An electrical problem with a space heater is said to have been the blame for a devastating house fire in Villisca late last week. According to reports, the blaze occurred at 104 North 5th Street, Friday. Villisca firefighters arrived on the scene at around 9:30-a.m., and had the fire under control about 4 1/2 hours later, thanks to mutual aid by fire crews from Stanton and Grant. The last crew left the scene about seven-hours after they arrived.

According to Villisca Fire Chief Terry Currin the structure is a total loss. A resident in the home, identified as Kevin Kling of Villisca, was taken to a Lincoln, NE hospital for treatment of minor burns.  Two dogs in the house died during the fire.

NEW YORK (AP) – Federal health officials say at least 16 people in five states have been sickened by salmonella food poisoning linked to ground beef.  No one has died, but half were hospitalized. Most of the illnesses have been in Michigan, but a few cases were scattered in Arizona, Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin.

Seven people ate a raw ground beef dish called kibbeh last month at a suburban Detroit restaurant that wasn’t identified. Health officials say consumers should not eat uncooked meat.    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the cases have been linked to last week’s recall of more than 1,000 pounds of ground beef from two Michigan businesses, Troy-based Gab Halal Foods and Sterling Heights-based Jouni Meats.

A fire at a tire repair facility near Underwood late Sunday night is being investigated as a case of arson. Pottawattamie County Sheriff Jeff Danker told KJAN News fire crews from Underwood and McClelland were dispatched to a reported large tire fire next to a metal building at Paco’s Tires, L-L-C, on Magnolia Road, at around 11:55-p.m. Danker says firefighters were able to keep the flames contained to the outside of the business.

The owners of the building claim damage to the structure amounted to about $30,000, while the loss of tools and equipment was estimated at $3,000. The incident remains under investigation.

Sheriff’s officials in Fremont County say no injuries were reported after a car struck a boulder on the road January 19th. Authorities say Melinda Weeda, of Mt. Ayr, was driving a 2009 Chevy Traverse westbound on Highway 2, when her SUV hit a boulder that dislodged itself after having been stuck under the trailer of a semi and dragged along the highway. A dollar amount of the damage to the vehicle was not reported.

The previous day (Jan. 18th), a Shenandoah man was injured, when the full-sized pickup he was driving went out of control and rolled three-times. Officials say the accident happened as John Fraft was traveling north on Highway 59 near 110th Street. His Ford F-150 was rounding a curve in the road, when it hit a patch of heavy frost and lost traction before sliding sideways and rolling over. Fraft was transported by Essex Rescue to the Shenandoah Hospital, for treatment of his injuries.

The Fremont County Sheriff’s Department reports a Farragut man was arrested last week on an Animal Neglect charge after four horses were found on a Fremont County farm. Two of the animals were severely emaciated. 22-year old Thomas James Sammons was also charged with Interference with Official Acts.  He plead guilty to both charges and was ordered to pay fines amounting to $400. As we reported last week, an Arabian and three quarter horses were confiscated from a farm near Farragut, on Jan. 21st. Authorities say Sammons released the animals while officials were making arrangements to have them removed from the property.

The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office reports also, 26-year old Nicholas Lee Housh, of Sidney, was arrested Jan. 21st, for Driving While Barred/Habitual Offender. He posted bond last Wednesday and is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on February 7th.

Housh was also arrested Jan 15th on a Mills County warrant for Failure to Appear in court on an original charge of  OWI. He posted a $5,000 bond the next day.

Fire officials in Harlan say no injuries were reported during a fire that took place Saturday morning. According to Harlan Fire Chief Roger Bissen, a fire on the porch at 301 Court Street began at around 7:30-a.m.  Bissen said while the fire started on the porch, the flames never actually reached the structure itself.

The Chief said fire fighters had to pull down the ceiling on the porch however, because the flames started to get into the insulation. Westphalia Fire Department responded with mutual aid to the scene.  Bissen said an investigation is underway as to how the fire was started. A dollar amount of the damage was not immediately available.

(Joel McCall/KNOD)