COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – A man from Nebraska was sentenced on a drug and weapon charges Friday, in Pottawattamie County/Council Bluffs U-S District Court. Authorities says 38-year-old James Michael Milbourn, of Omaha, will serve 12-years in prison following his plea of guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Carrying a Firearm During and in Relation to a Drug Trafficking Crime, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

On February 26, 2022, law enforcement encountered Milbourn in his car which was parked in the front yard of a residence in Council Bluffs. Located in plain view on the front passenger seat of the car was a bag that contained methamphetamine, a digital scale, and a loaded firearm. Milbourn intended to distribute the methamphetamine and possessed the firearm for personal protection of his controlled substances. Milbourn has multiple felony convictions which preclude him from possessing a firearm or ammunition.

The Council Bluffs Police Department and Southwest Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force investigated the case, which was prosecuted by the U-S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

(Radio Iowa) – The state expert who tracks the deer population in the state says the herd has been healthy this year. The D-N-R’s Tyler Harms says Hemorrhagic Disease has been a problem in the past — but not this year. “The hemorrhagic disease has been pretty low this year so not a main concern of ours — obviously chronic wasting diseases is still a big concern — and we’re continuing our intensive surveillance efforts across the state,” he says. Harms says they’ve held several public information meetings on C-W-D.

“In Jefferson, Iowa, Glenwood Iowa and Decorah, Iowa, all very well attended and very obvious that folks are concerned and passionate and willing to help with the management of this disease,” Harms says. “We did also just have a virtual public meeting, had at about 225 folks attend that meeting as well. So, really grateful to our hunters and our citizens for taking an interest in learning more about what we all can do to slow the spread of that disease.” Harms says they keep track of the disease by asking hunters to donate samples during the season.

“Especially in areas where we’ve detected Chronic Wasting Disease in the wild, to consider providing a tissue sample for testing for chronic wasting disease, it’s a very valuable contribution to helping us monitor,” he says. The first shotgun deer season is underway now and wraps up on December 7th.

(Des Moines, Iowa) -State Auditor Rob Sand today (Monday) issued an advisory alerting Iowans to a potential phone scam in which the caller identifies themselves as a representative of the Iowa Auditor of State Office (AOS). A concerned citizen notified the AOS Office on Wednesday, November 30, 2022, that they had received a phone call from a person inquiring about their mortgage. The caller also stated that they knew the concerned citizen’s name, address, and height.

“The Auditor of State Office will never call you to inquire about your mortgage or personal finances,” said State Auditor Rob Sand. “We have alerted the Iowa Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division.” The Federal Trade Commission offers the following advice to identify and avoid phone scams:

• Scammers might pretend to be from a well-known organization or agency like the Internal Revenue Service, the Social Security Administration, or Medicare. These agencies will never call you to request financial information.
• Scammers often claim you’ve won a prize. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
• Scammers may pressure you to act immediately or pay in a specific way.
• Never give your personal or financial information to a random caller.
• Talk to someone you trust before acting on a caller’s request for money or information.

To learn more about protecting yourself from scams or to report a scam, contact the Iowa Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division at 515-281-5926 or consumer.consumer@ag.iowa.gov.

Questions for the AOS Office should be directed to 515-281-5834 or info@aos.iowa.gov.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors are set to meet during their regular, weekly session, beginning at 9-a.m., Tuesday. The meeting, as always, is in their Board Room inside the Cass County Courthouse, in Atlantic.

On their agenda, is a presentation from Group Benefit Partners’ Ryan Berven, with regard to 2023 Benefit Renewal Options. The Board is expected to act on approving a Fiscal Year 2021-22 Urban Renewal Report, and, act on the hiring of Tamara DeVall as an Auditor’s Clerk.

DeVall would be paid $18 per hour, with a One-dollar increase at 90-days, assuming a positive performance evaluation, and, another One-dollar raise following a second, positive performance evaluation.

An update on maintenance and activities in the Secondary Roads Department, is expected from Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken.

(Harlan, Iowa) – The Shelby County Board of Supervisors will meet in their regular weekly session, 9-a.m. Tuesday (Dec. 6,2022), in Harlan. The meeting takes place in their Board Room at the Courthouse. Auditor Mark Maxwell says, among the items on the Board’s agenda, is discussion with regard to increase the number of Supervisors from 3- to 5-members. The Board is expected to act on:

• A Utility Permit for the Nishnabotna Valley REC
• A West Nishnabotna Water Trail Memorandum of Agreement
• and, a Resolution for the 2023 County 5-year Program (Secondary Roads Dept.)

The Shelby County Supervisors will discuss and act on the matter of a Jail Administrator/Sheriff Secretary, A grounds use permit for the “Roar into Harlan” Summer 2023 event, and evaluations and budget discussion/notification. The Board will discuss Public notification pipeline issues facing Shelby County, and, they are expected to receive a report from Todd Valline, with the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Chamber Ambassadors were hosted by Barb Hofeldt, owner of B Designed, on Thursday, December 1st, 2022. The Ambassadors welcomed Barb as a new Chamber Member and viewed her showroom.

Barb Hofeldt graduated with an Architectural Engineering degree from Iowa Western in 2003 and went on to work for various businesses in her Interior Designing career. For the last three years, Barb has created her own small business and is located under Brymons Interiors. Barb’s favorite part of the design process is seeing the final product and comparing to the “before.” Barb shared with the Ambassadors that she can start a project with as little as a napkin drawing to as much as a clean slate in a new build.

B Designed specializes in cabinetry, countertops, backsplashes, and flooring and enjoys meeting clients and creating the kitchens bathroom or closet of their dreams. Barb works with a team of flooring and countertop installers and has great recommendations of other professionals for any project need.

Front Row (Left to Right): Kelsey Beschorner, Barb Hofeldt, Connie Wailes.
Back Rows (Left to Right): Elaine Otte, Rick Mericle, Victoria Gibson, John Gibson, Anne Quist, Bill Saluk, Leah Muhlbaur, Jeremy Butler, Lana Westphalen, Dr. Keith Leonard, Kathie Hockenberry, Donnie Drennan, Dolly Bergmann.

B Designed is located at 416 Chestnut Street, under Brymons Interiors. For more information call 402-680-4745 or visit https://b-designed.business.site/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=referral

(Creston, Iowa) – Officials with the Creston Police Department reports 41-year-old Gregory James Clair, of Creston, was arrested Thursday night (12/1/22) at the Creston/Union County Law Enforcement Center. Clair faces charges that include 18-counts of Sex Abuse of a Child Under 12, four-counts of Incest, and two-counts of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child. He was being held in the Union County Jail on a $495,000 cash or surety bond.

Authorities said also, 35-year-old Brandon Hurshel Whitfield, of Creston, was arrested at a residence in the 300 block of Pine Street, Friday morning, on two Union County warrants. The first warrant was for Failure to Appear (FTA) on a charge of Eluding/speeding 25 mph or more over the legal limit. The second warrant was for FTA on an original charge of Domestic Abuse Assault (With injury of mental illness)/1st offense. He later posted bond and was released from the Union County Jail.

And, 44-year-old Michelle Robin Spaulding, of Creston, was arrested following a traffic stop Sunday morning. She was charged with OWI/1st offense, and later released on bond.

The Creston Police Department said also, that a woman residing in the 800 block of W. Adams Street, in Creston, reported Saturday morning, that her green, Chevy Suburban was stolen from her driveway. The vehicle does not run, and has a broken-out back window. The loss was estimated at $500.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater reports five arrests from over the past week. Among them was 37-year-old Barrett Martin Driskill, of Blockton, who was arrested Nov. 28th, by Stuart Police. Driskill was wanted on a warrant out of Cass County (IA) for Failure to Appear for his Pre-Trial Conference, Possession of a Controlled Substance/3rd or subsequent offense, Theft in the 2nd Degree, and OWI/1st Offense. His arrest followed the pursuit of a 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee that began during a traffic stop in Stuart at around 1-a.m., on Nov. 28th.

The chase eventually entered a field where the SUV stopped after reaching a fence line near Interstate 80. Driskill took-off on foot and was tracked north across the Interstate in a field, with the assistance of a Guthrie County K9. He was found hiding in a waterway. He refused to answer questions and advised officers that he was walking down the creek, collecting rocks. Officers noted he did not appear to have any dirt or mud on him, and did not have the appropriate clothing on for the weather conditions. An odor of alcoholic beverage was detected coming from his body. An open container of alcohol was seen in the Jeep.

Driskill was transported to the Adair County Hospital and then to the Adair County Jail, where, in addition to the Cass County charges, he was charged with: Felony eluding; Possession of a Controlled Substance-Marijuana/3rd or subsequent offense; Failure to stop at a stop sign; Speeding; Improper rear lamps, and Open Container by a person over 21-years of age. He was turned-over to Cass County Deputies to answer to the charges in our county.

Elsewhere in Adair County arrests

• 26-year-old Jesse Andrew Queener, of Stuart, was arrested by Stuart Police, on an Adair County warrant for Violation of Probation. He was released the following day on a $5,000 cash or surety bond
• 32-year-old Cody Neil Daughtery, of Greenfield, was arrested Nov. 29th by Adair County Deputies, on an Adair County warrant charging him with Assault causing bodily injury or mental illness. He was released the same day on a $1,000 c/s bond.
• 50-year-old Jason Edward Caldwell, of Stuart, was arrested Nov. 29th by Adair County Deputies, on a charge of Driving While Barred. He was released the following day on a $2,000 c/s bond.
• On November 30th, 45-year-old Michael Price Griffin, of Adair, was arrested by Adair Police at the Casey’s store in Adair. Griffin was charged with Driving While Barred and held on a $2,000 c/s bond.
• And, on Dec. 3rd, 21-year-old Dylan Roger Holste, of Orient, was transported to the Adair County Jail in Greenfield, following a traffic stop. Upon contact with the vehicles’ occupants, the Deputy said he could immediately tell a passenger was extremely intoxicated. Holste, who was driving the vehicle, admitted to having had a beer. Following a Standardized Field Sobriety Test, and his refusal to submit to a Preliminary Breath Test, Dylan Holste was transported to the Jail. The report says while he was on the phone to his father, Dylan admitted he had four-or five-drinks. The report says he refused to provide a specimen of his breath on the Datamaster DMT. He was cited for OWI/offense, and released from the Sheriff’s Office

(Red Oak) – Officials with the Red Oak Police Department report a man from Nebraska was arrested Sunday evening. Authorities say 44-year-old Juan Avalos, Jr., of Omaha, was taken into custody at around 5:15-p.m., in the 300 block of 2nd Avenue. Avalos wanted on a warrant out of Omaha, associated with a fraudulent check.

Avalos, Jr., was transported to the Montgomery County Jail for being a fugitive from justice, and was being held, pending extradition to Nebraska.