(Corrects age of victim)

The Union County Sheriff’s Office reports a child has died during an accident involving a skid loader Tuesday evening. Deputies and emergency responders were called to 2683 205th Street southwest of Afton, at around 6:10-p.m.  Calab Brammer, of Lorimor, reported the accident. His son, 23-month old Calab Allen Brammer, Jr., of Lorimor, was pronounced dead at the scene. No other information on the accident was immediately released.

An investigation into the Sept. 24th break-in and burglary of Sparky’s One Stop in Bayard, has resulted in two arrests, with a third suspect having been identified while the case remains under investigation. The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office reports on Sept. 26th, Collin Richards was arrested on charges that include Burglary in the 3rd Degree, Theft in the 2nd Degree, and Criminal Mischief in the 3rd Degree. A juvenile also taken into custody faces the same charges. He was released to his parents. Authorities say criminal charges are expected to be filed soon, against the third, unidentified suspect in the case.

The Sheriff’s Office says surveillance video showed the the male suspects breaking-out the glass front door of the store before going inside and stuffing duffle bags full of tobacco products and alcohol. Evidence led to a search warrant being executed on Sept. 25th at Richards’ home located at 206 Main Street in Bayard. Deputies, assisted by Coon Rapids Police Officers, recovered a large quantity of stolen alcohol and cigarettes in the home.

Richards was taken into custody at that time, and charged with Possession of Stolen Property as well as Possession of Alcohol by a person 18-to 21-years of age.

A woman from Shelby County was arrested early this (Wednesday) morning for calling 911 to report clown sightings at the Avoca Pool and Avoca High School. The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office says 36-year old Jennifer Lynn Brennan, of Harlan, made the non-emergency 9-1-1 call at around 4:15-a.m.  Authorities located the woman at her place of employment in Avoca, and arrested her at around 4:45-a.m. for calling 9-1-1 for a non-emergency.

(Updated 10:45-a.m.):

AHSTW School officials posted a message on their social media page with regard to the incident. The message said “Administrators met with local law enforcement this (Wednesday) morning to verify any reports of “creepy clown” sightings on the AHSTW campus. None of these reports are true.

“Social media and news reports state, “creepy clown sightings” are on trend in the country. The hoax is that people dress as clowns, roam around, and try to lure others toward them and may directly threaten people or make threats to organizations like schools. Law enforcement has found little to substantiate the hundreds of reports in Iowa. That being said, authorities will file criminal charges against people who are purposely perpetrating a hoax.”

The School District said “Local law enforcement in the City of Avoca and Pottawattamie County are cracking down on anyone participating in this hoax. Please understand that “to incite fear or trespass on someone’s property” is against the law.” They reiterated that “The social media pictures that were reportedly taken on the AHSTW campus are photoshopped. All reports are unsubstantiated.” Officials advised parents to “Please help your child understand that this is a rumor. Let your child know it is safe to attend school.”

Nationwide, the alleged clown threats and incidents began to occur after it was announced a remake of the 1990 horror film “It,” was being made. The original movie was based on a 1987 Stephen King novel that increased the public’s fear of clowns.

Officials with the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce say the Chamber’s Image Committee has awarded Dan and Shellie Brown, of 1111 Plum Street, with the Community Improvement Award. The award recognizes the successful efforts to improve a property in the Atlantic Area.

Chamber Executive Director Ouida Hargens says “Dan and Shellie have done an outstanding job improving the exterior of their home over the past three years. And a beautiful job landscaping the entire yard. They take pride in their own property and the entire community and we greatly appreciate it.”

Pictured: Bill Saluk, Gene Fischer, Gerald Brink, Ouida Hargens, Executive Director and Dan and Shellie Brown. (photo submitted)

The Community Improvement Award is given to a businesses and residents that takes pride in making Atlantic a welcoming and beautiful community by continuing to improve its appearance.

If you would like to nominate a business or community member for a Community Improvement Award, contact the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce: 712-243-3017 or chamber@atlanticiowa.com

Thanks to a 150-thousand dollar grant, more nurses aides in Iowa are learning to provide basic dental care to patients. The two-year grant is part of a statewide effort to integrate oral health into standard care for seniors and people with disabilities. Di Findley, director of the non-profit Iowa CareGivers, says the Lifelong Smiles Coalition developed a training program for health care aides called, “Mouth Care Matters,” and 100 direct care workers have been trained so far.

Findley says, “One of the direct care workers mentioned at our statewide conference when they began to understand that connection between the mouth and the rest of the body, she said, “I’m going to start placing a much higher priority on oral health and checking that person’s mouth than I am putting lipstick on.'” Findley says standards for oral health care should be added to the intake process for nursing home patients and especially for those receiving home health care services. For example, aides or nurses could ask a few simple questions, like, “Can you eat?” or “Do you have sores or pain in your mouth?”

She says, “I think promoting standards that can be recognized at the state level and integrated into the bigger system, that’s the only way it’s going to change significantly.” The grant comes from the Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation. Delta Dental of Iowa is a nonprofit insurance company and its foundation’s purpose is to help improve oral health care in the state.

Learn more at: www.lifelongsmilescoalition.com.

(Radio Iowa)

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

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MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) – After a 15-year restoration, a mechanic was taking a classic 1961 Chevrolet Corvette for a final test drive in Mason City before shipping the car to its owner in Florida. Then came the crash. Ray Shimak told the Globe Gazette  he was checking on a shifter adjustment when another car swerved into the Corvette.
No one was hurt, but the crash damaged the Corvette’s right rear and front.

Shimak had been restoring the Corvette since 2006 for retired Mason City businessman Lee Snell, who bought the car in the 1970s and had worked on it for years. Shimak says the latest repairs should be done by Jan. 1st. He says Snell accepted the news of the crash well, noting “He’s a patient man.”

The area’s top news at 7:06-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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Officials with the Council Bluffs Police Department say two men were arrested early this (Wednesday) morning for failing to obey the orders of a police officer. According to the police report, at around 1:25-a.m., an officer was conducting a traffic stop on the 3500 block of John Street. When the vehicle came to a stop the driver, later identified as 38-year old Gary Boro, of Omaha, exited the vehicle and allegedly moved in an aggressive manner toward the officer. The officer then called for assistance.

(Updated 9:55-a.m.)

A man from Nebraska was arrested following an attempted traffic stop and pursuit this (Wednesday) morning, in Council Bluffs. Authorities say just before 2-a.m., Bluffs Police Officers pulled over  a 2001 Chevy Tahoe in the area of N. 8th St. and Ave F. Officers made contact with the driver of the vehicle and identified him as 38-year old Moreice Stewart, of Omaha. Stewart had valid warrants for his arrest issued out of Douglas County, NE. When the officer was returning to his patrol car Stewart accelerated away from the traffic stop and headed east out of Council Bluffs on Highway 6.

Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Deputies pursued Stewart and deployed stop sticks at 270th and Highway 6. After Stewart’s vehicle went into a ditch, he fled on foot into a cornfield. Following a foot pursuit, Deputies took Stewart into custody and transported him to the Pottawattamie County jail.

He faces Pott. County charges that include: Fugitive from Justice (with regard to the Nebraska warrant); Felony Eluding; OWI/1st Offense; Reckless Driving and Interference with Official Acts. Bluffs Police also charged Stewart with Fraudulent use of Plates, No Registration, Equipment violation and Eluding.