The Cass County Sheriff’s Office has released a report on arrests and accident dating back to March 5th. Most recently, on Sunday, 40-year old Michael Matthew Noe, of Atlantic, was arrested on a charge of Driving While Revoked. Noe was taken to the Cass County Jail and released later that day on his own recognizance. Saturday, Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 52-year old Justin Ray Kinney, of Griswold, on a charge of OWI 1st Offense. Kinney was taken to the Cass County Jail and was released later that day on his own recognizance. That same day, at around 1:30-a.m., deputies responded to a report of an accident in the 400-block of Fremont Street, in Griswold.

Authorities say a parked 2005 Ford Expedition owned by Delvan Wayne Tye of Griswold, was facing southbound on Fremont Street when it was struck in the front by a southbound 2011 Ford F150 owned and driven by 54-year old Lee Allen Wyman, of Griswold. No injuries were reported. Damage to Wyman’s vehicle is estimated at $10,000; damage to Tye’s vehicle is estimated at $5,000. Upon investigation, deputies arrested Wyman on a charge of OWI 1st Offense. He was also cited with Failure to Maintain Control. Wyman was taken to the Cass County Jail and released later that day on his own recognizance.

Last Friday, 45-year old Billy Jack Simon, of Anita, was arrested on charges of Possession of Meth/2nd Offense; Providing False ID to Law Enforcement; and, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Simon was taken to the Cass County Jail and released later that day on $2,000 bond. Also on March 15th, 36-year old Zachary Alan Frank, of Lewis, was arrested by Cass County Deputies on an Atlantic Police Department warrant for Harassment 3rd Degree, and Theft 5th Degree. Frank was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held on $600 bond.

On March 13th, 52-year old Philip Reed Thompson, of Lewis, was arrested on a District Court warrant for Violation of Probation and an additional charge of Driving While Barred. Thompson was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held on $3,000 bond. March 11th, 35-year old Brenda Nichole Leah Kinzie, of Council Bluffs, was arrested on two District Court warrants for Probation Violation. Kinzie was taken to the Cass County Jail where she remains held on $20,000 bond.

On March 9th, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested 56-year old Katherine Anne Lange, of Anita, on a charge of OWI 1st Offense. Lange was taken to the Cass County Jail and released later that day on her own recognizance. On March 6th, 20-year old Kolby Austin Fulk, of Harlan, was arrested on a charge of Driving While Barred. Fulk was taken to the Cass County Jail and was released later that day on $2,000 bond. And, on March 5th, 28-year old Timothy Alan Brown, of Griswold, was arrested by Cass County Deputies on charges of Criminal Mischief 4th Degree; Public Intoxication; and, Disorderly Conduct. Brown was taken to the Cass County Jail and released the following day on his own recognizance.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A city in northwest Iowa is waiting for a biofuels company to pay $77,500 in fines and explain why its Nebraska plant has exceeded daily limits on solids sent to the city’s wastewater treatment plant. Sioux City is still seeking answers on why Wisconsin-based Big Ox Energy has surpassed daily limits of about 48,500 pounds of solids sent to the city’s wastewater treatment plant at least 33 times since June. The releases have put the city at risk of violating its own wastewater treatment permit with the state.

Assistant city attorney Justin Vondrak tells the Sioux City Journal that Big Ox has mentioned equipment failures, but hasn’t provided a full explanation. Big Ox spokesman Kevin Bradley says the company is working to resolve the issues. The city is currently reviewing the company’s permit renewal request.

The Creston Police Department reports three, recent arrests. Sunday morning, 31-year old Kristine Jensine Porter, of Creston, was arrested for Driving while revoked, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of controlled substance. Porter was later released on $2,300 bond. At around 1:45-a.m. Saturday, 22-year old Kaylee Nelson, of Creston, was arrested for OWI 1st. Nelson was released on her Own Recognizance. And, at around 1:30-p.m. Friday, 40-year old Demion Lee Garrison, of Creston, was arrested by Creston Police for Driving while Suspended. Garrison subsequently bonded out of custody.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports one arrest and one warrant served. At around 9:15-p.m. Sunday, a Deputy assigned to the road patrol division was advised of a possibly intoxicated driver on Interstate 80. The Deputy located the vehicle and placed 23-year old Mackenzie Anne Megel, under arrest for OWI/1st offense. She was later released from custody. The report did not indicate where she was from.

And, a man being held in the Pott. County Jail was presented with a warrant Friday morning. 27-year old Patrick James Carpenter, Jr., of Council Bluffs, was read a warrant for Violation of Probation, and returned to Corrections Staff.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — A murder charge has been filed against a man accused of setting a Cedar Rapids apartment fire. Linn County District Court records say an amended criminal complaint with the new charge was filed Friday against 24-year-old Dallas Tullis, of Cedar Rapids. He’s also charged with arson and two counts of assault. His attorney didn’t immediately return a call Monday from The Associated Press.

Investigators say Tullis set a fire Feb. 28 that destroyed the apartment complex and injured some tenants, including Tullis. One of them was 65-year-old Steven Balvin, who died days later. His death prompted the new charge against Tullis.

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (6.4MB)

Subscribe: RSS

Pottawattamie County Emergency Management Director Doug Reed reports personnel from his office will begin damage assessment in eastern Pott. County, today. The primary focus, he says, will be on damage to public infrastructure, and capturing information on residential/business damages observed while in the area. Residents and businesses are asked to report any damages sustained due to flooding. To report your damages and provide photos, go to www.pottcounty-ia.gov/departments/emergency-management. Officials encourage residents to wait until the waters recede, and it’s safe to return to your property, before taking photos or beginning cleanup efforts.

Reed said that while the Missouri River flood waters have begun to recede, crews will continue to monitor the levee system. He stressed that “The floodwaters are still impacting many roads, highway, interstate miles and residential properties,” and that there are “Still areas with very dangerous conditions.” You are encouraged to respect all road closures and restricted access areas. Don’t drive on roads that are marked closed, even if the water has receded, as they may be undermined or compromised by floodwaters. All closed roads are to be avoided until they are inspected by proper authorities and opened for safe travel. Allow extra time while traveling.

As a reminder, as of the latest report:

• The Tom Hanafan River’s Edge Park is temporarily closed.
• The River’s Edge Service road, the road between Harrah’s Parking lot and the Tom Hanafan River’s Edge Park is temporarily closed.
• A portion of the Council Bluffs trail System, from the Harrah’s parking garage to the Western Historic Trails Museum, is temporarily closed.
• Big Lake Road is temporarily closed.
• Gifford Road is temporarily closed.
• Narrow’s River Park is temporarily closed.
• Botna Bend Park is temporarily closed.
• and, the City of Council Bluffs’ flood and drainage gates are closed, and storm water pumps are operational.

The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:06-a.m. From KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (4.5MB)

Subscribe: RSS

(Radio Iowa) — With the arrival of spring and warmer weather also comes the arrival of new risks and temptations for young ones in our homes, garages and yards. Tammy Noble, a registered nurse and spokeswoman for the Iowa Poison Control Center, says this is National Poison Prevention Week and Iowans need to do a little scouting to ensure their homes are safe for the seasons ahead.

“This is the week that we really try to focus on things that we can do to prevent poisonings,” Noble says. “This isn’t just for families with young children. This is also for adults, because sometimes adults make mistakes, too, and a lot of those errors are things that could be preventable.”

During the winter months, Noble says the experts at the hotline get a lot of calls about things like carbon monoxide poisoning, or the accidental consumption of anti-freeze or ice melt pellets.  “During spring, we start getting a lot of calls about lawn chemicals, about bugs and bug spray and as we start getting into the sunnier times, which everybody can’t wait for, with that sun comes things like sunscreen calls.”

During 2018, Iowans placed nearly 30-thousand calls to the Sioux City-based Poison Control Center. That’s down slightly from the previous year, as Noble says so many of us are carrying around easy access to the internet in our pockets. “People are starting to use their handheld resource a lot more,” Nobel says. “People are Googling answers a lot but we always recommend, just call the Poison Center, we’ll answer your question, you’ll know yes-or-no whether it’s a problem. We’ll tell you if you need to go to the hospital. We’ll even give you some help if it’s stuff you can take care of at home.”

The call is free and experts are available around-the-clock at 800-222-1222.
http://www.iowapoison.org/

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Residents in parts of southwestern Iowa were forced out of their homes Sunday as a torrent of Missouri River water flowed over and through levees, putting them in a situation similar to hundreds of people in neighboring Nebraska who have been displaced by the late-winter flood. Heavy rainfall and snowmelt have led to dangerously high water in creeks and rivers across several Midwestern states, with the Missouri River hitting record-high levels in many areas. At least two deaths were blamed on flooding, and two other men have been missing for days. While river depths were starting to level off in parts of Nebraska on Sunday, the water is so high in many places that serious flooding is expected to remain for several days. And downstream communities in Kansas and Missouri were bracing for likely flooding. Many major traffic corridors are cut-off due to flood waters or substantial damage from the water.

In Iowa, the Missouri River reached 30.2 feet Sunday in Fremont County in the state’s far southwestern corner, 2 feet above the record set in 2011. People in the towns of Bartlett and Thurman were evacuated as levees were breached and overtopped. County Emergency Management Director Mike Crecelius said it wasn’t just the amount of the water, it was the swiftness of the current that created a danger. In Mills County, residents of Pacific Junction were ordered to evacuate Sunday night due to rising water and the potential loss of structural integrity in the flood containment system. Water and gas were shut-off. Officials noted an Emergency Shelter was still available at the Salem Lutheran Church in Council Bluffs (14955 Somerset Ave.).

Lucinda Parker of Iowa Homeland Security & Emergency Management said nearly 2,000 people have been evacuated at eight Iowa locations since flooding began late last week. Most were staying with friends or family. Seven shelters set up for flood victims held just a couple dozen people Saturday night.

In Nebraska, the Missouri River flooded Offutt Air Force Base, with about one-third of it under water on Sunday. Spokeswoman Tech. Sgt. Rachelle Blake told the Omaha World-Herald that 60 buildings, mostly on the south end of the base, have been damaged, including about 30 completely inundated with as much as 8 feet of water. Hundreds of people remained out of their homes in Nebraska, where floodwaters reached record levels at 17 locations. The Nebraska Emergency Management Agency said the Missouri River was expected to reach 41 feet, or 4 feet above the record set in 2011.

Nearly 300 people have been rescued from high water across the state. At least one fatality was reported in Nebraska. On Thursday, 50-year old Columbus, Nebraska, farmer James Wilke died when a bridge collapsed as he used a tractor to try and reach stranded motorists. Two men remain missing. A Norfolk man was seen on top of his flooded car late Thursday before being swept away. Water also swept away a man after a dam collapse.

Downstream in St. Joseph, Missouri, home to 76,000 people, volunteers were helping to fill sandbags to help secure a levee protecting an industrial area. Flooding was causing problems for passenger train service between Kansas City, Missouri, and St. Louis. All Missouri River Runner trains have been cancelled today (Monday). The service typically travels twice daily between the two metropolitan areas.

The rising Mississippi River also was creating concern. The Mississippi was already at major flood level along the Iowa-Illinois border, closing roads and highways and swamping thousands of acres of farmland. Moderate Mississippi River flooding was expected at several Missouri cities, including St. Louis. Flooding has also been reported in Minnesota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. In Green Bay, Wisconsin, officials said residents who evacuated their homes could return now that floodwaters have receded there.