Officials with the Pottawattamie County Emergency Management Agency say the ban on open burning that was in place for the entire county, has been lifted, as of 10- a.m. today (Wedensday, October 17th, 2012). The extremely dry seasonal conditions prompted a three-month burn ban for Pottawattamie County.  EMA Director Doug Reed said in a Press Release, that “The burn ban was a necessary tool to help reduce the potential for widespread, devastating fires throughout the county.”

The Fire Departments in Pottawattamie County and the 9-1-1 Communications Center implemented automatic mutual aid procedures that gave firefighters an edge in responding to reported fires quickly and efficiently. Reed said “Their performance was outstanding and made a dangerous season safer for all our citizens.”

And, although the ban is lifted, Reed says all citizens are urged to use caution whenever burning and to ensure they have water or other protective measures in place to prevent the spread of fires. Citizens living within incorporated city limits should check with their local fire department or city clerk before burning. Some communities have their own ordinances that restrict or prohibit open burning throughout the year.

Anyone conducting a controlled burn is encouraged to report their burn, prior to ignition, by calling the 911 Communication Center’s NON-EMERGENCY number at 712-328-5737.

The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office today (Wednesday) released a report on arrests and incident investigations that have taken place over the past couple of weeks. Most recently, 32-year old Steven Ray Cole, of Northboro, IA, was arrested Tuesday, on a warrant out of Fremont County for Theft in the 5the degree, in connection with an incident that took place in December, 2011. Cole made his initial appearance in court, during which the case against him was dismissed.

Last Saturday (Oct. 13th), deputies in Fremont County arrested 20-year old Darin Lee Hanika, of Nebraska City, NE, for possession or purchase of alcohol by a person under legal age and Open Container. He plead guilty to the charges and was ordered to pay a fine.

And, on October 8th, 19-year old Elijah Faust, of Thurman, was arrested in Fremont County on two counts of Possession of Prescription drugs, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was able to post bond and will appear again in court, on October 25th.

COUNTIES: MONONA-HARRISON-SHELBY-POTTAWATTAMIE-MILLS
1019 AM CDT WED OCT 17 2012

A WIND ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CDT THIS EVENING

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN OMAHA/VALLEY HAS ISSUED A WIND ADVISORY WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CDT THIS EVENING. WINDS WILL INCREASE THIS MORNING AND CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE DAY. NORTHWEST WINDS AVERAGING 25 TO 35 MPH WITH GUSTS OVER 40 MPH ARE EXPECTED.

THE STRONG WINDS WILL MAKING DRIVING DIFFICULT,  ESPECIALLY FOR HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES. THE WINDS MAY ALSO
CREATE SOME BLOWING DUST AND ELEVATED FIRE DANGER. USE EXTRA CAUTION.

The Cass County Board of Supervisors have approved the vacating of a road near ‘The Valley” (Highway 71/I-80 interchange), and the sale of a bridge over a small stream along that road. Their action came during the Board’s meeting this (Wednesday) morning, following a public hearing, during which there was a letter of support for the move, and no objections.

Cass County Engineer Charles Marker said a request had been made in writing by the manager of a the Neumann Family Trust to the County Engineer’s Office, to vacate a portion of 662^nd Lane in Benton Township Section 7, that had originally been established in 1895. A person in charge of the Trust who owns the property, wrote the letter in support of the Board’s action. The reasons given were that trespassers and poachers had used the lane to park and engage in illegal activity on the land.

The nearly one-quarter of a mile stretch of road is off Boston Road, just east of “The Valley.” Marker said because there is a bridge on the road, and according to an opinion by the Iowa Attorney General’s Office, the County had to choose between demolishing the bridge, or selling it to an adjoining property owner for a minimal price. Either way, it had to be removed from the County’s bridge inventory.

The Board accepted a proposal from Dale Pauley to purchase the bridge for the sum of One-dollar. Pauley said he would block access to the bridge, because it is unsafe, and because the gulley underneath it is being used as a “garbage dump,” by some unscrupulous individuals.

An Atlantic man was arrested this (Wednesday) morning, on an assault charge. The Atlantic Police Department reports 26-year old Christopher Castillo was taken into custody early in the morning. Castillo was booked into the Cass County Jail.

w/ Chris Parks

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KILLEEN, Texas (AP) – Central Texas police say a person detained after the fatal shooting of a Fort Hood soldier during a fight has been released with no charges filed.  Killeen police on Tuesday announced prosecutors have reviewed the Oct. 4 case involving shots fired outside a home. The gunfire killed Spc. Jamie Lee Schnider of Carter Lake, Iowa, and wounded another soldier.

Police say a person initially taken into custody has been released with no charges as the investigation continues. Authorities declined to release further details on the individual.

Police in Red Oak report one person suffered minor, accidental gunshot wound injuries, Tuesday night. Officials say 32-year-old Luke Daniel Rinehart, of Red Oak, was treated at the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital, for a .22-caliber gunshot wound to his left bicep area. An investigation into the incident determined Rinehart was at home and attempting to load a rifle, when a round became lodged in the barrel of the gun. During his attempt to dislodge the bullet, the rifle discharged and the bullet struck him in the arm. The bullet passed through his arm.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A homecoming celebration is planned for 30 members of the Iowa Air National Guard returning home from a tour of duty in Southeast Asia.

F-16C Fighting Falcon, Iowa Air National Guard

The guard says the airmen from the 132nd Fighter Wing in De Moines are scheduled to return to Des Moines Wednesday morning.  The airmen have been in Southeast Asia for the past six months.