An electrical problem was apparently responsible for a fire that damaged a house in rural Shelby County, Tuesday afternoon. Irwin Fire Chief Lynn Gaskill says the fire at  2247 County Road M-56 was reported at around 4:15-p.m. Gaskill says when they arrived, flames were coming through the roof and appearing outside the house. He says they were able to knock down fire on the outside and make entry into the home to contain the spread to one room of the house and the attic. 

Crews from the Defiance and Manning Fire Departments provided mutual aid for Irwin Fire. Firefighters were on the scene for about 2-hours. Gaskill said the damage to the home was contained to one bedroom and the attic. The damage was estimated at around $25,000. No injuries were reported, as the residents of the home were on vacation.

(Joel McCall/KNOD)

Officials with the U-S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Kansas report Farm Services Cooperative (FSC), of Shelby,Iowa, has agreed to pay a $21,450 civil penalty to theUnited States for the unauthorized sales of restricted use pesticides. 

According to an administrative consent agreement filed by EPA Region 7 in Lenexa, Kan., the Shelby FSC on three occasions sold restricted use pesticides to an individual that was not certified to apply such pesticides, violating the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).  

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship conducted an inspection of the Shelby facility on November 19th, 2012.  The inspector documented the sale of the restricted use pesticides Atrazine and Grazon to persons not certified to apply such pesticides on three occasions in May and June of the same year. 

Restricted use pesticides are highly toxic chemicals whose misuse may pose significant potential harm to human health or to the environment. Under FIFRA, a restricted use pesticide can be applied only by or under, the direct supervision of a certified applicator. Sale or distribution of restricted use pesticides to persons not certified to apply such products and their subsequent misuse or misapplication may result in environmental harm or in injury or death to persons. 

As part of its settlement with the EPA, Farm Services Cooperative has certified that it is presently in compliance with FIFRA and its regulations.

The Harlan Police Department today (Wednesday) released a weekly report on investigations, arrests and accidents. Officials say a Harlan resident reported on May 23rd, he was missing a 70-horsepower Mercury boat motor. The motor was later located, and no charges were filed.

On Monday, May 27th, 29-year old Danny Sanchez, Jr., of Harlan, was arrested for driving while revoked. Sanchez was taken into custody following a traffic stop.

And, no citations were issued Monday following an accident in the 600 block of Court Street in Harlan. Officials say vehicles owned by Evan Dille, of Manilla, and Tosha Dilks, of Oakland, were parked facing east on the south side of the courthouse in Harlan, when Dille backed up his 1995 Ford and struck the front of Dilks’ 2013 Chrysler. Damage from the mishap amounted to $1,500.

Sheriff’s officials in Pottawattamie County are warning area residents about a scam involving Walmart.  Sheriff’s Dept. spokesman, Lt. Pat McGinn told KJAN News they’ve received a couple of reports that residents have received calls indicating they’ve won a cash prize, but in order to claim it, they need to go to a Walmart and buy a reloadable “Green Dot” debit card, which are legitimate, but they “winner” is told to call back when they have purchased the money pack, so arrangements can be made to have someone collect it. The attempt to purchase the Green Dot money packs in order to receive a cash prize, is a scam.

Another variation on the scame, includes the person calling about the price instructing the consumer to scratch off a number on the back of the card and call them with that number. In some cases, the callers may claim to be from a debt collection agency. The Green Dot website itself warns customers about possible scams and reminds them to never give their card number to people they don’t know. It says “If anyone asks you to buy a Walmart MoneyCard and then give them the card number, it is a scam.”

Two men were arrested Tuesday evening in Adams County. Sheriff’s officials tells KJAN News 28-year old Colby Lee Baker, of Corning, turned himself-in to the Sheriff’s Office at around 5:30-p.m. Baker, who was wanted on a warrant charging him with harassment, posted a $300 bond and was released pending an initial court appearance.

And, 20-year old Kevin Davis, of Creston, was arrested in Union County, on an Adams County warrant charging him with Identity Theft. Davis was being held in the Adams County Jail on $2,000 bond, pending an appearance before the magistrate.

Area and State news with KJAN News Director Ric Hanson….

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Two people who were the subject of notable court cases in CassCountywere sentenced Tuesday, in Atlantic. Judge James Richardson sentenced 56-year old Charles Collins Cutler, of Marne, to one-year of probation, in connection with the shooting of a Colorado woman’s dog on December 24^th, 2012. Richardson also ordered Cutler to perform four-hours of community service each week with the Atlantic Humane Society, and to make restitution to the owner of the dog, which amounted to $1,964.

Cutler, who was found guilty in April of Animal Abuse, is also required to surrender all of his firearms while on probation, and submit written letters to the local newspaper, apologizing for his actions. Cutler had faced up to 2-years in prison and fines of up $6,250, but the judge suspended the prison term in favor of probation.

And, a Griswold woman was sentenced Tuesday in Cass County District Court to a total of 20-years in prison, after her she plead guilty in March to drug, conspiracy and criminal mischief charges. 46-year old Katrina Sue Bates received five years in prison for Possession of a Controlled Substance, five years for Conspiracy, and 10 years for 1^st Degree Criminal Mischief. The sentences will run concurrently, and concurrent with a Federal sentence Bates received for Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in and around Cass County. Bates must also pay fines amounting to $2,500 plus court costs.

The Iowa Department on Aging is trying to make everyone aware of possible abuse of the elderly. Department spokesperson, Machelle Shaffer, says elder abuse is the “abuse, neglect and financial exploitation” of anyone who is age 60 or older. And they are urging people to educate themselves about the problem. “And to share what they learn with others, to report any concerns and to get involved in community prevention efforts, and make a long-term commitment to reach out to those who’re vulnerable. They may be our friends, our neighbors, our family members who’re older,” Shaffer says.

National data shows one in 13 people over the age 60 report some type of abuse. Shaffer says you can get involved without intruding on someone’s life. “People want their independence, they don’t want to have people impede on that, but it’s okay to ask questions and to offer help, or to just be a good listening ear,” Shaffer says. “And look for signs, look for some warning signs that may be signs of elder abuse. Things where their personality may have a drastic unexplained change. It could be self-neglect as well. They don’t seem to have any money, or don’t know where their money is.” There are other signs a person may be suffering abuse or exploitation.

“Their responses to questions may seem unreasonable or unlikely. They withdrawal from their usual activities, and there may be financial transitions that occur with their bank account that unexplained or unnormal for their pattern,” according to Shaffer. “So there are ways to ask questions that don’t impede on their independence in any way.” Shaffer says there are ways to help people.

“Obviously if someone is in immediate danger they can call 9-1-1, otherwise they can go to our website to find out more about the signs of elder abuse and how to prevent it. Go to www.iowaaging.gov, or they can call toll free, 800-532-3213, again that’s 800-532-3213,” Shaffer says. Many people now live miles away from parents or other elderly relatives. Shaffer says you can still help them from afar. She says if you can’t be there, get to know a neighbor and have them check in on them, or talk with a member of the clergy and have them check. “And call often, call often and keep those lines of communication open, that’s very important,” Shaffer says. She says staying engaged can help you spot when things don’t seem right and you can help the person who might be undergoing elder abuse.

(Radio Iowa)

The National Weather Service in Des Moines says a stronger storm system will arrive later this (Wednesday) afternoon and tonight across the region. This will lead to several periods of thunderstorms today and this evening and again overnight and Thursday. The combination of repeated rainfall may lead to additional flooding across the region especially over areas that have already seen heavy rainfall the past several days. In addition severe weather is a possibility as this stronger system moves northeast across Iowa tonight and Thursday. Monitor forecasts for the latest updates on this upcoming storm system.