SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A western Iowa man has been sentenced to 30 years in prison after admitting to breaking into and stealing from two residences. The Sioux City Journal reports 25-year-old Dewayne Hendershot pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree robbery and two counts of second-degree burglary. Hendershot must serve a minimum of seven years in prison to become eligible for parole, as outlined in his plea agreement

Hendershot confessed to breaking into a home and robbing a resident at gunpoint in Dec. 2013. He also admitted to breaking into a home in Nov. 2013 and stealing guns. Charges from another robbery were dropped as part of Hendershot’s plea agreement.

OAKLAND, Iowa (AP) — A man has been seriously injured while working at a meat processing plant in Pottawattamie County. The Omaha World-Herald reports the man was operating a scissor lift alone on Wednesday morning at the OSI Oakland meat processing plant in Oakland when he found himself pinned against an overhead pipe. He was taken by ambulance to Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.

Pottawattamie County Sheriff Jeff Danker says the man sustained a head injury in the accident. Mike Koranda, the plant’s general manager, says the injury is not believed to be life-threatening. Koranda say the plant will investigate the incident.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office today (Wednesday) released a report listing numerous, recent arrests. Officials say on Wednesday (1/14) 32-year old Anne Lynette Criswell, a homeless person, was arrested in Shelby County on a warrant for Assault causing bodily injury or mental illness. Her bond was set at  $1,000. And, a homeless man, 40-year old Robert David See, was arrested at the Pottawattamie County Jail, on a warrant for Theft in the 2nd Degree. His bond was set at $5,000.

There were also three arrests in Mills County, Tuesday. 21-year old Joseph Alan Sullivan, of Council Bluffs, was arrested at the Pott. County Jail on a warrant for Probation Violation. Bond was set at $5,000.  50-year old Roger Lee Wimer, of Council Bluffs, was arrested at the Mills County Sheriff’s Office on a warrant for Failure To Appear on an OWI charge. His bond was also set at $5,000.  And, 32-year old Dustin Lee Schaffer, of Omaha, was arrested early Tuesday morning at Highway 34 and Kidd Road, for Driving Under Suspension. Bond was set at $300.

On Sunday, deputies in Mills County arrested 20-year old Trenton John Enger, and 19-year old  Darryk James Leu, both of Malvern for Possession of Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Their bonds were set at $1,300 each

And on Saturday, 51-year old Donald Edward Bonfiglio, of Omaha, was arrested for OWI/1st offense. His bond was set at $1,000. 21-year old Timothy John Jennings, of Glenwood, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault. He was being held without bond in the Mills County Jail.  Also arrested Saturday, was 39-year old Jerry Lee Dawson, of Emerson, who was charged with Driving Under Suspension. His bond was set at $300. I

A maintenance worker at a food processing plant in Pottawattamie County was seriously injured this (Wednesday) morning, when he was pinned between a pipe and lift machine. The injuries were not believed to be life-threatening. The employee was transported to a hospital in Omaha. WOWT reports the incident happened at Oakland Foods, on Highway 59. Pottawatttamie County Sheriff Jeff Danker told the station the employee was on a lift extended upward when the accident happened at around 10-a.m.

Another worker called 911 after lowering the lift. The victim’s name has not yet been released. The parent company, OSI Industries said they were notifying the employee’s family, and had contacted OSHA. A thorough investigating was into what happened is expected.

Officials with the Shelby County Emergency Management Agency report students were safely evacuated from the Harlan Community High School this afternoon, after authorities were notified of a bomb threat. At 12:16 today Shelby County EMA/911 received a call for assistance in handling the incident. KETV reports the district alerted families via email and automated phone calls around 12:30 p.m. Officials said all students have been accounted for and are safe. Students were being dismissed at 2:10 p.m.

All K-8 students are at Immanuel Lutheran Church and can be picked up in the church parking lot. Students 9-12 are at Grace Baptist Church and can be picked up along Cyclone Avenue. Officials said students and staff won’t be allowed to get their vehicles or return to any building in the district, and everyone should stay away from the Middle School and High School.

Law enforcement determined the high school won’t be secure until at least 6 p.m.

Officials with the Shelby County Emergency Management Agency report students were safely evacuated from the Harlan Community High School this afternoon, after authorities were notified of a bomb threat. At 12:16 today Shelby County EMA/911 received a call for assistance in handling the incident.

Harlan Police Department, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and the Harlan Fire Department were immediately dispatched to assist the Harlan Community School District. Law Enforcement is investigating the incident; no other information is available at this time as this is an evolving situation.

Students have been moved to a secure location. Officials are asking the public to stay out of the area as Emergency Vehicles are working. Traffic is being re-routed around the Harlan Community School. The next update is expected at 3-pm.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Sen. Joni Ernst says she’ll start her 2015 tour of all 99 Iowa counties this weekend. During a call with news reporters Wednesday, Ernst said she’ll be in her home town of Red Oak on Saturday. The appearance will mark the beginning of an annual effort to visit all the counties in Iowa every year.

Other Iowa politicians that make this effort each year include Sen. Chuck Grassley and Gov. Terry Branstad.  The Republican Ernst was recently sworn in for her first term in the Senate.

The topic of courthouse security is clearly important, as evidenced by today’s (Wednesday’s) comments by Chief Justice Mark Cady, who spoke before the Iowa Legislature in his “State of the Judiciary” address (see the story posted on his statements). It’s also on the minds of officials in Cass County, who have been looking at ways to defend courthouse staff and the public during an “active shooter” situation.

Public Safety Commissioner Steve Livengood conducted an in-depth review of courthouse security and interviewed various departmental personnel to gauge their input. And while Livengood came up with numerous ways to address, or improve courthouse security, Cass County Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Kennon says his priority has to deal with ‘Safe Rooms” within the courthouse.

The various County offices are equipped with vaults that can be used as a “Safe Room,” but there are issues with them unable to be closed and secured from the inside. Kennon said in some cases, the doors were removed and know one knows where they are or why they were removed to begin with. He says if they can be found, they likely can be remounted on the existing brackets.

The courthouse security issue arose when concerns were made by the Clerk of Courts Office. On November 19th, an “Active shooter” drill was conducted at the courthouse, to familiarize County personnel with the sounds of gunfire on different levels of the building. In addition to establishing “Safe Rooms,” the County has taken measures to ensure there is only one public access point to the Courthouse, as suggested during a recent ISAC (Iowa State Association of Counties) meeting.

Supervisor Chuck Reiken said while addressing safety issues now are fine, there needs to be a more comprehensive, on-going and/or long-term plan to deal with threats and security.