(Radio Iowa) – Police in Laurens say they found nearly 300 lbs of marijuana and stolen items in storage in Spencer. A storage unit rented by William Cole, who was arrested in late July in Laurens, was searched. Laurens Police located and seized 260 lbs. of marijuana which has a street value of $550,000 to $750,000, a 9 mm handgun, a stolen generator out of California, a stolen 48-inch deck mower out of Des Moines along with a number of other items.

Cole is currently in the Pocahontas County Jail on previous charges. Authorities further charged him with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver marijuana, 1st-degree theft, 2nd-degree theft, failure to affix a drug tax stamp, and felon in possession of a firearm.

Photos by KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

(UPDATED 8:45-a.m., 8/9/21) (Atlantic, Iowa) –

One person was taken into custody following a reported “shots fired” incident in Atlantic, Sunday. The incident took place at around 10:06-p.m. at the Turkey Creek Lodge located at 1104 E. 7^th Street. As a result of the investigation, deputies arrested 53-year-old Julian Joe Gallegos, Jr., of Albuquerque, NM for reckless use of a firearm and going armed with intent.  Gallegos was transported to Cass County Jail where he is currently being held.

(Original story follows….)

One person was taken into custody following a reported “shots fired” incident in Atlantic, Sunday. A call about the incident at the Turkey Creek Lodge on east 7th Street came in at around 10:05-p.m. Atlantic Police Sgt. Spencer Walton told KJAN News a male suspect was arrested. The unidentified male was arrested at around 10:38-p.m.

Police were working with the victims and suspect to determine what transpired. Sgt. Walton said additional details will be released later, as an active investigation was underway late Sunday night. He said “There is no additional threat to the community, we’re very thankful for that.”

At least one or two shots, possibly more, were fired during the incident. The Cass and Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputies assisted Atlantic Police at the scene. Sgt. Walton said “Big props to everybody that showed up tonight. Obviously in southwest Iowa when a significant call comes out, everybody shows up, and we’re thankful for that.”

Coralville – An inmate serving a sentence out of Cherokee County has died in prison. The Iowa Department of Corrections, Sunday, said 28-year-old Anthony William Geltz was pronounced dead due to apparent suicide at approximately 11:04 p.m., Saturday, August 7th. His death occurred at the Iowa Medical and Classification Center, in Coralville.

Geltz had been serving a 2 year sentence for the crime Assault Causing Injury – Peace Officers/Others from Cherokee County.  His sentence began on December 17, 2020. The department investigates all suicides within its correctional facilities.

Red Oak Police report the arrest Saturday evening, of 36-year-old Joshua Andrew Fink, from Stanton. Fink was arrested for Driving While Suspended, and Domestic Abuse Assault/3rd or subsequent offense, a Class-D Felony. Fink was transported to the Montgomery County Jail and held without bond pending a court appearance.

Officials in Polk County announced Friday it will be requiring masks for all staff and visitors in county buildings starting Aug. 9. The requirement comes after Polk County saw a 65% increase of COVID-19 cases over the last week, according to the Iowa Department of Public Health.

KCCI reports county officials said in a statement, “Vaccination remains the safest and most effective way to prevent illness, However, until our community reaches at least 75% vaccination rate and drops back into the moderate transmission rate category, masks will remain an effective tool in reducing our collective risk of hospitalizations and deaths, particularly in our unvaccinated population of children.”

The county has also extended vaccination incentives including two free tickets to those who get vaccinated during the clinics held Aug. 9 through Aug. 12 from noon to 7 p.m. at the Polk County Health Department. They will also receive a meal voucher for on-site food trucks.

Another COVID-19 vaccine lottery will also be held with a grand prize of $50,000. An additional ten winners will receive $1,000s and a $5,000 scholarship will be awarded.

A man on a bicycle failed to stop at a controlled intersection Saturday night in Des Moines, and was struck by a car. The Iowa State Patrol says 36-year-old Andrew William Neebel, of Urbandale, was traveling north on 82nd Street at around 10:11-p.m., when he crossed the intersection with HIckman Road, against the red stop light.

The bicycle was struck by a 2011 Toyota Prius that was eastbound on Hickman, and driven by 34-year-old Wine Chay, of Des Moines. Neebel was transported by Clive EMS to Methodist Hospital in Des Moines. A report on his condition was not available. The accident remains under investigation.