SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A Sioux City man has pleaded not guilty to setting a house on fire that had four people inside. Thirty-four-year-old Nathan Toft entered his written plea Monday in Woodbury County District Court on charges of first-degree arson and stalking. His trial is set to start in March.

Toft is accused of setting a pile of wood on fire that was next to a home. The house sustained fire damage as two adults and two children escaped. They were not hurt. The Sioux City Journal reports there were two protection orders on file against Toft at the time of the fire. Court document also say he was not supposed to be near the home. It’s unclear what his relationship is to the four inside the home.

December 1st:

• Thatcher Hilyard of Cumberland (Winner)

December 2nd:

• Margaret Taylor of Cumberland (Winner)
• Janet Nielsen of Atlantic
• Leon Vogl of Anita
• Sandi Lauritsen of Audubon
• Tamie Madsen of Kimballton

The Cass County Board of Supervisors have a relatively light agenda for their meeting Wednesday morning, in Atlantic. The Board is expected to act on approving a Resolution calling for the abatement of taxes on properties at 404 California Street, in Lewis, and on a mobile home at Sycamore Village, in Atlantic, where, according to the agenda, it is “Impractical to collect [the] tax.”

The Supervisors will also act on a proposal from Excel Mechanical Company, with regard to a Courthouse Heating, Ventilation And Cooling (HVAC) study. The Cass County Board of Supervisor’s meeting begins at 8:30-a.m., Wednesday.

The Adair County Board of Supervisors are set to meet at 9-a.m. Wednesday, in Greenfield. During their session at the courthouse, the Board will act on: An Appropriations Resolution; A Wellness Program Agreement; Administering the Oath of Office to the County Sheriff; Appointing of Sheriff Deputies, Civil Clerk, and Jailer/Dispatchers.

In his report, Sheriff Jeff Vandewater will discuss the Resignation of his Chief Deputy, the Appointment of Chief Deputy, and Approval to Hire a New Deputy.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office today (Tuesday), issued a report on arrests that have taken place over the past week. Officials say on Monday (Dec. 1st), 31-year old Trent Matthew Suhr, of Walnut, was arrested on a District Court warrant for Failure to Appear. Suhr was brought to the Cass County Jail and held.

On Saturday, November 29th, 38-year old Joseph William Baker, of Griswold, was arrested on a District Court warrant for Failure to Appear. Baker was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was later released by a court order.

Last Wednesday (Nov. 26th) deputies in Cass County arrested 25-year old Alexander Paul Dvorak, of Atlantic, on a charge of Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Dvorak was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released later that day on $5,000 bond.

On November 25th, 45-year old Connie Jae Emgarten, of Casey, was arrested in Cass County on a charge of OWI 2nd Offense. Emgarten was taken to the Cass County Jail where she was released later that day on her own recognizance. That same day, 25-year old Heather Ann Bell, of Ames, was taken into custody on a charge of Driving Under Suspension. Bell was taken to the Cass County Jail where she was released the following day on $300 bond.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office has released additional details about an accident we first told you about during our news today (Tuesday) at 6:30-a.m.  Authorities say at 12:30 a.m. (Tuesday), the Cass County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a single vehicle accident on I-80 westbound at the 72 mile marker.

A 2009 Freightliner owned and driven by 28-year old Anatolie Enachii, of Romeoville, IL, was westbound on I-80 when the driver fell asleep and the vehicle struck a rail and bridge, left the roadway, and entered the ditch. No injuries were reported. Damage to the vehicle is estimated at $10,000; damage to the rail and bridge is estimated at $500.

Enachii was cited for Failure to Maintain Control.

The Atlantic Jaycees are requesting the names of individuals or families who could benefit from a delivery of food.

Hans Krengel, Atlantic Jaycees President, said food baskets will be delivered after they are put together on Wednesday, December 17th. He says the Jaycees will “Gather together at Hy Vee and…get some food bags put together with ham, or a half of a ham depending on the size of the family, and then they usually get a couple of canned goods, a loaf of bread and we’re hoping to throw a couple of extra treats in there this year as well.”

Nominations of families or person in need of food during the holiday season are being accepted at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce or at West Central, Incorporated. . by December 10th. Krengel says families or persons who are nominated will receive their food basket between 7-and 9:30-p.m. Wed., Dec 17th.

He says they are also looking for volunteers to help deliver the food boxes.  If you are interested, contact Hans Krengel at 712-249-7817. Additional donations are also appreciated and can be sent to the Atlantic Jaycees, P.O. Box 522, Atlantic, IA, 50022.

The drivers of two vehicles were transported by Audubon Fire and Rescue to the Audubon County Memorial Hospital Monday night, following a high speed collision on Highway 71, south of Audubon. The Sheriff’s Department says 24-year old Andrew Roland Petersen, of Carroll, was traveling north on Highway 71, allegedly driving recklessly and at a high rate of speed. Petersen’s vehicle was traveling at an estimated 90-miles per hour, when it rear-ended a northbound vehicle driven by 47-year old Michael Dean Christensen, of Audubon.

Following the collision, Christensen’s vehicle ended-up in the east ditch. Peterson’s vehicle was immediately disabled and spun 180-degrees. Damage to the vehicles amounted to $16,000.

The accident remains under investigation, and charges are pending against Petersen.

Legendary Hollywood writer/producer Norman Lear will return to Greenfield on Saturday, Dec. 13, celebrating the 45th anniversary of the filming of his comedy “Cold Turkey” in the southwest Iowa town. Lear will be the guest of honor at the Celebrate Iowa Gala, to be held Friday evening, Dec. 12, at the State Historical Museum, presented by the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs.

“Welcome Back to Greenfield, Norman Lear” will be held at the Warren Cultural Center, the restored 1896 opera house located at 154 Public Square. Doors open at 9 am; Mr. Lear is scheduled to arrive and the program will begin at 10 a.m.

He will be reading excerpts from his new book and will take part in a Q&A session. Other elements of the program are being developed in conjunction with Produce Iowa- State Office of Media Production.

The event is free and open to the public. Attendees will be invited to write their Cold Turkey memories into a scrapbook for Lear. “Cold Turkey” movie props will also be on display in the lobby gallery of the Center.

The 92-year-old Lear has spoken fondly of his time in Iowa during the summer of 1969, including references in his recently released memoir, entitled “Even This I Get to Experience.” He was named an Honorary Iowan in 1999, when he returned to Greenfield with other stars, including Dick Van Dyke, Tom Poston, and Jean Stapleton, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the movie. Lear also produced many hit television shows, including “The Andy Williams Show”, “All in the Family,” and “The Jeffersons,” and other classic films, such as “The Princess Bride” and “Stand by Me.”

“Cold Turkey” tells the story of a small town – Eagle Rock, Iowa – that takes up the challenge for all its residents to quit smoking for one month to win a $25 million prize. Many scenes were filmed on the Greenfield square and throughout town, as well as locations in Winterset, Orient, and Des Moines.

Additional information on Mr. Lear’s return to Greenfield will be available on the Center’s website, www.warrenculturalcenter.com, and on its Facebook page.
The DCA’s ‘Celebrate Iowa’ Gala will be 7-11 p.m., Friday, Dec. 12, at the State Historical Building, 600 E. Locust Street, Des Moines. Visit www.culturalaffairs.org/gala or contact DCA at HistoricalGala@iowa.gov or 515-281-8352 for more information.

With Ric Hanson.

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