Mills County Attorney Tricia McSorley said Tuesday charges have been dismissed against three men involved in a physical altercation that led to a shooting last Sept. in Glenwood. KETV in Omaha reports through an ongoing investigation by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, local law enforcement, and the Mills County Attorney’s Office, it was determined that there is reasonable doubt as to who was the primary physical aggressor in the incident.

21-year old Colton McDaniel, of Pacific Junction, 19-year old Denver Cook, of Glenwood, and42-year old Hurl Beechum III, of Queen Creek, Arizona were charged with assault, intimidation with a dangerous weapon and going armed with intent in connection with the incident that took place Sept. 27th, in front of the home of Glenwood High School Principal Richard Hutchinson. A group had gathered outside Hutchinson’s house when a witness said someone used a racial slur and Hutchinson, who is black, confronted them about it. A fight ensued and McDaniel was wounded. Hutchinson was knocked to the ground unconscious during the incident and transported to the hospital, but he returned to his job later that week.

Attorneys said Beechum appears to have be justified in his actions, and that continued efforts by the State to prosecute was not prudent.

Two people were fatally injured during a collision west of Atlantic Tuesday morning. The crash happened at around 10:45-a.m. on Marne Road (Highway 83), just east of the intersection with 590th Street/Highway 173.

No other details are currently available. The accident was one of several reported late this (Tuesday) morning, due to the snow and limited visibility.

CARTER LAKE, Iowa (AP) – The Carter Lake City Council has ended the contracts of the city attorney and city clerk after a dispute about whether a newly elected council member can also work for the city’s library. The Daily Nonpareil reports that the council voted to not renew the contracts of City Clerk Doreen Mowery and City Attorney Joe Thornton Monday. Mowery said that she had advised Mary Schomer and Carter Lake Mayor Gerald Waltrip that it wouldn’t be legal for Schomer to serve on the City Council and work for the city.

Mowery said that she looked into the matter after Schomer was elected and forwarded the information to Thornton, who issued a legal opinion affirming the illegality of holding both positions. Schomer said at the meeting that she did not break any laws.

The CAM and Griswold School District Boards of Education held separate meetings Monday evening in Anita and Griswold, respectively. CAM Superintendent Casey Berlau said prior to the regular Board meeting, there was a Special, Community meeting to discuss the upcoming Physical Plant and Equipment Levy vote, but there weren’t many people in attendance.

He expects more will likely attend the meeting Wednesday evening, in Massena. The meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m. in the CAM Middle School Commons, in Massena. Berlau said the questions they’ve received so far haven’t been unexpected.

He said there are concerns about taxes going up, and how the money will be used.
The district currently has the voter approved PPEL in the amount of .67 cent per $1000 of property valuation which and the district is asking for an increase to $1.34 per $1000 of property valuation. The district plans to use the funds to improve and maintain its current facilities, purchase school buses and purchase technology for students and staff.

He said also the CAM School Board continued discussion begun last month with regard the Early Retirement/resignation policy. Berlau says they approved Monday a $1,000 incentive for those who submit their retirement notices early. That’s the same as has been offered in the past. Berlau also mentioned the CAM School District was one of 17 area districts invited to a meeting and presentation at the Griswold Community Center to discuss conference realignment. Schools in the Corner Conference have talked about trying to expand their conference or create a new conference for the past couple of years. Wednesday’s meeting will be held at the Griswold Community Center, beginning at 10-a.m.

At the Griswold School Board meeting, Superintendent Dana Kunze said their Board discussed a licensed employee early retirement policy, which is a monetary offering over several years. Details regarding the policy are set to be released later today (Tuesday). Kunze said they also discussed long-term financial planning, based on Gary Sinclair’s work with the Iowa Association of School Board. He said also, work is expected to begin in a few weeks on the installation of security cameras and door entry systems.

Dana said also, the Board appointed Don Smith, of Griswold, as a New Board Director to replace Tom Moore, who won a special election in December for an Iowa Legislative seat. Kunze said they were pleased to have three very qualified candidates who applied for the School Board seat.

(Updated 9:51-a.m.) — An accident northwest of Atlantic just past mile marker 54 eastbound on Interstate 80, has resulted in four injuries that initially appeared to be minor. Dispatch reports said two vehicles collided and that injuries were minor, but subsequent reports indicated one of the crash victims had more serious injuries. That person was in a van, that was reported to be upside down.

Numerous emergency personnel from Atlantic, Marne, Elk Horn and Walnut, as well as and law enforcement responded to the scene. The accident was reported at around 9:30-a.m. Both eastbound lanes were blocked for a time. The last of the injured persons was loaded into an ambulance at around 10:20-a.m.

No other details are currently available.

Sheriff’s officials in Union County say a rural Prescott resident reported last week that someone had vandalized his pickup while it was parked at 2152 250th Street, in Shannon City. The incident occurred at around 3-a.m. Jan. 15th. Damage to the vehicle was estimated at $1,400.

With the chance of a two inch snowfall to occur in Clarinda later today (Tuesday), the Clarinda Police Department wants to remind the citizens of Clarinda about the emergency snow ordinance.

The ordinance states that: no person shall park any motor vehicle or other apparatus upon any street of the city that will obstruct the removal of snow when there has been an accumulation of two (2) inches or more. Any vehicle left parked on any street in violation of this ordinance may be impounded, and the registered owner of the vehicle will be subject to a $15.00 parking fine, and payment of all applicable towing and storage fees in order for the vehicle to be released.

The emergency snow ordinance remains in effect until the snow ceases to fall and the streets have been plowed from curb to curb.