Four chickens, two pickup trucks and treasured family tools were lost in a barn fire Sunday morning, just northwest of Griswold on the Dean Orstad farm.

Ric Hanson/photo

Fire destroys a barn/shed on the Dean Orstad farm. (Ric Hanson/photo)

Firefighters from Griswold were called to the scene at 68113 Scott Street, at 8:05-a.m. Smoke from the fire was visible from as far away as Atlantic.

Law enforcement arriving on the scene reported heavy smoke and flames, and several vehicles near the barn on fire. The Orstad residence was far enough away from the fire that it not appear to have been in danger. Dean Orstad was distraught over the loss of his father’s tools, the animals and the structure, which housed a shop and a living area. He told KJAN News he woke up and saw the building fully engulfed in flames. A cause for the fire has not yet been determined.

Firefighters from Griswold have been called to the scene of a barn that is fully engulfed in flames. The call about the fire at 68113 Scott Street (on the west side of Griswold), came in at 8:05-a.m. Law enforcement arriving on the scene reported heavy smoke and flames, and several vehicle near the barn on fire. The nearby Dean Orstad residence was evacuated as a precaution. Dean Orstad was distraught over the loss of his father’s tools, four chickens and the structure. He told KJAN News he woke up and saw the building fully engulfed in flames. A cause for the fire has not yet been determined.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest Saturday (9/21) of 3 teenagers for Minor in Possession of Alcohol in Stanton.

At approximately 11:25pm the Stanton deputy observed three young males located on the north side of the building at 407 Broad Ave. in Stanton while on patrol.  The deputy stopped to investigate what the individuals were doing in the area and determined that they had been consuming alcohol underage. Austin M. Roberts, Phillip A. Pfeiffer, and Tyler A. Stubbendeck all from Stanton and all 17-years-old were arrested and charged with Minor in Possession of Alcohol.

All three teens were transported to the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center, processed and released to the custody of a parent without incident.  An investigation determined that one of the teens had taken alcohol from his residence. The investigation into this incident is complete.

A pursuit that began Friday night in Fremont County ended 27 minutes later, but not before an officer was dragged by the vehicle and an Iowa State Patrol car was rammed. 18-year old Dominque James Schlup, of Hastings, was taken into custody in Mills County and charged with Assault on an officer, Eluding,  Possession of Stolen Property, Criminal Mischief in the 2nd degree, OWI/2nd offense, Driving While Revoked, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was being held in the Mills County Jail on $15,000 bond.

The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office reports the pursuit began after authorities received a report of a vehicle stolen from the vicinity of 110th Street and Plum Creek Road. During the investigation, the vehicle was observed by deputies who tried to initiate a traffic stop. The vehicle sped off and wound its way onto several Fremont and Mills County roads, as well as through Malvern and Tabor, at speeds topping 110-miles per hour.

The vehicle was finally stopped on Lambert Avenue, just east of Malvern. During the stop, Schlup dragged officers with the vehicle before it rammed an Iowa State Patrol car. Following the pursuit, a search warrant was executed at 1129 225th Avenue, in Tabor. Several items were removed from the home. Charges are currently pending in Fremont County.

The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Tabor Police Department, Mills County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa State Patrol and the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation.

On Saturday, Sept. 21st, Members of Chapter 1373 of the Royal Neighbors of America, based in Atlantic, surprised Natalie Groves, of Exira, with a $500 check from the organization’s “Nation of Neighbors Program,” to her Groves with her ministry at the Bethany Farm Christian Center in Brayton. The funds will help keep the cost of activities at the retreat for women and couples reasonable, and to purchase bunk beds for children.

Royal Neighbors has given nearly $1.5-million to more than 1,000 families and individuals in reaching their goals and rebuilding their lives through its Nation of Neighbors Program, which was launched in 2007. Officials say the program demonstrates a vision of protecting women financially and empowering them to improve their lives, families and communities, based on a philosophy founded in 1895.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest of 25-year-old Richard Dean Pierce of Red Oak for Driving While Suspended (13th Offense) at 3:16pm Friday (9/20).  Pierce was arrested at N 8th Street and East Chautauqua in Red Oak.  He was transported to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $566.25 bond.

The Red Oak Police Department reports two arrests for Public Intoxication on Friday.  At approximately 9:57pm officers arrested 24-year-old Megan Renea Guffey of Red Oak and 29-year-old Robert James Welch of Council Bluffs for Public Intoxication at Broadway and 1st Avenue in Red Oak.  Both defendants were taken to the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center.  No bond was set for Welch and Guffey was being held on $300 cash bond.

The Red Oak Police also report the arrest Friday of 31-year-old Keith Andre Smith of Omaha for Breach of Peace.  Smith was arrested at approximately 7:45pm in the 1800 block of East Summit Street in Red Oak.  Smith was transported to the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center and held on $300 cash bond.