A man and woman from Missouri were arrested early this (Friday) morning on drug charges, in Fremont County. The Sheriff’s Office reports that at around 3:50-a.m., deputies with the Fremont County K9 Unit conducted a traffic stop on a 2006 Chrysler Town and County for several traffic and equipment violations at the 21-mile marker, southbound, Interstate 29 near Thurman.

During the traffic stop, K9 Roby was deployed, and he indicated and alerted to the presence of controlled substances coming from the vehicle. During a subsequent search, deputies discovered over 5 grams of methamphetamine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and equipment used to distribute and package-controlled substances. Deputies also discovered over $5,000 in suspected drug proceeds.

The driver, 33-year old Michael Arthur Tyson, of Albany, Missouri and 23-year old Laura Jean King, of Grant City, Missouri, were both placed under arrest. Both were charged with Conspiracy to Distribute over 5 grams of Methamphetamine, a Class B Felony, Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. In addition, Tyson received citations for speeding in a construction zone and Failure to Provide Financial Liability.

Both are being held at the Fremont County Jail, awaiting initial appearance with a Fremont County Magistrate. The Mills County Sheriff’s Office assisted the Fremont County K9 Unit with the call.

Montgomery County Emergency Management Coordinator Brian Hamman reports that at approximately 1:28-p.m. today (February 28th), the Montgomery County Communications Center received a 9-1-1 call from the Villisca Good Samaritan Nursing Home at 202 Central Ave in Villisca reporting a possible gas leak in the building with evacuations taking place.

Upon investigation of the source of the odor, it was determined that an outdoor bulk tank nearby was being filled by a vendor who had a mechanical failure and caused a small amount of product to drift into the atmosphere which caused a small amount of product to enter the air handling system of the nursing home causing them to initiate their emergency response protocols. The nursing home was cleared by both Villisca Fire and Alliant Energy and no hazards were found.

38 residents and 17 staff members were ultimately evacuated to the Villisca Wellness Center as a precaution. 1 resident was treated on scene by Villisca EMS for a small abrasion. All residents were transported back to the nursing home approximately 1 hour after the 9-1-1 call was made.

Villisca Fire & Rescue was assisted on scene by Montgomery County Emergency Management and Alliant Energy.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest Friday of 25-year-old Austin W. Hale of Red Oak on a warrant for Probation Violation. The arrest took place at his residence at about 1:00 p.m. on Friday and the original charge for the probation was OWI 1st Offense. Hale was taken to the Montgomery County Jail without incident and held on $1,000 bond.

The City of Atlantic’s Parks and Recreation Department reports the gates at Sunnyside Park were expected to reopen today! The road in front of the Camblin Shelter will remain closed, though, for tree clean up. The Parks & Rec crew hope you have great weekend, and enjoy the nice weather in the parks!

ATLANTIC, IA – The Cass County Health System Business Office is updating their office hours to 8 am to 4:30 pm effective Monday, March 2, 2020. Patients who need assistance outside of these hours can go to any Admissions desk for help.

Shelby Van Horn, Cass County Youth Coordinator, reports “Cass County 4-H Clubs would like to invite the public to attend their annual 4-H Mardi Gras carnival on Sunday, March 8.” Mardi Gras includes fun, food, & carnival-type games for kids of all ages. The event is scheduled from 2:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. at the Cass County Community Center in Atlantic. We are so excited to offer many activities for families.” Activities this year include: Family Mardi Gras Photo Booth, Ring Toss, Dessert Walk, the ever popular Youth Council Mardi Gras Jail, boot toss and much more! Several clubs will also be selling snacks for attendees to enjoy, including a Walking Taco Stand and pop floats to go.

The Youth Action Committee and Youth Council are sponsoring this county-wide event and would like to invite all Cass County families to come out and join the fun. It is intended to be a low cost, family-friendly event for everyone in the county. “You don’t have to be in 4-H to attend,” shared Van Horn, “all are welcome!” Admission is free and game tickets cost $.10 each. Each 4-H club determines how many tickets to charge to play their game.

All proceeds from the event benefit the 4-H clubs, Youth Council, and the Cass County 4-H Program.

The Cass County 4-H Endowment committee is hosting the annual 4-H Endowment Pancake Supper on Thursday, March 5 from 5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Cass County Community Center in Atlantic. The Pancake Man will be dishing up fresh pancakes while 4-H members serve juice, coffee and more. Supporters can enjoy all you can eat pancakes for $6. Proceeds from the 4-H Pancake Supper directly benefit Cass County. The money raised goes to the Cass County 4-H Endowment, a fund to defray the 4-H Program Development Fee, support scholarships, and start up dollars for youth programs including Clover Kids and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math).

The 4-H Program Development Fee is $30 per youth each year to enroll. Instead of having individual 4-H’ers and families take on that expense, the Cass County Extension Council, and the 4-H Endowment Committee pick up this expense. The Cass County 4-H Endowment also offers opportunities for youth to get involved in the 4-H program by attending camps and conferences and offering scholarships to graduating seniors. Shelby Van Horn, Cass County Youth Coordinator, says “These opportunities are very important to the success of the 4-H program in Cass County. It certainly would not be possible without a great deal of support from the community.”

There is also a silent auction during the supper. The 12 4-H clubs in Cass County, as well as additional friends of 4-H and local business supporters, donate items.  If a community business is interested in supporting the Pancake Supper with a Silent Auction donation, please contact the Extension Office. For more information on the Pancake Supper, Endowment or 4-H contact Shelby Van Horn, Cass County Youth Coordinator, at 243-1132 or xcass@iastate.edu.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — An Iowa man has been charged with the Omaha slaying of a man who’d been reported missing. Nebraska court records say Dalton Dukes, of Council Bluffs, is charged with first-degree murder and two weapons crimes. The records don’t yet list the name of his court-appointed attorney. Council Bluffs police took a missing person report on Joseph Hellman on Feb. 21 last year. He was last seen in Omaha, and the report was referred to Omaha police. Omaha investigators determined that Hellman had been killed Jan. 29. Police say his death couldn’t be classified as a homicide until this past December.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — An April 6 trial start has been scheduled for a Davenport high school science teacher accused of secretly recording nude videos of two females who’d stayed at his Bettendorf home. Court records say Clinton Van Fossen pleaded not guilty Thursday to five counts of invasion of privacy and to other crimes. He’s on leave from his job at Davenport West High School. The records say the allegations stem from actions committed between Dec. 26 and Jan. 4. The records say Bettendorf officers searched Van Fossen’s home on Jan. 7 and seized spy cameras. Van Fossen denied any knowledge of the cameras.

A woman from Fremont County was arrested Thursday evening on drug charges, in Mills County. 32-year old Alysse Marie Heywood, of Randolph, was taken into custody at around 6:25-p.m. following a traffic stop at Noyes Avenue and Highway 275. She was transported to the Mills County Jail and held on $7,300 bond for Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of Contraband.