PLEASANTVILLE, Iowa (AP) — Firefighters in Pleasantville were still battling hot spots late this (Monday) morning, following a fire that gutted a church in the south-central Iowa town. Crews from several departments were dispatched to the Pleasantville Christian Church in Pleasantville before 6 a.m. today (Monday). They battled to keep flames from reaching nearby homes and had to truck in water because the community supply was too limited.

The intense heat melted siding on some of those houses. By midmorning smoke was still escaping from the building, and bricks were strewn about near the foundation and on a sidewalk. No injuries have been reported. The fire cause will be investigated.

A complaint received at the Page County Sheriff’s Office Friday about a domestic situation in Coin, resulted in an arrest. The Sheriff’s Office says during an investigation, a search warrant was obtained for a building located at the property known as 10 Main Street, in Coin.

Gary L. Runyon, Jr.

47-year old Gary Lynn Runyon, Jr., of Coin, was subsequently arrested on charges of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Gathering (where drugs are used or present), and Domestic Abuse Assault.

Runyon was transported to the Page County Jail and held without bond until seen by a Magistrate.

The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office reports that on Sunday, a theft occurred at the Casey’s General Store, in Sidney. On surveillance video, Deputies observed that between the hours of Noon and 12:10-p.m. Sunday, a man wearing a black baseball cap and gray/black plaid jacket, used a forged check to purchase items from the store. The same man is also wanted in connection to two other similar thefts in the southwest Iowa and southeast Nebraska area.

If you know the man pictured in these still-frame images, please contact the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office at 712-374-2424.

Sheriff’s officials in Union County report the arrest Sunday night, of 32-year old Jeffrey Michael Hoffman, of Creston. Hoffman was taken into custody for Burglary in the 3rd degree, after he was caught allegedly removing items from a storage unit that did not belong to him. Hoffman was being held in the Union County Jail on $5,000 bond.

A Creston man reported to the Sheriff’s Office Thursday morning, that sometime in the previous few days, someone took his 2008 Chevy Impala from the Cromwell Cemetery, where it had been parked since March 23rd, due to the fact the vehicle was having issues,and wouldn’t start. The vehicle was recovered in Creston.

And, a man from Thayer, reported Sunday morning, that sometime during the night, four Motorola private band radios were taken from his farm machinery. The radios were valued at $4,000.

A traffic stop on a speeding vehicle Friday night in the Carson area, resulting in multiple traffic and criminal citations for the driver. The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports 46-year old Michael Iwan Carter was pulled over at around 8:45-p.m., after his vehicle was clocked on radar doing 74 in a 55 mph zone. The vehicle – a 1997 Ford F-250 Supercab pickup – also matched the description of a vehicle broadcast to law enforcement. As the Deputy spoke with Carter, he noticed an odor of marijuana. Carter claimed another person in the pickup had been smoking pot.

Upon a search, several bags of controlled substances along with drug paraphernalia were found, either on Carter or in his vehicle.  Carter was cited for Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana – 1st offense; Possession of Drug Paraphernalia; and PCS – Methamphetamine/1st offense. He was released from the scene with those and other citations.

And, Friday afternoon, Steven James Hallman turned himself-in the the Pott. County Sheriff’s Office. Hallman was wanted on  warrants for Possession of a controlled substance/marijuana – 1st offense, Poss. of Drug Paraphernalia, and OWI/1st offense. He was booked into the Pott. County Jail and turned over to Corrections staff.

(Radio Iowa) — Some of Iowa’s K-through-12 students may soon be required to participate in online classes during school closures related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Iowa Department of Education will fast-track requests from school districts and non-public schools for what the agency calls “continuous learning” plans. Ann Lebo is director of the Iowa Department of Education. “We all know how important it is for Iowa students to continue to learn during the COVID-19 emergency,” Lebo says. “…Even though schools are not required to offer learning opportunities when they are closed, they are certainly able and encouraged to do so as they consider the needs of the families and the learners they serve.”

The new guidelines allow schools to issue grades for homework and to give students this semesters’ credits for courses completed online. Schools must consider how all students may access online courses.  “The role of the Department of Education is to ensure we maintain a minimum standard of care,” Lebo says, “while allowing the maximum opportunity for growth through flexibility at the local level.” Some Iowa school districts are delivering homework packets to students. Lebo says others are providing one electronic device to each student and finding ways to ensure all students have access to WiFi.  “Innovation at this time of uncertainty is important,” Lebo says.

Governor Kim Reynolds has recommended that schools close through April 12th. However, it’s likely Iowa schools will remain closed for the entire month of April. Last (Sunday) night, President Trump extended federal social distancing guidelines until April 30th.

A traffic stop at Ingrum Avenue and Highway 34 Saturday morning resulted in two arrested on drug charges. The Mills County Sheriff’s Office says 22-year old Gabriella Cheyanne Mixan and 24-year old Blake Marshall Reed, both of Glenwood, were arrested at around 1:35-a.m. Saturday, for: Possession of a Controlled Substance; Possession of a Firearm, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Reed was additionally charged with OWI/1st offense, and Possession of Carrying of a Dangerous Weapon. His bond was set at $5,000. Mixan’s bond was set at $1,300.