Deputies with the Cass County Sheriff’s Office responded to three accidents recently, two of which took place today (Monday, Jan. 22nd). At around 6-a.m. today, a single-vehicle accident occurred on 590^th Street, in Cass County. A 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 driven by 28-year old Lacy Jean Christensen, of Council Bluffs, was northbound on 590^th when the vehicle went out of control, crossed the center line and entered the west ditch, where it struck some signs, trees, and fence. Christensen was cited for Driving Under Suspension. Damage to the vehicle is estimated at $10,000.

At around 8-a.m. today, a single-vehicle accident happened on White Pole Road, about one-quarter of a mile est of 570^th Street. Officials say a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee owned and driven by 29-year old Mitchell Terrence Whiley, of Griswold, was eastbound on White Pole Road when the vehicle began to slide on the slushy road surface. It entered the north ditch and hit a sign, some small trees and bushes. Damage to the vehicle is estimated at $5,000.

And, at around 11:10-a.m. on January 16th, a two-vehicle accident occurred on Walnut Street, in Anita. Authorities say a 2018 Freightliner driven by 40-year old Travis Leroy Anderson, of Creston, was pulling out southbound from being parked on Walnut Street. A 2002 Buick LeSabre driven by 30-year old Dana Marie Walker, of Anita, was northbound on Walnut Street and attempted to stop to make room for the tractor-trailer when the vehicle slid on the snow-covered road.

The front left tire of the tractor-trailer struck the front right portion of the Buick. No injuries were reported. Anderson was cited for Fail to Yield Upon Entering Thoroughfare. Damage to the Freightliner is estimated at $50; damage to the Buick is estimated at $2,000.

The Atlantic Police Department reports two recent arrests. On Saturday, 27-year old Norrin Bishop, of Atlantic, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault and Simple Assault. And, On Friday, 18-year old Ethan Halterman, of Atlantic, was arrested for OWI. Both subjects were booked into the Cass County Jail.

The Stuart Police Department is asking for the public’s help is identifying two male suspects who were caught on surveillance video burglarizing R&D Service, sometime overnight Sunday into this (Monday) morning. The men got away with the business’ cash register.  The images are posted below. If you know who the men are, call the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Department

Stuart PD photos

dispatch center at 641-747-2214.

DELHI, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a Manchester man was driving when a vehicle broke through the ice at Lake Delhi, drowning his passenger. The body of 23-year-old Alex Salow was found in the vehicle Jan. 8. A witness had spotted it doing doughnuts on the ice before plunging into the frigid water. Records show 36-year-old Joshua Juengel is charged with vehicular homicide, reckless driving and related crimes.

Juengel initially denied being at the scene. A court document says investigators found frozen shoes belonging to Juengel that “smelled of lake water” and matched tracks found at the scene. He eventually told investigators that he was driving that night but was able to escape the sinking vehicle, flee the scene and return home.

Red Oak Police this morning (Monday morning), report the arrest of 21-year old Tanner Ryon League, of Red Oak. League was taken into custody at a residence in the 200 block of E. Corning Street, at around 10:45-a.m. He faces a charge of Theft in the 5th Degree (for items valued at less than $200). His bond was set at $300.

JOHNSTON, Iowa (AP) — A state audit of the city of Johnston books has determined that nearly $14,000 collected from library fines and fees and other revenue sources has not been deposited in city accounts. A news release from the office of state auditor Mary Mosiman says Monday that the investigation was requested by city officials for the period of July 1, 2015, through July 31, 2017. The news release says officials were concerned about deposits processed by a former accounting clerk, Teresa Osburne.

A city news release says Osburne falsified records and was fired. The city also says police are investigating. Online court records don’t list any charges against Osburne.

The Atlantic School Board will hold a work session Wednesday evening (Jan. 24th) at the High School Media Center. During their session, which begins at 5:30-p.m., the Board will continue discussions with regard to the District’s athletic facilities, but no action will be taken.The Board set aside Jan. 24th as the date for discussions during their regular meeting on Jan. 10th. A decision is expected on Feb. 14th. As issue, are safety and ADA compliance concerns with the Trojan Bowl, and whether the facility should be improved, or should activities held there be moved to the High School Soccer Field, making it a multi-purpose field.

Following the adjournment, the Board will enter into an exempt session as provided for in the Iowa Code, to address any combination of the following: Negotiating session; Strategy meetings of public employers or employee organizations, mediation, and the deliberative process of arbitrators.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A lawmaker in the Iowa House has been booted from a key committee leadership role after he was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving. Rep. Francis “Chip” Baltimore, a Boone Republican, has been removed as chairman of the House judiciary committee. He will be replaced with Rep. Zach Nunn, a Bondurant Republican. House Speaker Linda Upmeyer announced the decision Monday. She says in a statement that Baltimore’s actions were “clearly irresponsible and he is being held accountable.”

Baltimore, an attorney, was arrested Friday morning in Ames near Interstate 35. His blood alcohol tested out at nearly twice the legal limit to drive, and a pistol was found under the driver’s seat. Baltimore says in a statement he’s taken full responsibility for the arrest, and he supports Upmeyer’s decision.

Iowa National Guard spokesman, Col. Greg Hapgood reports, that “As a result of the federal government shutdown due to the expiration of the Continuing Resolution at midnight on January 19, the following actions have been directed by the Department of Defense and immediately executed by the Iowa National Guard:

-More than 900 full-time employees of the Iowa National Guard were furloughed starting Jan. 20 and will remain furloughed until the shutdown is resolved. Furloughed employees will not receive pay for the duration of the furlough, may not be in a paid leave status, but will retain and accrue benefits. Approximately 1,000 full-time employees remain on duty, including Active Guard and Reserve military personnel, who will continue to work in an unpaid status until a Continuing Resolution is passed, and State of Iowa civilian employees, who will be compensated per their regular pay schedule.

-Drill was cancelled for approximately 400 Iowa National Guard personnel scheduled for training Jan. 20-21. An additional 700 personnel were allowed to complete training Jan. 20-21 due to interpretation of federal law. Rescheduling of all cancelled training assemblies will be announced at a later date after the shutdown has ended.

-At this time, the Iowa National Guard is authorized to expend funds only for “excepted” activities, like deployment or re-deployment of Soldiers and/or Airmen, recruiting, safety, or protection of life or government property. All other activities are classified by the Department of Defense as “non-excepted” and will not be funded until the shutdown ends.

-By direction of the Department of Defense, all military community outreach efforts must be immediately curtailed until the conclusion of the government shutdown, which includes all tours of Iowa National Guard facilities, performances by the 34th Army Band, demonstrations, color guards, static displays of military equipment, speaking engagements, etc…Funeral honors will continue for eligible veterans.

-Iowa National Guard military retirees and annuitants will continue to be paid without interruption as those benefits are resourced from annually appropriated funds.”

Hapgood says “The Iowa National Guard will provide periodic updates as this situation unfolds.”

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa’s new “stand your ground” law will be tested this week in a trial of a man charged in a pedestrian mall shooting in Iowa City that resulted in the death of one person. The Des Moines Register reports that 24-year-old Lamar Wilson is charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder and intimidation with a dangerous weapon. The Aug. 27 shooting resulted in the death of 22-year-old Kaleek Jones of Iowa City and injured two other men.

Iowa’s “stand your ground” law took effect in July. The law says law-abiding residents don’t have to retreat before using deadly force to defend themselves if they reasonably believe their life is in danger. Wilson’s attorneys say the shooting was justified because Wilson was defending himself from gunfire. Jury selection begins today (Monday).