The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest of two people Friday.

Thirty-five-year-old Dean Jensen of Audubon was arrested for theft in the 5^th degree. The charges stem from a check written to an Audubon business.

Jensen was transported to the Audubon County jail where he was released after appearing before the magistrate.

Also on Friday, 59-year-old Belinda Joy Vanaernam of Ida Grove was arrested at about

7 PM. She was charged with operating while intoxicated 1^st offense and open container.

The charges stem from a traffic stop in the 1600 block of Highway 71.

She was transported to the Audubon County jail where she posted bond and was released.

The draining of Prairie Rose Lake around Harlan is set to begin this week.

Its part of a $3 million restoration project based on a 2008 lake study and recommendations from Iowa State University.

The water is expected to fall by about three feet per week until the lake is completely drained. The draining is expected to be complete by about Labor day. Boat ramps will probably not be usable after next Monday.

The lake is expected to be completely refilled by 2012, although the DNR hopes they can begin re-filling the lake by next summer.

Once the project is finished, the lake will be re-stocked with many different species of fish.

For those concerned about the campground and other facilities, the DNR says they will remain open while the lake is drained.

w/ Brett Johnson

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Audubon residents will have their chance to vote for three seats on the school board this fall, as well as whether they’d like to adopt a new Revenue Purpose Statement.

The vote on the Revenue Purpose Statement in September would allow residents to decide whether they’d like to continue the current one cent sales tax. It is currently going to expire in two years. Audubon Superintendent Brett Gibbs says that by voting on the matter now, it would save residents the cost of possibly having to hold a special election.

Thousands of cyclists made their way to Atlantic Sunday as part of the 39’th edition of RAGBRAI.

The bikers left Glenwood on their near 60-mile trek to Atlantic as they traveled 9-miles to Silver City, 19-miles to Carson, 15-miles to Griswold, 7.5-miles to Lewis and then 8 miles to Atlantic.

The weather wasn’t exactly comfortable for the riders either Sunday afternoon as temps topped out in the low 90’s with dew points hitting nearly 80. There were reports of several riders needing medical treatment due to the uncomfortable conditions.

In addition to the hot, steamy weather, the riders also battled a drastic change in elevation of 462 feet on the trail to Atlantic.

Once the bikers arrived Sunday, they were greeted by numerous volunteers at the Cass County fairgrounds supplying free water and cokes as they made their way through 10^th street to the camping areas. Numerous entertainment options were available Sunday night in downtown Atlantic including music and other food and beverage venders.

The Ragbrai riders will leave this morning as they now make their way to Carroll. If you plan on traveling at all this morning, you should avoid route 173 as that will be the trail the riders will take out of town towards Elk Horn and Kimballton.

A Red Oak man has been identified as the missing boater who was found at Viking Lake Park in Montgomery County.

He was 63-year-old John Carmichael of Red Oak.

Park visitors reported an empty fishing boat around 7:30 Saturday evening, which initiated a search for the boater.

Authorities searched nearly non-stop for the missing man Saturday night and Sunday morning, except for a three hour period when storms passed through the area. The search widened to include trails Sunday morning.

Dive teams discovered the missing man’s body in the lake near pontoon boats about 12:35 Sunday afternoon. He was later identified as Carmichael on Sunday evening after his family had been notified.

Iowa DNR conservation officers and park officers; the Midwest Regional Dive Team; the Red Oak and Stanton Fire Departments; and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s office conducted the search.

w/ Chris Parks

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The Harlan Police Department reports the arrests of several people the past few days.

On July 12, 25-year old David Coenen was arrested on a valid Shelby County warrant. The warrant was for domestic abuse assault stemming from an incident on July 6^th. Coenen was transported to the Shelby County Hail where, in addition to the warrant, he was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and prohibited acts penalties.

On July 14, 59-year-old Thomas Wageman of Harlan was taken into custody following a traffic stop. He was taken to the Shelby County jail where he was charged with driving while revoked, reckless driving, and no proof of insurance.

Also on July 14, 30-year-old Kimberly Konecny of Harlan was taken into custody when officers were called to Concerned Inc for a disturbance. Konecny was taken to the Shelby County jail where she was booked for public intoxication.

On Monday, 29-year-old Nathan Ayers of Harlan was arrested when police were called to a disturbance at 605 Spring. Ayers was taken to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with public intoxication, interference with official acts and assault on a police officer.

Also on Monday, 30-year-old Joseph Schoemann of Harlan was arrested for driving while barred when he was observed by officers driving on 12^th street. He was taken to the Shelby County Jail.

On Tuesday, 58-year-old Larry Meurer of Harlan when officers responded to a 911 hang up call. He was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with assault.

And on Thursday, 23-year-old Paula Koestner of Harlan was cited for two counts of allowing a dog to run at large. Officers were called to the 700 block of Broadway on July 12 and again July 15 for a dog running at large and acting vicious to persons passing by. She was cited and released.

The Atlantic Police department reports the arrest of two people Friday.

Twenty-one-year-old Justin Jacobs of Atlantic was arrested for public intoxication and disorderly conduct. He was transported to the Cass County Jail and booked.

Twenty-four-year-old Robert Hackwell of Atlantic was arrested for public intoxication and disorderly conduct. He was transported to the Cass County Jail and booked.

Also on Thursday, 33-year-old Neil Christensen West Valley, Utah for public intoxication. He was transported to the Cass County Jail and booked in.

An incident at the Nishna Valley YMCA in Atlantic led to a high speed police chase Thursday night.

The chase ended with 23-year-old Jonathan Adams of Council Bluffs crashing near Highway 92. Police say the incident began Thursday night when he entered the YMCA and refused to pay or identify himself. That prompted staff at theY to call 911, but Adams left before police arrived according to Atlantic Police Chief Steve Green.

The police then initiated a traffic stop with Adams, who was reported to be going to another pool in Atlantic. During the traffic stop Adams attempted to flee and sped away.

Adams then led the officers on tenth street out of town on Olive Street. The pursuit continued for a number of miles in rural Cass County.

The pursuit eventually crossed Highway 92 at the intersection with 550th Street where Adams’ vehicle hit another vehicle being driven by Sandra Royer of Logan. Adams lost control of his vehicle and entered a ditch on Highway 92.
Adams has been charged with eluding or attempting to allude law enforcement. Additional charges are currently pending. He is currently being held in the Cass County Jail.