Officials with the Harlan Police Department released a report on arrests today (Tuesday). The incidents date back to June 19th. In the report, it was noted that on June 20th, officers were called to several locations where items had been taken from garages and gas cans were taken. There were also several reports of gas being siphoned from vehicles. As a result of the investigation, 37-year old Jeffrey Simpson, of, Harlan, was taken into custody and charged with four counts of Burglary 3rd degree and two counts of theft 5th.

On June 23rd, 14-year old Masen Schmitz, of Harlan, was arrested when officers were called to Taylor Quick Pik for an apparent shoplifting. Officers were able to view surveillance tapes from the store and identify Schmitz allegedly taking several E-cigarette items. Schmitz was charged with theft 5th, which will be referred to Juvenile Court, and with minor in possession of tobacco products.

On June 24th, 36-year old Frank Dunn, of Villisca, was arrested on an active Pottawattamie County warrant for criminal mischief 4th degree. Dunn was taken to the Shelby County Jail.

And on June 27th, 35-year old Dicey Trotter, of Atlantic, was arrested following a traffic stop. Trotter was cited for excessive speed and driving under suspension, given a court date and released.

On Thursday June 18, 2015, the CCHS Foundation celebrated with their partners in philanthropy.

Kent Gade

Kent Gade, President, opened the program with a sincere thank you to all donors. “Because of you, we have provided over $1.3 million dollars’ worth of new equipment, services and education to the Health System so we can better serve our communities.”

Chief Executive Officer Todd Hudspeth remarked on past purchases including a surgical table, the Healing Garden, equipment for Physical Therapy, Cardiac Rehab and Outpatient Clinics, and fetal monitors – all purchased with funds from the CCHS Foundation. “Also this year, because of a thoughtful and generous bequest from James E. and Gertrude B. Hunt we were able to purchase the needed equipment for our in-house orthopedist, Dr. Edward Fisher,” Todd shared. “This gift had great forethought and meaning from a couple who understood the importance of giving back to their community.”

(CCHS Press Release)

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The brother of a man who died after being transferred from a Clarinda mental hospital closed by the state is blaming his death on the move to a private center. The Des Moines Register reports 65-year-old Robert Hanson Jr. died July 1 at a Des Moines Hospital. He’d been among fewer than 20 patients in the Clarinda hospital’s geriatric program when Gov. Terry Branstad closed the center and another mental hospital in Mount Pleasant.

Hanson, who suffered brain damage in the 1980s, was moved to a Perry nursing home June 8. His brother, Tim Hanson, says he became severely dehydrated and was transferred to a Des Moines hospital, where he died. Tim Hanson says the Clarinda nurses offered superior treatment.

Branstad spokesman Jimmy Centers says the governor offered condolences.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest on July 2nd, of an Atlantic man on drug charges. 25-year old Alexander Paul Dvorak, was taken into custody on charges that include Possession with Intent to Deliver Methamphetamine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Dvorak was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held on $10,000 bond.

On June 29th, as the result of a report of the theft of a vehicle and some personal items from a rural Anita residence, deputies with the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested 19-year old Sarah Jo Porter, of Anita, on charges of Burglary 3rd Degree, Theft 2nd Degree, and Possession of a Controlled Substance. Porter was taken to the Cass County Jail where she was released later that day on $7,500 bond.

On June 27th, deputies in Cass County arrested 28-year old Rebecca Ann Edwards, of Puxico, MO, on charges of Assault on a Peace Office, Public Intoxication, and Interference with Official Acts. Edwards was taken to the Cass County Jail where she was released later that day on her own recognizance.

On June 26th, 20-year old Wyatt Lee Sargent, of Council Bluffs, was arrested by deputies in Cass County on a District Court warrant for Failure to Appear. Sargent was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released the following day on his own recognizance.

And on July 3rd, Donald Leo Loury III turned himself in to the Sheriff’s Office on two outstanding Cass County warrants for Violation of a No Contact Order and Failure to Appear. Loury was booked and released on $825 bond.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office is warning area residents about persons allegedly involved in “Asphalt Scams” in Pottawattamie County. Sheriff Jeff Danker says an Asphalt Scam is when an individual approaches a resident and claims to be working in the area doing road re-surfacing. They tell the victim they have left over asphalt and that they can pave a driveway or whatever surface for a substantially reduced rate. The person will generally want the money up front and when or if the work is complete.

Danker says the victim is left with a shallow covering of asphalt that is so thin it will not last under the weight of a normal vehicle. He warns, if you are approached by anyone trying to sell you goods or services for a rate too good to be true, it is generally a scam and you should check the company out prior to entering into any type of agreement or providing any type of payment to them.

In addition, you should report the activity to your local law enforcement agency immediately.

One person is in custody in Pottawattamie County following a shooting incident Monday evening, in Underwood. The Sheriff’s Department says Deputies were dispatched to 110 2nd Avenue in Underwood at around 7:15-p.m., in reference to a male subject with a gun.
During their investigation, it was determined that 50-year old Michael S. Weiss, of  Underwood, and 37-year old Carlos Villalobus, of Council Bluffs, had been in a verbal disturbance over storage of property. During the incident, Weiss allegedly produced a handgun and fired three shots.  Villalobus was not hit by any of the rounds.
Weiss was arrested on charges that include Intimidation with a dangerous weapon, Assault while displaying a weapon, Reckless use of a Firearm (without injury), and Felon in possession of firearm. He was transported to Pottawattamie County Jail.
The Iowa State Patrol and Division of Criminal Investigation assisted in handling and investigating the incident.

Leaders of the Iowa Senate have announced plans to issue a formal letter to each of the State’s 50 Senators, calling for a special session of the Iowa Legislature. Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, of Council Bluffs, said today (Tuesday) “Governor Branstad’s surprising vetoes of one-time funding for K-12 schools, community colleges and state universities continues to make no sense to a majority of Iowans.”

Gronstal added “The Governor’s vetoes are especially egregious in light of the fact that the Legislature worked in a bipartisan fashion to avoid using one-time money to fund ongoing needs and the Legislature’s overall spending level was actually below the Governor’s. In the end, it is schoolchildren, college students and Iowans needing mental health treatment who will suffer because of the Governor’s actions. I believe there will be bipartisan support for overriding the worst of Governor Branstad’s vetoes.”

Legislators may call a special session if two-thirds of the Senators and two-thirds of the Representatives agree in writing to participate in a special session.

More area and State news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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Creston Police are investigating three incidents of recent theft and/or break-in’s. Officials say a resident in the 1100 block of W. Montgomery Street reported Monday, that someone broke into his home and took three pocket knives, a hatchet, three pairs of earrings, a necklace and various CD’s. The incident happened sometime between 1:30-p.m. on July 1st and 10-p.m. on July 2nd. The loss was estimated at $4,100.

A resident in the 400 block of N. Chestnut Street in Creston reported to Police, Monday, that his wallet had been taken from Bill Sears Park, sometime around June 19th, and charges were made at various local businesses, on credit cards in the wallet. The loss was estimated at nearly $330.

On Sunday, 21-year old Desiree Banda, who resides in the 200 block of N. Maple Street in Creston, reported to Police someone took a window air conditioner from her home. The incident took place sometime between 3-and 11-p.m., Saturday (7/4). The loss was estimated at $150.

The same woman was arrested Monday evening at the Union County Jail on a warrant out of Union County, for Theft in the 5th degree. Banda was later released on $300 bond.

The 7:06-a.m. report w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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