Mills County Sheriff’s officials say a distracted driver caused an accident in a construction zone Wednesday evening, that resulted in a woman being transported to the hospital. Authorities say 48-year old Maria Harger, of Shenandoah, was legally stopped at a stop sign for a construction zone on Highway 34. An eastbound 2011 Chevy driven by Kyle O’Banion, of Glenwood, collided with the rear of Harger’s 2015 Chevy, at around 6:45-p.m.

O’Banion told authorities he was distracted by children in the back seat. His vehicle failed to slow down for the construction zone, despite several warning signs. He saw Harger’s vehicle at the last second and tried to swerve into the left lane to avoid the collision, but his vehicle clipped the left rear of her car Following the collision, O’Banion’s Chevy continued into the westbound lane and came to rest in the north ditch.

Harger was transported by Malvern Rescue to the hospital. O’Banion was cited for Driving While Suspended and Failure to Maintain a reasonable and proper speed.

An investigation into suspicious activity at around 12:06-a.m. today (Thursday), just east of the Avoca City Limits, resulted in an arrest. A deputy noticed a pickup truck parked in the drive lane of the Avoca Pool/Park after hours. After making contact with two individuals, 18-year old Matthew Sauvain, of Avoca, was arrested for Carrying a weapon/weapons in a Weapons Free Zone. Sauvain was brought to the Pott. County Jail and held on a $2,000 bond.

And, at around 11:05-p.m. Wednesday, 31-year old Sean Alain McMahon was arrested following a traffic stop on Interstate 80 in Council Bluffs. A deputy on patrol saw an approaching 2018 Chevy Silverado on Highway 6. The driver flashed the bright lights at the Deputy multiple times. After the Deputy turned around and followed the pickup onto I-80 westbound, he stopped the vehicle, and upon further investigation, arrested McMahon for OWI/1st offense.

The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office reports two people were arrested Wednesday on drug charges, following the execution of a search warrant at a residence in Lenox. Taylor County Deputies, with the assistance of Deputies from Ringgold County, entered a home in the 600 block of E. Ohio Street in Lenox, and after conducting a search, charged 44-year Erron Bolinger, of Lenox, with Possession of a Controlled Substance, (methamphetamine), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Bolinger was being held on a $1,300 bond, with additional charges are pending.

28-year old Samantha Gile-Smith, of Creston, was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and held on a $300 bond.

A Creston resident reported to the police department Wednesday morning, that someone had stolen a wallet from his car, while it was parked in the 300 block of S. Lincoln Street. The wallet was later recovered, but $300 cash and a check book and register, were missing. The loss was estimate at $350 altogether. It’s not clear what the time-frame for the theft was.