The Harlan Police Department has issued a report on recent arrests and accidents. As we told you this (Tuesday) morning, a van struck the Concerned, Incorporated Building, Monday afternoon, at 1812 Industrial Avenue. Officials say a 2004 Chrysler Town and Country van driven by Teresa Johnson, of Audubon, was backing up into the open door of a 2006 Chrysler Pacifica van, causing it to shut. The door hit the driver of the Pacifica, Daneece Henry, of Avoca. Johnson’s van continued until it collided with the building. There was no word on injuries or the amount of damage to the building.

Harlan Police report also, 47-year old Justin Andrew Dickinson, and 47-year old Karen Schuemann, both of Harlan, were arrested Jan. 4th, following a traffics top on Durant Street. Dickinson was charged with Driving While Suspended. Schuemann was arrested for unlawful possession of a prescription drug, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

That same day, 24-year old Zachary Stephen Kloewer, of Harlan, was arrested following a traffic stop, and charged with speeding, prohibited acts penalties, failure to affix a drug tax stamp, possession of paraphernalia, and obstruction of justice.

On Jan. 3rd, 33-year old Anthony Joseph Koester, of Harlan, was arrested on an active Shelby County warrant. And, on Jan. 2nd, 52-year old Amy Jo Ross, of Harlan, was arrested on an active Shelby County warrant. Both were transported to the Shelby County Jail.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa State University’s unconstitutional crackdown on a pro-marijuana student group’s t-shirts is expected to cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages and legal fees. Subject to the approval by a state board Tuesday, the state has agreed to pay $150,000 in damages to two leaders of the university chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. The state would also pay their lawyers $193,000 for their work defending against university appeals, and additional fees for trial work in an amount to be decided later by a judge.

The costs stem from the university’s politically-motivated attempt in 2012 under former President Steven Leath to block t-shirt designs that featured its mascot and a small cannabis leaf. Judges found that administrators violated the students’ free-speech rights.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports two people were arrested recently on Child Endangerment and other charges. On Monday, Jan. 8th, as the result of an investigation, the Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 30-year old Kenneth Lyle Williams, of Creston, on a Cass County Sheriff’s Office warrant for Felony Theft in the 1st Degree and Criminal Mischief in the 2nd Degree, and an Assault Causing Serious Injury, charge. 26-year old Mikel Ann Erickson, also of Creston, was arrested on a charge of Child Endangerment. Both subjects were taken to the Cass County Jail. Erickson remains held on $2,000 bond; Williams remains held on $15,000 bond.

Also arrested Monday, was 47-year old Beverly Ann Carroll, of Atlantic. She was taken into custody on a Cass County Sheriff’s Office warrant for Child Endangerment, and Sponsoring a Gathering Where Marijuana is Used. Carroll was taken to the Cass County Jail where she remains held on $3,000 bond. 19-year old Kaylee Renae Roach, of Atlantic, was arrested Monday on an Atlantic Police Department warrant for Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Roach was taken to the Cass County Jail where she remains held on $1,300 bond.

And, last Friday, 47-year old Craig Allen Griffin, of Atlantic, was arrested by Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies on a District Court warrant for Failure to Appear in court. Griffin was taken to the Cass County Jail and was released later that day on $2,500 bond.

LE MARS, Iowa (AP) — An April trial has been scheduled for a northwest Iowa man charged with forgery and insurance fraud. Court records say 39-year-old Scott Leininger, of Le Mars, entered a written plea of not guilty Friday in Plymouth County District Court in Le Mars. His trial starting date is April 17.

Authorities say Leininger submitted false paperwork to back his claim to Homesite Insurance for damage he said his disability equipment sustained during a lightning storm. Court documents say the company discovered that the paperwork was bogus and didn’t pay the claim.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Kim Reynolds says she wants to modernize Iowa’s tax code in part by reducing individual taxes, a proposal she’ll push amid budget constraints. The Republican governor provided general details of a tax plan Tuesday during her Condition of the State address at the Capitol. She added she wants to eliminate an existing provision in Iowa tax code to avoid increasing state tax revenue following changes to federal regulations.

The Republican-controlled Iowa Legislature convened Monday and will be tasked with plugging a roughly $37 million budget shortfall in the current $7.2 billion state budget. The state borrowed about $144 million last year to offset two previous budget shortfalls, and they plan to pay that back. Reynolds did say her tax proposal won’t include corporate tax cuts because of budget limitations.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Another former member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska council has been sentenced to probation for stealing from the tribe’s Iowa casino. The Sioux City Journal reports that Darwin Snyder was sentenced Monday in U.S. District Court in Omaha to five years of probation and ordered to pay $36,500 in restitution. Snyder had pleaded guilty to theft from a gaming establishment on Indian lands. Charges of conspiracy and wire fraud were dismissed in exchange for his plea.

Snyder is one of nine former council members accused of a conspiracy to steal money from the WinnaVegas Casino Resort in Sloan, Iowa.

A bail bondsman brought a man into the Pottawattamie County Jail kicking and screaming, Monday afternoon. The Pott. County Sheriff’s Office reports Deputies met with employees from Galigher Bail Bonds, in the parking lot of the Sheriff’s Office. Inside the vehicle was 25-year old James Richard Augustine, of Council Bluffs, who was handcuffed and in the back seat. Sitting beside him, was his father, Leon Augustine. James Augustine was screaming and combative. The bail bond staff said he stated that he was going to kill himself if he went back to jail. Three deputies escorted James Augustine into the jail through the sally port, where they were met by booking staff who assisted him into a holding cell. There, he continued screaming, kicking and breathing rapidly. Jail staff were advised of threats he had made to kill himself. James Augustine was booked into the Pott. County Jail at around 3:45-p.m., for Assault causing bodily injury or mental illness.

And, a call about a suspicious vehicle in the 43,000 block of Twilight Lane, in Avoca at around 12:30-a.m. today (Tuesday), resulted in the arrest of 45-year old Heidi Jo True, of Bellevue, NE. True was determined to be under the influence of methamphetamine, and was placed under arrest for OWI/1st offense. Authorities say she was in possession of 2.6 grams of meth worth about $200, at the time of her arrest. She was also charged with Possession of Meth.

The Adair County Board of Supervisors will meet in a regular session beginning at 9-a.m., Wednesday in their boardroom/courtroom on the second floor of the courthouse. On their agenda is discussion and possible action on 2017 W2 Wages, A burial assistance application, and setting the first meeting date and appointments for the Health Insurance Financial Committee.

After County Treasurer Brenda Wallace presents her semi-annual report, the Adair County Supervisors will hear scheduled FY2019 budget requests from:

• Ron Ludwig, with MATURA
• Custodian Rich Wallace
• County Treasurer Brenda Wallace
• County Attorney Clint Hight
• County Conservation Director Kevin Blazek
• Ag Extension’s Deena Wells
• Jane Ernst, w/the Adair County Board of Health
• Kelly Butts-Elston, with Connections Area Agency on Aging
• And, County Auditor Mindy Schaefer.

In addition, County Engineer Nick Kauffman will present various road and/or bridge construction project contracts, and more.

A Winter Storm is expected to impact parts of western Iowa Wednesday night and Thursday, with a Winter Storm Watch currently in effect for Monona and Harrison Counties in the KJAN listening area. The storm track is still being determined. Here in Atlantic, we expect to start out with rain Wednesday night, which will change to snow early Thursday morning. Winter storms and cold temperatures can be hazardous. The Healthy Cass County Emergency Preparedness Sub-Committee suggest you and your family stay safe by planning ahead and preparing your vehicles. When traveling, be aware of current and forecast weather conditions. It is best to avoid traveling when weather advisories are issued. Here are some additional tips:

Prepare Your Car this Winter: Service the radiator and maintain antifreeze level; Check tire tread or, if necessary, replace tires with all-weather or snow tires; Keep gas tank full to avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines. And, use a wintertime formula in your windshield washer.

Prepare a winter emergency kit to keep in your car in case you become stranded.

That includes: A cell phone, portable charger, and extra batteries; blankets; food and water; booster cables, flares, tire pump, and a bag of sand or cat litter (for traction); compass and maps; flashlight, battery-powered radio, and extra batteries; and first-aid kit.

One goal of the Healthy Cass County Health Improvement Plan is to increase knowledge of Cass County residents of how to respond in a Public Emergency. One of the best ways to keep current on any local alerts is registering your cell phone or email address with the WEN system. WEN stands for “Wireless Emergency Network” and is a tool our county utilizes for mass communication of emergent situations. The WEN system offers more efficient and timely notifications to area residents, improves safety, and keeps the public informed of emergencies and how to take action. Not only is it important to enroll yourself in the system but also remember to enroll your children’s cellular phones and older adults you care for as well.

You can sign up for this FREE service by visiting the Cass County Emergency Management page located at: http://www.atlanticiowa.com/county/county-departments/emergency-management/ or call Mike Kennon, Cass County Emergency Management Coordinator, at 712-243-1500 for assistance. Be sure to visit CDC’s Winter Weather webpage for more winter weather safety tips.

ROCK VALLEY, Iowa (AP) — A new trial date has been scheduled for a northwest Iowa man accused of stabbing to death his 84-year-old grandfather and setting the man’s home aflame. Court records say the trial of 20-year-old Santos Rodriguez Jr. was set to begin Tuesday. The judge granted the defense attorney’s request for more time to prepare and set a new starting date of May 1.

Rodriguez has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder and arson. He’s accused of stabbing Luis Luevanos in his Rock Valley home on Oct. 29 and starting the fire. Firefighters found Luevanos’ body later that day. Police say Rodriguez soon left for Utah and was taken into custody there. Iowa investigators interviewed him there and say Rodriguez admitted stabbing his grandfather and setting the fire.