Afton Police Chief John Coulter reports officers with the Afton Police Department arrested 32-year old Michael Leonard Cooley Jr.,  of Afton.  Cooley, Jr. was taken into custody Nov. 25th, on a Ringgold Co. Warrant for Failure to Appear on an original charge of Theft in the 5th degree  He was transported to the Ringgold County Jail and held on $300 bond.

The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports 30-year old Tyler Adam Oberholtz, of Adair, was arrested Nov. 23rd on charges of Harassment in the 2nd Degree, Criminal mischief in the 3rd degree, and criminal mischief in the 4th & 5th degrees. His arrest stemmed from a 9-1-1 call whereby the caller said the man was going “crazy,” by smashing-up his father’s home.

Oberholtz’ father told authorities his son believed the government was transmitting radio- and -microwave messages through the gold bridge of his father’s dental work, and had allegedly threatened to use a baseball bat to remove the dental work from his father’s mouth. The other charges stem from damage perpetrated on water meters in Fontanelle and Greenfield, and striking  a tail light of a vehicle in Greenfield with a baseball bat. Tyler Oberholtz was being held in the Adair County Jail on $2,000 bond.

In other news, the Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports 29-year old Tanner Johnson Heck, of Lakewood, CO., was arrested last Friday morning at the Budget Inn, in Adair, after he allegedly punched a hole in a wall at the motel. The damage was estimated at less than $200. Heck was charged with Criminal Mischief in the 5th degree, plead guilty, and was released Saturday, after serving required time in jail.

A woman from Des Moines was arrested just after midnight, Saturday, on assault and disorderly conduct charges. Authorities say 44-year old Elizabeth Cheryl Onthank allegedly committed assault in the Stuart McDonald’s parking lot, by grabbing the hair of her victim and throwing that person to the ground, leaving a visible mark on their leg. She also is alleged to have made a loud and raucous noise while in the vicinity of a public building. Onthank was later released from the Adair County Jail on $1,000 bond.

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office reports three recent arrests. Officials say on Nov. 27th, 36-year old Nathan Ray Johnson, of Audubon, and 28-year old Nikki Lorene Elizabeth Johnson, of Hamlin, were arrested at around 6:30-p.m. for Violation of a No Contact Order. The charges stem from an investigation into an incident in Hamlin. The pair were released from custody after appearing before a magistrate.

And, Friday night, 19-year old Stephen Caden Muhlbauer, of Manning, was arrested following a traffic stop near Bluebird Avenue and 120th Street, in Audubon County. Muhlbauer was charged with OWI/1st offense, Open container, No insurance, and for speeding. He was later released from the Audubon County Jail after appearing before a magistrate.

The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports three, drug-related arrests. On Nov. 22nd, 43-year old Brett Christopher Havery, of Omaha, was arrested by an Iowa State Patrol Trooper on westbound Interstate 80, one-mile west of Adair. Havery was pulled over for speeding 104-miles per hour in a 70- mph zone. He was subsequently charged with OWI/1st offense, Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (pot pipe). He was released later that day on a recognizance bond.

On Nov. 23rd, a State Patrol Trooper arrested 25-year old Francisco Valencia, Jr., of San Jose, CA. The man was pulled over for speeding on I-80 one mile west of Casey, and arrested, after a consent search of his vehicle resulted in the recovery of 10-pounds of marijuana concealed in the trunk, wrapped in paper. He was charged with a controlled substance violation, a drug tax stamp violation, and having a controlled substance in a vehicle. A passenger in the car, 31-year old Jevnal Arellano, Jr., of Milpitas, CA, was assessed the same charges. Both men were later released from the Adair County Jail on $7,000 bond, each.

Cass County Engineer Charles Marker today (Monday), updated the County Board of Supervisors on the status of various bridge projects. Marker had good news to report with regard to the bridge leading to the Griswold Golf Course: He said bridge # 83 is now open to traffic. Temporary seeding around the bridge is taking place, with more permanent seeding set to take place next Spring.

Marker said also, that work on bridge number 247, south of Anita, is progressing. He said the all-steel bridge has vertical pilings instead of wood. The beams, which were purchased from IDA County, were sand blasted locally in preparation for installation. Diaphragms are placed between the beams to prevent the beams from twisting under the weight of vehicles and provide more strength to the structure. A six-inch thick, corrugated metal decking was being tack-welded to the beams. Gravel and dirt will be placed over the decking when weather allows.

In other business, the Cass County Board of Supervisors tabled action on signing a 28-E Unified Law Enforcement Agreement that adds the City of Marne to other member cities that include Cumberland, Lewis, Massena and Wiota, while the Cass County Attorney reviews a requested addition to the agreement pertaining to “Investment.” Cass County Auditor Dale Sunderman said the City of Lewis’ auditor requested the addition.

And, the Board discussed, but took no action on an Ordinance authorizing the operation of all-terrain vehicles and off-road utility vehicles on county roads and trails. The ordinance is modeled after one in-place in Carroll County. Several questions still remain though, before an ordinance is even drafted in Cass County.