The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office has three new deputies. Sheriff’s officials report Rod Pavelka (the former Police Chief in Guthrie Center, Steven Henry (a former Deputy in Decatur County), and Blake Michelsen (who formerly served as an officer with the Belmond Police Dept.), all began serving as Guthrie County Deputies, in July.

left to right: Rod Pavelka,Steven Henry, and Blake Michelsen. (Photo courtesy the Guthrie County S/O)

One of the state’s top summertime tourist attractions, Thursday marks the start of the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines. Besides the concerts, midway rides and deep-fried foods on a stick, Iowa Ag Secretary Bill Northey says the fair serves as an excellent opportunity to educate consumers about Iowa’s number-one industry: agriculture.

“It is really important,” Northey says. “We have a million people come through there in the 11 days of the fair and an awful lot of those folks don’t have much exposure to agriculture except maybe at the state fair. It’s important to take that opportunity, offer them a taste of it, and maybe even meet somebody who raises some of the food they eat every day.” Northey says there are plenty of examples of animal husbandry and animal welfare seen at the fair, which serves as another form of agricultural education for consumers.

“From the Animal Learning Center where you can see baby calves and chicks and pigs being born, that’s one of the busiest buildings at the fair,” Northey says, “to being able to walk into the exhibitions where you see the showing (of livestock) going on and being able to go into the barns and see animals being cared for and families and kids working together to take care of those animals.” Northey says many commodity organizations distribute information to fair attendees, and the state ag department will feature two exhibit booths, one in the Agriculture Building and the other at the Varied Industries building.

(Radio Iowa)

The Harlan Police Department has issued a report on arrests and incidents that have taken place since late last month. In the report released today (Tuesday), officials said charges of Burglary in the 3rd degree & Possession of Stolen Property were filed July 23rd with the Shelby County clerk of court, against 30-year old Tiffanie Newcomb, of Logan. Authorities allege Newcomb broke into a vehicle owned by, and the residence of, Mike Vogelzang, of Harlan. Additional charges of tampering with a witness were filed at a later date. 34-year old Wesley Brayman, of Omaha, was also charged with possession of stolen property in connection with the same incident.

On July 24th, Harlan Police arrested 29-year old Zachary Scheffler, and 28-year old Joey Ranney Jr, both from Harlan, after officers were called to the 1000 block of Tarkington for a possible domestic abuse assault in progress. As a result of the investigation and a later traffic stop, Scheffler and Ranney were taken into custody and transported to the Shelby County Jail. Scheffler was charged with domestic abuse assault, for allegedly striking Ashley McWilliams, of Harlan. Scheffler was also charged with delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and prohibited acts penalties. Ranney was charged with driving while barred and was later charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and prohibited acts penalties. He was also arrested July 30th, for Violating a No Contact Order.

On July 25th, 33-year old Bruce Spray, of Harlan, was taken into custody for allegedly violating a No Contact Order. Spray was transported to the Shelby County Jail. On August 1st, Harlan Police arrested 21-year old Alexis Martin, of Kimballton, on an OWI charge, following a traffic stop. Martin was also cited for speeding. On August 2nd, 23-year old Crystal Oliver, of Harlan, was arrested when officers were called to a public disturbance in the 2300 block of 7th Street. Oliver was taken to the Shelby County Jail where she was charged with public intoxication and disorderly conduct.

On August 3rd, 32-year old Justin Henriksen, of Harlan, was taken into custody by Harlan Police when officers were called to investigate a theft of electricity from a neighboring residence. Henriksen was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with theft 5th degree and trespass. That same day, 35-year old Patrick Schmitz was taken into custody after officers were called to investigate burglaries at Touch of Class and Victoria Station. As a result of the investigation Schmitz was charged with two counts of 2nd degree burglary and 2nd degree theft.

The next day (August 4th), 44-year old Jeffrey Ross, of Portsmouth, was arrested after officers were to the Harlan Fareway Store, with regard to a shoplifting incident. Ross was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with 5th degree theft. And on August 7th, 42-year old Kristal Johnston, of Harlan, was taken into custody on an active Shelby County warrant for probation violation. Johnston was transported to the Shelby County Jail.

The Harlan Police Department reports also, on August 4th, officers were called to investigate an incident where several tools and vehicle parts were stolen, and a residence broken into. The estimated value of items stolen was $1,600.00. Their investigation is ongoing.

Officials with the Mills County Sheriff’s Office report the arrest Saturday afternoon of a Page County man on drug and other charges. 59-year old Randy Lee Archer, of Shenandoah, faces charges that include OWI/3rd offense, Possession of Controlled Substance and Driving While Revoked. Archer was also cited for Open Container and Operating Non-registered Vehicle. His bond was set at $9,000. Also arrested Saturday afternoon, was 36-year old Nicholas Thomas Rohrberg, of Council Bluffs, who was taken into custody on a warrant for Theft in the 2nd degree. His bond was set at $5,000.

On Sunday, deputies in Mills County arrested 19-year old Andrew Chapin Hunt, of Malvern, for OWI/2nd offense. Hunt was also cited for Possession of Alcohol Under the Age of 21 and Failure to Maintain Control. Bond was also set at $2,000. And on Monday, 21-year old Tyler Allen Dittus, of Carson, was arrested in Mills County for Driving While Barred. His Bond was also set at $2,000.

(Updated 12:15-p.m.)

TREYNOR, Iowa (AP) – State officials have suspended the license of the Treynor schools superintendent for 30 days, saying he should not have let his son work unsupervised as a custodian for the district after the boy was accused of inappropriate sexual conduct. The Board of Educational Examiners also ruled last week that a letter of reprimand would be given to Superintendent Kevin Elwood.

Elwood was accused of two violations of Iowa Educational Code, including failing to make reasonable efforts to protect the health and safety of students. His attorney didn’t return a call Tuesday.

In September 2013 Elwood’s son, Kreighton Elwood, pleaded guilty to two counts of assault and one of false imprisonment. He was sentenced to 14 days in jail, two years of probation and ordered to register as a sex offender.

On this 11th day of August, Alliant Energy reminds customers and residents of Iowa to call 811, before any digging on project. It’s important for everyone, from homeowners to professional contractors, to call before you dig all year. Officials hope this date, 8/11, will be a good reminder.

Richard Sublett, Senior Manager of Compliance & Operational Performance for Alliant Energy says “Nationally, failure to call before digging results in more than 60,000 unintentional hits of underground utility lines annually. Not only is calling a good idea, it’s the law.”

When you call 811, your state’s One Call center notifies utility companies of the project. Homeowners and contractors should call at least three business days before digging. Professional locators will mark the approximate locations of underground lines for free.

Officials say you should “Dig with CARE,” by:

C – Calling 811 before you dig
A – Allowing two business days for marks to be made
R – Respecting the marks; hand dig within 18 inches
E – Excavating carefully

For additional information, visit alliantenergy.com/call811 or call 811.

The Adair & Guthrie County LEPC’s (Local Emergency Planning Committee) were presented with two awards last weekend, at the recent Region 7 LEPC/TEPC (Tribal Emergency Response Commission) 2015 Conference in Nebraska City, Nebraska. Nominees for the awards were comprises of LEPCs from the states of Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, and TERC from Nine Tribal Nations.

Awards are given to recognize LEPC’s/TERC’s that are actively involved in their community risk reduction, planning, and prevention activities involving hazardous materials and other hazards. Award are presented in the following categories: Small LEPC (population under 20,000), Medium LEPC (population between 20,000 and 80,000), Large LEPC (population over 80,000), Website, Social Media and Industry Participation.

From left to right are: Ginny Renslow – Chairman of the Guthrie County LEPC, Robert Kempf – Coordinator for the Adair and Guthrie County Emergency Management Agencies and Stephanie Claussen – Chairman of the Adair County LEPC (Photo courtesy Bob Kempf)

The Adair & Guthrie LEPC’s were nominated by The Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The first award received was the Small LEPC Award for outstanding achievement in planning, prevention and risk reduction in the community. The second award was the Social Media Award for the use of Social Media in risk reduction and prevention in the community.

Bob Kempf, Adair/Guthrie County Emergency Management Coordinator, said the Adair & Guthrie County groups have been active for many years conducting training and planning for hazardous materials and other natural hazards that may affect the counties. They use social media for every day engagement with the communities within both counties. Their social media presence is managed by Kempf.

The Adair & Guthrie County LEPC’s are comprised of two dozen representatives from various and industries. Additional information about representing your organization on the Adair or Guthrie County LEPC’s can be found by contacting the Adair or Guthrie County Emergency Management Office at 641-332-3030 or agcema@guthriecounty.us.

An Atlantic man was sentenced last week to serve 5-years in prison for receipt of child pornography. The U-S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa says 54-year old Jimmy Joe Misner was also ordered last Thursday to serve 10 years of supervised release following the period of imprisonment. During the period of supervised release, Misner will be monitored by the United States Probation Office for compliance with conditions of release set by the Court at the time of sentencing.

An investigation by law enforcement revealed that from September to December of 2013, Misner had obtained from the internet over 1,700 images and 97 videos of prepubescent and adolescent children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Misner pleaded guilty on May 1, 2015, to the charge of receipt of child pornography.

The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

A man from Pottawattamue County was sentenced last Thursday to serve 30-months in prison for possession of child pornography. U-S Attorney Nicholas Klinefeldt reports 49-year old David Leon Breneman, of Council Bluffs, was also ordered to serve 10- years of supervised release following the period of imprisonment, meaning after he’s released, Breneman will be monitored by the United States Probation Office for compliance with conditions of release set by the Court at the time of sentencing.

An investigation by law enforcement revealed that from May to December of 2012,
Breneman had obtained images from the internet of prepubescent children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Breneman pleaded guilty to the charge of possession of child pornography on April 2, 2015.

The investigation was conducted by the Cyber Crime Unit of the Iowa Division of
Criminal Investigation, and the case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.