A Pottawattamie County man faces numerous charges after Council Bluffs Police responded to a report of an armed man who had stabbed a dog. Officers were dispatched to the 700 block of  S. 18th Street, where they learned a neighbor’s dog had gotten loose and attacked the dogs at 1731 8th Avenue. The owner of the dogs being attacked, 52-year old James R. Herman, of Council Bluffs, attempted to stop the attack on his dogs by striking the attacking dog with his fists. When the effort failed, he produced a knife and stabbed the attacking dog several times. The owner of the attacking dog was then able to get control of his animal. Herman, who suffered a minor laceration to his hand during the attack, then allegedly made threats to stab the owner of the dog.

James R. Herman

Officers made contact with Herman to discuss the incident, and during their investigation discovered a marijuana growing operation in his home, as well as several items of drug paraphernalia. Detectives from the Southwest Iowa Narcotics Task Fore were contacted and took over the investigation. A search warrant was applied for and granted, for Herman’s residence. During the search, several marijuana plants in various stages of growth, as well as miscellaneous items of drug paraphernalia, were located and seized into evidence.

James R. Herman was arrested and booked into the Pott. County Jail, on charges that include: Manufacturing marijuana (A Class D felony); Harassment in the 1st Degree; Possession of a Controlled Substance/marijuana, for personal use; and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Council Bluffs Animal Control arrived on the scene and took control of Herman’s dogs, who suffered only minor injuries during the attack. The other dog was transported by its owner to an emergency veterinary clinic for treatment. A report on its condition was not available.

WEST BRANCH, Iowa (AP) — A substitute teacher who pleaded guilty to being drunk at an eastern Iowa school has lost her state license. The Des Moines Register reports that the Iowa Board of Education Examiners suspended the teaching license of 60-year-old Kiaya Rickard-Urban for a minimum of two years. She can then apply for reinstatement.

Rickard-Urban had a blood alcohol content of 0.192 when tested at West Branch High School in West Branch in October 2016. Students had reported to administrators that Richard-Urban smelled of alcohol and wasn’t acting right. Court documents say Rickard-Urban pleaded guilty in December to first-offense public intoxication. She received a suspended jail sentence, a year of probation and was ordered to undergo substance abuse evaluation and treatment.

Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputies early this (Friday) morning, arrested 47-year old Matthew Kevin Miller, of Red Oak. Miller was taken into custody at the intersection of Highway 34 and L Avenue at around 4:10-a.m., and brought to the Montgomery County Jail, where he was charged with Violation of a No Contact Order. His bond was set at $2,000.

ATLANTIC – Enrollment for Healthcare Marketplace Exchange consumers opened on November 1st, and help is available through regional ACA (Affordable Care Act) Navigators. ACA Navigators work one-on-one with individuals to complete enrollment, weigh options, and answer questions on Marketplace plans and Medicaid. Cass County Health System (CCHS) Chief Financial Officer Abbey Stangl, says “We are happy to host the Navigators at CCHS, and we encourage customers to make an appointment as soon as possible.”

All prior year’s enrollees are strongly encouraged to meet with the ACA Navigator to update information and review new plans available on the healthcare.gov website. December 15th is the last day to enroll for coverage to start on January 1st, and January 31st is the final day to sign up for 2017 coverage.

All meetings with the Navigators are by appointment only, and they are private. Consumers are asked to bring important information with them, such as addresses, social security numbers, income information, and policy numbers for any current health insurance plans for all members of the household. Also, if you have an existing account in the Marketplace, bring your login information for access during your appointment.

For more information or to make an appointment, please call either Melissa Namanny at 712-250-8111 or Val Gifford at 712-250-8047. Available appointment times are on:  Tuesday, November 7, from 10 am to 2 pm  Saturday, December 2, from 10 am to 2 pm  Saturday, December 9, from 10 am to 2 pm  Tuesday, December 12, from 2 pm to 6 pm Additional dates and times in Council Bluffs can be arranged by appointment as well.

Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputies, Thursday, arrested 54-year old Laura P. Cade, of Villisca.  Cade was taken into custody for Disorderly Conduct, at around 6:50-p.m., following an incident at the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital. She was transported to the Montgomery County Jail and held on a $300 bond.