A Nebraska man was arrested after a pursuit Wednesday morning that began in Pottawattamie County. A Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Deputy attempted to stop a vehicle that was reported stolen at 8:04am Wednesday near North 16th Street and Nash Boulevard in Council Bluffs. The vehicle failed to stop and lead law enforcement on a chase that went through the Harrah’s Casino property and eventually onto I-480 westbound into Nebraska.

Iowa Law Enforcement stopped pursuit when the vehicle entered Nebraska. They were then notified that the vehicle had driven through a fence and down an embankment onto Cass Street near 20th Street in Omaha. Two male subjects fled the vehicle onto the Creighton University Campus and campus security was notified. Omaha Police along with other law enforcement searched for the two men and apprehended the male driver.

The man was identified as 29-year-old James Horn of Fremont, NE. He was found to have three arrest warrants for weapons possession, assault, and violation of a protective order. He was taken to the Douglas County Jail. Pottawattamie County Deputies will be filing traffic charges on Mr. Horn and obtaining an additional arrest warrant. No information on the other male in the vehicle has been released.

The license plates on the car were entered stolen by the North Platte Police Department but the vehicle was not entered as stolen. The vehicle, a Nissan Altima, was impounded.

During the pursuit the vehicle struck another vehicle on I-480. Nobody was injured as a result of that collision and an accident report was completed.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest of a Minnesota man on Monday after a traffic stop. A vehicle was pulled over at the intersection of 130th Street and River Road in Pottawattamie County at 8:15am on Monday. 6 occupants were in the vehicle from Kansas and Minnesota.

It was determined one of the men had a warrant out of Minnesota for being a Fugitive from Justice. 25-year-old Mitchell Edward Bane of Willmar, MN was taken into custody after Minnesota officials stated they would extradite him back to the area. Bane was taken to the Pottawattamie County Jail without incident and booked in pending extradition.

(DES MOINES) – Gov. Kim Reynolds ordered all flags in Iowa to fly at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Thursday, September 27, 2018, to honor a fallen U.S. Marine.

Lance Corporal John D. Killen III, of Davenport, went missing in action when his helicopter crashed in Vietnam on June 30, 1967. The 18-year-old’s remains were identified in March 2017 and returned to the United States for burial, along with the remains of two other Marines also killed in the crash. All three will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, on Thursday, September 27, 2018. They will receive full military honors.

DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate applauds Iowans for stepping up and participating in National Voter Registration Day. A total of 4,738 Iowans registered to vote or updated their voter information using the state’s online voter registration system on Tuesday, September 25.

“I’d like to thank all the colleges, universities, school districts, civic groups, and media organizations in the state that helped promote National Voter Registration Day. It was a huge success in Iowa,” Secretary Pate said. “Iowans take voting very seriously and these numbers reflect that fact.”

Iowa’s online voter registration system was implemented by Secretary Pate in January of 2016, in partnership with the Iowa Department of Transportation. Since then, nearly 100,000 Iowans have utilized the system to register to vote or update their voter registration information. More than 8,000 Iowans used the online system between September 19-25.

DES MOINES, Iowa September 26, 2018 – Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett recently announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is partnering with rural communities in 22 states, including seven projects in rural Iowa, to support opportunities for opioid prevention, treatment and recovery.

“With its impact on workforce, quality of life and the economic vitality of rural communities from Maine to California, the opioid epidemic is more than just a matter of public health, it is an issue of rural prosperity,” Hazlett said. “Under the leadership of President Trump, USDA is committed to being a strong partner to rural communities in planning and building local responses to this monumental challenge.”

USDA is investing $10.7 million in 85 projects in 22 states through the Community Facilities program. The seven Iowa projects are receiving a total of $661,400.

“USDA Rural Development is helping address substance misuse disorders at the local level through program investment and strategic partnerships,” said Grant Menke, USDA Rural Development State Director in Iowa. “Looking for innovative ways to collaborate is an important step in addressing this problem that is impacting the heartbeat of our country.”

In Iowa:

• Cass County is using a $17,500 grant to purchase a police vehicle with equipment for a K-9 officer. The K-9 vehicle will be used to deter the sale and misuse of illegal drugs including opioids, and as a response vehicle on the scene of mental health or misuse situations. The K-9 vehicle will serve a population of 14,000.
• The city of Albia is using a $29,200 grant to purchase a police vehicle. The new vehicle will be used to combat the opioid epidemic, for both prevention and response to illegal drug-related actions in a community of 3,800.
• Lucas County Health Center is using a $150,000 grant to purchase an ambulance and related equipment for a hospital. The ambulance will be equipped with advanced life support supplies and equipment to assist in combating opioid misuse and drug overdoses. It will serve almost 8,900 Lucas County residents.
• Monroe County Hospital is using a $123,700 grant to purchase an ambulance for the local hospital. It will be equipped with advanced life support supplies and equipment to assist with all emergencies, including opioid misuse. The ambulance will serve 7,800 residents of Monroe County.
• United Community Health Center Inc. is using a $150,000 grant to buy equipment for an expanded medical clinic in the community of Storm Lake. The facility will include expanded behavioral health services, including diagnosis and treatment of substance misuse, including opioids. This project will provide improved service to about 10,600 residents.
• Wayne County Hospital is using a $150,000 grant to buy an ambulance equipped with paramedic-level service and security features, specifically for opioid treatment. An estimated 6,400 residents will benefit.
• The city of Pisgah is using a $41,000 grant to purchase a used ambulance for the volunteer fire department and first responders. The ambulance is equipped with medical supplies, including reversal medication for opioid misuse incidents. About 250 residents will be served.

In April 2017, President Donald J. Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities.

In January 2018, Secretary Perdue presented the Task Force’s findings to President Trump. These findings included 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that exist in rural America. Increasing investments in rural infrastructure is a key recommendation of the task force.

USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community services such as community buildings, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas.

The Harlan Police Department reports numerous arrests in the past week.

On Thursday, September 20th Harlan Police cited 27-year-old Colton Edward Benson-Blaine of Harlan for Driving While Suspended. Benson-Blaine was cited after a traffic stop in the 1200 block of Victoria Street.

On Saturday, September 22nd Harlan Police arrested two men from Omaha following a traffic stop in the 1000 block of Highway 59. 21-year-old John Jack Soloman and 21-year-old Demetrius Alexander Smith both of Omaha were arrested on drug charges. Soloman was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance With Intent to Deliver, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Prohibited Acts Penalties. Smith was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Both men were taken to the Shelby County Jail.

On Tuesday, September 25th Harlan Police arrested 33-year-old David Allen Coenen of Harlan on an active Shelby County Warrant. Coenen was taken to the Shelby County Jail.

ATLANTIC – Cass County Memorial Hospital and Atlantic Medical Center have both reached a historical landmark in 2018: 50 years of caring for southwest Iowa. In celebration, Cass County Health System will host four free chili dinners during October. The meals will be served from 5 – 6:30 pm at the following locations:

October 3        Cass County Memorial Hospital Cafeteria

October 17       Griswold Community Center

October 23      Anita Community Center

October 30       CAM Middle School Cafeteria, Massena

CCHS CEO Brett Altman said “We have been celebrating our 50th anniversaries all year, and this is our way to say thank you to the people of southwest Iowa for helping us achieve this milestone. It has been our privilege to be a part of these communities and families, and we are excited to celebrate alongside them.”

In November 1965 there was a public vote to determine if the Atlantic Memorial Hospital would become a county hospital. The measure passed, although by a mere 14 votes! The E.A. Kelloway family donated the land for a new building and the groundbreaking was held in April 1967. After 18 months of construction, a dedication was held October 6 and patients were moved to the new facility on October 12, 1968. Major construction projects updated the facility in 1972, 1997, and 2013.

“Over the past 50 years, CCMH and Atlantic Medical Center have continued to grow and adapt to the ever-changing healthcare environment,” Brett noted.  “We have been fortunate to have had outstanding physicians, advance practice providers and supporting staff who have all worked together to provide excellent healthcare and a superior experience to all those we serve.  We look forward to continuing our mission for the next 50 years!”