In an update to a story we first posted on KJAN.com early this (Tuesday) morning, and broadcast on our news reports, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office says deputies and emergency crews responded just after 3:30-a.m., to a report of a two-vehicle accident on westbound I-80 east of mile marker 61. Officials say a 2007 Ford Edge driven by 33-year old Michael Paul Miller, of Glendale, AZ, was westbound on I-80 when it collided with the rear of a 2011 International semi driven by 41-year old Abdikarim Hamud,  of St. Paul, MN. Following the collision, the SUV slid into the median.

Miller and three passengers were transported to Cass County Memorial Hospital by Anita Rescue and Medivac Rescue with various injuries. Hamud was not injured. Damage to Miller’s vehicle is estimated at $10,000, while damage to the semi was estimated at $1000.

After Miller was checked at the hospital, he was arrested on charges of OWI 1^st Offense, Carrying a Concealed Weapon, and two counts of Child Endangerment Causing Bodily Injury. Miller was also cited for Failure to Maintain Control. In addition he received  citations for Failure to Secure a Child, Driving While Suspended, and having No Insurance. Miller remains at the Cass County Jail awaiting hearing before the magistrate. His bond was set at $5000.

A pickup traveling through a field in Shelby County Monday afternoon, started a grass and field fire that consumed the truck. Harlan Fire Chief Roger Bissen told KJAN News the incident, which took place about three-miles west of the Harlan Municipal Airport, was reported at around 3:30-p.m.

Bissen said the truck, registered to Boeck Construction, out of Manilla, was on the scene while terrace work was underway, when it became stuck in a grassy ditch. Bissen says the truck started the grass on fire, before the flames spread to a partially combined corn field. He says they were able to get the fire contained before it spread to any standing corn.

Bissen said the pickup truck was totaled destroyed by the fire. The loss was estimated at $10,000 to $12,000. Firefighters from Harlan and Shelby were on the scene near 630th and Ironwood Road for about two-hours. No injuries were reported.

Bissen reports also, fire fighters from Harlan were called out early this (Tuesday) morning, with regard to a fire alarm at the Elm Crest Retirement Community. Crews were cancelled en route, because it turned out to be just a faulty smoke detector in the kitchen of the nursing home.

Sheriff’s officials in Fremont County say foul play is not suspected in connection with the death of a Shenandoah man, whose body was found in a ditch Monday. Authorities received a report about a person lying in a ditch in the 39-hundred block of 180th Street. When deputies arrived, they found the body of 58-year old Ronald Gene Nelson, of rural Shenandoah. The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death. Deputies were assisted at the scene, by Shenandoah Rescue, and the Fremont County Coroner’s Office.