Two men, one from Adair County, the other from Union County, were arrested Thursday afternoon on drug charges, in Nebraska. According to the Nebraska State Patrol, at around 1:20 p.m. Thursday, July 16, a trooper observed a Dodge Ram pickup fail to signal a turn as it exited Interstate 80 at mile marker 231, near Darr. During the traffic stop, the trooper detected the odor of marijuana coming from the bed of the truck.

A search of the vehicle revealed 52 pounds of marijuana contained in bags in the covered truck bed. The driver, 46-year old Paul Shimer, of Creston, and his passenger, 24-year old Cody Hagle, of Orient, were both arrested for possession of marijuana – more than one pound, possession with intent to deliver, and no drug tax stamp.

Hagle was also arrested for possession of a firearm during a felony drug violation. Both were lodged in Dawson County Jail.

Numerous area fire departments responded to a request Walnut Fire to help battle the flames and supply water for a fire at the Super Eight Motel, near Walnut. The blaze at 2109 Antique City Drive on the north side of Interstate 80 happened at around Noon, Saturday. Walnut Fire Chief Justin Tooley told KJAN News there was heavy smoke and flames coming of the northwest corner of the main entrance area on the second floor.

Tooley said the fire was contained to the main upstairs hallway. He said it appears the flames started in the attic, and that it initially appears the fire was electrical in nature. The front desk clerk at the motel told KJAN News he thinks the fire started because there has been problems with a fan on the second floor.

The man said he told the owner a couple of weeks ago that they had received complaints about the fan, that it was not cooling the area. The owner said he would have someone come to fix the problem, but this (Saturday) morning, it was still creating heat.

Ric Hanson/photos

No injuries were reported. Units on the scene included: Atlantic Fire and Rescue (Ladder truck & support units); tanker trucks from Avoca, Hancock, Marne, and Minden; Harlan Fire and Rescue, Medivac Ambulance, the Shelby County Emergency Management Agency and law enforcement. An Excessive Heat Warning was in effect at the time of the call. The temperature at noon was 88 degrees with a Heat Index of 100 degrees. Fortunately, there was a strong south/southwesterly wind to aid in that made the heat a little more bearable for those having to wear their turnout gear.

The last time a fire took place at the same motel (but in a different building) was in late April, 2018.

Numerous area fire department were requested for mutual aid to assist the Walnut Fire Department fight a fire at the Super Eight Motel at 2109 Antique City Drive on the north side of Interstate 80, near Walnut. Atlantic Fire was requested for it’s aerial (ladder) truck and Heavy Rescue unit at around 12:15-p.m.  Tanker trucks were requested from Marne, Hancock,Harlan and Minden, to name a few of the responding units. Medivac Ambulance was also on the scene. 

No injuries were reported.

The temperature at noon was 88 degrees with a Heat Index of 100 degrees.  An excessive heat warning is in-place for Pottawattamie County until 8-p.m. The last time a fire took place at the same motel was in late April, 2018.

DES MOINES – Gov. Kim Reynolds ordered all flags in Iowa to be lowered to half-staff immediately and remain at half-staff through sunrise Monday, July 20, 2020 in honor and remembrance of U.S. Representative John Lewis, a congressman from Atlanta, Georgia and longtime civil rights icon.

“From a bridge in Selma, Alabama to the halls of Congress, John Lewis was a trailblazer for justice and equality,” said Gov. Reynolds. “A giant in the Civil Rights Movement, Rep. Lewis always sought liberty and justice for all Americans. Today we come together to reflect on this remarkable life of service and remember that the fight continues to form a more perfect union for all.”

Flags will be at half-staff on the State Capitol Building and on flag displays in the Capitol Complex. Flags will also be half-staff on all public buildings, grounds and facilities throughout the state. Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties and other government subdivisions are encouraged to fly the flags at half-staff for the same length of time.

CORALVILLE – The Iowa Department of Corrections (DOC) reports a correctional officer was assaulted by an inmate at the Iowa Medical and Classification Center at approximately 7 p.m., Friday.  The officer was working his post when an inmate became aggressive and started throwing chairs. The officer attempted to verbally calm the inmate, but was unsuccessful.

The inmate began aggressively advancing towards the officer, and the officer subsequently deployed O.C. spray in an attempt to stop the inmate. The inmate proceeded to advance on the officer and struck him multiple times with closed-fist strikes and attempted to choke the officer. Additional staff responded and took control of the situation quickly.

The officer was assessed by facility medical staff, and found to have suffered minor injuries, and returned to duty. The inmate was assessed and found to have not suffered any injuries. The incident remains under investigation.