The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports one person was arrested, early Tuesday north of Avoca. 50-year old Michele Renee McKern was taken into custody for OWI/2nd offense, after a Deputy responded at around 1:30-a.m. to Wings America, to meet with Shelby County Deputies, in connection with a wanted person.

Officials with the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office, Tuesday, announced the retirement of K-9 “Rage.” Rage, whose handler was shot in the line of service last fall, has served the citizens of Guthrie County for almost 8 years. The Belgian Shepherd has developed age-related hip problems, and will enjoy life on the farm with her former handler. The Sheriff’s Office says Rage put in many hours fighting the war on drugs. She was a valuable asset in the fight against illegal drug usage for Guthrie County. Over the years Rage also did several building searches and engaged in tracking criminals. Rage will be missed by all of us at the Sheriffs Office.

Guthrie County K9 “Rage”

With her retirement, the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office is in the process of obtaining two, new, dual-purpose K-9’s, in continuance and enhancement of the fight against drugs and crime. The new K-9’s will be used for a variety of patrol duties, will engage in criminal tracking and apprehension, premises searches, finding lost persons, and assisting neighboring law enforcement departments as needed. They will also be used for education and outreach.

Sheriff Marty Arganbright says the Sheriff’s Office is looking for monetary donations to sponsor the K9 program. Any funds received will be used directly for the purchase of the new K9’s, handler training, and any future expenses the program may incur. If you would like to support the program, make your tax-deductible donations directly to the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office, either in-person or by mail. Checks may be made payable to the:

Guthrie County K-9 Fund, C/O Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office

200 N. 5th Street

Guthrie Center, Iowa 50115

Three people were arrested on separate charges Tuesday, in Creston. Authorities say 36-year old Ray Brunner, of Creston, was arrested at his home, for Simple Assault. Brunner was cited and issued a summons to appear (in court). 37-year old Jaime Torres, of Creston, was arrested at the Creston Dollar Tree Store, Tuesday, on a Union County warrant for Violation of a Protective Order. Torres was being held in the Union County Jail while awaiting a bond hearing.

And, 36-year old Jonathan Jackson, of Orangeburg, SC, was arrested Tuesday night at the Dollar General Store in Creston, for Theft in the 5th Degree. Jackson was cited at the scene and released on a summons to appear.

(Radio Iowa) – Republican Governor Kim Reynolds is joining other governors in calling on congress to approve more pandemic relief. “It’s time for congress to come together and get a relief package passed and get some relief to our small businesses and Iowa families who are suffering,” Reynolds says. Some states are providing direct aid on their own. Colorado’s legislature has reconvened in special session this week to provide emergency relief to businesses and individuals. Reynolds does not plan to do that in Iowa. She says the federal government should.

“Unfortunately, there’s just not enough state funding to make everybody whole and that’s just a reality of what we’re dealing with, because not only are our businesses impacted, but also the supply chain,” Reynolds says. “They need to step up, they need to do their job, they need to come together and get it figured out and get relief sent to the states for our small businesses and Iowans that are suffering from Covid-19.” Reynolds says there’s still a portion of the one-point-two BILLION dollars of federal CARES Act money sent to the State of Iowa this spring that has not yet been spent, although she did not specify how much. The money must be spent before the end of the year and Reynolds says she and her staff are meeting to determine how it will be used.

Top Senate Republican Mitch McConnell says he’s sticking with his scaled-back COVID-19 relief bill with the goal of passing a significant down payment during the lame-duck session and then revisiting the topic next year. The Kentucky Republican made the announcement after President-elect Joe Biden called upon lawmakers to follow a similar path. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi resumed talks with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin about a year-end spending package that could include COVID-19 relief provisions. Yet it’s unclear whether the flurry of activity will lead to progress.

A vacancy for Treasurer in Montgomery County was filled Tuesday by the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors. The position opened up when former County Treasurer Tera Hughes submitted her resignation effective on November 6^th, after announcing she would be moving out of the County. Jackie Porter was selected for the position after three candidates were interviewed on Monday. Porter has been employed by the Motor Vehicle Department for several years.

Auditor Stephanie Burke says Montgomery County citizens may request a special election by filing a petition containing 397 signatures 14 days after the appointment or 14 days after the publication.