One arrest has been made and the investigation continues by Storm Lake Police into racial slurs at Buena Vista University. Police on Monday morning were contacted by Buena Vista University Security staff and told there had been several incidents involving racial slurs being written on dorm room doors of students of different ethnic backgrounds including black, white and Hispanic.

The incidents occurred between Friday and Monday. After investigating, police Monday charged 19-year-old Ryan Bills of Las Vegas with two counts of fifth-degree criminal mischief in violation of individual rights, a serious misdemeanor. Bills was jailed on a two-thousand dollar bond. The investigation is continuing and the police department asks anyone that may have information into the incidents to contact the department.

(Radio Iowa)

Search warrants executed this (Tuesday) morning at four sites in Red Oak resulted in multiple arrests, and involved the use of more than two dozen law enforcement officers during a sting operation. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports a sizeable amount of methamphetamine, marijuana, and cash, drug paraphernalia and distribution materials were seized. Officials say the search warrants were conducted at 205 E. Nuckols Street, 211 N. 2^nd Street #1, 100 W. Nuckols Street, and 411 E. Corning Street, in Red Oak.

Taken into custody during the operation, were the following:

• 34-year old Johna Christine Dolph, of Red Oak, on two counts of Delivery of Methamphetamine.
• 27-year-old Robert Dean Wiechman, of Nodaway, who was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine 3^rd
• 21-year-old Amithist Chyane Clemons, of Red Oak, who was charged with Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Paraphernalia.
• 23-year-old Brandon Michael Borgmyer, of Red Oak, was charged with two counts of Delivery of Methamphetamine.
• 38-year-old Becky Jo Hegarty, and 40-year old Michael Todd Brace, both of Red Oak, were charged with Possession of Paraphernalia.
• 23-year-oldAlexander Warren Wiechmann, of Red Oak, was charged with Delivery of Methamphetamine.
• 32-year-old Natosha Myree Cralley, of Red Oak, was charged with two felony counts of Delivery of Methamphetamine and Delivery of Methamphetamine, along with a charge of Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Deliver.
• 37-year-old Daniel Bruce Clemons Jr., of Red Oak, was faces a total six felony counts that include Delivery of Methamphetamine (Class C Felony), Delivery of Methamphetamine (Class B Felony), Possession of Methamphetamine with intent to Deliver (Class B Felony).
• 41-year-old Mandy Jo Perry, of Red Oak, was charged with two counts of Delivery of Methamphetamine.
• 36-year-old April Marie Watson, of Red Oak, was charged with five counts of Delivery of Methamphetamine.
• 60-year-old Robert Ernest McMartin, of Red Oak, was charged with Delivery of Methamphetamine.
• 55-year-old Casey Renee Bates, of Red Oak, was charged with Possession of Paraphernalia.
• 19-year-old Tyler Austin Sowers, of Red Oak, was charged with Delivery of Methamphetamine.

The Sheriff’s Office thanks the Red Oak Police Department and their reserve program, additional jail and communications personnel for their support in the operation.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The former administrative clerk in the Poweshiek County sheriff’s office has been charged with theft after a state audit found nearly $7,000 in missing money. State criminal investigators announced the charges today (Tuesday) against Megan Lynne Strong, hours after State Auditor Mary Mosiman released a report showing missing deposits mostly from gun permits.

Sheriff Thomas Kriegel had requested the audit. During an investigation in February Strong admitted to taking money and she resigned. It’s not the first time a state audit revealed problems at the sheriff’s office.

Former Sheriff Tom Sheets was sentenced to probation in December 2016 for theft after an audit showed the county lost about $312,000 over three years. Kriegel defeated Sheets in the 2012 election and took office in January 2013 and was re-elected last year.

The Harlan Police Department reports one arrest and one accident. 22-year old Marcus Tyler Morgan, of Harlan, was arrested last Friday on an active Shelby County warrant.

The accident occurred Dec. 6th, at 19th and Lincoln Avenue, in Harlan. Vehicles driven by Rex Adams and Allan Ickes, both of Harlan, collided at the intersection. The crash happened after Adams stopped, but then continued into the intersection, not seeing the approaching 2009 GMC Canyon driven by Ickes.

Adams was driving a 2014 Dodge Ram. The GMC hit the Dodge on the side, causing the pickup to slide around and end up sitting on the right of way on the northwest corner of the intersection. No injuries were reported.

In an update to our earlier reports, Police in Council Bluffs have identified a body that was found Monday morning in a vacant lot. The deceased was 34-year old David Randall Simpson, a homeless man. An autopsy conducted at the Iowa State Medical Examiner Office has ruled his death as a homicide by blunt force trauma.

The body was found in a grassy area just north of a building at around 10:35-a.m. Monday, at 1004 1st Avenue, which is a vacant lot. A Council Bluffs man told officers that while walking his dog in the area he discovered the body and called police.

Anyone having possible information in solving the crime is encouraged to call the Criminal Investigation Division at (712) 328-4728 or Crime Stoppers at (712) 328-7867.

The CEO of Marne-Elk Horn Telephone reports Walnut Communications, which was acquired by Marne Elk Horn in September of 2016, is changing its name to Marne Elk Horn as part of a rebranding effort by the company. Janell Hansen says soon, customers will see the new logo publicly, on materials, trucks and staff clothing. Hansen says “As our staff has grown into one team over the past year, it became apparent we were ready for this next step, and since we were going to use one name – it seemed appropriate to update the logo at the same time.”

All offices and staff remain the same, but you will see the new Marne Elk Horn logo on trucks, staff clothing, company communications and materials. According to Hansen, a new website will be launched in early 2018. She says “In January, we will connect our first fiber-to-the-home customers in the city of Walnut, which will feature our new Fiber TV product. As we install these products in customers’ homes, staff from all our offices will be available for the installations. We thought it would be more clear if we are all under the same name and logo.”

Marne Elk Horn was started in 1903, when the first telephone lines were built between Marne and Rorbeck, then to Elk Horn, thus the name began as “Marne Elk Horn”. The company serves customers in and around the communities of Avoca, Brayton, Elk Horn, Exira, Kimballton, Marne, McClelland, Minden, Neola, Persia, Shelby, Underwood, and Walnut with Internet, TV and phone services. Marne Elk Horn’s main office is located in Elk Horn, with additional offices in Walnut and Avoca.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office has released the names of the victims of today’s (Tuesday’s) fatal Riverside School Bus fire. Authorities say two fatalities due to the fire have been confirmed, including the driver of the bus, 74-year old Donald Hendricks, of Carson. The second victim has been identified as 16-year old Megan Klindt, who lived in rural Pottawattamie County. They were the only persons on the bus.

The investigation into the cause of the fire continues.

The Superintendent of the Riverside Community School District issued a statement following this (Tuesday) morning’s fatal school bus fire in rural Oakland that claimed the lives of the bus driver and a student.

Dr. Timothy Mitchell said “This morning, the Riverside Community School District suffered a tragedy when we lost a student and an employee in a school bus accident. Our hearts go out to their families and loved ones. The investigation into the cause of the accident is underway, and we are cooperating with law enforcement as they do their work. The safety of students and staff is the top priority for the District. School is in session and a Crisis Team from the Green Hills Area Education Agency along with area schools counselors and many community volunteers have been deployed to all our buildings to assist students and staff. All afterschool activities for today have been cancelled and will be rescheduled.’ He said also, “The entire community of the Riverside Community School District is deeply saddened by the events of this morning. We would like to thank everyone who has offered assistance. Once again, our thoughts and prayers are with everyone who is impacted by this tragic event.”

The Pottawattamie County Communications Center received a 911 call at around 7:02-a.m., with regard to a Riverside Community School District bus on fire near 17840 480th Street, about six-miles southeast of Oakland. A resident of the home the bus had just left made the call. Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Lt. Rob Ambrose said the bus had been backing out of the rural driveway and became stuck on the road embankment. Upon arrival, Deputies from the Sheriff’s Office and Firefighters from Oakland and Carson and found the bus to be completely involved in flames. Once the fire was contained, the remains of two individuals were found on the bus.  The male bus driver and a student who lived at the residence died. There were no other persons on board.

The incident remains under investigation.