Police in Harlan have released a report on arrests over the past week. Authorities say two people were arrested Monday. 21-year old Trent Wendt, of Panama, was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, following a traffic stop. And, 26-year old Richard Floersch, of Harlan, was arrested Monday on disorderly conduct and public intoxication charges, after officers were called to a disturbance in the vicinity of 5th and Dye Streets, in Harlan. Floersch was transported to Myrtue Memorial Hospital for treatment of minor injuries prior to being hauled-off to jail.

On Sunday, Police officers in Harlan arrested 19-year old Bradly Freund, of Earling on charges that include Eluding and Possession of Alcohol by a person under the age of 21. His arrest stems from a traffic stop. Freund was also cited for Failure to Obey a Stop Sign and charged through the Iowa DOT with a .02 (Point Oh-Two) Violation.  Also arrested Sunday, was 44-year old Stephen Livingston, of Harlan. He was charged with Criminal Mischief in the 2nd degree, assault and public intoxication. Livingston was arrested after police responded to a report of a person out of control in the 600 block of Baldwin Street.

And on Friday, April 4th, 25-year old Michael Hall, of Harlan, was arrested on an active Shelby County bench warrant.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office today (Tuesday) said a Cumberland man was arrested Friday, on drug charges. 54-year old Jerry Lee Edwards was taken into custody on charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine) (3rd or Subsequent), Possession of a Controlled Substance (Marijuana), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Edwards was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released later that day on $5000 bond.

Also on Friday, deputies in Cass County arrested 20-year old Rynell Markelle Ware, of Lincoln, NE, on a District Court warrant for Probation Violation. Ware was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was being held on $5000 bond.

And on Sunday, 31-year old Rachel Lynn Segobia, of Gretna, NE, was arrested in Cass County on on a charge of Public Intox. Segobia was taken to the Cass County Jail where she was released the following day on bond.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Senate is sending to Gov. Terry Bransad a bill that will survey schools in Iowa to determine whether they’re testing for the presence of radon gas. The bill requires districts to report by the end of this year to the Iowa Department of Education and the agency to file a report with the Legislature by January.

Sen. Matt McCoy, a Des Moines Democrat, who introduced the measure, says the House “gutted” his bill but a report will at least bring public attention to the issue. McCoy’s version, which passed the Senate, would have required schools to test and fix problems if radon had been detected at dangerous levels.

Republican Rep. Matt Windschitl says gathering information is the right path for now.

Officials with SWIFS (Southwest Iowa Family Services, Inc.), have released their 2013 year-end financial reports and IRS Form 990. SWIFS President Hal Gronewold said in a news release that “All outstanding pledges for construction of the Ann W. Wickman Child Development Center (in Atlantic) have been collected, and the time has come for the next phase of fund-raising, which is to eliminate or substantially reduce the mortgage debt incurred.”

Gronwold says the net mortgage debt at year-end amounted to $408-thousand, while the annual debt service cost amounts to $26,500. The Wickman Center is being operated by the Nishna Valley Family YMCA. Gronewold says there are 130 children registered at the Center, with a daily attendance of between 65 and 85 children. An application is pending with the State of Iowa, for a Level 5 Quality Rating. That’s the highest level rating a child care facility can attain.

Gronewold says the original plan envisioned the YMCA assuming ownership of the Center after 5-years, but that the Center would also be free of debt at the end of that time frame as well. Since it is not, they are “In need of significant gift or bequest(s) and will be attempting to identify some situations where a gift of appreciated real estate or securities would result in a monetary benefit for both parties.”

Gronewold says if the fundraising campaign in successful, no further fund-raising will be necessary. If not, SWIFS will retain ownership of the Center and continue to be responsible for the debt, which will necessitate an annual fund drive. For more information, go to www.swifs.org.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A southwest Iowa lawmaker who has stopped joining in legislative action at the Capitol is still receiving his salary and daily expense payments.  Secretary of the Senate Michael Marshall told The Des Moines Register on Monday that Sen. Hubert Houser was receiving his $144 daily expense payments and his $25,000 annual salary, though he hasn’t voted on a measure since March 4.

Houser told the Register earlier he was too busy with work on his farm to join in legislative business, adding that as a Republican in the Democratic-controlled Senate, he had little to do. On Monday, Houser told the Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil he’s willing to return his legislative pay to the state if anyone requested he do so.

Houser, a Republican, has served 22 years in the Legislature.