The Union County Sheriff’s Office says two residents of the County have reported incidents of Theft. On Sept. 21st, an Afton woman told authorities someone had entered her shed during a period spanning Sept. 16th and 21st, and stole property valued at approximately $2,820. Among the items reported missing: 2 one gallon chainsaw gas cans; a five gallon gas can; collapsible milk crate with canvas tool liner; 50’ air hose; 3 extension cords; a Fox Pro electric game call; a Stihl 230 chainsaw; an MS311 Stihl chainsaw; Predator generator; 3 fishing poles, tackle box and lures; a Makita angle grinder, small air angle grinder, muck boots, and chore boots.

And, on Saturday, a Union County man reported that someone took his father’s .22 Magnum Cobra Derringer pistol from his father’s home in Kent. The theft happened  sometime over the previous few days, with the loss estimated at $200.

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office reports a traffic stop near 130th Street on Bluebird Avenue Saturday, resulted in the arrest of 20-year old Andrew James Nippert, of Harlan. Nippert was charged with OWI/1st Offense and Possession of Marijuana. He was also issued multiple traffic citations. Nippert was later released from the Audubon County Jail and is scheduled to appear in court this Thursday.

The Sheriff’s Office said also, no injuries were reported following an accident early Friday afternoon at the intersection of Highway 71 and South Street, in Brayton. 49-year old Richard Dean Andersen, of Brayton, was stopped at the intersection on Highway 71 southbound and waiting to turn left. 34-year old Foad Jassem Mohammad, of West Des Moines, was also southbound, but failed to notice Andersen’s 2006 Chrysler Pacifica.

Mohammad’s 2007 Chevy Silverado hit the back of the Pacifica, causing a total of $3,000 damage. Deputies charged Mohammad with Failure to Maintain Control. Andersen was charged with Failure to have Insurance, and a Registration Violation.

Two men from Nebraska were arrested Saturday night on drug charges, in Walnut. The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports 21-year old Aaron Mark Dye, of Hastings, NE, and 18-year old Martin Peyton Hord, of Harvard, NE., were arrested with the help of Cass County Sheriff’s Deputy Tyler Shiels and his K9 partner. Dye and Hord were charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, after deputies were called to the Cenex gas station on Antique City Drive in Walnut, for a report of Vice activity. Authorities recovered from the suspects’ 4 syringes (1 loaded with an unknown content, 1 empty), the bottom half of a burned aluminum pop can, a baggie containing a clear plastic stamp with bags of unknown quantity and Q-Tips. The suspects’ 1997 Nissen Sentra was impounded following their arrest.

The Pott. County Sheriff’s Office said also, 36-year old Randy Lee Nixon, of Crescent, was arrested Saturday night for OWI/1st Offense, after the vehicle he was driving was pulled over for a malfunctioning headlight on Old Lincoln Highway.

And, 40-year old Thomas Dwight Keyser, of Underwood, was arrested late Friday morning following a disturbance in Underwood. Keyser, who has a Protection Order issued against him, is alleged to have taken the phone from his ex-girlfriend and left the area prior to his arrest at the Underwood gas station. He was charged with Violating a Protection Order and Obstruction of Emergency Communications.

Officials with Iowa Public Television today (Monday) announced they have cancelled the Iowa Press debate for the U.S. Senate race scheduled for October 20th, 2016. Senator Grassley (R-New Hartford) rescinded his acceptance of IPTV’s invitation, leaving former Lieutenant Governor Patty Judge (D-Albia) as the sole participant. Judge accepted IPTV’s invitation on September 23, 2016. Grassley’s campaign issued a press release on August 5, 2016, announcing his participation in IPTV’s debate.

The hour-long debate had been scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. in front of a live audience in the Maytag Auditorium at IPTV’s studios in Johnston. The program would have aired live on statewide IPTV and been live streamed on Iptv.org. The candidates had previously agreed to answer questions and discuss their platforms, concerns and future plans for the state of Iowa.

IPTV Executive Director and General Manager Molly Phillips said “Iowa Public Television has a longstanding tradition of candidate debates through Iowa Press, the longest-running statewide public affairs program. We are disappointed the debate will not be available to all Iowans on our air, online or in our studio.”

Officials at Cass County Health System announced today (Monday), that Brett Altman, Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), Master of Business Administration (MBA), and Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE), will be the new Chief Executive Officer for the organization.  The Board of Trustees approved the contract for Altman during a special meeting this (Monday) morning. In a Press Release, Cass County Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees Chairman Ned Brown said  “After a thorough search and interview process, it became apparent that Mr. Altman has the vision, leadership skills and industry expertise to continue to move our organization forward.”

The Creston Police Department says three people were arrested over the past few days, two incidents of theft and one incident of vandalism was reported. On Saturday, 26-year old Alex Cunningham, of Creston, was arrested at his home on a Union County warrant for Violation of Probation on an original charge of OWI/1st offense. Cunningham was being held in the Union County Jail on a $1,000 bond. That same day, 35-year old John Morse, of Afton, was arrested on a charge of Disorderly Conduct. Morse was later released on a $300 bond. And on Friday, 57-year old Marlene Ploessel, of Creston, was arrested for Theft in the 5th degree. She was released on a Promise to Appear later in court.

Creston Police said also, a resident of the 500 block of W. Montgomery Street reported on Friday someone stole several guns, ammo, pieces of jewelry and various other antique items from his home, following a break-in. A complete list of the items and their value was not available. On Saturday, a man residing in the 1000 block of W. Adams Street in Creston told police someone stole two chainsaws from his home. The loss was estimated at $450.

And, on Sunday, a resident in the 800 block of N. Cherry Street in Creston reported someone drove a vehicle onto his yard and damaged a wood railing leading to the steps of his house. The damage was estimated at $150.