The Atlantic Police Department says two people were arrested recently, on unrelated charges. 48-year old Allen Siegle, of Omaha, was arrested Friday on a warrant out of Douglas County, NE, for a Sex Offender Registry Act violation. Siegle was booked into the Cass County Jail.

And, on Sunday, 25-year old Christopher Castillo, of Adair, was arrested on a charge of OWI/1st offense. Castillo was also booked into the Cass County Jail.

(12–p.m. News)

The Atlantic Police Department said today (Monday), no injuries were reported following two separate accidents Friday morning. The first accident happened at about 8:30-a.m., at 9th and Chestnut Streets. A vehicle driven by Rachel Fulk, of Atlantic, was traveling west on 9th Street and approaching Chestnut, at the same time a car driven by Michael Redler, of Atlantic, was traveling south on Chestnut. Officials say Fulk stopped at the intersection but then proceeded forward, where her car collided with the Redler vehicle. Damage was estimated at $4,500. Fulk was cited for Failure to Yield.

The second accident happened at around 10:40-a.m. Friday, as a vehicle driven by Ivalen Kindred, of Atlantic, was traveling through a parking lot at 15 West 3rd Street. Her car was struck a vehicle driven by Bobbi Jo McNees, of Atlantic, as McNees was backing out of a parking stall. Damages amounted to $2,100. No citations were issued.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports a Griswold man was arrested last week on felony forgery charges. 22-year old Alexander Paul Dvorak was taken into custody Wednesday on three charges of Forgery (a Class-D Offense), and one charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance. Dvorak was taken to the Cass County Jail where he is being held on $6000 bond.

The Sheriff’s office reports also three people were arrested over the weekend. On Saturday, 24-year old Jesse Cavin Meier, of Lewis, was arrested for Public Intoxication. Meier was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released later that day following a plea of guilty before the Magistrate. And, 24-year old John David Nelson, of Griswold, was arrestewd on a charge of OWI 2^nd Offense. He was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released later that day on his own recognizance. 

On Sunday, 31-year old Timothy George Myers, of Lewis, was arrested by Cass County Sheriff’s deputies, on a charge of OWI 1^st Offense. Myers was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released later that day on his own recognizance.

(12-p.m. News)

The Page County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an alleged assault. Officials say a Red Oak woman informed the Sheriff’s Office Sunday, that her son had been assaulted at around 10:30-p.m.  March 2nd, at Nodaway Valley Park in Page County. Charges of aggravated assault are pending completion of the investigation.

Sheriff Lyle Palmer reports also, 24-year old Rebecca Ann Hart, of Shenandoah, was arrested Sunday at the Page County Sheriff’s Office, on a warrant out of Fremont County. Hart was unable to post bond. She was subsequently transported to the Page-Fremont County line by a sheriff’s deputy and turned over to Fremont County authorities. Hart was being held in the Fremont County Jail.

The Page County Sheriff’s Department reports two people were cited for being persons under legal age Saturday night, following an investigation into a party in the Pierce Creek area. 18-year olds Sean Holland, of Malvern and Zachary Leland Keene, of Glenwood, were cited. Two juveniles were also referred to Juvenile Court Services on charges of drinking under the legal age. The juveniles were released to the custody of their parents. Four containers of alcohol were seized during the investigation into the incident in the 1300 Block of A Avenue in Page County. 

Page County Sheriff Lyle Palmer says also, a theft and burglary were reported to his office recently. A Clarinda resident told authorities someone stole two tractor batteries from his International Model 1466 tractor. The tractor was located inside a shed on the outskirts of College Springs. It’s not clear when the batteries were taken. They were last known to have been in the tractor when the first snow fell this season. 

And, a Coin man told the Sheriff’s Department someone entered a garage and a storage building on a property he oversees on or about March 4^th. Entry to the structures was gained by cutting off a lock clasp to each door. An inventory was being conducted to determine which items were missing, but an initial assessment determined tools, a tool box and footlocker were taken. The items were valued at about $400.

(12-p.m. News)

(Update 11:22-a.m.)

Initial reports of two oxy-acetylene torches exploding this morning at Weirich Welding Plus in Lewis turned out not to be the case. The Cass County Communications Center dispatched Lewis Fire at around 10:10-a.m. with a report two of the tanks had exploded. 

KJAN News arrived on the scene at around 10:30-a.m., and learned from an employee that another employee was cutting some iron when the gaseous combination of oxygen and acetylene began leaking out of a hose and caused a loud “bang.” A flame then shot out of the torch about 10-feet, according to the employee, who did not wish to be identified.

There was no explosion, and no one was injured. The employee told KJAN News the only damage was a mess created when they used a fire extinguisher to put out the small amount of visible flames.

Atlantic Police Chief Steve Green today released more information about a chase and crash which occurred Sunday morning.

Picture of the vehicle at the scene of the crash Sunday morning

Green says the Cass County Communications Center received a call at around 3:30-a.m. from a citizen who witnessed a subject break the window out of a vehicle. A Police officer noticed a vehicle matching the caller’s description and that the vehicle had a “code violation.” The officer attempted to stop the silver 2008 Chevy HHR in the vicinity of 7th and Walnut.

Green says the driver initially refused to pull over, but finally stopped in a local business parking lot. The officer called for backup because of “the unusual behavior” of the driver.  As he was waiting for his backup to arrive, the driver of the car – 25-year old David Tyler Anderson of Atlantic – took off in the vehicle.  As the officer pursued the car westbound on 7th Street, the Chevy’s speed reached near 100-miles per hour.

When Anderson failed to negotiate a curve in the road, the car left 7th Street to the north, crossed a curb and hit a large grain hauler and tillage equipment belonging to Lindeman Tractor, Incorporated. Anderson left the car and fell to the ground, suffering from head and other injuries.

Daylight picture of the vehicle which crashed Sunday morning

The officer advised him to lay on the ground until rescue personnel could arrive on the scene. Anderson was then transported to the Cass County Memorial Hospital and later flown to Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha. A report on his condition is not available.

Chief Green says alcohol and/or controlled substances were believed to have been connected to the incident, and numerous charges were expected to be filed as soon as test results are received. Green said an airbag which deployed upon impact, likely saved Anderson’s life.

Fred Lindeman, with Lindeman Tractor, told KJAN News the used grain hauler sustained an estimated $50,000 damage, while damage to the new tillage equipment was estimated at $40,000.

Damaged grain hauler during accident Sunday

Iowa Governor Terry Branstad and Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds are urging Iowans to be prepared year-round for emergencies. The recent tragic tornado outbreaks in the Midwest and South, and forecasts predicting 2012 will see above-normal tornado numbers, according to Branstad, is reason for everyone to increase their awareness of services available easily from your phone. Most people are familiar with dialing 911, but some may not be aware of the seven other “N11” codes. N11 is a three-digit shortcut to reach special community resources. The numbers are set aside by the Federal Communications Commission and operated by the community service provider. For example, the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) operates the 511 service describing road and traffic conditions. 

To assist in the awareness of these N11 codes, the Branstad administration has directed the creation of a website containing the information. It is found here: http://www.iowa.gov/pages/n11  The following N11 codes are available for Iowans to use: 

• 211 – Community information and referral services, including food, shelters, clothes, health insurance programs, support groups, counseling, financial assistance, meal services, child care, legal services, etc. There are 2-1-1 call centers serving all 99 counties in Iowa. 
• 311 – Nonemergency police, fire and municipal business. Local and municipal governments administer 311 calls.
• 411 – Local telephone directory assistance. Landline 4-1-1 service is provided by local telephone companies.  Wireless services are provided by your wireless phone carrier. Some telephone companies and wireless carriers charge for this service.  
• 511 – Travel information, including the status of roadway construction, accidents, detours and winter road conditions. Iowa information is provided by the Iowa DOT. 511 services are available in most other states. The information you receive is based on the location from where you are calling. 511 is the abbreviated number for 800-288-1047 (available nationwide).
• 611 – For customers of some telephone companies, 611 is used to report a problem with telephone service. Many wireless phone providers also use 611 as a general customer service access number.
• 711 – The Telecommunications Relay Service that allows people who are deaf, hard-of-hearing or speech-disabled to place calls to standard telephone users via a keyboard or other assistive device 
• 811 – This “Call before You Dig” number arranges for utilities to be located and marked, preventing damage that can interrupt service and place the public at risk. 
• 911 – Emergency response   

Additionally, the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management is encouraging all Iowans to take the following three steps to ensure proper precautions are taken in case of emergencies or natural disasters: 

• Step One—Be Aware of the hazards that may affect you.
• In Iowa we know we will have tornadoes, floods, thunderstorms, hail, blizzards and ice storms.
• Pay attention to the news. Local radio and television stations provide up-to-date information during an emergency. You can sign up for Twitter or Facebook updates to come directly to your mobile phone.
• Investing in a NOAA Weather Radio is a great way to receive weather and other emergency alerts – and you can program it so you only receive alerts for your county. 
• Step Two—Make an emergency plan.
• Because you and your family may not be together when an emergency happens, knowing what to do, where you will go, and how to get in touch with each other is important.
• So, sit down as a family. Plan for those who have special needs, such as elderly relatives or family members and even neighbors who are dependent on life-sustaining or health-related equipment such as a ventilator or respirator. They may need help in the event of an evacuation or a severe weather event.
• And since most shelters don’t accept pets, don’t forget to make plans for them. 
• Step Three—Make an emergency supply kit
• During an emergency there are items you and your family will need. This includes if you have to evacuate your home or shelter in place.
• Build an emergency supply kit by packing a bag with items such as water and food, medication, a first aid kit, a flashlight, batteries, a radio, copies of important documents such as insurance policies and driver’s licenses, and blankets and sleeping. 

More information about these three simple steps can be found at HSEMD’s preparedness website www.BeReady.Iowa.gov.

(Press Release from the Governor’s Office)