The City of Harlan is asking citizens to voluntarily utilize off-street parking wherever possible for today, Monday, January 15^th. This will assist the Public Works Department with snow and ice control on city streets.  The City of Harlan appreciates your cooperation.

Creston Police report two, recent arrests. Today (Monday), at around 1:45-a.m., Sebastian Gene Sweat, of Creston, was arrested at a residence in the 400 block of Wyoming Avenue, for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Sweat for being held in the Union County Jail on a $300 bond. And, at around 11:30-a.m. Friday, 48-year old Victor Robin Thatcher, of Creston, was arrested at Highway 25 and Russell Street, for Public Intoxication/2nd offense. Thatcher was being held in the Union County Jail on a $1,000 bond.

Authorities said also, a woman residing in the 500 block of N. Birch Street reported Sunday, that someone broke the driver’s side of her vehicle, parked near her residence. The damage was estimated at $150. Later that same day, a woman residing in the 300 block of S. Division St., in Creston, reported that someone took a bottle of prescription medication from her home. The loss was estimated at $50.

WEST BRANCH, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say two crew members were injured when their ambulance flipped while taking a patient to Iowa City. The accident occurred around 3:30 p.m. Sunday on Interstate 80 near West Branch in Cedar County. The Iowa State Patrol says the driver likely lost control of the vehicle on the icy roadway. All three occupants were taken to University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and the two crew members already have been released. No names have been released.

The Iowa Department of Human Rights is hosting the annual state Martin Luther King Junior celebration today (Monday). Kim Cheeks of the Department’s Office on the Status of African Americans says the celebration begins at 10:45 at the Des Moines Botantical Center. “It will be our 29th annual celebration commemorating the life and legacy of Doctor Martin Luther King. We will have opening remarks by Governor Kim Reynolds.” Cheeks says the keynote speech will be delivered by Izaah Knox, Executive Director of Urban Dreams. She says the entertainment will feature Julius Brooks, a jazz musician and poet Emmett Phillips.

Cheeks says everyone is invited to attend the event honoring the slain Civil Rights leader. “To remember his values, to remind people of his principles of non-violence and to celebrate the holiday,” Cheeks says. Governor Reynolds will sign a proclamation designating it Martin Luther King Junior Day, and the period of January 14-20th as Martin Luther King Junior Week.

(Radio Iowa)

Police in Council Bluffs, Sunday night, responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle in the 1800 block of 28th Ave. They were dispatched to the scene at around 10:15-p.m. A caller told authorities two males parked the vehicle and walked west. Officers arrived on scene and while they were checking on the vehicle they heard two shots fired close by. A short time later two males were seen running back toward the suspicious vehicle. Officers took both parties into custody and transported them both to the Criminal Investigations Division for questioning.

One male was questioned and released. The second male is juvenile and his name was not  released. Officers located a stolen semi-automatic pistol on the juvenile, who was charged with trafficking in stolen weapons, unauthorized possession of a weapon, obtaining weapon without a permit, and reckless use of a firearm. The juvenile was being held at the Southwest Iowa Juvenile detention center.