Two southwest Iowa women were injured during a head-on crash Wednesday afternoon, in Page County. The Iowa State Patrol says 86-year old Martha Bordner, of Clarinda, and 78-year old Nola Bloomfield, of Yorktown, were trapped in their vehicles and freed by mechanical means before being transported by Clarinda Rescue to the Clarinda Regional Hospital. The women were later flown to nearby trauma centers for treatment. Officials say Bordner’s 1999 Oldsmobile 88 was traveling west on Highway 2 at around 3:30-p.m., when for reasons unknown, it crossed the center line and struck Bloomfield’s 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix. Both women were wearing their seat belts. The accident remains under investigation.

The Harlan Police Department reports the arrest on May 16th of two Walnut residents. Twenty-nine year old Gabriel Brown and 22-year old Rachel Long were arrested on active Shelby County warrants, and taken to the Shelby County Jail, where Brown was served with his warrant for Interference with Official Acts, Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver, and Prohibited Acts penalties. Long’s warrant was for joint criminal conduct.

On Monday, May 20th the Harlan P-D took 41-year old Jeffrey Ross of Portsmouth into custody when officers were called to a disturbance at the Big House bar. Following the investigation, Ross was arrested and transported to the Shelby County Jail and was charged with Assault Causing Bodily Injury, for allegedly striking Brent Knauss of Panama. Ross was also charged with Public Intoxication and Disorderly Conduct.

On that same day, 25-year old Jackie Thielen of Harlan was arrested on an active Shelby County warrant for violation of an order for compulsory education. She was transported to the Shelby County Jail.

On Tuesday, May 21st Officers were called to the Durant Street Country Store where clerks had observed a possible theft of liquor. Officers later located 32-year old Mariah Thuringer of Council Bluffs and 30-year old Jesse Davis, who were both arrested and transported to the Shelby County Jail. Thuringer was charged with Theft/5th degree and she and Davis were both charged with public intoxication.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – Nearly a dozen more children at a Sioux City elementary school have called in sick due to symptoms from norovirus. The Sioux City Journal reports officials at Bryant Elementary School say 11 children said they would be out Wednesday.  The Siouxland District Health Department announced Tuesday that lab results confirmed an outbreak of norovirus was to blame for an illness that’s sickened dozens of students over several days.
 
Norovirus is a common food-borne pathogen with symptoms including vomiting and diarrhea.   The last day of school is Thursday.

WebsterCounty,IOWA— Investigators and search parties have gained additional information surrounding the abduction and subsequent search for Kathlynn Shepard. Most significantly, a search team of law enforcement and K9s located the young girls’ backpacks late yesterday, Tuesday, May 21, 2013. Additionally, investigators obtained an image of Kathlynn from the day of the abduction.

In the included image is Kathlynn as she exited the school bus, shortly before her abduction. Previous reports indicated she was wearing a “Vikings” baseball cap. However, in the image provided, she is wearing a “Cubs” cap.

As the search area is primarily rural and uninhabited terrain, investigators continue to solicit information from locals and frequent visitors. In particular, investigators are asking any hunters that may have placed hunting cameras in the area, to check their recorders and report any findings to law enforcement. Please call 515-573-1410.

Additional volunteers are not needed at this time, however, they may be needed in the near future. If you would like to contribute to the search for Kathlynn, please call Webster County Emergency Management at 515-571-6483. Please leave a message for search coordinators indicating your name and contact number, as well as any resources you may be able to provide.

As the 2012-2013 school year winds down, the staff at Atlantic Medical Center (AMC) are starting to prepare for the 2013-2014 school.

Jeri Orstad, RN, AMC Immunization Nurse, prepares to administer an immunization

Officials say if your child will be entering preschool or kindergarten in any of the area schools and is still in need of their immunizations, make the call now to avoid last minute appointments and schedule conflicts.

All immunizations given at AMC are entered into the state immunization database, so records are current and easily accessed. If you are unsure if your child needs immunizations before starting school call AMC and ask for the immunization room. The immunization nurses will be happy to check your child’s immunization record.

For older children, AMC will be offering vaccine updates at the sport physical exams this year. Parents must be present at the time of exam in order for their child to receive any immunizations. Sport physicals will be offered every Tuesday from July 9^th through August 6th, beginning at 5-pm.**  Appointments are necessary and can be made by calling AMC.  Cost for sport physicals is only $12, payable at the appointment, with no insurance submission.

If you have questions about immunizations for people of any age, contact Jeri at the Atlantic Medical Center Immunization Room, 712-243-2850.

**CCMH has corrected the time of the physicals late Wednesday afternoon from 5-9pm to “beginning at 5-p.m.”

The Harlan City Council is ordering bids for the 2013 Sewer Rehabilitation Project. In a council meeting Tuesday, the council approved Resolution No. 2012 to order bids to be advertised for the proposed plans, specifications and form of contract for the project. The detailed plans and specs were prepared by Veenstra and Kimm Engineers. A public hearing will be held at the next Harlan City Council meeting, Tuesday, June 4^th on the matter. 

In other business, the city council approved an amendment to the 2012/2013 City budget and approved the joint participation agreement with SWIPCO for taxi services. The Shelby County Supervisors approved the same agreement with SWIPCO during their meeting Tuesday. 

Towards the end of the meeting, Harlan Mayor Gene Gettys gave an update on the filming of “Today inAmerica”. He said the filming crew is planning on being in Harlan between August and September.

Councilman Dave Pedersen reported to the council the Therkildsen Center is looking for different display items for each month. He said the Center is looking for anything people save or collect such as Coca-Cola memorabilia to blankets and anything in between.  If you would like to show off a display of collected items, contact Sheri or Alice at the Therkildsen Center. 

(Joel McCall/KNOD)