COUNCIL BLUFFS – As the temperature plummets, the risk for cold weather exposure emergencies increases. Shelters and Human Service organizations in Pottawattamie County are preparing for the arctic blast impacting the area. Currently, the Salvation Army will be operating warming centers at their Lakin Campus office at 715 N 16th St. Hours of operations will be 9am-2pm Monday, 9am-3pm Tuesday, and 9am-3pm Wednesday. The Red Cross has also placed a shelter on stand-by should there be a need to open a community shelter. Mohm’s Place in Council Bluffs will be open 24 hours to assist those in need of shelter from the elements.

Pott. County EMA

The extreme low temperatures and wind chills present a very real danger for those exposed to the elements. Everyone is advised to limit their activities outside over the next couple of days as much as possible.

Parents should take extra precautions to protect children waiting for school bus pick-up and adults who must work out in the elements should limit their time outside, remain hydrated and take frequent breaks in a warmed area. You should dress warmly, in layers, and ensure to limit skin exposure. Motorist should have an emergency kit that includes a blanket or sleeping bag in case you become stranded.

For more information on winter weather preparedness, visit the Winter Weather page at www.beready.iowa.gov. To receive emergency weather warnings and community emergency alerts sign up for free alerts from Pottawattamie Alert, part of the Alert Iowa Network, at www.pottcounty-ia.gov.

Police in Glenwood report the arrest on Monday (1/28), of 33-year old Trel Peterson. The Glenwood man was arrested for Interference with Official Acts, with bond set at $300 cash or surety.  He was     also arrested on a Mills County Warrant for failure to appear, with bond set at $20,000 cash or surety.

And, on Sunday, 39-year old Kelly Liddick, of Glenwood, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault. Liddick posted a $1,000 bond.

Three legislative coffees have been scheduled in Cass County for the 2019 session. The events are being presented by the Progressive Rural Iowa Development Enterprise, P.R.I.D.E. economic development organization. The public is welcome to attend the first meeting set for 1-p.m., Feb. 9th, at the Cumberland Fire Station (2nd and Main Street), in Cumberland.

The other two coffees will take place Saturday, March 9, 1 – 2 p.m. at the Marne Community Center, and Saturday, April 13, 1 – 2 p.m. at the Lewis Activity Center.

Clarke Gerlock, vice-president of P.R.I.D.E.., says “The greatest thing about these coffees is our ability to talk with our elected leaders like they are our friends and neighbors, because they are. Cass County legislators have appreciated for years the tremendous turnout from citizens in our area.

Senator Tom Shipley and Rep. Tom Moore come to our towns in their district to hear our views. When we participate in these coffees, they know what matters to us for our children’s schools, employment and business opportunities, population decline, water quality, community development, and other important issues. Helping our legislators understand what’s going on in our area is important, so please bring your thoughts and join us.”

P.R.I.D.E. is the economic development organization focusing on family-friendly communities, businesses, and citizens for Southwest Iowa. For additional information, please contact Clarke Gerlock at 712-774-5476, or Kenner Baxter, president, at 781-2395.

The Atlantic Police Department released details on two arrests earlier this month.

On Thursday, January 17th Atlantic Police arrested 36-year-old Samuel Farley of Anita on a charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance. Farley was taken into custody and transported to the Cass County Jail and booked in.

On Friday, January 18th Atlantic Police arrested 57-year-old Donald Gutschenritter of Atlantic for Possession of Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia charges. He was taken into custody and booked into the Cass County Jail.

Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater reports four people were hurt during separate crashes over the weekend. The first took place at around 4:20-p.m. Saturday on Henry Wallace Road, near the intersection with 300th Street. Authorities say a 2014 Ford Escape driven by 23-year old Brooke Zollman, of Orient, was traveling northbound. She slowed and signaled to turn right onto 300th Street. A passenger in her SUV noticed the vehicle behind them wasn’t slowing down.

Zollman attempted to rapidly accelerate into the turn to avoid being struck by the other vehicle, a 2001 Ford pickup, but her vehicle was struck from behind by the pickup. The impact caused the car to be forced into the northeast ditch before it rolled and came to rest on its wheels. The pickup, driven by 26-year old Wyatt Towne, of Clive, stopped on the road. Towne told Deputies he was looking through his wallet and didn’t see the SUV slowing down and attempting to turn.

Zollman complained of pain and was transported by ambulance to the hospital in Creston, along with a female juvenile passenger in her vehicle. Towne was transported by ambulance to the hospital in Greenfield. He was subsequently cited for Following too close. Both vehicles were totaled, with the damage amounting to $25,000.

The second accident in Adair County happened at around 10:55-p.m. Saturday. A 2009 Nissan Altima driven by 57-year old Jeffrey Newton, of Greenfield, was traveling south on Highway 25 near the intersection with 150th Street, when the car went out of control. The vehicle entered the west ditch, struck a pile of rock/snow and flipped end-over-end before going airborne. The car came to rest in the west ditch.

Newton was removed from the wreckage by mechanical means and transported by Mercy Air to Mercy Hospital in Des Moines. Deputies say he had an odor of alcohol on his breath, along with bloodshot, watery eyes. Newton admitted to consuming alcohol prior to getting behind the wheel. He said he had had “Too much.” Blood was taken from him to determine the level of intoxication. Charges are pending return of the results from the lab. Newton’s car was totaled in the crash.