COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – A woman who was forced to find a new home for her dog is seeking to end Council Bluff’s 10-year-old ban on pit bulls. An animal control officer approached Shala Richardson and her pit bull mix, Stitch, in July and told her she had seven days to remove the family pet. She complied and placed the dog with family outside of Council Bluffs.

But Richardson was determined to make a change, so she started a petition which gathered about 700 signatures and is now in the hands of the City Council. The Daily Nonpareil reports that City Council members will decide whether to keep or lift the ban. Richardson says she would like to see an amended law with regulations similar to Omaha.

The Harlan Police Department reports a teen from Walnut was arrested Sept. 18th on burglary, theft and other charges. 16-year old Travis Osborn was arrested following an investigation into the theft of a vehicle in the 2000 block of 6th Street that led to a pursuit into the county in the stolen vehicle. He was charged with Burglary in the 2nd Degree, Theft in 2nd degree and cited for being a minor in possession of tobacco. Osborn faces additional charges in Shelby County related to the pursuit.

On Sept. 16th, Harlan Police arrested 44-year old Marc Morris, of Harlan, following a traffic stop. Morris was charged with OWI, eluding, driving while suspended, failure to comply with the order of a peace officer, failure to stop or yield, other moving violations and Theft in the 5th degree. He was being held in the Shelby County Jail.

36-year old Jason Wayne Anderson, of Harlan, was arrested Sept. 15th in Harlan, on a charge of Assault Causing Serious Injury. His arrest took place following an investigation to an incident involving Cody Haggerty, of Harlan.

And on Sept. 8th, Harlan Police arrested 45-year old Mary Kristen Nielsen, on an OWI charge. The arrest was the result of an investigation into a Harassment complaint.

The Cass County Board of Supervisors today (Wednesday), heard from Julie Florian, program director with Health Promotion Strategies from Dow City, on “Making the decision to go Tobacco/Nicotine-Free” campus. The County already has a tobacco free policy pertaining to the courthouse grounds and inside the building, as well as several other properties. The policy however, doesn’t exclude other nicotine products, such as electronic-vapor cigarettes, or “Vaping”, nicotine pills, gum or other such means of ingesting nicotine.

Among the other forms of nicotine available on the market, according to Florian, is nicotine water, and “Cig-a-fizz,” which is kind of like the old fashioned “Pop Rock” candy many people grew up with, except it contains three milligrams of nicotine.

Florian says the Supervisors can set an example for other businesses in the County by coming up with an expanded policy on prohibiting or limiting nicotine use by the public and County employees. She says currently, only Scott and Lee Counties have both tobacco free and nicotine free policies in place. Samples of their policies were provided to the Board, along with information pertaining to free signage indicating the policy changes. The original, Smoke-Free Air Act signs can remain in-place if the new signs are erected.

The Board took her information under advisement. In other business, the Supervisors agreed to allow the County Recorder and Treasurer to continue with the process of hiring a person who would work in both offices as an assistant. The person being considered, following an interview process that has already taken place, would work half of the time in the Treasurer’s Office – where they will scan documents related to vehicle registration and other matters – and half-time in the Recorder’s Office.

A lengthy discussion took place with regard to the candidates’ rate of pay, and whether they would also receive an insurance and benefits package. In the end, it was determined those details would be worked out when it comes time to appoint the individual being considered.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest on Monday of an Audubon County man. 23-year old TJ Taylor Anderson, of Exira, was taken into custody on a charge of Driving While Barred. Anderson was brought to the Cass County Jail and released Tuesday on his own recognizance.

The Mills County Attorney’s Office today (Wednesday), reports a Pacific Junction man was arrested Tuesday on a felony charge of Going Armed with Intent, and an aggravated misdemeanor charge of Carrying Weapons, in connection with social media statement he made seeking vigilante justice. 20-year old Liam Russell Whitehouse allegedly made statements on Facebook at around 9-p.m. Sunday, seeking justice in connection with a shooting that occurred earlier that evening in Glenwood, near the home of High School Principal Richard Hutchinson.

Liam Whitehouse

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop in the 800 block of E. Sharp Street, in Glenwood, with the assistance of Glenwood Police. During a search of Whitehouses’ vehicle, authorities located a gun under the driver’s seat, and a samurai sword in the trunk.

Whitehouse has since bonded out of jail and is awaiting an initial appearance before the magistrate. If convicted on both charges, he faces up to seven-years in prison and fines amounting to a maximum of nearly $14,000.

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

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The Atlantic School District’s Board of Education will hold a work session this (Wednesday) evening. During their 5:30-p.m. session in the High School Media Center, the Board will hold an overview and discussion, with regard to: Technology; Teacher Leadership Compensation; the Middle School/Link Center; High School/Educational Opportunity Center (EOC); and, the budget, along with monthly reports.

A traffic stop Tuesday evening in Montgomery County resulted in the arrest of two men on Public Intoxication charges. The Sheriff’s Office says deputies arrested 21-year old Jacob William Avery and 21-year old Gillian Ray James Bourn, both of Red Oak, at around 7:15-p.m., at the intersection of 180th Street and Highway 48. The men were being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $300 bond, each.

Two women from Red Oak face 5th Degree Theft charges, after allegedly stealing a package from a residence over the weekend. Red Oak Police said Tuesday, 39-year old Rachilla Ann Davis was a passenger in a van driven and owned by 26-year old Amber Nicole Gonzalez. When Gonzalez stopped the vehicle Saturday in the 1600 block of N. 8th Street, Davis got out and allegedly took a package valued at $140 from a home. They were taken into custody at around 3:30-p.m. Tuesday and brought to the Montgomery County Jail, where the women were held on $300 cash bond, each.