Atlantic, IA – Dr. Elaine Berry has been selected as an Iowa Hospital Association 2016 Hospital Hero.  Pat Markham announced the honor during the Cass County Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees’ August meeting.

Dr. Elaine Berry (Center) with CEO Pat Markham (Left) and Chief Clinic Administrator Beth Spieker (Right)

Unaware she had been nominated, Dr. Berry was visibly surprised and touched by the honor.  She noted, “I enjoy working with everyone here.  This is a fantastic place – I can’t imagine practicing anywhere else!”  Dr. Berry will be recognized October 19^th during the IHA annual meeting in Des Moines.

According to the IHA website, the IHA Hospital Hero Award “recognizes hospital employees who have performed heroic acts or have consistently and tirelessly given of their time, talent and expertise to improve their organizations, patients and communities.  These everyday heroes are the role models for other hospital employees and the communities they serve.”  As Markham noted, “That certainly exemplifies Dr. Berry!”  Only 10 people from across the state are chosen as hospital heroes each year.  Dr. Berry’s nomination was submitted by hospital staff with letters of support noting her dedication to the community and her patients, particularly with hospice care and emergency medical services throughout Cass County.

The Cass County Sheriff’s released details Friday on numerous recent arrests.

On Sunday, August 14th the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested 40-year-old Jonah Ryan Jones of Anita on charges of Domestic Abuse Assault (Simple), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Simple), and Driving Under Suspension (Simple). Jones was taken to the Cass County Jail where he plead guilty and was released the following day.

On Tuesday, August 16th 43-year-old John Stratton Eichelberger of Atlantic turned himself in at the Cass County Jail on an Atlantic Police Department warrant for Stalking (D Felony) and Burglary 3^rd Degree (Aggravated). Eichelberger was released later that day on his own recognizance.

Also on Tuesday, August 16th the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested 42-year-old Donna Denise Lewis of Atlantic and 50-year-old Richard Harold Lewis, Sr. of Atlantic on charges of Violation of No Contact Order (Simple). Both parties were taken to the Cass County Jail. Donna Lewis was released the following day after pleading guilty; Richard Lewis plead guilty and remains held pending completion of jail sentence.

On Thursday, August 18th 32-year-old Erich Sean Johnson of Massena turned himself in at the Cass County Jail on an Iowa State Patrol warrant for OWI 1^st Offense (Serious). Johnson was released later that day on his own recognizance.

A two vehicle accident occurred at the intersection of 7th and Olive Streets in Atlantic on Thursday.

A vehicle driven by Ty Johnk of Hancock was southbound on Olive Street attempting to make a left hand turn onto 7th Street to head eastbound.  Another vehicle driven by Carol Myers of Atlantic was traveling eastbound on 7th Street approaching Olive Street and ran the red light.  Johnk’s vehicle struck Myers’ vehicle on the driver’s side door.  No injuries were reported.

Damage to Johnk’s vehicle was estimated at $2,500 while Myers’ vehicle suffered $1,500 damage.  Myers was cited for Failure to Obey a Traffic Control Device.

The Atlantic Police Department reports two arrests on Thursday.  Officers arrested 53-year-old Jon Misner of Atlantic on  a Nebraska Warrant for Failure to Appear.  He was taken into custody and transported to the Cass County Jail and booked in.

Also arrested Thursday was 54-year-old Cory Christensen of Atlantic for OWI and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  He was also booked in to the Cass County Jail.

Council Bluffs, IA – On August 18, 2016, Jason Gregory Johnson, a 22-year old resident of Overland Park, Kansas, was sentenced by United States Senior District Court Judge Robert Pratt, to 63 months in prison for transporting a person with the intent to engage in prostitution announced United States Attorney Kevin E. VanderSchel.

Judge Pratt also ordered Johnson to serve a term of 10 years of supervised release upon release from prison, and to pay a $100 special assessment.
The conviction resulted from an investigation that began on January 27, 2016, when the Omaha, Nebraska, Police Department was notified of a minor female being in the Omaha area committing acts of prostitution.

On January 28, 2016, Omaha police along with the Federal Bureau of Investigation made contact with the female and learned that she had engaged in acts of prostitution in Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa. Johnson was identified as the person who was providing transportation to the minor between the three states in exchange for a portion of the profits earned by the minor.

The investigation was conducted by the Omaha Police Department, Council Bluffs Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports two arrests on Thursday.  At 4:24pm Officers arrested 26-year-old Victor Joseph Carbaugh and 23-year-old Dalton Lee Rhedin of Omaha for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Interference with Official Acts.  They were arrested on 27oth Street and taken to the Mills County Jail and both held on $600 bond.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – A man awaiting trial in a Council Bluffs slaying has been accused of helping another inmate try to kill himself.

The Daily Nonpareil reports that Ben Lein was charged Thursday with assisting suicide. Court documents say Lein handed a towel Monday to the other inmate, who is on suicide watch. The inmate tore the towel into strips and tried to hang himself. The documents say a jailer saw the incident and removed the towel before the inmate could die.

Lein, Wesley Correa-Carmenaty and Markis Davis have pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and other charges in the March 7 slaying of 22-year-old Anthony Walker and wounding of 32-year-old Patrick Schultz. The three are scheduled to begin trial Sept. 27.