Sheriff’s officials in Audubon County say a Guthrie County man was arrested Monday night on a charge of 2nd degree theft, associated with the theft on January 1st of two spools of wire from rural Audubon County. 44-year old Ryan Vernon Doty, of Coon Rapids, was taken into custody at around 9-p.m with the assistance of deputies from Carroll County, who also assisted in the investigation.

Officials say Doty allegedly stole the wire from the 1500 block of Swift Avenue. The spools were valued at more than $2,500. Doty was brought to the Audubon County Jail and later released, after posting a $5,000 bond. He’s scheduled to appear in court on Thursday.

w/ Ric Hanson

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Don’t be alarmed if you see numerous law enforcement vehicles parked near the fire station in Atlantic over the next couple of days. Cass County Sheriff’s Deputy Ben Bartholomew told KJAN News about 20 officers are being taught  Advanced Roadside Impairment Detection Enforcement, or ARIDE (A-Ride). The program was developed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, with input from the International Association of Chiefs of Police and other agencies.

The two-day course is designed to train multiple officers from around the area, the latest techniques in the proper conducting of Field Sobriety Tests for driver impairment. That includes the more advanced techniques on how to observe and test not only for alcohol impairment, but for narcotics as well. Bartholomew says when officers graduate from the Law Enforcement Academy, they have already been trained in standard Field Sobriety testing.

The advanced course provides them with any legal updates, and practical experience that allows them to become more proficient at conducting the tests. The whole purpose is to get impaired drivers off the road. The deputy says there will be 10 volunteers between the ages of 21 and 55, who meet specific weight criteria, who will be arriving at the fire station during the day. The volunteers will have consumed alcohol, and will be the subjects of Field Sobriety testing by the officers involved in the advanced course. Bartholomew says the officers will be evaluated on their performance and how well their case would stand-up in court based on that performance.

The volunteers will consume alcohol and be transported to the station and back home under strictly controlled conditions. They will also be provided with snacks during the process, and a meal afterward, for their efforts. Bartholomew says the officers who successfully complete the course receive national certification, and as such, will be included in their record that can follow them to any state and not require them to take any additional certification courses.

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COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – Authorities are investigating the death of a Nebraska man whose body was found at a casino parking garage in Council Bluffs.   The Daily Nonpareil reports the body of the 54-year-old Omaha man was found a little after 9:30 p.m. Sunday on the ground level of the parking garage of Harrah’s Casino & Hotel. Police Sgt. David Dawson says the man is believed to have jumped from the fifth floor of the garage around 6:30 p.m.

Dawson says a note was found in the man’s vehicle and that “it doesn’t appear that anything is suspicious” about the man’s death.

Officials with the Cass County Extension Service and other state/local partners, invite area farmers and the public to attend an informational presentation this Friday, Jan. 25th, from the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT), on Laws and Regulations that affect your farming operation. Janelle Kracht, District Field Manager for Iowa Corn, says  “The laws and regulations change all the time. It is important to share up to date information and this is directly from the DOT, so farmers can ask questions.”

The free presentation takes place 2-PM Friday, at the Cass County Community Center in Atlantic (805 W. 10th Street). A question and answer period will follow the presentation for any farmers who have questions related to specific rules and regulations. Presenting partners for the event include the Iowa Corn Growers Association, the Iowa Corn Promotion Board, the Iowa Soybean Association, Cass County ISU Extension, and the local Cass County Corn and Soybean Association.

There is no cost to attend, no preregistration required and the meeting is open to the public. Questions in advance of the event should be directed to Janelle Kracht at 515-229-9980.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

Volunteers were combing fire-prone neighborhoods in Council Bluffs Monday, checking door-to-door on how prepared residents may be for a fire. Jill Orton , with the Loess Hills chapter of the American Red Cross, said yesterday, the agency’s volunteers were canvassing several areas of town that are considered high-risk.  “We’re going to hand out fire safety information and talk to the residents about whether or not they have a working smoke detector,” Orton says. “If they need assistance with that, we’ll radio back and our partners within the fire department are going to go out and either install (a smoke detector) or give them batteries. It’s a fabulous event!”

In the past ten years, more than 230 fires occurred in the city’s high-risk neighborhoods, claiming three lives and sending 11 people to hospitals.

“Single-family fires are the number-one disaster that the Red Cross responds to on a daily basis,” Orton says. “Within our region, we respond to approximately one fire a day.” Fire is the biggest threat to families, not floods, hurricanes or tornadoes, she says, and home fires are one disaster that may be prevented when people understand how to protect their families. If residents weren’t home during Monday’s sweep, door hangers were left. The hangers, printed in both English and Spanish, provide cooking and heating tips, and highlight the importance of smoke alarms and the need to create and practice a fire escape plan.

(Radio Iowa)

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office says four people were arrested over the past few days. On Friday, 25-year old Corey Richard Mlynarik , of Council Bluffs, was arrested at around 8-p.m. on Interstate 29. He was charged with Driving While Barred. Bond was set at $2,000. Two people were arrested Saturday: 36-year old  Angela Hope Thurman, of Pacific Junction, was arrested at 195th & Eastman, for Driving while Barred and No S-R 22 insurance, and, 24-year old Laura Ann Spencer, of  Treynor, was arrested just before 1-a.m., on a charge of Public Intoxication.  Her bond was set at $300

Early Sunday morning, Mills County deputies arrested 27-year old Brett Allen Coyle, of Glenwood, on Domestic Abuse Assault and Criminal Mischief charges.  That same morning, 18-year old Dylan Lee Conn, of Malvern, was arrested for Possession of Controlled Substance Marijuana. Conn’s bond was set at $2,000.

The Sheriff’s office also investigated seven accidents, most of which occurred between 5-and 9-a.m. Friday, when roads were covered with frost or black ice. No injuries were reported.

The manager of the Atlantic Fareway Store was recognized this (Monday) afternoon for his efforts to support military service personnel employed at the store. Jerry Hansen, Chairman and Ombudsman for Employer Support of the Guard and Reservce (ESGR) Organization, Area 2, presented Dale Breuer with Patriot Award during a ceremony held at the store.

Fareway Manager Dale Breuer (Left) is congratulated by Jerry Hansen (right), as Christopher Kinney (Center), holds the Patriot Award presented to Breuer during a ceremony Jan. 21st, 2013. (Ric Hanson, photo)

Hansen spoke about the award’s background. He said the award was created by the ESGR to publicly recognize individuals who provide outstanding patriotic support and cooperation to their employees, who have answered the nation’s call to serve in the military. Hansen said supportive supervisors are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nations National Guard and Reserve Units.

Breuer was nominated by Fareway employee Christopher Kinney, who serves with the Iowa National Guard’s 1168^th Transportation Company. Hansen read a portion of the letter Kinney submitted when he nominated Breuer for the award. It said Breuer has always kept in good spirits, works hard and continuously checks on his employees to see what their plans are for the future. He said Dale was very supportive of his decision to join the Guard, even though he knew the young man would be leaving for basic and Advanced Individual Training. Breuer held open a spot at the store for Kinney while the two separate training programs were underway.

Humble in his acceptance of the award, saying it was the company’s policy to work with their employees serving in the military. He said even if it wasn’t their policy, it’s the “right thing to do.” He said there are a lot of individuals and employers doing the right thing everyday, who don’t get recognized. Therefore, he accepted the award on their behalf, as well.