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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (6.6MB)

Subscribe: RSS

The Atlantic Police Department, Friday, said that there have been reports made of local individuals receiving a call indicating that their mother is in the Cass County Jail. It is reported that the call comes in a form similar to a collect (Reverse charges) call. The person on the phone will then ask you for a credit card number, and when you hang up the phone it’s reported that you will receive a text message saying that your credit card has been charged “X” amount of minutes by the Cass County Jail for the phone call.

It is also being reported that the number that appears on the caller ID is a local Atlantic number. Residents are warned that this is a scam and to not give out your credit card information. If you have any questions whether or not you have a relative in the Cass County Jail you can call them directly at (712) 243-6960.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – Immediate help is available to Iowans residing in the most impacted counties affected by the 2019 floods. The Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) is responding to the needs of five counties by implementing Project Recovery Iowa, a free and confidential crisis counseling program funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Project Recovery Iowa utilizes trained crisis counselors who are able to provide immediate outreach services to those residing in Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Monona and Woodbury counties.

Department of Human Services Director, Jerry Foxhoven said, “People experience a wide range of emotional reactions following a disaster. These are normal feelings during such devastation, which may last months. Help is available for Iowans who are coping with the stress of the aftermath.”

Project Recovery Iowa can assist Iowans who are struggling to remain resilient in the face of recovery by providing individual and group crisis counseling in non-traditional settings such as a home, school or place of business. Educational services and referrals to community, state and federal programs are also provided.

To access Project Recovery Iowa call the Iowa Concern Hotline 1-800-447-1985.

Deputies with the Fremont County K9 Unit conducted a traffic stop at around 1-a.m. today (Saturday), on a white 2008 Chevy Impala. The vehicle was pulled over near the intersection of 250th Street and Hwy 275, for traveling 105 mph in a 55 mph zone.

The driver, 28-year old Adam Timmerman, of Hamburg, was arrested for speeding and Operating While Intoxicated 2nd Offense.

Timmerman

The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office reports three men have been arrested in connection to vehicle burglaries and gun trafficking charges in Sidney. Authorities say that on May 10th, the sheriff’s office took several reports of items stolen from unlocked vehicles in Sidney.  One of the items reported stolen was a firearm.

Through an investigation, deputies requested warrants on three males. 22-year old Zachary Clark and 22-year old Tristen Braunschweig, both of Sidney, were arrested in Stanton County, Nebraska on May 17th. 33-year old Michael Harris, of Council Bluffs, was arrested May 29th, in Council Bluffs.

Clark and Braunschweig were charged with theft 3rd Degree, Burglary 3rd Degree, and Trafficking in Stolen Firearms. Harris was charged with Trafficking in Stolen Firearms. Clark was being held at the Fremont County Jail on $9,000 bond, Harris is being held at the Fremont County Jail on $5,000 bond, and Braunschweig is still being held in Nebraska on separate charges.

A Summer Food Drive sponsored by the Cass County Democratic Party, ended May 24th. Cass County Democratic Party Chair Sherry Toelle, said donated food items were delivered to four local food pantries and two school programs on May 30th.

Toelle said “We had a phenomenal turn-out; some businesses donated quite a lot of food. It was a joy to be able to deliver those goods to the pantries and schools. They were delighted with the donations. “I want to thank my Co-Vice-Chair Sandy Sothman for helping me deliver the donations across the county. And, of course, many thanks to all the businesses who allowed us to use their buildings as drop-off sites for donations. Without them, this food drive would not have been nearly as successful.” (All pics below submitted by Sherry Toelle)

Sherry Toelle, Ken Burkhardt, Sandy Sothman at the Atlantic Food Pantry. Ken is a volunteer at the Atlantic Food Pantry.

Natalie Ritter and Sandy Sothman at Schuler Elementary. Natalie is the Food Service Manager for the Atlantic School District.

Sherry Toelle and Pam Miller of the Anita Food Pantry

Sandy Sothman, Tami Williamson, Grace Kopp, and Sherry Toelle at the CAM High School. Tami is the Food Service Manager for CAM and Grace Kopp is an educational staff member.

Sandy Sothman, Becky Pelzer, Sherry Toelle, and Katie Greenwalt of Care & Share Pantry in Cumberland. Becky Pelzer and Katie Greenwalt are volunteers at the Care and Share.

Barb Schroeder and Sandy Sothman. Barb is a volunteer at the Lord’s Cupboard in Griswold.

Fremont County Deputies and the Tabor Police Department are looking for the identification of a male in connection to a possible attempted child abduction in Tabor. At around 7:40-p.m., Friday,  deputies were contacted by several juveniles about a suspicious white male that had approached them near the Tabor Library.

Witnesses advised the male approached one of the juveniles, advised that he knew their father and he was supposed to drive the juvenile home.  The juveniles fled the area and contacted law enforcement.

Surveillance image of suspect

Deputies are looking for the White Ford Dually pickup (pictured here).  The truck has a faded logo with the letters CBS on the driver’s door.  The vehicle is missing the front bumper. The male is described as being heavy-set, in his 40’s or 50’s with a beard and short cropped brown or gray hair.

The vehicle was also seen in the area of both the parks in Tabor and Sidney. Anyone with information about the subject or the vehicle should contact the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office at 712-374-2424.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa has filed a lawsuit challenging a new state law that prohibits the use of Medicaid funding for gender reassignment surgery. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill on May 3 that included language amending the state’s Civil Rights Act so that government officials are not required to pay for gender reassignment surgery. The ACLU has sued to block enforcement of the law which went into effect when Reynolds signed it.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Supreme Court says a crude oil pipeline running across Iowa was legally permitted to be built dashing the hopes of a group of farmer landowners who wanted the pipeline moved off their land and an environmental group that wanted it shut down. The farmers and the environmental group Sierra Club of Iowa claim the Iowa Utilities Board illegally issued a permit for the Dakota Access pipeline which has been carrying oil since 2017.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The Trump administration is following through on a plan to allow year-round sales of gasoline mixed with 15% ethanol. The Environmental Protection Agency announced the change Friday, ending a summertime ban imposed out of concerns for increased smog from the higher ethanol blend. The change also fulfills a pledge that President Donald Trump made to U.S. corn farmers to allow the higher ethanol sales year-round.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Cedar Rapids police say an arrest warrant has been issued for a connection with a shooting in a business parking lot that killed two people and injured two others. Police said Friday the warrant was issued for 26-year-old Andre Richardson on suspicion of murder in the killings of Matrell Michael Eu’gene Johnson and Royal Ceiz Abram on May 18. Both of the men killed were 18. Two others were injured in the early morning shooting. Those victims, both aged 19, remain hospitalized.

(Radio Iowa) — City and state road crews are working to re-open an Interstate 29 exit into downtown Sioux City that’s been closed by Missouri River flooding. Mark Aesoph is the fire marshal in Sioux City. “They plugged a couple more drains, They’re starting to remove some of the water.” The area is still closed to traffic, but there’s been significant progress over the past few hours.

The National Weather Service has SLIGHTLY lowered its predicted crest for the Missouri River this weekend in Sioux City.  “Which is a good thing,” Aesoph says. The reduced crest prediction comes DESPITE the increased release of water into the river from the Gavins Point Dam in Yankton.

(Radio Iowa) — Ten members of Sioux City’s Urban Search and Rescue team were deployed to southwest Iowa early this (Friday) morning. The crew took its rescue equipment and an amphibious vehicle. Captain Ryan Collins of Sioux City Fire Rescue says the team will help FEMA make damage assessments in the Sidney area.

“It is not a rescue operation,” he says. “It’s just a support function.” The unit was activated by Iowa Homeland Security. The National Weather Service warns flooding will continue in southwest Iowa along the Missouri River for several more weeks.