An Adams County Sheriff’s Deputy serving civil papers on a man in Corning late Monday morning, ended-up arresting the man on a drug charge. Sheriff’s officials say 59-year old James Robert Brown, of Corning, was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, after the deputy noticed a strong odor of marijuana in the home at 302 11th Street.

An investigation revealed a grinder located on a coffee table in the home contained a green leafy substance inside. Brown was being held in the Adams County Jail on $300 bond.

(DES MOINES) – House Speaker Kraig Paulsen (R-Hiawatha) recently announced that Rep. Jack Drake (R-Griswold) will serve as the chairman of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources budget committee. Rep. Drake is an experienced leader who will work to control government spending
while also funding Iowans’ agriculture priorities,” said Speaker Paulsen.

Drake was also appointed to the following committees: Agriculture, Appropriations, State Government and International Relations. The legislative session begins January 12, 2015.

FORT DODGE, Iowa (AP) — Trial has begun for a Georgia man charged with killing his former roommate in Iowa. The Fort Dodge Messenger reports jury selection began Monday morning in the trial of 55-year-old John Green. He faces a first-degree murder charge in the death of Mark Koster, of Sac City. Green has pleaded not guilty.

Koster’s skeletal remains were found buried in the basement of his house in 2012. The new homeowners found them while renovating the basement. Green, who briefly lived with Koster in 2009, was arrested in March. The trial was moved from Sac City to Fort Dodge after Greene’s attorney said pretrial publicity would make it impossible for Green to receive a fair trial.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — An Iowa venue says a Bill Cosby performance scheduled for next year has been postponed indefinitely. The Des Moines Civic Center said Monday it notified ticketholders that they will receive a refund for the planned March 7 concert. Cosby stage shows have been canceled in several other states. The actions follow renewed allegations by women claiming decades-old sexual assaults by the 77-year-old comedian. Cosby has denied the allegations.

Last week, Los Angeles police opened an investigation into a woman’s claims that Cosby molested her in 1974, when she was 15 years old. The woman, Judy Huth, is suing Cosby for sexual battery. Cosby has never been charged with a crime and settled the only other sexual assault case against him. That case was filed by Andrea Constand, a former worker at Temple University in Philadelphia.

Six people were arrested in Mills County over the past few days. The Sheriff’s Office says 45-year old Mark Douglas Berggren, of Red Oak, was arrested early today (Monday) on a Possession of Drug Paraphernalia charge. Berggren’s bond was set at $300.

Sunday morning, 67-year old James Alfred McConkey, of Malvern, was arrested for 5th degree Theft. His bond was also set at $300. Saturday night, 24-year old Clinton James Durfey, of Pacific Junction, was arrested in Mills County for Public Intoxication and 4th degree Criminal Mischief. His bond was set at $1,300.

And, three people were arrested last Friday. The Mills County Sheriff’s Office says: 33-year old Jerad Keith Perkins, of Pacific Junction was arrested on a Warrant for Failure to Serve Jail Time on an OWI charge. His bind was set at $5,000; 56-year old Earl Eugene Gordon, of Malvern, was arrested Friday evening on a Warrant for Sexual Abuse 2nd and Lascivious Acts with a Child. His bond was set at $35,000; and, 18-year old Johnathon Robert Sibbitt, of Glenwood, was arrested at the Mills County Sheriff’s Office at around 6-p.m., on a warrant for Burglary 3rd and Theft 5th degree. His bond was set at $2,800.

An accident that occurred early Friday morning south of Atlantic is under investigation. The Sheriff’s Department said Monday (Today), that  at approximately 2:10 a.m., Friday, deputies responded to a report of a 2012 Dodge Ram that left the roadway south of Atlantic on 620th Street. The pickup hit a fence and some other items near a private residence. The sound of the crash woke the homeowners. Upon investigation, one individual was detained temporarily by the Atlantic Police Department. This incident remains under investigation by the A-PD.

And, no injuries were reported following an accident Dec. 3rd. Officials say at approximately 7:30 p.m., deputies responded to a report of a trailer that struck a power pole. A trailer, loaded with a corn head, broke free from a K350 utility truck driven by 43-year old Anthony Lynn Behrens, of Harlan,  on 620th Street in Cass County.

The trailer and corn head went into the east ditch and struck a wire fence and a power pole, snapping it off at the ground. Damage to the pole is estimated at $1000; damage to the wire fence is estimated at $250. Damage to the corn head is estimated at $3000. No citations were issued.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – The mayor of Council Bluffs says he’s willing to lead a discussion on funding for new Christmas lights downtown. Mayor Matt Walsh says he’s been receiving complaints about the quality and quantity of Christmas lights. He says that over time, some have burned out.

Walsh tells the Daily Nonpareil that the holiday lights were bought by businesses and interested residents, not by the city. The decorations aren’t in the city’s general budget, and he says that he’s unsure if they should be. He says the lights are expensive to buy and store.

The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce and Cass County Health System on Sunday, presented the Angel of Christmas award, a surprise honor bestowed upon a community member who symbolizes the true Christmas spirit.This year, the winner was Steve Livengood, who was nominated by several community members for his service to the Atlantic area.

Steve Livengood (file photo)

Chamber officials say Livengood was the lifeblood behind the Cass County Honor Flight, with countless hours devoted to organizing and planning 150 local veterans first class trip to Washington D.C. to visit and reflect at their memorials. When the logistics of this trip hit a snag, this angel found a way to fix it each and every time.

The Chamber says Steve Livengood is the true meaning of the season, always spreading his generosity today and every day. He hand built a remarkable oak chair for Santa and his visitors at the City Park. Livengood serves many hours at the armory and coordinates the Salvation Army bell ringer program. His joyful and generous spirit light up the people he passes each day. One of the people who nominated him for the award said “I can think of no other that has his commitment to Atlantic and its citizens.”

The “angels” are nominated via written letters of recommendation to the Atlantic Area Chamber. The presentation happens in front of a large audience at the annual free Holiday Concert hosted at the First United Methodist Church, sponsored by Bonnesen’s Five & Ten.