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1 arrested, 3 suspects sought in connection w/Council Bluffs area vehicle burglaries

News

November 30th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Council Bluffs Police report one person was arrested and warrants were issued for the arrest of three other people, in connection with 10 separate vehicle burglaries in the Council Bluffs area. The incidents occurred during a period spanning October 16th to the 23rd, in the area of Lake Manawa and Lewis Central High School in Council Bluffs.

Officers and detectives of the Council Bluffs Police Department were able to develop information on a burglary ring that was responsible for the break-in’s and obtained arrest warrants for the listed subjects.

Authorities say 27-year old Travis M. Schmidt, of Council Bluffs, is currently in custody and being held at the Pottawattamie County Jail. He faces charges that include 1st Degree Robbery, 1st Degree Theft, 8 counts of Burglary in the 3rd Degree, 2 counts of Credit card Forgery, and Ongoing Criminal Conduct. Arrest warrants were issued for: 30-year old Katie L.Rief of Council Bluffs;25-year old Elizabeth M. Cozens, of Omaha, and 29-year old Jessica A. Fryrear, of Bellevue, NE.

Rief faces charges that include Robbery in the 1st Degree, 7 counts of Burglary in the 3rd Degree and Ongoing Criminal Conduct. Cozens is wanted for Robbery 1st Degree, 5 counts of Burglary in the 3rd Degree and Ongoing Criminal Conduct. Fryrear is wanted for Theft in the 4th Degree and Ongoing Criminal Conduct.

The Robbery 1st charge stems from an October 17th incident at the Council Bluffs Country Club, when an Omaha man witnessed a female breaking into his vehicle on the parking lot. As the man approached the woman, she noticed him and got into a Green Jeep Compass driven by Schmidt and they fled the area. The victim had jump out of the way of the oncoming Jeep to avoid being intentionally run over. The Jeep Compass was later discovered to be stolen and has since been recovered.

Anyone with information concerning the location of Rief, Cozens and Fryrear is encouraged to contact the Council Bluffs Police Department at (712) 328-4721 or Crime Stoppers at (712) 328-7867.

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5 arrests in Harlan last week

News

November 30th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the Harlan Police Department report five people were arrested on separate charges, last week. On Saturday, 44-year old Jeffrey Allen Tierney, of Portsmouth, was arrested following an investigation into suspicious activity in the Harlan Hy-Vee parking lot. After police stopped Tierney’s vehicle, they arrested the man for Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Operating a Motor Vehicle without Registration, as well as for having No Insurance.

Last Friday, 19-year old Brett Donald Keane, of Panama, and 23-year old Brandon Christopher Allen, of Harlan, were arrested on drug charges after the Harlan K9 officer was called to search a vehicle during a routine traffic stop. Keane was taken into custody for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, while Allen was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance/3rd offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

On Thanksgiving Day, Harlan Police arrested 43-year old Thomas Stanley, of Harlan, for OWI and excessive speed. And, on Nov. 23rd, 31-year old Jason Ronald Ostrus, of Earling, was arrested for Unlawful Possession of Prescription Drugs (a schedule 1 narcotic) without a valid prescription.

Griswold City Council work session tonight to discuss the Rescue Department

News

November 30th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Members of the Griswold City Council will hold a work session this (Wednesday) evening to discuss the Griswold Rescue Department. City officials say the public is welcome to attend the work session, but no public input will be taken. No action is expected during the meeting, either. The meeting takes place at the Griswold City Hall/Community Building, beginning at 6-p.m.

During a special meeting Nov. 22nd, members of the community and others voiced their frustration with the Council’s apparent inability to reach a resolution with the Griswold Rescue Squad, nine members of whom resigned Nov. 15th, after their former Captain, Julie Kline resigned over matters concerning the way the Department was being run.

During the Nov. 22nd meeting, Griswold Mayor Jeb Peck said no decisions had been made concerning Kline or the Rescue Department, when a special closed session was held November 14th. Peck said they had discussed with the Rescue Department’s Captain and officers, “the By-Laws, and how they needed to be followed.” Peck said “The Department’s lack of following by the By-Laws set by the Department has been an on-going concern.” He said another issue was the low number of volunteers on the Rescue Department, and the response of the Department trying to improve them.

During the Nov. 22nd meeting, the Council appointed Brad Amos as the new Rescue Department Captain. Each of the Council members said toward the end of that meeting, they wanted to talk with members of the Rescue Squad about the issues mentioned.

Iowa DNR Needs Help from Deer Hunters to Monitor for CWD

Ag/Outdoor, News

November 30th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Deer hunters invest time and money honing their skills and buying the latest gear to pursue Iowa’s trophy whitetails. Hunters can protect their investment by helping to monitor for the presence of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in wild Iowa deer. Chronic wasting disease is a brain disease that can infect deer, elk, reindeer, and moose. The disease is always fatal, and at least one study has shown that it can have a population level impact on deer in Wisconsin, which has a similar landscape and deer population to Iowa.

State wildlife experts are working to make the sample collection process as easy and quick as possible. Hunters can call their local DNR wildlife expert who will meet them either in the field or at their residence to collect two lymph nodes from the head of the animal and a little information on where the deer was killed. That’s it.

Matt Dollison, wildlife biologist for the Department of Natural Resources in southwest Iowa, says “The only reason we need the location of the kill is in case the deer would come back as positive for CWD, we would know its location to create our surveillance focus zone.” The DNR has a goal of collecting 4,500 samples each year from across the state, with increased quotas from surveillance areas in counties that have had positive samples in pen raised deer, and in Allamakee County where positive samples have been found in wild deer.  Hunter participation is voluntary.

In southwest Iowa, Dollison has an increased sample quota of 150 deer for northeastern Pottawattamie County and the very northwest portion of Cass County, where CWD has been found in a captive deer breeding pen.  Unfortunately the DNR has struggled each year to reach half that number. Only adult deer are sampled and trophy bucks will not be sampled unless agreed to by the hunter and after it has been caped. Fawns will not be sampled.

Dollison says “We are working with the DOT to collect samples from road killed deer, but we need hunters to help us reach our targets. Disease monitoring isn’t exciting but it is important to help protect the herd and it’s something simple and easy hunters can do that directly benefits them and what they enjoy doing.” Dollison has placed fliers in local gas stations, meat lockers, and restaurants in an effort to get the word out.

“We want as many samples as possible,” Dollison said. “It’s imperative that hunters let us know as soon as possible after they recover the deer. The clock starts once the deer is down and time is our enemy on this. The sooner we can collect the sample, the better.”

Hunters in Pottawattamie, Cass, Mills, Montgomery, Fremont and Page counties can call:

  • Matt Dollison: (712) 350-0147
  • Jon Ross: (712) 350-0411
  • Doug Phillips: (712) 350-0429
  • Zac Ripperger: (712) 350-0350
  • Carter Oliver: (712) 592-0573

Webster County wants changes to hog operation review process

Ag/Outdoor, News

November 30th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

FORT DODGE, Iowa (AP) – Webster County officials are seeking changes to Iowa’s process for reviewing hog confinement operations, arguing the current process has few restrictions and almost no local control. The Messenger reports the request comes after a large number of new hog confinement applications in the county prompted county supervisors and residents an update to the animal confinement rules.

Recommendations for changes include an increased distance from confinements to residential properties and waterways, as well as a three-mile distance from cities or subdivisions. The Webster County Board plans to present a list of recommendations to Republican state Sen. Tim Kraayenbrink at this week’s Iowa State Association of Counties legislative meeting.

Iowa DHS: Children need better protection from drugs

News

November 30th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Child welfare experts at the Iowa Department of Human Services are seeking changes in state law to better protect children whose caregivers are involved with illegal drugs. Under a proposed bill, a wider variety of controlled substances would trigger a child abuse investigation. Jenae Harvey, with the D-H-S Child Welfare Bureau, says several key drugs found in homes aren’t now covered.

Harvey says, “What we’ve seen over the past two years is families where cocaine, heroin, opioids and methamphetamines are alleged, those caregivers tend to be involved with the Department of Human Services repetitively.”

The current law was designed to protect children in homes where methamphetamines were being used, sold or manufactured. Under the proposed bill, a child abuse investigation would be warranted if the drug activity occurs even when the child is not home. Harvey says the D-H-S has had repeated contacts with families where cocaine, heroin, opioids and meth are present.

She says, “We want to have the opportunity to do the necessary safety and risk assessments for the children and get the caregivers the substance abuse treatment they need in order to be the best parents that they can.”

Under the proposed change, the D-H-S would spend more time evaluating the families. A similar bill failed to win passage last year.

(Radio Iowa/Thanks to Joyce Russell, Iowa Public Radio)

Reward offered for break-in at a Clarinda apartment complex

News

November 30th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

(Corrects source of report) — Clarinda Police Chief Keith Brothers reports Page County Crime Stoppers is offering a monetary reward  for information that leads to the arrest and indictment of the person or persons who broke into the Parkview Apartment Complex, located at 1001 E. Main St., in Clarinda. The incident happened sometime during the evening of November 20th or the early morning hours of November 21st.

A large amount of flooring material was stolen from the apartment complex, which is currently undergoing renovations. If you have information concerning the burglary and theft, contact the Clarinda Police Department at 712-542-2194. Callers may remain anonymous.

Glenwood man arrested on assault & drug charges

News

November 30th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

The Glenwood Police Department reports two arrests took place, Tuesday. 20-year old Kameron Myers, of Glenwood, was arrested on a Mills County warrant for serious Assault, and for Possession of Marijuana. He posted a total of $2,000 bond, and was released. And, 37-year old Jeremy Potts, of Glenwood, was arrested on a Mills County warrant for Driving While Revoked. Potts also posted a $2000 bond, and was released.

Omaha man arrested near Avoca on Audubon County warrant

News

November 30th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports a Nebraska man was arrested Tuesday evening on an Audubon County warrant, following an investigation into a person living in a vacant home southwest of Avoca. A Deputy was dispatched to a residence in the 40,000 block of Sumac Road at around 4-p.m., after the home’s owner called authorities saying the residence should be vacant, and that a family member may be there without permission.

The Deputy made contact with 40-year old Patrick Eugene Petersen, of Omaha. A records check indicated Petersen was wanted on a warrant out of Audubon County for Failure to Appear in Court for a compliance hearing, on an original charge of Eluding. Petersen was booked into the Pott. County Jail pending extradition to Audubon County.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports also, 38-year old Kirk Thomas Ring, of Underwood, was arrested Monday night for Obstruction of an Emergency Communication device, following an investigation into a disturbance in Underwood. Officials say a Deputy made contact with Ring’s father, who said Kirk and his girlfriend wouldn’t stop arguing. The father advised the Deputy that when he told his son he was going to call 9-1-1, Kirk took his phone away. A neighbor ended-up calling in the verbal disturbance.

Iowa doctor to pay $176,000 to settle federal allegations

News

November 30th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A Des Moines doctor has agreed to pay more than $176,000 to settle federal allegations that his clinic submitted bills for unapproved or counterfeit cancer drugs. The Des Moines Register reports Dr. Magdy Elsawy was accused of purchasing the drugs in 2012 from a company that distributed faulty or fake medications. He denies wrongdoing, and he has not been charged with any crimes.

Federal officials say in settlement documents released Tuesday that Elsawy’s Hematology and Oncology Center of Iowa “improperly submitted claims to Medicare and Medicaid for cancer treatments when (the clinic) knew or recklessly disregarded the fact that the drugs used in those treatments were unapproved, misbranded or counterfeits.”

The clinic’s lawyer, Dulce Foster, said her client’s payment “is in no way a reflection of any wrongdoing.”