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Cass County Supervisors approve bridge project & MH/GA Director wage adjustment

News

May 6th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

The Cass County Board of Supervisors today (Tuesday), approved the plans for a bridge replacement project located about one-eighth of a mile east of 648th Street, on Jackson Road (the Landfill Road). Cass County Engineer Charles Marker said bids for the project will be let on August 19th. Marker says the bridge, which is being designed in-house, will be an 80-foot long, triple-span structure that’s 30-feet wide.

The current bridge is only about 24-feet wide. Markers says the new structure will allow bigger pieces of equipment to move across the current two-span structure. Marker said also, a request for a public hearing on the vacating of a long section of 740th Street in the Massena Township has been withdrawn, because the person making the request had second thoughts on the matter.

With regard to the level B, or dirt roads in the county that get torn-up by fun seekers in 4-wheel drive vehicles after it rains, Cass County Attorney Dan Feistner said citations have been issued to those who knowingly and intentionally cause damage to those roads. Feistner said the culprits were cited for either Failure to Maintain Control or Criminal Mischief for “What appear to be clear acts beyond the norm of – the use of the road – where they’ve gone out and torn roads up.”

Feistner said he’s working with the Secondary Roads Dept. to come up what amount of restitution the perpetrators might pay to repair the roads which have been too badly damaged intentionally. Feistner said Criminal Mischief is a Simple Misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of $65. He said the intent is to send a message to those who would purposely tear up the county’s roads, that you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

In other business, the Cass County Board of Supervisors approved a wage adjustment increase of $4,000 (to $45,000) for newly appointed full-time Mental Health and General Assistance Director Deb Schuler. Last week, the Board had discussed moving her wage up to that which was last paid to the former MD/DD/GA Director, but they felt the adjustment which was approved was more equitable. The Board also voted to place ads in the paper and elsewhere for the position, the vacancy term for which expires on June 30th.

Recent Brush Fire Related Deaths Cause Concern

Ag/Outdoor, News

May 6th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

The State Fire Marshal Division and University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics’ Burn Treatment Center are warning Iowans of the alarming number of brush fire-related deaths and injuries. Officials say between February and April this year, the U-I Burn Treatment Center reports three people have died and three others have been injured as a result of brush fires. During that same time period last year, 2013, the Burn Treatment Center reported one death and one injury from burns sustained in brush fires. All four deaths were of people ages 75 years and older. Not all of these victims were Iowans; some were flown in from surrounding states.

As more Iowans begin burning brush, officials warn people to keep a close eye on the dry and windy conditions. Brush fires can pose a serious threat to lives and property when out of control. The recent spike in senior adult deaths related to brush fires has officials warning that the risk of injury increases as one’s agility, vision and hearing diminish.

To prevent the spread of brush fires and other debris, keep in mind the following:

  • Check for county burn bans, city restrictions and with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Air Quality before conducting any open burning.
  • Never burn on dry and windy days.
  • Have water and tools on hand to extinguish anything that may escape the burn area.
  • Do NOT burn alone, always have another person with you.
  • Do NOT leave a fire unattended.
  • Call 911 immediately if a fire does get out of hand.

2 thefts and 1 arrest in Harlan

News

May 6th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Authorities in Harlan are investigating two incidents of theft. On Monday, a Manilla resident reported a break-in and theft at her property located in the 2100 block of 7th Street, in Harlan. Officials say there was significant damage to the doors and windows and items had been removed from the house. This case remains under investigation.

And, on Saturday, May 3rd, officers with the Harlan P-D were called to Merrill Field, in the 1000 block of Elm Street, where it was reported that someone had broken into the construction trailer belonging to Nemaha Landscape Construction . Numerous tools and a generator were reported missing. The case remains under investigation.

In other news, the Harlan Police Department reports 41-year old Rebecca Schaben, of Harlan, was arrested following a traffic stop, Friday. Schaben was cited for driving under suspension, fail to prove security against liability, and operation without registration. The woman was cited and then released.

(Updated) 2 accidents in Cass County, Monday – 1 fatal

News

May 6th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office says two accidents took place Monday, one of which resulted in a fatality. As we mentioned during our earlier newscasts, 37-year old Douglas Bryan Miller, of Cumberland died following a single-vehicle rollover accident late Monday night. Officials say the crash occurred just before 11-p.m. one-half mile east of Cumberland, on Quincy Road. Miller was transported by Medivac Ambulance to the Cass County Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.The accident remains under investigation. Miller worked as a part-time announcer for KJAN, under the name “Doug Evans.”

The second accident happened at around 6-p.m., Monday, on Independence Road at 585th Street. The Sheriff’s Dept. says a 1998 Chevy Cavalier driven by 17-year old Olivia Lea Klenda, of Kimballton, was traveling east on Independence Road when the teen lost control on a curve where the road becomes 585th Street.

The vehicle entered the east ditch and rolled once before landing on its wheels. Neither Klenda nor her passenger were injured. Damage to the vehicle was estimated at $6,000. Klenda was cited for Failure to Maintain Control.

8AM Newscast 05-06-2014

News, Podcasts

May 6th, 2014 by admin

w/ Ric Hanson

Play

Western IA man accused of thefts from Nebraska cemetery

News

May 6th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

FREMONT, Neb. (AP) – A 52-year-old Iowa man has been arrested, accused of stealing dozens of brass vases from an eastern Nebraska cemetery. The Fremont Tribune says Gary L. Hostetter, of Carter Lake, Iowa, is accused of stealing the vases from Fremont Memorial Cemetery last month. He was arrested on Friday.

Dodge County Jail records say Hostetter remained in custody today (Tuesday).

(Podcast) 7-a.m. Local/area News & funeral report, 5/6/2014

News, Podcasts

May 6th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

With KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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2 women arrested in Fremont County on numerous theft charges

News

May 6th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Sheriff’s officials in Fremont County report two women have been arrested on numerous theft charges following a two-month long investigation initiated by the Iowa Attorney General’s Office that led to the closing of the Kevington Lane Care Facility in Sidney, Iowa.

55-year old Mary Morse-Bolton, of Plattsmouth, NE was arrested on felony charges that include Ongoing Criminal Conduct, Theft in the 1st degree, Fraudulent Practices in the 1st degree, Theft in the 2nd degree, and an Aggravated Misdemeanor charge of Theft in the 3rd degree. And 29-year old Kristine Anne Morse, of Sidney, was arrested on a felony charge of Ongoing Criminal Conduct, and Aggravated Misdemeanor charges of Forgery and Tampering with Records.

Morse-Bolton was able to post a $63,000 cash bond, while Kristine Morse was being held in the Fremont County Jail on a $67,000 cash bond. An investigation into their alleged activities continues. Anyone with information regarding possible fraud in the case is asked to contact the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office at 712-374-2424, or 1-800-432-9240.

Villisca man arrested Tuesday morning

News

May 6th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Authorities in Montgomery County report a Villisca man was arrested early this (Tuesday) morning an an assault charge. Sheriff’s officials say 30-year old Chad Allen McCuen was charged with Simple Assault following an incident in the 400 block of s. 3rd Avenue, in Villisca. McCuen was transported to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $300 bond.

Cumberland man dies from injuries suffered in rollover accident

News

May 6th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

A Cass County man has died from injuries he suffered during a rollover accident late Monday night, near Cumberland. The brother of Doug Miller, of Cumberland, told KJAN News the 37-year old died at Cass County Memorial Hospital. Miller, who went by the name “Doug Evans,” was a part-time announcer at KJAN and formerly worked at Meredith Communications in Atlantic.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office has not yet released details of the accident, but according to dispatch reports, Cumberland Fire and Rescue and Medivac Ambulance were called to the scene off a gravel road east of Cumberland at around 10:54-p.m.

Miller was transported to CCMH by Medivac Ambulance. Life Flight helicopter was launched from Clarinda and was enroute to CCMH just before 11:30-p.m., but Miller succumbed to his injuries before it arrived.

The accident remained under investigation. Miller leaves behind his children, Evan and Brodie, his brother, Scotty Miller, of Marshalltown, and other family members. KJAN extends our condolences to the family on their loss.