Four juveniles were cited following the pursuit of a speeding vehicle late Tuesday evening, southwest of Atlantic. According to Cass County Sheriff Darby McLaren, Deputy Josh McLaren tried to stop a Jeep Cherokee for speeding at around 7:50-p.m., on Highland Road. The chase transitioned southbound before ending at Lansing Road. The driver was cited for various traffic offenses. Three juvenile passengers in the SUV were cited for Minor in Possession of alcohol, and turned over to their parent(s) or guardian. The MIP charges require the juveniles to appear in court and, if found guilty, pay a $330 fine.

(Radio Iowa) – A district court judge Tuesday granted a petition to suspend Calhoun County Sheriff Scott Anderson without pay. The Calhoun County Supervisors on Tuesday met in a closed session and found that sufficient cause appears from the verified allegations to suspend Anderson for willful misconduct or maladministration in office and for intoxication pursuant to Iowa Code. The court order named deputy Jeff Feldhans as acting sheriff until a temporary sheriff can be appointed.

A criminal complaint stated Anderson was arrested Saturday night by officers after he allegedly was pinning a woman to a bed in his home and holding her by the neck, choking her as she gasped for air. It took six officers about nine minutes to handcuff him and drag him to the patrol car after he refused to cooperate with the arrest. Anderson pleaded not guilty to assault on persons of a certain occupation on Monday.

Another charge of domestic abuse assault was continued for 180 days. The 51-year-old Anderson has been the sheriff since 2018.

Police in Creston report two people were arrested Tuesday evening on Union County warrants for Harassment in the 3rd Degree. 55-year old Justin G. Byers, and 32-year old Ashleigh N. Shinn, both from Creston, were taken into custody at their respective residences, and later released on a Promise to Appear in court at a later date.

BEIJING (AP) — The U.S. ambassador to China says he doesn’t believe Beijing is deliberately blocking exports of masks and other medical supplies to fight the coronavirus, and that the shipment of 1,200 tons of such products to the U.S. could not have been possible without Chinese support. Ambassador (and former Iowa Governor) Terry Branstad also says the U.S. has concerns about how China initially handled the virus outbreak in the central city of Wuhan, but that such issues should be addressed after the pandemic has been brought under control.

Chinese officials are believed to have delayed reporting the outbreak for several crucial days in January due to political concerns, allowing the virus to spread further. China has adamantly denied doing so, despite strong evidence.