There are fatalities after an accident this (Monday) morning at an Omaha animal feed processing plant. Interim Omaha Fire Chief Bernie Kanger says 38 employees were inside the International Nutrition plant at the time. Many workers escaped unharmed, while 10 were taken to area hospitals. Four were listed in critical condition.

Picture Courtesy Omaha Police Dept.

“There are fatalities,” Kanger said a mid-afternoon press conference. “We are not going to release the number of those fatalities at this time simply because we have not had the opportunity to clear the entire structure. This is a large building with significant structural damage.” Part of plant collapsed in the accident and there was a fire. The fire was extinguished, but firefighters – who rescued some workers – were ordered out of the building over fears of another collapse.

At 2 p.m., Kanger said the mission switched from rescue to recovery mode. “The chance of finding any victims alive is no longer there,” Kanger said. “Our efforts are to secure the building and then go in to find any victims that may still be in the structure.” Kanger said the cause of the accident, which occurred around 10 a.m., is unknown.  “What we do know is this was an industrial accident that resulted in structural collapse and fire,” Kanger said. “We do not know if there was an explosion. That will be part of the cause investigation.” International Nutrition, located in south-central Omaha, produces prepared feed and feed ingredients for livestock.

(Radio Iowa)

Two people suffered what were described as minor injuries, during an accident this (Monday) morning, in Lenox. According to Lenox Police, the accident happened at 8:44 AM, at the intersection of Brooks and Nebraska Streets.

Photo from the Lenox PD

An investigation determined a 2004 GMC Envoy driven by 42-year old Sean Kingery, of Lenox, was southbound on Brooks. A 2000 Chrysler driven by 41-year old Darold Bredberg, of Lenox was east bound on Nebraska.

Bredberg failed to yield from a stop sign and pulled in front of the Kingery vehicle. Both drivers were injured and treated at the scene by a Lenox ambulance crew. Following a records check, Bredberg was arrested for driving while barred, driving while suspended, non payment of Iowa fines(11 times) failure to have insurance and failure to obey a stop sign.

Darold Bredberg

He was transported to the Taylor County Jail for processing.

Damage to the Kingery vehicle was estimated at $6000. The Bredberg vehicle is considered a total loss.

Five people were arrested in Atlantic over the past few days. According to the Atlantic Police Department, three individuals were arrested on Sunday. 18-year old Bill Stockwell, of Elk Horn, was arrested for OWI and Possession of a Controlled Substance. 18-year old Angel Knowles, of Denison, was arrested for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of a Controlled Substance. And, 57-year old Douglas Morgan, of Atlantic, was arrested for Driving While Barred.

On Saturday, officers with the Atlantic P-D arrested 36-year old Ryan Schwery, of Earling, on charges that include Driving Under Suspension, Theft in the 5th degree, Fraudulent Practices in the 5th degree, and on a Shelby County warrant for Violation of a No Contact Order.

And on Friday, 27-year old Samuel Huffman, of Lewis, was arrested for Shoplifting (5th degree theft).

Each of the individuals were booked into the Cass County Jail and held pending an appearance before the magistrate.

(4:45-p.m. Corrects Breeling’s name to Skylar Richard-Curtis Breeling)

In an update to our story on Saturday, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office today (Monday), released more information about an accident which occurred early Saturday morning. Officials say 14-year old Jesse Keegan Ihrke and 18-year old Skylar Richard-Curtis Breeling, both of Atlantic, were injured when a vehicle driven by 19-year old Daniel Robert Schmeling, of Atlantic, went out of control and rolled into a ditch as the vehicle was traveling north on Buck Creek Road, at the intersection with Glacier Road.

The car rolled onto its top, trapping Irhke, who was partially ejected from the vehicle. Schmeling and Breeling were able to climb out a vehicle’s window. Schmeling refused medical treatment, while both Breeling and Ihrke were transferred to CCMH via Medivac. Ihrke was subsequently transferred to University of Nebraska Medical Center. Damage to the vehicle is estimated at $3,500. The incident remains under investigation.

The Sheriff’s Office said also, no injuries were reported following an accident shortly after midnight, Sunday. The accident happened on Highway 48 at 550th Street, at around 12:06-a.m. Officials say a 2007 Ford Explorer owned and driven by 39-year old Becky Jo Brockman, of Elliott, was found in a ditch along Highway 48 by a patrolling deputy. Upon investigation, Brockman was arrested for OWI and cited for Failure to Maintain Control. She was brought to the Cass County Jail and released later that day on her own recognizance. Damage to the vehicle is estimated at $5,000.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports 34-year old Leo Alan Edwards, of Pacific Junction was arrested January 16th, on charges of OWI 1st Offense, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Driving Under Suspension. Edwards was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released the following day on his own recognizance. And on Sunday, Jan. 19th, 23-year old Shane Michael Suhr, of Anita, was arrested  on a charge of OWI 1st Offense. Suhr was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released later that day on his own recognizance.

The Adair County Board of Supervisors will hold their weekly meeting Tuesday morning, in Greenfield. During their session, which begins at 9-a.m., the Board will act on annual certification of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) equipment, and receive a Manure Management Plan (MMP) update.

They’ll also hear from County Engineer Nick Kauffmann, with regard to a Pay Raise to Union Step 4, his budget, and regular maintenance and activities report. The meeting will wrap up with a budget work session.

The City of Atlantic’s Community Protection Committee will meet Tuesday evening in the Council’s chambers at City Hall, to discuss the City truck parking lot. During the City Council’s meeting on Jan. 8th, Mayor Dave Jones said a couple of truckers have called wondering what’s going on with the lot. Jones said in his opinion, “The City should not be undercutting private enterprise.”

Truck drivers and the public are invited to attend the meeting which will be held 5:30-p.m Tuesday, to offer their input on the matter.

A Fremont County man was arrested Saturday in Mills County, on a drug charge. Sheriff’s officials says 21-year old Kyle Lee Lang, of Riverton, was taken into custody following a traffic stop at around 1:25-a.m., and charges with Possession of a Controlled Substance. His bond was set at $1,000.

w/ Ric Hanson

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The Griswold and CAM Community School District Boards of Directors will hold their separate, regular meetings this evening. The Griswold School Board will gather in the Central Office Board Room at 5:45-p.m. On their agenda is are updates on: District construction/renovation projects; Early Retirement, and Security. They’ll also select the Board Negotiations Team and set the date for a work session, along with act on the first reading of Board Policies in the 900 series.

The CAM School Board will meet beginning at 6:30-p.m., in the CAM High School Media Center at Anita. Among the items on their agenda is discussion and/or action on Initiation by the teachers association (CAMEA), of negotiations for the 2014-2015 Master contract. In other action, Superintendent Pelzer will report tonight on the District’s unspent balance projections. The District has received notification from the Dept. of Education regarding projections on future unspent balance. Only those schools that may need to look into making changes, were notified. In his notes to the Board, Pelzer says it’s no surprise that there is alarm at the DE, considering the District is feeling the effect this year of the loss of 40 students a couple of years back.

The Board will also discuss and possibly act on: Bus bids; Capital Projects; Resignations and early retirements; Open enrollment applications, and the 2014-2015 school calendar. The meeting will conclude with a closed session for negotiations.

With KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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