Governor Terry Branstad and Iowa Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds have announced their upcoming weekly schedule, which includes stops in Atlantic, Audubon, Harlan and Council Bluffs. Governor Branstad will be in the area next Friday (July 8th), beginning with a 9-a.m. visit to AMVC Veterinary Services, in Audubon.

From there he will travel to Harlan, where Branstad will attend an Agriculture Industry Town Hall meeting hosted by the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce and Industry, beginning at 10:30-a.m.  Afterward, both the Governor and Lt. Governor will speak at the 33rd Annual Governor’s Volunteer Award recognition ceremony at Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, beginning at 1-p.m.

The next leg of Branstad’s trip takes him to Atlantic, where at 3-p.m. next Friday, he’ll tour Rex Pharmacy, which the McKesson Corporation on June 27th, named Health Mart Pharmacy of the Year for 2016. The Governor’s last stop in Atlantic at 3:30-p.m., will be for a tour of the Historic Whitney Inn, the upper floors of which are being converted into mature adult apartments and living spaces. The three-story Victorian-era Boss Hotel was built in 1890, and is on the list of the National Register of Historic Places.

w/ Chris Parks

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A Red Oak woman was cited after losing control of her vehicle and hitting a utility pole on Friday.  Red Oak Police responded to the accident at 6:15pm Friday on North 8th Street.  Officers determined that 18-year-old Ashley Lynn Brower of Red Oak was driving a 2005 Chevy Tahoe northbound on N. 8th Street and lost control.  Brower struck a utility pole on the east side of the street owned by Mid American Energy.  Damage to the pole was estimated at $500 while the Tahoe sustained an estimated $6,000 damage.  Brower was uninjured in the accident and was cited for Failure to Maintain Control.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office made an early morning arrest on Saturday after a traffic stop at 3rd and E Reed Streets in Red Oak.  At 4:21am deputies arrested 46-year-old Alfred Charles Barrett of Red Oak for OWI 4th Offense (Class D Felony) and Driving While Barred (Aggravated Misdemeanor).  Barrett was taken to the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center and held on $5,000 bond.

Two people were arrested after a search warrant was executed in Red Oak on Friday.  The Red Oak Police Department along with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit executed a search warrant in the 200 block of East Corning Street in Red Oak.

As a result of the search officers arrested 28-year-old Nefertity Sandoval of Red Oak on charges of Possession of Ammunition by a Felon (Class D Felony), Possession of a Schedule II Narcotic (Class C Felony), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Simple Misdemeanor.  Officers also arrested 38-year-old Nicole Kaye Anthony of Red Oak for Possession with Intent to Deliver Amphetamine (Class B Felony) and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Simple Misdemeanor).

Both suspects are being held at the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center. Sandoval is held on $50,000 cash bond and Anthony is being held on $100,000 cash bond.  Further charges are pending the finalization of the investigation.

A bicyclist escaped serious injuries after she was struck by a car Thursday afternoon, in Creston. Authorities said Friday Jayden Sexton, of Creston, was riding a bike westbound across West Adams Street, when she was struck by a 2003 Ford Taurus, driven by 43-year old Scott Little, of Creston, as Little was traveling south on Elm Street. Sexton and Little had both stopped at the intersection, but when Little pulled out, he failed to see the approaching bicycle. The accident happened at around 12:25-p.m., Thursday. Sexton suffered possible/minor injuries and was transported to the Greater Regional Medical Center by one of her parents. No citations were issued.

Fire claimed the life of a resident of a home located in the 200 block of West 1^st Street, in Casey. Another person was said to have been injured. Firefighters from Casey, Adair, Menlo, as well as rescue crews from Stuart and Casey, responded to the blaze that was reported a little before 3:30-p.m. The names of the victims had not been released as of late Friday evening. The State Fire Marshal’s Office was called in to investigate. Additional information is currently not available.

Firefighters in Griswold were called to the scene of a garage fire Friday evening. The call went out at 7:17-p.m. for the blaze behind 906 Main Street. Griswold Assistant Fire Chief Jim Wyman lives nearby. He said he could see lots of smoke before crews arrived on the scene. He said when they got there just minutes later, the structure was fully engulfed in flames. Many construction tools were stored inside the garage, including air compressors, and propane tanks.

A power line (on the left near the tree) burns moments before showering sparks. (Ric Hanson/photos)

Power lines nearby fell to the ground and produced some fireworks when as they burned and popped numerous times, showering sparks for several feet each time. Wyman said they have no idea what started the blaze, the flames of which scorched nearby, vacant homes and other structures.

He said the building was fully engulfed long before firefighters arrived, and he was surprised no one called it in before hand, especially since it was so close to the Griswold Casey’s Store. A VW Bug from the 1970’s parked near the structure was also damaged by the flames. No injuries were reported. Crews were on the scene for over an hour.

Firefighters in Griswold were called to the scene of a garage fire Friday evening. The call went out at 7:17-p.m. for the blaze at 906 Main Street. The structure was fully engulfed in flames at 7:27-p.m., and power lines were said to be down behind the garage, in the alley.

Additional information is currently unavailable.