On this 11th day of August, Alliant Energy reminds customers and residents of Iowa to call 811, before any digging on project. It’s important for everyone, from homeowners to professional contractors, to call before you dig all year. Officials hope this date, 8/11, will be a good reminder.

Richard Sublett, Senior Manager of Compliance & Operational Performance for Alliant Energy says “Nationally, failure to call before digging results in more than 60,000 unintentional hits of underground utility lines annually. Not only is calling a good idea, it’s the law.”

When you call 811, your state’s One Call center notifies utility companies of the project. Homeowners and contractors should call at least three business days before digging. Professional locators will mark the approximate locations of underground lines for free.

Officials say you should “Dig with CARE,” by:

C – Calling 811 before you dig
A – Allowing two business days for marks to be made
R – Respecting the marks; hand dig within 18 inches
E – Excavating carefully

For additional information, visit alliantenergy.com/call811 or call 811.

The Adair & Guthrie County LEPC’s (Local Emergency Planning Committee) were presented with two awards last weekend, at the recent Region 7 LEPC/TEPC (Tribal Emergency Response Commission) 2015 Conference in Nebraska City, Nebraska. Nominees for the awards were comprises of LEPCs from the states of Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, and TERC from Nine Tribal Nations.

Awards are given to recognize LEPC’s/TERC’s that are actively involved in their community risk reduction, planning, and prevention activities involving hazardous materials and other hazards. Award are presented in the following categories: Small LEPC (population under 20,000), Medium LEPC (population between 20,000 and 80,000), Large LEPC (population over 80,000), Website, Social Media and Industry Participation.

From left to right are: Ginny Renslow – Chairman of the Guthrie County LEPC, Robert Kempf – Coordinator for the Adair and Guthrie County Emergency Management Agencies and Stephanie Claussen – Chairman of the Adair County LEPC (Photo courtesy Bob Kempf)

The Adair & Guthrie LEPC’s were nominated by The Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The first award received was the Small LEPC Award for outstanding achievement in planning, prevention and risk reduction in the community. The second award was the Social Media Award for the use of Social Media in risk reduction and prevention in the community.

Bob Kempf, Adair/Guthrie County Emergency Management Coordinator, said the Adair & Guthrie County groups have been active for many years conducting training and planning for hazardous materials and other natural hazards that may affect the counties. They use social media for every day engagement with the communities within both counties. Their social media presence is managed by Kempf.

The Adair & Guthrie County LEPC’s are comprised of two dozen representatives from various and industries. Additional information about representing your organization on the Adair or Guthrie County LEPC’s can be found by contacting the Adair or Guthrie County Emergency Management Office at 641-332-3030 or agcema@guthriecounty.us.

An Atlantic man was sentenced last week to serve 5-years in prison for receipt of child pornography. The U-S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa says 54-year old Jimmy Joe Misner was also ordered last Thursday to serve 10 years of supervised release following the period of imprisonment. During the period of supervised release, Misner will be monitored by the United States Probation Office for compliance with conditions of release set by the Court at the time of sentencing.

An investigation by law enforcement revealed that from September to December of 2013, Misner had obtained from the internet over 1,700 images and 97 videos of prepubescent and adolescent children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Misner pleaded guilty on May 1, 2015, to the charge of receipt of child pornography.

The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

A man from Pottawattamue County was sentenced last Thursday to serve 30-months in prison for possession of child pornography. U-S Attorney Nicholas Klinefeldt reports 49-year old David Leon Breneman, of Council Bluffs, was also ordered to serve 10- years of supervised release following the period of imprisonment, meaning after he’s released, Breneman will be monitored by the United States Probation Office for compliance with conditions of release set by the Court at the time of sentencing.

An investigation by law enforcement revealed that from May to December of 2012,
Breneman had obtained images from the internet of prepubescent children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Breneman pleaded guilty to the charge of possession of child pornography on April 2, 2015.

The investigation was conducted by the Cyber Crime Unit of the Iowa Division of
Criminal Investigation, and the case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

The U-S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa reports a Nebraska man was sentenced late last week in connection with a firearms case. 33-year old Jesse Craig Wilkinson, of Omaha, was sentenced Thursday to 84 months in prison, for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Wilkinson was also ordered to serve two years of supervised release following the period of imprisonment.

An investigation by law enforcement began with a report of suspicious activity occurring in Pottawattamie County. Wilkinson initially fled police officers, and when apprehended, was found to be in possession of a loaded .40 caliber handgun. Wilkinson was prohibited from possessing a firearm after he was convicted in 2003 in the District of Nebraska on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Wilkinson pleaded guilty on April 2nd, to the current charge of being a felon in
possession of a firearm. The investigation was conducted by the Council Bluffs Police Department and the ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives). The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

In an update to our story last Friday, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office today (Tuesday), says 28-year old Donte Lee Plunkett, of Omaha, was arrested following an accident that took place northwest of Atlantic at around 12:19-a.m., Friday.

Officials say the crash happened at 590th Street (Highway 173) and Marne Road, when a 1995 Nissan Maxima owned and driven by Plunkett, came to the T-intersection and failed to stop. The southbound car went out of control and entered a grassy area on the south side of the intersection, hit a pole and an apple tree. No injuries were reported. Damage amounted to $2,000 altogether.

Plunkett was arrested on charges of OWI 1st Offense and Possession of a Controlled Substance. He was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released later that day on his own recognizance.

Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, today (Tuesday), announced the appointment of seven persons to various Iowa Boards and Commissions. Among them, was Karen Jones, from Glenwood. Jones was appointed to the Juvenile Justice Advisory Council. Her appointment became effective August 6th, is unpaid, and not subject to Iowa Senate confirmation.