The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports a man and woman from Oakland were arrested early Saturday morning following an incident of assault. Authorities say Raymond James Finiff, Jr., of Oakland, was allegedly assaulted by his ex-girlfriend, 21-year old Selena Naomi Herrera, of Oakland, and her brother, 18-year oldTristan Michael Herrera, also of Oakland. The pair allegedly struck Finiff, Jr. over the head with a metal golf club. Selena and Tristan Herrera were charged with Aggravated Assault/Willful Injury. And, because he was in possession of a controlled substance (a prescription pill) at the time of his arrest, Tristan Herrera was subsequently charged with Unlawful Possession of a Prescription.

The Pott. County Sheriff’s Office reports also, 41-year old Jeffrey Ryan Brandt, of Walnut, was arrested following a traffic stop in Walnut Sunday morning, for Driving While Revoked. 23-year old Justin Troy Heumphreus, of Council Bluffs, was arrested Sunday afternoon on Highway 92 near Treynor following a traffic stop for speeding. He was charged with Driving While Barred, and arrested on a warrant out of Council Bluffs for OWI/1st Offense. He was also charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, after being found in possession of a baggies containing a little more than 1/2 gram each of Meth and Cocaine.

And, two people were arrested on separate OWI/1st Offense charges in Pottawattamie County. 50-year old David Thomas Ryan, of Underwood, was arrested Sunday morning, following a traffic stop for speeding. 20-year old Trevor Ryan McMahon, of Minden, was arrested Saturday morning, after the pickup he was driving allegedly struck a Mid-American Energy power pole in the vicinity of Mahogany Road and 290th Street. The pickup, which sustained heavy damage, was observed by a deputy about 1/2 mile north of the scene, in a ditch.

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office reports four arrests over the past few days. Friday night, 31-year old Daniel Raymond Jensen, of Atlantic, was arrested on an outstanding warrant for Failure to Appear at a Child Support Hearing. Jensen was picked up by Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies and transported to the Audubon County Jail, where his bond was set at $2,000. Jensen is scheduled to appear in court next Monday afternoon (Feb. 13th).

Sunday evening, Audubon County Deputies assisted by Carroll County Deputies, arrested 30-year old Ashley Chantelle Hetterich, of Carroll, on an outstanding warrant for Violation of Probation associated with a 2016 conviction for Possession of Meth with the Intent to Deliver, and Possession of Heroin. Hetterich is being held in the Audubon County on $1,000 bond while awaiting a District court appearance scheduled for next Monday afternoon.

Sheriff’s Deputies in Audubon County also arrested two people this (Monday) morning. At around 1-a.m., 27-year old Carl Joseph Musser, of Hamlin, was arrested following  a traffic stop. He was charged with Driving While Suspended, Operating a vehicle without registration, and Having No Insurance. Musser was later released after appearing before a Magistrate. And, 25-year old Austin Michael Greve was arrested at the Audubon County Jail, for Violation of Probabtion. Greve was being held in the jail on $65,000 bond, on charges of Attempted Murder, Burglary in the 3rd Degree, and Going Armed with Intent, in association with an incident that took place Feb. 2nd. Greve is scheduled to appear in District Court next Monday afternoon.

Alert citizens who witnessed an incident of assault Sunday morning in Council Bluffs and reported it to 911, are being credited with helping authorities in the apprehension of the suspect.Officials say at around 6:40-a.m., officers were called to the Council Bluffs Walgreens Store (535 E. Broadway), for a report of a woman who was being assaulted inside a vehicle in the parking lot. Witnesses told arriving officers the suspect allegedly struck the victim and refused to let her leave the vehicle.

At about the same time officers arrived on the scene, the suspect vehicle, a Mercury Sable, took off with the victim still inside. The suspect, 22-year old John M. McAllister, of Council Bluffs, drove to the Jennie Edmundson Hospital parking lot, where the victim – his girlfriend- was able to get out as the car was slowing to make a turn. Officers following the suspect turned and rendered aid while McAllister fled the scene. The victim suffered non-life threatening injuries, and was treated at a local hospital.

John M. McAllister

As the suspect vehicle left Jennie Edmundson, it nearly collided with a Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Deputy who was in the area. A pursuit ensued with Pott. County Deputies and Council Bluffs Police involved in the chase. The pursuit was terminated near S. 12th Street and 10th Avenue, when McAllister drove the car eastbound onto the railroad tracks. The car got back on the road and the intersection of S. 8th Street and 10th Avenue. When officers next saw the car, it had no left front tire, and heavy sparks were shooting from the vehicle.

Officers followed the disabled vehicle to the 100 block of 27th, where McAllister got out and fled on foot. He was arrested a short time later and charged with Domestic Assault with Injury, Interference with Official Acts, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Eluding. McAllister was booked into the Pottawattamie County Jail.

The Cass County Conservation Board has two events coming up later this week (Feb. 10th and 11th). Friday night, there’s a “Full Moon Owl Prowl.” The Owl Prowl will be held at the Cold Springs Park in Lewis,  beginning at 7-p.m., Friday. You’re invited to come out for a great night hike, and try to call in various species of Owls that may be in the park that night. All ages are welcome.

And, Saturday night (Feb. 11th), the Cass County Conservation Board is holding a free, Sweethearts Snowshoe Hike. The Moonlight Snowshoe Hike will be held at the Pellett Memorial Woods outside of Atlantic, beginning at 7-p.m., Saturday. If there are no clouds, the moon will light the way. Snowshoes (in a variety of sizes) will be available. Officials say they will hike and try to call in various species of Owls that may be in the park that night! In the event there is no snow, the event  WILL be CANCELLED.

Officials with the Cass County Conservation Department are reminding area residents that the Great Backyard Bird Count Program will be held at the Atlantic Public Library Community Room, this Saturday February 11th, beginning at 1-p.m. During the event, you’ll learn how to participate in this wonderful citizen science project, and about basic bird identification.

The first Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) was held in 1998. The 20th annual GBBC takes place February 17th-20th in backyards, parks, nature centers, on hiking trails, school grounds, balconies, and beaches—anywhere you find birds. Bird watchers count the birds they see for at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the count, then enter their checklists at birdcount.org. All the data contribute to a snapshot of bird distribution and help scientists see changes over the past 20 years.

The family-oriented program is for bird watchers of all ages, and is free of charge. All you need is basic knowledge of bird identification It is not required that you record every species you see, only those that can be properly identified. To participate in the bird count either call the Conservation Board at 712-769-2372 and receive everything you need in the mail (or pick up in the office), or go to the website: http://gbbc.birdcount.org/ and follow the instructions.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa National Guard says 13 airmen have returned from a six-month deployment in Kuwait. The 13 members of the Air National Guard’s 132nd Security Forces Squadron arrived Sunday. They’re based at the Des Moines Air National Guard Base.

The Iowa Guard spokesman, Col. Gregory Hapgood, said Monday the 13 were on a mission at Abdullah Al-Mubarak Air Base in Kuwait as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, which is aimed at countering actions by the Islamic State group. Hapgood says the airmen provided air base defense, performed flight line security and conducted law enforcement operations.

The Glenwood Police Department reports two separate arrests today (Monday). Authorities say 48-year old Lawrence Skarnulis, of Glenwood, was arrested for being a Fugitive from Justice. Skarnulis was being held without bond in the Mills County Jail. And, 35-year old Kevin Petersen, of Glenwood, was arrested on a Mills County warrant for Probation Violation. His cash bond was set at $1,000.

Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater issued his weekly arrest report, today (Monday). In his report, Vandewater said 36-year old Donna Marie Vanderpluym, of Greenfield, was arrested Feb. 2nd in Greenfield on an Adair County warrant for Possession of a Controlled Substance/Methamphetamine – 1st offense. She was released later that same day on $1,000 bond.

Also arrested Feb. 2nd, was 34-year old Joshua James Kimmel, of Des Moines. Kimmel was taken into custody on an Adair County warrant for Failure to Appear on a charge of Malicious Prosecution. He was being held in the Adair County Jail on a $1,000 cash bond.

On Feb. 3rd, 31-year old John Lyle VanScoy, of Creston, was arrested in Bridgewater for Driving While Barred/Habitual Offender. VanScoy was later released on a $2,000 bond. On Feb. 4th, 53-year old Patrick Russell Darling, of Greenfield, was arrested for Violating a Temporary Restraining Order. Darling was sentenced to time served.

And, on Jan. 31st, 28-year old Shannon Corene McElwee, of Des Moines, was arrested on an Adair County warrant for Assault causing bodily injury or mental illness. McElwee was subsequently released on her Own Recognizance. One day earlier, 30-year old James Robert Lyman, of Greenfield, was arrested for Driving While Barred. His bond was set at $2,000.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office says a man from Orient reported late Sunday morning that while his wife’s vehicle was broken down along Highway 34, someone stole the spare tire and rim.  Estimated value of the tire and rim is $200.

The Cass County Cattleman’s Association held their annual banquet and awards program Saturday night, at the Cass County Community Center, in Atlantic. During the awards and scholarship portion of the program, scholarships were awarded to Haley Carlson, Clayton Sauegling and Tyler McAfee.

Award presented include:

• Youth Ambassador – Lexi Freund
• Young Gun – Miles McDermott
• Riding for the Brand – Gary Sullivan
• Producer of the Year – Chad Comes
• Business of the Year – Steve Nelson (w/Nelson Machine & Forge)
• Hall of Fame – Alan Robinson