No injuries were reported following an accident Saturday afternoon, just north of Afton. The Union County Sheriff’s Office reports a 2016 Ford Edge driven by 79-year old Gaylord Henriksen, of Afton, and a 1996 Chevy pickup driven by 22-year old Timothy Culpepper, Jr., of Creston, were both westbound on Highway 34 at around 3:25-p.m., when Henriksen slowed to make a north turn onto Creamery Road.

When Culpepper failed to slow down, his pickup hit the rear of the SUV, causing a total of $8,000 damage. Authorities cited Culpepper for Failure to reduce speed in a reasonable and proper rate.

Sheriff’s deputies in Page County arrested a man Sunday afternoon on a warrant for Probation Violation. 25-year old Caleb Michael Sunderman, of Clarinda, was taken into custody following a traffic stop on Highway 71, north of Clarinda.  Sunderman was transported to the Page County Jail where he was being held on $10,000 bond.

Caleb Michael Sunderman

And, at around 2:30-p.m. Saturday, the Page County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a single vehicle accident near Coin, at the intersection of Hackberry & 270^th Street.  An investigation determined 61-year old Michael Len Roberts, of College Springs, was driving a 1986 GMC 3500 pickup eastbound from the intersection of 270^th and Hackberry, when, according to Roberts, the truck’s throttle became stuck, causing him to lose control of the vehicle.  The truck entered the south ditch and hit a power pole owned by MidAmerican Energy, causing damage to the pole.

And, on Friday, officials with Southwest Nature Trails, reported an attempted burglary at a building at 1474 Highway 2.  The burglary occurred sometime between April 25th and 29th.

Entry into the building was not gained, but damage to a door and window was found.  The incident remains under investigation.  Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Page County Sheriff’s Office at 712-542-5193.

A man and woman from from Greenfield were arrested last week on assault charges. The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports 26-year old’s Zachary Ryan McNeeley, and Rachael Ellen Ragan were taken into custody by Greenfield Police at around 12:45-p.m. on April 24th, at 403 S. Jackson Street. Both face a charge of Serious Domestic Assault.

McNeeley allegedly threw Ragan to the ground, causing a head injury. Ragan allegedly slapped and scratched McNeeley’s face while she was trying to leave. The pair were later released on $1,000 bond.

32-year old Patrick Lawrence Nolte, of Menlo, was arrested by deputies in Adair County on April 26th, on Adair County warrants related to Driving While Barred. He was being held in the Adair County Jail on $2,000 bond.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – Organizers say volunteers installed more than 600 smoke detectors in Sioux City homes during a fire safety blitz. The Sioux City Journal says more than 100 volunteers teamed up to visit around 1,600 homes Saturday in an area that accounted for 7 percent of Sioux City’s fires in 2015 although occupying just 1 percent of the land inside city limits.

As one volunteer on each team installed a detector, other team members talked to residents about fire safety.

Police in Creston report four people were arrested over the weekend. Sunday night, 31-year old Barrett Driskell, of Afton, was arrested at the Union County Law Enforcement Center, on a warrant out of Adams County for Child Endangerment and Possession of drug paraphernalia. Driskell was released to the custody of Adams County authorities. Early Sunday morning, 56-year old Michael Fry, of Creston, was arrested on a charge of Driving While Suspended. Fry was later released on $300 bond.

Late Saturday night, 49-year old Kimberly Bunker, of Creston, was arrested for Public Intoxication. She was subsequently released on a promise to later in court. And, 20-year old Noah Coleman, of Creston, was arrested Saturday evening for Simple Assault. He also was released on a promise to appear in court.

Creston Police said also, a resident living in the 400 block of W. Townline Road reported early Friday morning, someone had entered her home sometime between April 26^th and 29, and taken items that include a 52-inch LG TV, a Playstation gaming system, bracelets and watches. The loss was estimated at $750.

(8-a.m. News)

More area and State news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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The Atlantic Fire Department responded to a natural gas leak at 709 Elm Street late Sunday night. Fire Chief Mark McNees says a neighbor called in the report at around 11:38-p.m.  Upon arrival, firefighters discovered a broken joint on the line leading to the gas meter. The gas was successfully shut off, and the neighbors at 711 Elm were evacuated after investigation revealed the home at 709 contained a large amount of natural gas. The home was unoccupied for the evening, except for the homeowner’s dog.

Alliant Utility workers arrived and began digging the entrance line as the leak was feared to be underground as well.  Atlantic Municipal Utilities was also called to shut off the electricity to home to avoid any potential ignition sources. After excavating the underground entrance line and discovering no other leak, the neighbors were allowed back in their home. The occupant was located and advised of the situation.

The homeowners advised they had recently replaced a foundation wall. The ground area beneath the gas meter had settled greatly since then and allowed the meter and line to sink into the ground causing the break.

Alliant and Atlantic Fire officials remind residents that any excavation around a gas meter is dangerous and proper backfilling underneath the lines and meter is critical to prevent such settling and possible breaks and leaks.

Fire Chief Mark McNees says “Thankfully disaster was averted in this case. Had this happened later in the evening the result could have been much worse.  It was a dangerous situation for some period of time until the home was ventilated and we were sure there was no more underground leak.”

The Atlantic Fire Department was also assisted by the Atlantic Police Department and the Cass County Sheriff’s Department. The AFD was on scene for 2 hours.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Figures from a survey of supply managers in nine Midwest and Plains states have dropped slightly after rising for three months, but they still point to economic growth.  A report issued today (Monday) says the Mid-American Business Conditions Index declined to 50.1 in April from 50.6 in March.

The survey results are compiled into a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Survey organizers say any score above 50 suggests economic growth. A score below that suggests decline.  Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey, and he says “continuing weakness in the region’s agriculture and energy sectors remains an obstacle to improving overall growth.”

The survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.

The area’s top news at 7:06-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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Sheriff’s officials in Montgomery County say a man from Union County was arrested this (Monday) morning on a drug charge, north of Villisca. 32-year old Jason Michael Merboth, of Creston, was arrested at around 1:45-a.m., following a traffic stop at the intersection of Highways 34 & 71. Merboth was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance.

And, Police in Red Oak, Sunday, arrested, cited, and then released from custody, a 17-year old from Red Oak. Coltan James Wasson, of Red Oak,  was arrested at around 5:20-p.m. at a residence in the 100 block of E. Joy Street in Red Oak. He was charged with Simple Assault and later released to the custody of his mother.