Several arrests were made recently, in Audubon County. Sheriff Todd Johnson reported on Sunday, that 33-year old Joshua Lee Larsen, of Audubon, was arrested Friday evening and charged with Possession of Stolen Property. The charge stems from an ongoing investigation and a second search warrant executed at Larsen’s residence at 311 South Division Street, in Audubon. Larsen was booked into the Audubon County Jail, and later released after appearing before a magistrate. Audubon Police assisted in the execution of the search warrant and arrest. The incident remains under investigation.

Also arrested Friday, was 24-year old Rhiana Marie Christensen, of Cumberland. She was taken into custody at around 8-p.m. in Monona County, on an outstanding Audubon County bench warrant issued for Contempt, when she failed to appear for a court hearing. Christensen was being held in the Audubon County Jail on $1,500 cash bond.

28-year old Ryan Bryce Nichols, of Gray, was arrested at around 9-p.m. Friday for Driving while Suspended. The arrest stems from a traffic stop on Highway 71, near North Division Street. Nichols subsequently posted a cash bond and was released. A passenger in the vehicle, 29-year old Benjamin Daniel Jobe, of Audubon, was arrested for Possession of Marijuana. He was later released, after appearing before a magistrate. Audubon Police assisted in making both arrests.

And at around 2-a.m. Sunday (Dec. 21st), 25-year old Matthew Steven Randeris, of Hamlin, was arrested on a charge of OWI/2nd Offense, following a traffic stop in the 1900 block of Highway 44. Randeris was booked into the Audubon County Jail and later released after appearing before the magistrate.

A Red Oak man was arrested early this (Sunday) morning, on an OWI charge. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports 43-year old Kipp Michael Brower, of Red Oak, was taken into custody at around 2:25-a.m. on a charge of OWI/1st Offense. Brower was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $1,000 cash bond.

A fire last August in Casey that destroyed the City Hall there, was likely caused by arson. And, while arson is suspected as the reason for the blaze, in an interview with the Omaha World-Herald, Ron Humphrey, Iowa’s  chief fire investigator said the damage was so extensive that the cause might never be officially determined.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — State and local Iowa officials have approved $3.1 million in incentives for an Omaha, Nebraska soybean processor to build a $90 million vegetable oil refinery in northwestern Iowa. The Sioux City Journal reports that an agreement approved Friday by the Woodbury County board will exempt Ag Processing Inc. of Omaha from $2.1 million in county property taxes through 2024. At a separate meeting in Des Moines, the Iowa Economic Development Authority Board approved another $1 million in loans and state tax credits for the project at AGP’s complex near Sergeant Bluff.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Officials in Sioux City are keeping an eye on winter weather to help determine when a new children’s museum under construction will be ready to open to the public. The Sioux City Journal reports that the Children’s Museum of Siouxland was scheduled to open by next summer.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa health officials say the number of Iowans hospitalized for flu complications has more than doubled in recent weeks. The Des Moines Register reports that senior citizens in Iowa are being hit especially hard. A report released Friday by the Iowa Department of Public Health says more than half of Iowans being hospitalized for the flu are 65 or older.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — Applications are now being accepted for the Citizen’s Police Academy in Dubuque. The Telegraph Herald reports that the annual program aims to give residents a better understanding of how police work.