Police in Council Bluffs are investigating thefts over the past week, of more than $40,000 worth of copper and tools from construction sites. The incidents were reported Thursday. Officials say a representative with Cox Contracting reported 5,000 to 10,000 pounds of copper, valued at $30,000, was stolen from a shipping container that was broken into at 202 9th Avenue in Council Bluffs. The incident occurred sometime between 5-p.m. May 25th and 7-a.m. May 29th.

The second incident happened sometime between 5-p.m. Wednesday and 7-a.m. Thursday. Officials say E-and-I Specialist, Incorporated reported copper wire and tools valued at $11,000, were taken from a work site at 6401 Gifford Road.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – The Nebraska Supreme Court has reprimanded a western Iowa attorney for failing to disclose he was disciplined in 2008 by Iowa’s highest court.  Michael James Murphy, an attorney in Council Bluffs, who is licensed to practice in both states, was given a public reprimand in Iowa for his work on a divorce case in 2005. Iowa court records show Murphy represented both a husband and a wife during divorce proceedings, which constituted a conflict of interest.  The Nebraska Supreme Court says in Friday’s decision that Murphy failed to notify the Nebraska court that he was reprimanded. The Nebraska court reviewed Murphy’s Iowa record and decided to issue its own public reprimand. The court’s decision indicates Murphy plans to resign from the Nebraska bar.

Police in Red Oak arrested a Clarinda man and cited three teens early this (Saturday) morning on alcohol-related charges. Officials say 18-year old Logan William Sump was taken into custody at around 4-a.m., on a charge of OWI/1st offense. Sump was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $1,000 bond. Cited for Possession of Alcohol under the legal age, in connection with the same incident, were 18-year old’s Samantha Jo Thornton, of Coin, and Mariah Joy Holman, of Braddyville. Their citation bond amount was set at $465 each.

In addition, 16-year old Andrew Jarick Whitehill, of Coin, was given a Juvenile Referral citation for Possession of Alcohol under the Legal Age. Whitehill was released to the custody of his parent.