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State Patrol ID’s Shelby County Crash victims

News

October 26th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Scene of Wednesday's fatal crash (Photo Credit: Harlan Tribune)

(final update 3:45-p.m. Wed.)  The Iowa State Patrol has released the names of the victims who died Wednesday morning in a crash about four-miles south of Harlan, on Highway 59. They were identified as 68-year old Marcella and 71-year old Robert Schwery, both of Panama, and 26-year old Christina Cotant, of Avoca. The Patrol says a 1999 Cadillac Deville driven by Marcella Schwery was traveling south on Highway 59 at around 10:20-a.m., when the vehicle went around a State Patrol cruiser, which was parked on the shoulder of the road. Schwery’s car crossed the center line of the road and collided head-on with a northbound 2008 Ford Escape, driven by Cotant.

After the impact, the Cadillac spun around and collided with an unoccupied 2008 Ford Crown Victoria State Patrol cruiser. The troopers had been in the process of working a traffic stop, their vehicles’ emergency lights on, when the crash occurred. Officials say after the crash, the SUV entered the east ditch. Neither of the troopers, nor those in the vehicle they stopped, were injured.

The Patrol says all of the crash three victims died at the scene. Marcella Schwery and Christina Cotant were wearing their seatbelts, but Robert Schwery was not.

Nation-wide EAS Test scheduled for Nov. 9th

News

October 26th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will conduct the first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS), in November. The nationwide test will occur on Wednesday, November 9th at 1 p.m. central time and may last up to three and a half minutes. The public will hear a message indicating that “This is a test.” The audio message will be the same for both radio, television, and cable.

The National-level EAS is a public alert and warning system that enables the President of the United States to address the American public during extreme emergencies. Similar to local EAS tests that are conducted frequently, the Nationwide Test will involve broadcast radio and television stations, cable television, satellite radio and television services and wireline providers across all states and territories.

Over the past two years and as part of ongoing national preparedness planning efforts, FEMA, the FCC and other federal partners, State, local, tribal and territorial governments, EAS Participants, and others in the EAS Community have been working toward making this test a reality. As the federal, state, tribal, territorial and local governments prepare for and test their capabilities, this event serves as a reminder that everyone should establish an emergency preparedness kit and emergency plan for themselves, their families, communities, and businesses.

Anyone can visit www.Ready.gov for more information about how to prepare for and stay informed about what to do in the event of an actual emergency.

3 dead in crash near Harlan

News

October 26th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

(1:05-p.m.) Authorities in western Iowa are investigating a crash in Shelby County that left three people dead this (Wednesday) morning. The crash, near the Harlan Airport, resulted in the closure of Highway 59, about 2 1/2 miles north of County Road F58.   According to the Iowa State Patrol, a trooper was conducting a traffic stop on Highway 59 southbound, when a southbound Cadillac with two occupants moved to the northbound lane to pass the cruiser and the stopped vehicle. 
 
As the car was in the northbound lane, it hit a northbound SUV nearly head-on. The driver of the SUV and both people in the Cadillac died on impact. Officials say the force of the impact caused the Cadillac to spin around and hit the trooper’s car. The trooper was not in his cruiser at the time and was not injured. The vehicle which had been pulled over, was not a part of the crash.

 No names have been released.

House Fire reported in Walnut (update)

News

October 26th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

(update 12:25-p.m.) An overheated motor in a furnace apparently caused a small fire at a residence in Walnut, this morning.  Firefighters from Walnut and Hancock were paged out to a reported fire at 500 Highland Street, in Walnut. The call came in at around 11:18-a.m. 

Firefighters weren’t on the scene very long. No injuries were reported. It’s not clear what the extent of the damage was.

Fatal accident near Harlan this morning

News

October 26th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

(Updated 12:35-.m.) Three people have reportedly died in a three-vehicle crash this morning south of the Harlan airport. Harlan Medivac and Avoca Rescue were called to the scene, along with Lifenet helicopter. The acccident happened at around 10:30-a.m., as the Iowa State Patrol was making a routine traffic stop. One of the vehicles involved in the crash was an SUV.

No other details are currently available. We’ll post more on this story, as it becomes known.

Crawford County soldier injured in combat

News

October 26th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

A Marine from western Iowa is recovering from wounds he suffered during combat in Afghanistan on October 18th.  The father of Pfc. Kirk A. Salmon of Denison, told the Omaha World-Herald his son, who had been stationed  in Nawa Province, Afghanistan, was involved in a battle and suffered an injury to his shoulder as a result of rifle fire.  He was airlifted to Camp Dwyer in northern Afghanistan, where he underwent surgery. George Salmon said his son was transferred to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany, and underwent a second surgery to remove bullet fragments. 

Last Friday, the soldier was transferred to the Portsmouth Naval Medical Center in Virginia, where he is currently recooperating from his wounds.  A decision will be made soon whether to transfer Salmon closer to home, likely to a medical facility in Omaha. George Salmon said he and his wife Susan have been in daily contact with their son. He says the young man in stable condition, good spirits and able to enjoy his meals.

Kirk Salmon, who serves with the 1st Battalion 9th Marines, is a 2008 graduate of Denison High School where he participated in baseball, wrestling and football.

Coon Rapids man to be sentenced in roommate’s death

News

October 26th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

A Carroll County man is scheduled to be sentenced next month in connection with the death in September of his roommate, following an assault. 24-year old Travis Jeffrey Barker, of Coon Rapids, pled guilty to involuntary manslaughter, in the death of 28-year old William Smith.  Smith died September 4th at a hospital in Des Moines, following an altercation  the previous day, at the residence the men shared.

Authorities had initially charged Barker with 1st-degree murder, but Carroll County Attorney John Werden says the charge was reduced, because evidence in the case indicated Smith’s death was not premeditated. As part of the plea deal, both the prosecution and defense requested Barker serve a 5-year prison sentence.

Barker is scheduled to be sentenced on November 14th.

Mayor of Atlantic pleads guilty to dumping debris into Mo. River

News

October 26th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Atlantic Mayor Dave Jones has plead guilty to dumping refuse into Missouri River floodwaters. According to the Omaha World-Herald, Jones accepted responsibility for polluting the water, and was fined $150 plus court costs. Another misdemeanor charge of violating an open-burning ban was dismissed as part of the plea agreement.

The charges stemmed from an incident near Tekamah, Nebraska in late September, when Jones, his friends, and family members removed and burned flood damaged furniture and mattresses from a cabin he owns near Tekamah. On September 24th, some debris from the fire, including charred parts of furniture, slid off into an a slough (slew), or inlet, about 250-feet from the river. Jones said the debris most likely entered the inlet when the remains of the fire were doused. He claimed it was unsafe to retrieve those items that fell into the river.

The incident was reported to authorities in Burt County, NE, by a neighbor.

Reward offered for arrest of Harlan robbery suspects

News

October 26th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Suveillance video still frame of robbery suspects (photo courtesy Harlan P.D.)

Police in Harlan say a Crimestoppers reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of two individuals allegedly involved in the armed robbery Monday morning, of a convenience store in Harlan.

As we first reported during our Noon News on Monday,  at around 11:30-a.m. that day, a white male and female entered  the Fast Stop Convenience  Store at 2401 12th Street, in Harlan.  The couple brandished a handgun, demanded money, and left the store with an undisclosed amount of cash.

The male was described as being about 6-feet, or 6-feet 4-inches tall. He had dark hair, wore blue jeans and a dark hoodie.  The female he was accompanied by had long dark hair. She wore a hot pink hoodie and blue denim capris.  Both subjects are believed to be in their mid-20’s.  The pair left the area possibly driving a black, or dark colored four door sedan. 

another still frame from surveillance video (from Harlan P.D.)

Both are considered armed and dangerous. Police caution the public not to approach them.  If you have any information on the crime,  call 911 or the Harlan PD at 712-755-5151. Again, a Crimestoppers reward is being offered for any information leading to the suspect’s arrest and conviction.

2 Atlantic men arrested on burglary/theft charges

News

October 26th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Police in Atlantic report two local men were arrested Monday on Burglary and Theft charges. 19-year old’s Joshua Chapalonis and Brandon Fredericksen, both of Atlantic, were charged with Burglary in the 3rd Degree and Theft in the 2nd Degree. Both men were brought to the Cass County Jail and held pending a court appearance.  And, 41-year old Greggory Carl Traver, of Atlantic, was arrested Monday on a Warrant for Failure to Appear at the Child Support Hearing. Traver was also booked into the Cass County Jail.

In other news, Atlantic Police say Cassandra Long, of Marne, was cited Tuesday for Failure to Maintain Control/Reduce Speed, following an accident just before 8-a.m., near the intersection of 7th and Spruce Streets. Long, and Susan Nymand, of Atlantic, were traveling east on 7th Street, when Nymand slowed for a vehicle in front of her which was turning south onto Spruce. As Nymand was slowing, Long’s vehicle rear-ended Nymand’s vehicle, causing a total of $2,200 damage. No injuries were reported.