A third area law enforcement agency reports the death of their K9. Authorities in Mills County, Friday, said in a social media post, “Days like today are tough. ‘K9 Monte‘ passed away today. K9 Monte faithfully served the Mills County Sheriffs Office and the residents of Mills County for 6 years. He worked for Deputy Christensen, Deputy England and Deputy Mather during his career. He took numerous criminals and drugs off the streets. He was retired due to an injury he received while in training.”

Mills County K9 “Monte” (retired)

K9 Monte, “Upon retirement he went to live with Chief Deputy England’s parents. They took Monte in and traveled the US, visiting 26 states during the 4 years they have cared for Monte. Monte became their companion, and they loved him so. The last month he was steadily declining, having trouble walking, and you could tell he was in pain. The Crellin’s were able to make it back to Mills County with the help of many veterinarians, and we were able to bring Dr. Joyce in with Hilltop Animal Hospital as soon as they made it back.

It was determined that no matter what we did we wouldn’t be able to change the outcome. So it was decided it was time to end his suffering and let him go run the beat in Heavens Streets.” The Sheriff’s Office concluded by saying “RIP K9 Monte. You will be forever missed.”  Last weekend, Cass County Sheriff’s Deputy Kyle Quist announced retired K9 “Vader” died from natural causes. The Harlan Police Department reported their K9 “Jax” died May 24th.

An accident Friday afternoon near Anita resulted in a woman from Harrison County being injured. The Iowa State Patrol says 58-year-old Kristi Lynne Hildrith, of Logan, was transported by Anita Rescue to the Cass County Memorial Hospital, after her SUV struck a car that was making a U-turn. The accident happened at Highway 148 and Boone Road at around 2:30-p.m.

Authorities say a 2010 Honda CR-V driven by 23-year old Alexis Debra Dietz-Noel, of Ankeny, was traveling south on Highway 148, north of Boone Road. A 2016 Mazda 6 Grand Touring SUV was behind the Honda, following at a safe distance, when Dietz-Noel made a U-turn to head north on Highway 148 by entering Boone Road and re-entering the highway.

Hildrith tried to take evasive actions to avoid the Honda by crossing the center line of the road, but was unsuccessful and struck the Honda.

(Updated) An earthquake was reported along the SD/NE border, Friday. The US-GS says the quake measured 3.7 on the Richter Scale, at a depth of 5 kilometers, or about 3.1-miles. It happened at around 10:20-a.m. CDT, about 6-miles (10 km) northeast of Anoka, Nebraska. There were no reports of damage. As of last report, about 22 people said they felt the event.

The USGS says an earthquake of this magnitude is usually felt by several people and the vibrations feel like a truck passing by with hanging objects known to noticeably swing. Earthquakes between magnitudes two and three have weak shakings and usually no damage occurs.

A man from Polk County died during a single-vehicle accident early Friday morning, in Greene County. The Iowa State Patrol reports 30-year-old Theodore Wayne Sanford McGinnis, of Des Moines, was driving a 2007 Chevy Impala on J Avenue, north of 330th Street, sometime between 4:30- and 5:00-a.m., his vehicle hit a pheasant. When his vehicle went onto the west shoulder of the road, McGinnis over-corrected, sending the car into the east ditch. Greene County 9-1-1 first received notice of the accident at around 6:33-a.m.

McGinnis – who was wearing a seat belt – died at the scene.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports four arrests. Authorities say on May 29th, Cass County Deputies arrested 55-year-old Tina Maria Hofer, and 58-year-old Leroy Dean McFadden, both of Des Moines.  Hofer was charged with a controlled substance violation, failure to affix drug stamp, and OWI first offense.  McFadden was charged with a controlled substance violation, failure to affix drug stamp and a firearm violation.  Hofer and McFadden were both transported to Cass County Jail where they are currently being held on bond.

On June 1st, 43-year-old James McIntyre, of Harlan, was arrested on a Cass County warrant for violation of a no contact order.   McIntyre was transported to Cass County Jail and was later released after posting bond. And, on June 2nd, Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 42-year-old Shawn Glen Wolverton, of Atlantic, for simple assault.  Wolverton was transported to Cass County Jail, later posted bond, and was released.