Police in Greenfield arrested a man April 18th on two simple assault charges, and a charge of Obstructing an Emergency Call. 34-year old Timothy John Davis, of Greenfield, was arrested after he allegedly forced his way into a man’s apartment and shoved him against a counter, before warning the man to stay away from his (Davis’) daughter. Davis also allegedly grabbed a female by the arm and took her cell phone while she was making a 9-1-1 call. He then tossed the phone across the street.  He was brought to the Adair County Jail and appeared in court before being released the next day on his Own Recognizance.

A Menlo man was arrested last Wednesday, after he lost control of his vehicle, and drove it into a creek, where it became submerged. Sheriff Jeff Vandewater says 32-year old Patrick Lawrence Nolte, of Menlo, then told authorities his car had been stolen. He was charged with making a False report to a public entity, Driving While Barred, and Domestic Abuse Assault/3rd offense. The latter charge was the result of a report Nolte was beating a woman alongside a road in front of a witness’ home. The woman told authorities Nolte had tackled her and put her in a head lock, causing redness and swelling on the right side of her face. Nolte was being held in the Adair County Jail on $5,000 bond.

And, a traffic stop April 22nd in Bridgewater, led to the arrest of 34-year old Tyler Wayne Mensing, of Greenfield, on a charge of OWI/1st offense. Mensing was released from custody the next day, after posting a $1,000 bond.

The Page County Sheriff’s Office today (Monday), arrested a man whose bond on previous charges was revoked by a District Court Judge.

Marcus Washington

30-year old Marcus Edgar Washington, of Clarinda, was brought to the Page County Jail where his bond set at $2,000.

Sheriff’s deputies in Audubon County arrested a Cass County woman on drug charges, Friday night. 41-year old Stephanie Joan Clark, of Atlantic, was taken into custody at around 9-p.m. following a traffic stop, in Exira. Clark faces a Possession of Marijuana charge, and two counts of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

She was brought to the Audubon County Jail and later released on a Signature bond. Clark is scheduled to appear in court this Thursday morning.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – Spring thunderstorms that dropped more than 2 inches of rain in some parts of northwest Iowa also damaged some homes and knocked down utility poles and trees. Sioux City television station KTIV reports poles were knocked down near Hornick Sunday afternoon and trees were downed in Linn Grove and Aurelia. Quarter-size hail dented several structures in Cherokee and Woodbury counties.

No injuries have been reported. More than 2 inches of rain was recorded in Orange City but less than a quarter inch in Sioux City.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports four arrests. On Sunday, 33-year old Jeffrey Dale Hankins, of Tabor, was arrested for OWI/2nd offense, Speeding, and Failure to Yield to an Emergency Vehicle. His bond was set at $2,000. And, 37-year old Lucas Eric Chambers, of Council Bluffs, was arrested for Driving Under Suspension. Bond was set at $435.

And, last Thursday, 32-year old Melissa Anne Holt, of Omaha, was arrested on a warrant for Violation of a No Contact Order. Her bond was set at $300. Also, 54-year old Mark Sheaffer Uebele, of Mineola, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault. He was being held without bond, in the Mills County Jail.

The Page County Sheriff’s Office says a man wanted on a warrant for Probation Violation, turned himself-in to the Sheriff’s Office, Saturday evening. 19-year old Kia Jacob Ballinger Knoke, of Corning, subsequently posted a $2000 cash bond, and was released from custody, pending further court proceedings.

Kia Knoke

Fire investigators were back on the scene this (Monday) morning, of a blaze that destroyed the Stuart Sale Barn, Sunday evening. Stuart Fire Chief Mike Renslow told KJAN News the call about the fire came in at 6:42-p.m., and in the less than four minutes it took for crews to arrive on the scene, the wood-framed, steel building was fully engulfed in flames.

Stuart Sale Barn (file photo from their Facebook page)

Renslow said around a dozen goats perished in the fire. At least seven fire departments responded with mutual aid to fight the fire, including Menlo, Casey, Adair, Dexter, Redfield and Earlham. Law enforcement officers from Stuart, Guthrie County and the Iowa State Patrol helped to divert traffic from the scene. Firefighters were there for about five and one-half hours fighting the flames, with crews from Stuart remaining on the scene until the wee hours of the morning today (Monday), to control any hot spots.

The fire is believed to have started in the back of the barn, in a pen that held the livestock. Brisk winds helped push the fire toward the building. The Stuart Sale Barn (at 523 Front Street) was used for auctions, and often to sell livestock and farming equipment. The facility has been a gathering place for sales for the community and surrounding area since the 1950’s. It’s unclear if the owners plan to rebuild.

A separate fire Sunday evening in Walnut was suspected to have been caused by a lightning strike. The owners told officials they heard a pop at around 6:15-p.m., and soon after smelled smoke. An investigation found wiring had burned through in an attic at 907 North Street,  resulting in some minor flame and smoke damage to the home. No injuries were reported.