DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A recent study shows hundreds of Iowa residents are drinking tap water polluted with arsenic and health workers are increasing efforts to have private well owners test their water for the poisonous element. Arsenic is found naturally in soil throughout Iowa. It can seep into ground water, which is the source of tap water for more than half the state’s residents.

The Des Moines Register reported drinking large amounts of arsenic over decades can lead to various cancers and cardiovascular and respiratory problems. Short-term exposure can lead to nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and skin problems. Health officials across Iowa gathered last week to talk about solutions to the problem. The University of Iowa study found nearly half of the 475 wells checked between 2006 and 2008 tested positive for arsenic.

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A reminder today to residents of Cumberland: Representatives with the U-S Postal service will be in Cumberland this evening, to discuss the possible closure of the community’s Post Office. The meeting, which is open to the public, is scheduled for 6-p.m. in the Cumberland Community Building.

Similar meetings have been held in other communities throughout the KJAN listening area over the past few months.

The Adams County Sheriff’s Department reports a Corning man was arrested Sunday evening on drug and harassment charges. 41-year old Matthew Dean Desher faces two counts of 1st degree Harassment charges and one Possession of  Marijuana charge, after two separate persons reported Desher was harassing them. Following his arrest at around 5:55-p.m. Sunday, Desher was booked into the Adams County Jail. As he was being booked, Desher was found to have allegedly been in possession of marijuana. He was being held at the jail in Corning, pending an appearance before the magistrate.

A western Iowa man is working to make a difference in the lives of unwanted donkeys. Scott Shehan (SHE-han) is part of a national group called the Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue. Shehan has a farm in Mills County near Malvern and says he and his family fell in love with donkeys after visiting a local sale barn, so they started taking donkeys in. “The ones that we currently have came from the states of Oklahoma, Texas and California,” Shehan says. “They’ve either been abandoned or they were running wild at some point in their life before they were rescued by the folks with Peaceful Valley.” Shehan says the donkeys are a serious problem in drought-stricken areas.

“They’ve become a nuisance for ranchers down in Texas with the drought,” he says. “They don’t have enough hay for their own cattle and then you’ve got these wild donkeys running loose and they’re eating up what hay they have available for their livestock. They’re trying to pass legislation that would allow donkeys to be shot on sight which is tragic. We’re trying to prevent that.” Shehan occasionally opens up his acreage, Lusco Farms Rescue, for open houses and donkey adoptions. He says it’s a pleasure to work with people in Iowa and Nebraska who care about these animals.

“We’ve had people donate hay and volunteer time and the people from Peaceful Valley were just shocked when I told them of the outpouring of support we were getting,” he says. “They just don’t see that down in Texas.” Shehan is still in need of hay donations. He’s also trying to raise money for a tractor to assist in the care of the donkeys. Learn more at “luscofarms.com”.

(Matt Kelley/Radio Iowa)

In a report released over the weekend, the Iowa State Patrol says a Guthrie County man was cited following an investigation into a non-injury accident which occurred on Interstate 80 on November 9th. 18-year old Daniel Ray Draman, of Casey, was cited for Failure to Maintain Control. The accident happened at around 5:25-a.m., as Draman was traveling in the left lane of I-80 westbound in a 1996 Ford Mustang, about a half-mile west of the Olive Street exit.

According to the Patrol, Draman’s car was passing a truck and trailer driven by 60-year old Calvin Donnell Crawford, of Haw River, North Carolina, as Crawford was in the right lane. When the car hit a wet spot on the road, it went out of control. The Mustang crossed into the truck’s lane and sideswiped the vehicle before it went off the road to the left, crossed the median and both eastbound lanes of traffic before entering the south ditch. The car sustained a total of $2,500 damage. The truck, which sustained $3,500 damage,  came to rest on the north shoulder of westbound I-80.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – A convicted murderer who went missing during furlough from a Council Bluffs work-release facility is back in custody. The Iowa Department of Corrections says 37-year-old Sean Cashoili was arrested about 8:15 a.m. Sunday in Pottawattamie County. He’d been listed as missing on Saturday night after he failed to return from furlough. Cashoili is serving a 50-year sentence for second-degree murder out of Pottawattamie County. His sentence began in 1995, and he was transferred to the Council Bluffs facility in June.

Police in Harlan reported today (Sunday), that two people were arrested November 5th, following an investigation into a fight which resulted in injuries. 41-year old James Boell and 25-year old Marcus Erwin, both of Harlan, face charges of Assault with Injury and Public Intoxication for a fight which occurred at 1022 6th Street in Harlan. Boell faces an additional charge of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, while Erwin was subsequently charged with Obstruction of Emergency Communications.

According to court records, both men were released on $1,000 bond and will appear in court for their initial hearings on Nov. 22nd.  They were ordered not to have any contact with each other. Boell also pled not guilty to the Public Intoxication and Drug Paraphernalia charges. His bond was set at $300 for each charge.  Erwin pled not guilty to the obstruction and assault and public intox charges. His bond on those charges was also set at $300 each.

Police in Harlan reported today (Sunday), a Harlan teen was arrested November 4th, following an investigation into a fight at the Harlan High School. Officials say 17-year old Duy Vo faces a charge of assault, for allegedly hitting Haley Olsen, of Harlan. Vo was cited and released to his legal guardian.

Officials say also, several juveniles were charged following an investigation into a break-in and vandalism perpetrated on a garage in Harlan on November 5th. 15-year old Stephen Lancer was charged with Criminal Mischief, as well as 2nd and 3rd degree Burglary. 15-year old Caleb Rihner, of Harlan, 16-year old Zachary Gross, of Earling, as well as 16-year old Samuel Rivera, of Defiance, were all charged with being an accessory after the fact. In addtion, a complaint was taken to the Shelby County Clerk of Court, for 20-year old Winston Joseph Leal, of Harlan. Leal was charged with Criminal Mischief, as well as 2nd and 3rd degree Burglary. All of the juveniles were cited and released to their parents or guardians.

11/13/11 10:50-a.m.  The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says a boil advisory has been lifted for the city of Dexter after repairs to a broken water line were completed. The boil advisory was issued as a precaution because loss of water pressure resulting from the broken water line can allow bacteria to get into the system. Water samples taken of the system after repairs were made indicate there are no bacteria in the system and the chlorine levels are at an acceptable level.

The Massena City Council, Monday, will hear an update from a representative with MSA Professionals, with regard to the city’s sewer system. Afterward, the council will discuss and potentially act on a sewer improvement design, and a contract for wastewater collection system improvements.

In other business, the Council in Massena will: set the date for a public hearing on updates to the City’s Code of Ordinances, discuss snow removal in the downtown area, city parks and city properties; placement of the Centennial Rock; an agreement with Railroad Management, L-L-C and the City of Massena; and, nuisance properties.

The meeting begins at 7-p.m.