Six people were arrested in Mills County over the past few days. The Sheriff’s Office says 45-year old Mark Douglas Berggren, of Red Oak, was arrested early today (Monday) on a Possession of Drug Paraphernalia charge. Berggren’s bond was set at $300.

Sunday morning, 67-year old James Alfred McConkey, of Malvern, was arrested for 5th degree Theft. His bond was also set at $300. Saturday night, 24-year old Clinton James Durfey, of Pacific Junction, was arrested in Mills County for Public Intoxication and 4th degree Criminal Mischief. His bond was set at $1,300.

And, three people were arrested last Friday. The Mills County Sheriff’s Office says: 33-year old Jerad Keith Perkins, of Pacific Junction was arrested on a Warrant for Failure to Serve Jail Time on an OWI charge. His bind was set at $5,000; 56-year old Earl Eugene Gordon, of Malvern, was arrested Friday evening on a Warrant for Sexual Abuse 2nd and Lascivious Acts with a Child. His bond was set at $35,000; and, 18-year old Johnathon Robert Sibbitt, of Glenwood, was arrested at the Mills County Sheriff’s Office at around 6-p.m., on a warrant for Burglary 3rd and Theft 5th degree. His bond was set at $2,800.

An accident that occurred early Friday morning south of Atlantic is under investigation. The Sheriff’s Department said Monday (Today), that  at approximately 2:10 a.m., Friday, deputies responded to a report of a 2012 Dodge Ram that left the roadway south of Atlantic on 620th Street. The pickup hit a fence and some other items near a private residence. The sound of the crash woke the homeowners. Upon investigation, one individual was detained temporarily by the Atlantic Police Department. This incident remains under investigation by the A-PD.

And, no injuries were reported following an accident Dec. 3rd. Officials say at approximately 7:30 p.m., deputies responded to a report of a trailer that struck a power pole. A trailer, loaded with a corn head, broke free from a K350 utility truck driven by 43-year old Anthony Lynn Behrens, of Harlan,  on 620th Street in Cass County.

The trailer and corn head went into the east ditch and struck a wire fence and a power pole, snapping it off at the ground. Damage to the pole is estimated at $1000; damage to the wire fence is estimated at $250. Damage to the corn head is estimated at $3000. No citations were issued.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – The mayor of Council Bluffs says he’s willing to lead a discussion on funding for new Christmas lights downtown. Mayor Matt Walsh says he’s been receiving complaints about the quality and quantity of Christmas lights. He says that over time, some have burned out.

Walsh tells the Daily Nonpareil that the holiday lights were bought by businesses and interested residents, not by the city. The decorations aren’t in the city’s general budget, and he says that he’s unsure if they should be. He says the lights are expensive to buy and store.

The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce and Cass County Health System on Sunday, presented the Angel of Christmas award, a surprise honor bestowed upon a community member who symbolizes the true Christmas spirit.This year, the winner was Steve Livengood, who was nominated by several community members for his service to the Atlantic area.

Steve Livengood (file photo)

Chamber officials say Livengood was the lifeblood behind the Cass County Honor Flight, with countless hours devoted to organizing and planning 150 local veterans first class trip to Washington D.C. to visit and reflect at their memorials. When the logistics of this trip hit a snag, this angel found a way to fix it each and every time.

The Chamber says Steve Livengood is the true meaning of the season, always spreading his generosity today and every day. He hand built a remarkable oak chair for Santa and his visitors at the City Park. Livengood serves many hours at the armory and coordinates the Salvation Army bell ringer program. His joyful and generous spirit light up the people he passes each day. One of the people who nominated him for the award said “I can think of no other that has his commitment to Atlantic and its citizens.”

The “angels” are nominated via written letters of recommendation to the Atlantic Area Chamber. The presentation happens in front of a large audience at the annual free Holiday Concert hosted at the First United Methodist Church, sponsored by Bonnesen’s Five & Ten.

Sheriff’s officials in Union County say no injuries were reported following a rollover accident early Sunday morning. Authorities say the accident happened at around 1:20-a.m., when 25-year old Lucas John Smith, of Maryville, MO., fell asleep at the wheel of the 2007 Ford F-150 he was driving.

The pickup left eastbound Highway 34 as it entered a curve at about mile marker 79, and went into the east ditch, where it rolled over and came to rest on the driver’s side. The truck sustained about $8,000 damage. No citations were issued.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Sarah Palin will appear at a conservative event in Iowa in January. Congressman Steve King and Citizens United President David Bossie announced Monday that the 2008 vice presidential candidate will participate in the “Iowa Freedom Summit.” The event will be held in Des Moines on January 24.  King and the conservative group are co-hosting the summit.

Other confirmed guests include Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum and Utah Sen. Mike Lee.

Palin served as governor of Alaska from 2006 through 2009. Since leaving office, she has been a best-selling author, public speaker and Fox News contributor.

A public hearing will be held this evening in Harlan, with regard to a roof replacement project at the Harlan Community High School. The hearing will be held during the regular December HCHS Board of Education meeting that begins at 4:30. Recent high winds damaged the gym roof and two sections of the family consumer science area. Total cost of replacing the entire gym roof and family consumer science area would be approximately $242,000 with the insurance company covering about $195,000. It is estimated the cost of replacement to be $42,000 with money to replace the roofs coming from the PPEL fund.(KNOD)

Area and State news from Ric Hanson.

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A man from Union County was arrested Saturday on a warrant out of California. Creston Police say 27-year old Christopher Harris Schell, of Creston, was taken into custody at around 1:18-p.m. on a warrant charging him with Theft in the 2nd degree. Schell was being held in the Union County Jail without bond while awaiting extradition to California.

With KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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