The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports a man from Manhatten, KS., was arrested at around 5-a.m. today (Wednesday) in Underwood, after authorities received a report about an armed subject. Dispatch advised a man had pulled what appeared to have been a knife, on another man outside the Subway sandwich store on Magnolia Road. While deputies were enroute, dispatch further advised the man did not actually display a knife, but had a long knife sharpener and several other knives on him. They said the subject was also intoxicated. Deputies arrested 39-year old Timothy Martin Bohl for Harassment in the 3rd Degree and Public Intoxication. His bond was set at $600.

Two juveniles were arrested following an investigation into a theft report, Tuesday evening. The Pott. County Communications Center advised a 16-year old female caller in rural Underwood reported some stole her credit card and that she did not have any suspect information. The female juveniles, ages 14 & 15, face charges of Credit Card/ATM Fraud (Under $1,500) and Theft in the 5th Degree (under $300). Their names were not released.

A man from Plattsmouth, NE., was transported to the Pottawattamie County Jail, Tuesday afternoon. 49-year old Thomas Allen Light was wanted on a Pott. County warrant for Driving While Barred/Habitual Offender. His bond was set at $2,000. The sheriff’s office said also, 19-year old Jyden Shawn Trotter, turned himself-in Tuesday, on a Polk County warrant for Violation of Probation. Trotter was transported to the Polk County Jail and was being held without bond.

39-year old Rollo Andre Cook, SR., of Omaha, who was being held in the Pott. County Jail on a felony Burglary charge, was served with a warrant out of Douglas County, NE., for being a Fugitive from Justice. His bond was set at $10,000. And, 57-year old Christine Lynn Wishecoby, of Omaha, turned herself-in to the Pott. County Sheriff’s Office, Tuesday. She was wanted for Theft in the 2nd Degree. Wishecoby was booked into the Pottawattamie County Jail, and held on a $5,000 bond.

More State and area news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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Creston Police, late Tuesday morning, arrested a woman on a Union County warrant for a felony, Controlled Substance Violation. 34-year old Elizabeth Clayton, of Creston, was taken into custody in the 400 block of N. Oak Street, and transported to the Adams County Jail, where she was awaiting a bond hearing.

The City Council in Walnut will meet 5-p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3rd, during a regular session. On their agenda is a Public Hearing with regard to a proposed MidAmerican Energy Franchise Renewal for a period of 25-years. A bit later on in their meeting, the Council will discuss the franchise renewal with MidAmerican’s Mark Reinders, followed by discussion and possible action on the first readings of Ordinances 165 & 166, assigning the rights and non-exclusive franchises to the energy company, with regard to electrical and natural gas system services and related matters.

In other business, the Walnut City Council will discuss: A lease agreement for TLC Food & Clothing Pantry at the Walnut Community Center; Providing a tire drop-off during general garbage pickup; and the Oct. 6th Community Appreciation Dinner. They will also receive a City of Walnut Infrastructure Needs Study and Strategic Plan, followed by action on the adoption of a Resolution adopting the study and plan, and action on a Resolution for the possible adoption of an updated Walnut Municipal Utility Identity Theft Prevent Program, and a request to rename Walnut Ridge Road.

Another item of business, is discussion with regard to a complaint about merchandise on downtown business sidewalks, in Walnut.

The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:06-a.m. From KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — Deere & Co. plans to lay off more than 110 workers at its plant in Davenport by Nov. 18. The company also said Tuesday that it would lay off about 50 workers later this month from its Harvester Works plant in East Moline, Illinois, just across the Mississippi River from Davenport. Deere public relations director Ken Golden says Deere has lowered its expectations for sales and net income because of decreased customer demand. He says the layoffs are a result of the market conditions.

He says no other Deere plant is included in the layoffs. The company makes equipment for construction, agriculture and landscaping.

(by Roz Brown – IA News Service) DES MOINES, Iowa – America’s unemployment rate remains very low, but that doesn’t always apply to people with disabilities. It’s an issue Iowa is working on. As part of October’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month, employers across the state are reminded that many people with disabilities want to work, and often need only minimal help to transition into the workforce.

Brooke Lovelace, executive director of the Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council, said evidence shows that individuals with disabilities can be highly successful workers, but they still face obstacles. “Nationally, there’s still a 41% employment gap between people who have disabilities and people who do not have disabilities,” she said. “Iowa is a little bit better than that, where that gap is only at 36%, but we have a long ways to go.”

Lovelace encouraged employed Iowans with disabilities to reach out to their legislators this month and invite them to their place of work for a 30-minute visit to inform lawmakers and perhaps help change perceptions. She said those who want to participate can contact the council. Too often, Lovelace said, employers overlook the diverse, untapped skills of applicants with disabilities. She said these workers also need a “real” wage rather than the current minimum wage of $7.25 an hour. “Communities are stronger when everybody is working,” she said, “when you have more people shopping because they have more money, because they are employed, so they’re part of the community, they’re going out – all of that.”

She said more than 1,600 Iowans with disabilities are working at the types of jobs that pay only the sub-minimum wage of $4.35 an hour.

LE MARS, Iowa (AP) — A man has been burned while working at a hog confinement in northwest Iowa. Firefighters were sent a little after 5 p.m. Monday to the hog operation, which sits about 5 miles northwest of Le Mars. Officials say two people had been inside a building, using a power washer to clean it. One left the building to refuel the power washer engine, and he spilled gas on himself and the machine. Fire officials say the vapors ignited, burning the man.

Le Mars Fire Chief Dave Schipper says the man was initially taken by private vehicle to Floyd Valley Healthcare in Le Mars. He then was flown to a burn center in Lincoln, Nebraska. The man’s name hasn’t been released.

(Radio Iowa) — Iowa’s attorney general is going to court, asking that the Iowa Insurance Division be allowed to step in and try to recoup the money for people who paid in advance for their funerals at two northwest Iowa funeral homes. State officials say their investigation shows Andrew Joyce no longer has a license to sell “pre-need” contracts for funerals and burials handled by the Joyce Funeral Home in Emmetsburg and the Joyce-Alesch Funeral Home in Graettinger. Dennis Britson is assistant chief of the securities bureau in the Iowa Insurance Division.

“Mr. Joyce had not notified us that he was ceasing to continue business as a pre-needs seller, did not renew his license and did not take the steps of giving the money back to those customers of his,” he says, “and that’s what led up to the action and why we’re trying to make sure that those funds get returned to consumers.”

According to the Iowa Insurance Division, a bank account for the Graettinger funeral home was closed in mid-July “due to a lack of funds” and accounts for the funeral home in Emmetsburg and a monument company “maintained negative balances.” State officials already have contacted 56 customers, but Iowans who may have signed a contract with one of the two funeral homes, but haven’t gotten a letter yet are advised to contact the Iowa Insurance Division in Des Moines. “This is about safeguarding consumer funds and getting them back to those individuals that those accounts are for,” Britson says, “and Mr. Joyce hasn’t done that.”

Radio Iowa was unable to reach anyone at the two funeral homes on Wednesday. The office lines in Emmetsburg and Graettinger rang, but no one answered and neither accepted recorded messages.

(Radio Iowa) — The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) has created two new competitive funds to help with community development. I-E-D-A spokesperson, Kanan Kappelman says the two funds are targeted at specific types of buildings. She says they are for dilapidated state-owned properties, and both cities and counties can apply for the funds.

Kappelman says there are many communities which might have a vacant state building. “State-owned properties might have been vacated due to lack of use…so this is our way of supporting cities or counties wishing to utilize such properties for perhaps economic or revitalization purposes,” Kappelman says.

The state legislature appropriated six million dollars to be used for the program. “There are two separate funds. The vacant state building demolition fund and the rehabilitation fund,” according to Kappelman. “Each of these funds provides up to one million dollars in either grants or loans per year for the next three years.”

Kappelman is not sure how many empty state buildings there may be across Iowa.Applications for the 2020 fiscal year are currently being accepted via iowagrants.gov. Applications are due by November 27th and will be scored by I-E-D-A based on criteria that includes evidence of project readiness and the redevelopment plan. The awards will be announced in December.