The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports an Anita man was arrested Friday. 29-year old Samuel Lavern Huffman was taken into custody on charges of OWI 1st Offense, Possession of Marijuana 2nd Offense, Driving While Revoked, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Huffman was also arrested on a District Court warrant for Probation Violation. Huffman was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held on $6000 bond.

Also arrested Friday, was 36-year old Joshua James Mullen, of Atlantic, on a District Court charge of Probation Violation. Mullen was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held on $50,000 bond.

In other news, the Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded late Saturday morning to a report of an accident at Casey’s in Anita. Authorities say 14-year old Jacob Allen Worthington, of Anita, was attempting to park a 1991 Ford Escort in front of the Casey’s General Store in Anita, when the teen pushed the gas pedal instead of the brake. The car hit the building, causing $10,000 damage to the structure, and an estimated $2,000 damage to the vehicle. No injuries were reported.

In about three weeks, voters from across Iowa will be gathering for the First in the Nation Caucus. The Cass County Democratic Party Caucuses will be held on Monday, February 1st, for each of the county’s thirteen precincts. Democratic Party Chair Sherry Toelle shared the eligibility requirements for participating in the Democratic caucus.

Toelle says “The voter must be a registered Democrat. We will have voter registration forms available at each of the caucus sites so that people who have yet to register to vote or need to change their voter status can do so the night of the caucus. Reasons that they might have for changing their voter status include having legally changed their name, a change of address, or if they wish to change their party affiliation. Youth who will be 18 years old as of election day, November 8, 2016, may also participate in the caucus.”

Caucus sites will open at 6 PM and voters must have signed in by 7 PM or be in line by 7 PM in order to caucus. The doors to caucus sites will close at 7 PM. According to Toelle, “The purpose of the caucus is three-fold: 1. To elect Delegates and Alternates for viable Presidential candidates to the County Convention as well as committee members to that convention; 2. To discuss and adopt proposed resolutions to be included in the County Platform; 3. To elect Precinct Committee members to the Cass County Democratic Central Committee.”

People can also attend as observers but they would not be able to participate in the caucus activities. For more information on the caucus process, contact Toelle at 243-4861.

Audubon Police Chief Matt Starmer, today (Monday) released a report on recent arrests. Starmer says on January 2nd, 30 year old Jessica Renee Grogan and 38 year old Christopher John Grogan, both of Audubon, were arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault and Child Endangerment. The couple was transported to the Audubon County Jail. Jessica Grogan was released on bond Jan. 3rd and issued a No contact order. Christopher Grogran posted a $2,000 bond Jan. 4th. He was also issued a No Contact Order. The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the arrests.

On Dec. 25th, Audubon Police arrested 24 year old Cody Allen Pleis, of Audubon. Pleis was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault and Child Endangerment, and transported to the Audubon County Jail. He was later released on a Recognizance bond and ordered to have No Contact with his alleged victim. The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the arrest.

And, on Dec. 26th, Audubon Police arrested 33 year old Kwon Lapreed Gullie, of Omaha, Nebraska. Gullie was arrested for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Resisting Arrest. Gullie plead guilty to the charges Dec. 28th and was assessed a fine.

Officials with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation said today (Monday), a teenager is charged in connection with the death of his father in Davis County. 16-year old Michael Thomas Goodwin Jr., was charged with 1st Degree Murder, a Class “A” felony, in the death of his father, 39-year old Michael Thomas Goodwin Sr., of Bloomfield.

On December 13, 2015, a call came in to the Davis County Sheriff’s office requesting a welfare check on an individual.  The Davis County Sheriff’s office responded to a residence located at 12795 Highway 63 in rural Davis County.  Upon entering the residence, Davis County Deputies located the body of Michael Thomas Goodwin Sr.

This is an ongoing investigation being worked jointly by multiple law enforcement agencies. No additional information is being released at this time.

(Updates w/ISP report clarifying Neal as the driver)

Authorities in Mills County are searching for a Council Bluffs man involved in a pursuit and crash this (Monday) morning, in Glenwood. According to Glenwood Police, 28-year old Rodney Kephart Jr., of Council Bluffs, fled from the scene of a crash at Highway 34 and Hilman Road.

Kephart was in a 2007 Ford Focus driven by 25-year old Jennifer L. Neal, of Council Bluffs, that was being pulled over by Glenwood Police at around 6:15-a.m. The car was traveling east on Highway 34 when Neal failed to yield to a stop sign. The vehicle was struck by a 2013 Volvo semi driven by 50-year old Paul D. Grass, of Carter Lake.

Following the collision, the car entered the southeast ditch. Kephart took off on foot. Neal, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was injured and transported by Glenwod Rescue to Creighton Medical Center, in Omaha.

Kephart Jr. has an active warrant out of Council Bluffs for carrying a concealed weapon, possession of burglary tools, and assault on persons in certain occupations. His bond was set at $5,000. Officers from several agencies assisted in looking for  Kephart, including K-9 units from Fremont County and Council Bluffs, Able one from Omaha Police Department, Iowa State Patrol and Mills County Sheriff s Office along with officers from the Glenwood Police Department.

Anyone with information on Kephart Jr.’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact their local law enforcement and or the Glenwood Police Department at 712-527- 4844.

(12:40-News)

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports a Montgomery County man was arrested
Sunday, on a drug charge. 49-year old Shawn Allen Graham, of Villisca, was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance and Open Container. His bond was set at $600. Another Villisca resident, 45-year old Keith Allan Currin, was taken into custody Sunday, and charged with Open Container. Bond was set at $300.

Sheriff’s officials said 53-year old Brian Jeffrey Combs, of Council Bluffs, was arrested Sunday, for Driving Under Suspension. His bond was set at $300. Three arrests occurred Saturday, in Mills County. Authorities say 51-year old Deanna Lee Andrews, of Glenwood, was arrested for being a Fugitive From Justice. Her bond was set at $5,000. 36-year old Nicholas Thomas Rohrberg, of Council Bluffs, was arrested in Mills County on a warrant for Probation Violation. Bond was set at $5,000. And, 42-year old Jeffrey Scott Leytham, of Council Bluffs, was arrested Saturday for Driving Under Suspension. Bond was set at $300.

(12-p.m. News)