time prior to the fire. The juvenile used a cigarette lighter to ignite a bale of hay. The juvenile then attempted to extinguish the fire but was un-successful. The fire was never reported to authorities by the juvenile. Evidence located at the scene and statements from witnesses and the suspect have been corroborated. The juvenile has been identified and is cooperating with officers.
Due to the suspect’s age, the case will be referred to juvenile court for any criminal charges and the name and information related to the juvenile will not be released to the public.

The incident began to unfold at around 6:41-p.m. Sunday, when two Stuart Police Officers received a report of smoke coming from the Stuart Sale Barn at 523 E. Front St. Officers requested that the Stuart Fire Department be dispatched while they were in route to investigate the smoke. Upon arrival Officers discovered a fully involved structure fire, with flames and smoke visible to approximately ¾ of the building.

Officers checked the windows and doors to determine if the structure was occupied and then began traffic control on Highway 6, which is directly in front of the building.
The Stuart Fire Department arrived approximately 4 minutes later and began fire suppression operations. Fire Departments from several surrounding communities were called in to assist. Unfortunately due to the size of the fire, the responding departments were unable to stop the spread of the fire to the remaining parts of the structure. The fire department remained on scene until approximately 10:10-p.m

Due to the suspicious nature of the fire, the Stuart Police Department and Stuart Fire Department requested that the Iowa State Fire Marshall’s Office be notified.
At approximately 8-a.m. Monday, Iowa State Fire Marshall Investigators arrived and began an investigation of the scene. The Stuart Police Department then took lead of the investigation.

Stuart Fire Chief Mark Renslow told KJAN News about a dozen or so goats died in the blaze. The owner of the building has said he will rebuild, and that until that happens, a tent will be erected in the parking lot for upcoming sales.

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest Monday of 24-year-old Shanda Kile of Corning after a traffic stop.  Kile was initially stopped for Driving Under Suspension but a search of the vehicle resulted in other charges.  Kile was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Child Endangerment.  No other details were given at this time.

(Updated) A 15-year old female on a bicycle was suffering from knee pain after the bike she was riding collided with a Chrysler Town and County van Monday afternoon, at 10th and Plum Streets. The accident was reported at around 3:25-p.m.

According to Police, the van, driven by Patrick Odell, was traveling east on 10th Street, when the teen entered the street from the sidewalk, heading north. Witnesses state the girl didn’t stop or look for cross traffic before entering the road.

Atlantic Fire and Rescue and Medivac Ambulance responded to the scene. The girl was transported to the Cass County Memorial Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

The Atlantic Police Department released details Monday on a number of recent arrests and one accident. On Sunday Atlantic Police arrested 33-year-old Juan Anaya Mendez for Domestic Abuse Assault Display or Use of Weapon, Domestic Abuse Assault Impeding Airflow, and False Imprisonment.  Also arrested on Sunday was 24-year-old Michael McConnell, of Atlantic for Interference with Official Acts.  And, 53-year-old Jon Misner, of Atlantic, was arrested on a Cass County Warrant for Violation of Probation. All three men were booked into the Cass County Jail.

17-year-old Austin M. Boggs, of rural Atlantic, was arrested Saturday afternoon, following a pursuit in Atlantic.  The A-PD says Lt. Dave Erickson noticed Boggs riding on West 14th Street and knew him to be under suspension from driving.  As Lt. Erickson turned to follow him, Boggs accelerated to a high rate of speed on his motorcycle to try to elude the officer.  A pursuit then stretched from 14th Street North to 10th and the west to Highway 6. Boggs made an attempt to ditch his bike behind the Family Table Restaurant but he was caught and taken into custody after jumping off the bike.  Boggs was charged with Attempting to Elude a Peace Officer, Driving Under Suspension, and numerous stop sign and speeding violations during the pursuit.  After being booked into the Cass County Jail, Boggs was transferred to the Juvenile Detention Facility near Council Bluffs.

20-year-old Angel Knowles, of Atlantic, was arrested Saturday on Cass County Warrant for Drug Possession/Delivery of Marijuana and Drug Possession/Delivery.  Knowles was booked into the Cass County Jail.

Atlantic Police said also, no injuries were reported following an accident at around 3-p.m. Thursday, at 10th and Cherry Streets. Officials say a vehicle driven by Deanne Cooley, of Anita, was eastbound on 10th Street when a vehicle driven by Grace VanAernam, of Wiota, began backing out from a private drive onto 10th Street.  VanAernam’s vehicle backed into the side of Cooley’s vehicle.  Damage from the mishap amounted to $6,000.

The Cities of Neola and McClelland were the recent recipients of Walnut Communications Growing Communities Grants. The Neola Volunteer Fire Department (NVFD) was awarded a $900 grant. They’ll use the money to purchase 20 pairs of the Innotex 795 firefighting and rescue gloves, at a cost of $95.00 per set.

The NVFD currently consists of 19 active members who aid in services to the city of Neola as well as portions of Pottawattamie and Harrison Counties. NVFD covers approximately 83 square miles in Pottawattamie and Harrison County and 38 miles of I-80 and I-680 interstates. In 2015, the NVFD made 121 fire and rescue/ambulance calls.

The City of McClelland received a Walnut Communications Growing Communities grant in the amount of $750. The grant moneys are to be used for a main street beautification project. More specifically, to hang welcome banners and plant flowers this spring, and also for fall and Christmas décor later this year.

Walnut Communications G.M./President Bruce Heyne presents a check to Sue Stenlund a City Council Member in McClelland.

Walnut Communications says it is proud to support local non-profit groups with their Growing Communities grant program. Grants of up to $10,000 per calendar year are awarded across the eight communities the company serves: Walnut, Avoca, Shelby, Minden, Neola, Persia, Underwood and McClelland. The application can be found on their website at www.walnutcommunications.com.

General Manager and President of Walnut Communications, Bruce Heyne presents a check to Fire Chief Paul Ward and Greg Heine on behalf of the Neola Fire Department.

Sheriff’s officials in Fremont County report two men have been arrested on Burglary and Theft charges, following an investigation into a burglary that occurred at a residence in Hamburg, where several items of furniture were reported stolen.
Sunday evening, deputies conducted a search warrant at a residence in Sidney, and arrested 22-year old Michael Welch, of Sidney. Stolen property was recovered at the residence.

This (Monday) morning, deputies conducted a search warrant at a residence near Hamburg and arrested 21-year old Douglas Clark, of Hamburg. Stolen property was also recovered at that residence.

Clark

Welch

Both Clark and Welch were arrested on felony charges of Burglary 3rd Degree, and Theft in the 2nd Degree. They were being held at the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office on $10,000 bond, each.

Reports are filtering in about damage from Sunday night’s storm that quickly blew through western Iowa. In Anita, a sign outside the Anita Grand Hotel was destroyed by high winds.Bruce and Calla Poldberg told the Danish Villages News on the DVN’s Facebook page, that their home in Kimballton was struck by lightening at around 6:10-p.m., Sunday, causing a small electrical fire in the upstairs bathroom. The Kimballton Fire Department quickly responded and handled the situations.

One-inch diameter hail was reported Sunday afternoon near Whiting, in Monona County, and winds gusting up to 62 miles per hour blew through Shenandoah at around 8:50-p.m., Sunday.

Shelby County Emergency Manager Bob Seivert reports Highway 173 on the south side of Elk Horn is now open, following a gas line leak that prompted a short-radius evacuation late Monday morning. Utility crews will still be working in the area for a few more hours, however.

According to the Danish Villages Voice, the Department of Transportation was apparently drilling a hole for a new road sign south of the Village Station. City maintainer Jerry Evans stated that the crew had called ahead, and the line was located before digging started, but the line was still compromised at around 11:15-a.m., near 4013 Main Street ( Highway 173) in Elk Horn.

The Elk Horn Fire Department was dispatched and on Scene at 11:18 and established Incident Command. Mid American Gas Company was also notified. At the time, it was determined that due to the size of the leak, an evacuation of an area of approximately 1,000 feet would be needed. Residents were notified and directed to a shelter at the Elk Horn Town Hall. Shelby County Sheriff, Emergency Management, Public Health, and Elk Horn City officials, coordinated the response.

The evacuation order was lifted between 1:15 and 1:30-p.m.