Officials with the Audubon County Sheriff’s Office report a fire that destroyed several structures in downtown Exira on July 14th and was completely extinguished a few days later, is being treated as a criminal investigation. The incident, which started inside Jerry’s Bar, remains under investigation by the Audubon County Sheriff’s Department and the Department of Public Safety State Fire Marshal’s Division.

Investigators say they determined a specific area inside the bar where the fire began, but they will not release additional information at this time, because the incident remains an open investigation. Fire Firefighters and their equipment from 26 departments battled the blaze that ultimately destroyed one-half a city block. They were supported by dozens of local volunteers who brought food and water to offer relief from the long hours and hard work.

Anyone with information about the fire they think may be helpful in solving it, should contact the Audubon County Sheriff’s Department at 712-563-2631 or the Arson Hotline at 1/800-532-1459. A financial reward may be available for anyone who provides information leading to a successful arrest and prosecution.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – A federal trial has been scheduled in Nebraska for a man suspected of being the “AK-47 bandit,” who investigators believe robbed banks in five states. Court records show Richard Gathercole pleaded not guilty last week to robbery and other charges in U.S. District Court. Gathercole is accused of stealing more than $90,000 in August 2014 from a bank in Nebraska City. His trial is set to begin Oct. 23 in Lincoln.

FBI officials believe the bandit carried an AK-47 while robbing banks in California, Idaho, Iowa, Nebraska and Washington. Gathercole, of Montana, was arrested near Lexington, Nebraska, after a sheriff’s deputy spotted a pickup truck that Kansas authorities had reported stolen by a man who fired at a state trooper.

The Montgomery County Auditor’s Office reminds those persons who are thinking of running for office in the November 7th City Elections, you may file your completed nomination papers with the Montgomery County Auditor’s Office until 5-p.m. Sept. 21st. The nomination filing window opened August 28th. Anyone with questions about the necessary number of petition signatures, may call the Auditor’s Office at 712-623-5127.

Montgomery County Elected Offices include:

In Red Oak: The Mayor’s seat, on At-Large and one Ward 2 position on the City Council.

In Elliott: The Mayor and three At-Large Council seats.

In Stanton: Three At-Large City Council seats are open.

In Villisca and Coburg: Nominations are being accepted for Mayor, and two At-Large Council members.

And, in Grant: The Mayor’s job along with five At-Large Council seats are up for grabs.

The deadline to pre-register to vote for the Regular City Election is 5-p.m., Oct. 27th. The deadline to request an Absentee ballot to mailed is 5-p.m. Nov. 3rd. On Election Day, the polls will be open from 7-a.m. until 8-p.m.

The polling (Voting) sites are as follows:

Red Oak Gold Fair Building for Precinct 1 (Ward 1).

Red Oak Fire Station for Precinct 2 (Ward 2).

1st Christian Church (in Red Oak) for Precinct 3 (Ward 3).

The Elliott Community Bldg. for Precinct 4.

Precinct 5 ballots will be cast at the Grant Fire Station, Precinct 6 at the Stanton Fire Department, and the Villisca Community Bldg. is for voters in Precinct 7.

For more information, call the Montgomery County Auditor’s Office during their regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8-a.m. to 4:30-p.m.

Authorities in Pottawattamie County said today (Wednesday), a Cass County man and his son where injured when their vehicle collided with an AHST-W School District bus, Tuesday evening. Sgt. Jason LeMaster, with the Pott. County Sheriff’s Office told KJAN News, a 1989 Pontiac Grand Am, driven by 33-year old Jason Hammond, of Atlantic, was traveling east on Highway 83 at around 4:13-p.m. near the intersection of Highway 83 and 530th Street, when he collided with the bus driven by 66-year old James Hester, of the Avoca area.

LeMaster said the bus, which was traveling south on 530th Street and attempting to cross Highway 83, when the vehicle was struck as he was in the middle of the road. Hammond, and his son, were transported to the Cass County Memorial Hospital, where the son was treated for minor injuries. Jason Hammond was flown by Midwest Medair to the UNMC in Omaha. Hester was not injured, but two out of seven students on the bus suffered minor injuries. They were transported by private vehicle to CCMH for evaluation and treatment as necessary.

A citation was issued to James Hester, for Failure to Yield upon entering a through highway. His court date on the citation was set for Sept. 26th.

Sheriff’s officials in Union County are investigating an alleged incident of fraud. Authorities say a Shannon City man reported on Aug. 25th, that sometime this month, someone used his debit card without permission.  The loss was estimated at $1,000.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) – Authorities in Iowa say 20 people have been charged in a fraud scheme that targets older people. Federal prosecutors said in a news release Tuesday that six people from Dubuque and the surrounding area have been indicted for wire fraud. The prosecutors also say 14 more people tied to the scheme face state charges in Dubuque County.

Prosecutors say the scammers called mainly elderly people and told them that some of their relatives were in jail and that money should be wired to bail them out. Other scammers would then collect the wired money. Four other people already have pleaded guilty to their roles in a similar scheme.