SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — A dry fall across the Northern Plains has helped the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers release water from the six Missouri River reservoirs to guard against a repeat of this year’s major flooding along the river. Corps official Jody Farhat says the agency should reach its goal later this month of 56.9 million acre feet of flood storage in the reservoirs. South Dakota Climatologist Dennis Todey tells the Argus Leader newspaper that there is “marginal to no snowpack” across the Plains. And December snow measurements in Montana’s mountains have been average to a bit below average in the drainage areas that feed the Missouri. Farhat says reservoirs are near the point whether they should be able to accommodate the projected runoff next spring.

Residents in a one-block radius of the Shelby County Jail in Harlan were evacuated Sunday evening, after authorities discovered an incendiary device on a suspect being booked into the jail. The Sheriff’s Office reports the device was discovered as 42-year old Alan Heath, of Harlan, was being booked into the jail on a charge of 5th degree theft.

Officials say deputies removed the device and placed it in the driveway of the jail. An evacuation of the area was conducted by Harlan Police and Fire Department personnel, and the Iowa State Fire Marshal’s Office was called-in to evaluate the device. During a search of Heath’s backpack, a second incendiary device was found. The Fire Marshal Office determined both devices were safe enough to be transported out of the City to be examined and destroyed.

Authorities subsequently searched Heath’s residence at 402 Broadway Street, in Harlan, but did not find any other such devices. In addition to the theft charge, Heath now faces charges which include: Interference with Official Acts (Simple Misdemeanor); Felony Possession of an Offensive Weapon; and, 2 counts of Possession of an Explosive or Incendiary Device.

Heath was being held in the Shelby County Jail on $5,000 bond.

The Atlantic Police Department reports 25-year old David Tyler Andersen, of Atlantic, was arrested Saturday on warrants for three offenses. The warrants charge Andersen with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Failure to Appear on a charge Operating a motor vehicle without proper registration, and Reckless Driving. Andersen was booked into the Cass County Jail and held pending an appearance before the magistrate.

And, 20-year old Jesse Luft, of Villisca, was arrested by Atlantic Police Sunday, on a charge of Criminal Mischief in the 5th degree. Luft was also booked into the Cass County Jail, and held pending a court appearance.

The Cass County Republican Central Committee and Auditor Dale Sunderman have released the list of sites and times for the 2012 Republican Precinct Caucuses in Cass County. The event begins at 7-p.m., January 3rd.

The following is a list of Precincts and locations for the caucus:

City of Atlantic, Ward 1, Ward 2/Grove Township, & Ward 3 – SS Peter and Paul Catholic Parish Center.

City of Atlantic, Ward 4 – Washington Elementary School.

City of Atlantic, Ward 5 – Heritage House.

City of Lewis/Cass & Bear Grove townships – Lewis Activity Center.

City of Griswold/Edna, Noble & Pleasant townships – Griswold Community Bldg.

Benton Township – Anita Community Center.

City of Marne/Brighton, Grove 1, Pymosa & Washington townships – Washington Elementary School in Atlantic.

Cities of Anita & Wiota/Franklin, Grant & Lincoln townships – Anita Community Center.

City of Massena & Victoria township – Massena City Hall.

City of Cumberland/Union township – Cumberland Public Library.

During the precinct caucuses: Each precinct caucus will elect 2 persons, both Republican residents of the precinct, to serve on the County Central Committee; Each will elect delegates and alternate delegates to the Cass County Republican Convention to be held Sat., March 10, 2012; the precincts will propose and vote on platform planks to send to the County Convention; and, they will conduct the Presidential Poll.

The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office issued its culmulative arrest/accident and incident report this (Monday) morning. The report covers incidents which occurred during the first full-two weeks of the month. Authorities say on December 13th, one-person was sent to the hospital in Shenandoah, following a collision between two vehicles at Manti Road and an unidentified intersection. A car driven by Ritchie Diehl, of Farragut, was traveling west on Manti Road when he went through an intersection and was hit by a vehicle being driven by Ryan Anderzhon, also of Farragut. Diehl was transported by Shenandoah Rescue to the Shenandoah Hospital. The report did not specify the extent of his injuries.

The Fremont County Sheriff’s Department reports also, the arrest December 14th, of 46-year old Jeffrey Scott Ruckman, of Omaha, for a probation violation, and the arrest December 9th, of 18-year old Dustin Wayne Griffin, of Sidney, on charges of Criminal Mischief and Trespassing.