(Note: Red Oak Police issued a correction on the name of the female.  Her name is Nicole SMITH, not Barker. This post edited at 7:51-a.m.)

The Red Oak Police Department reports a man and a woman were arrested early this morning on theft-related charges. 38-year old Markus Eugene Johnson, and 25-year old Nicole Ann Smith, both of Red Oak, were taken into custody at around 4:30-a.m. at 301 W. 4th Avenue in Red Oak. Both face a charge of Aiding and Abetting (Theft in the 2nd degree). The pair were being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $5,000 cash bond, each.

w/ Ric Hanson

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A Red Oak man was arrested this (Thursday) morning for operating an ATV that was reported stolen. Timmy Lee Gardner was operating a 1997 Polaris Trail Blazer 250 ATV southbound on Highway 48 near 215th Street. A check of the Vehicle Identification Number (or, VIN) revealed the machine was stolen. Gardner was arrested for Theft in the 2nd Degree/Motor Vehicle, and brought to the  Montgomery County Jail, where he was being held on $5,000 cash bond. Red Oak Police assisted Montgomery County Sheriff’s deputies in conducting the arrest.

The officer who’s been second-in-command of the U.S. nuclear arsenal has been fired after being accused of using 15-hundred dollars worth of counterfeit chips at a Council Bluffs casino. A Navy spokesman says Vice Admiral Tim Giardina was removed from his position at Offutt Air Force Base near Omaha on Wednesday. Giardina was also demoted to a two-star admiral. For nearly two years Giardina has been the deputy commander of U.S. nuclear forces. The gambling allegations surfaced in June at the Horseshoe Casino in Council Bluffs. Agents from the State of Iowa and the Navy are investigating the case.

Giardina is a highly decorated officer with more than three decades of service in the Navy. He had been deputy commander and chief of staff of the U.S. Pacific Fleet before his assignment at Offut Air Force Base. He was stripped of his security clearance in early September.

(Radio Iowa)

Three men were arrested on drug charges Wednesday night, in Red Oak. Authorities say 20-year old Timothy John Jennings and 19-year old Gillian Ray James Bourn, both of Red Oak, and 19-year old Jacob William Avery, of Emerson, each face charges that include Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

The trio were arrested just after 10-p.m.Wednesday following a traffic stop at the corner of 1st Avenue an West 3rd Street, in Red Oak. The men were brought to the Montgomery County Law Enforcement  Center and held on $1,000 cash bond, each.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports three men were cited for Open C0ntainer, following a traffic stop early this (Thursday) morning. The vehicle was pulled over at around 12:50-a.m., and upon further investigation, the passengers, identified as 45-year old Raymond Briggs, 36-year old Clinton Gardner, and 35-year old Jeffrey Joiner, were all found to be in possession of alcohol. The men were cited and released.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa State Patrol says a section of Interstate 80 in Council Bluffs has collapsed, but no one was injured. The Omaha World-Herald reports crews were installing a pipe beneath the freeway when the three eastbound lanes collapsed Wednesday night. Council Bluffs police say the collapse left about a 10-foot gap that was 2 to 3 feet deep.

Workers immediately called 911 and authorities were able to halt traffic and avoid injuries. The state Department of Transportation posted a message on its website just before 9 p.m. saying lanes were blocked between Exit 1A and Exit 4.

Omaha TV station WOWT reported the Department of Transportation advised that eastbound lanes from the Missouri River bridge to the South Expressway exit would remain closed until late afternoon Thursday.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa State Patrol says a section of Interstate 80 in Council Bluffs has collapsed, but no one was injured. Crews were installing a pipe beneath the freeway when the three eastbound lanes collapsed last night. The collapse left about a 10-foot gap that was two to three feet deep. Authorities were able to halt traffic and avoid injuries.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An insurance carrier under Iowa’s new health marketplace says at least five residents have signed up for insurance on the government’s website. CoOportunity Health says the consumers from Iowa City, Glidden and Clive enrolled in the carrier’s insurance plans by yesterday morning. The marketplaces have been troubled by glitches and delays since launching earlier this month.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Texas Governor Rick Perry will headline a Republican fundraiser next month in Des Moines. Perry will appear November 7th at a dinner hosted by the Republican Party of Polk County. The event will be at the Embassy Suites in downtown Des Moines, with tickets starting at $75 per person. Perry is considering a 2016 run for president.

CORALVILLE, Iowa (AP) — Coralville officials plan to appeal a Postal Service decision to close a customer service location in a central part of the city. They say the new site in an industrial zone is a poor location for customers and has parking issues, no sidewalks and no public transit. The facility to be closed is on Tenth Avenue.

The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce says smoke will be rising from the Rock Island Depot this weekend, but residents shouldn’t be alarmed—it’s all part of the Harvest Fest activities brought to you by McCurdy’s Pumpkins and the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce. Rib Fest will take place Friday night from 8 to 11 p.m.

Atlantic Business and Professional Women volunteer at Harvest Fest last year, serving the apple pie from the judged contest. Sponsored by Gade Insurance and Downtowner Café & Catering, the contest is open for commercial and private entries, and pies are to be delivered to the Depot by 2 p.m. for judging. The warm apple pie and smoked pork and brisket are
served prior to the Firemen’s Parade at the Depot Saturday.

Admission is free for live music from country artist Danny Grouse with his “Boonetucky Sound.” Rib samples will be available for one dollar each and includes a slip to vote for People’s Choice ribs. A beer and Coca-Cola soft drink garden will be open during the festivities, sponsored by Sears and Atlantic Motor Supply (NAPA).

The cooking will continue through the night as smokers prepare pulled pork and beef brisket to be judged on Saturday afternoon. AtlantiCash prizes will be awarded for the top three places in both categories, sponsored by Cappel’s Ace Hardware, Connect-A-Dock, and Robinson’s Hardware.

A Harvest Feast of beef brisket or pulled pork sandwiches, potato chips, apple pie, and ice cream will be served at 5 p.m. during and immediately following the Salem Baptist Church Stepping Siants Drill Team performance at the depot. The $7 meal includes a drink.

More information can be found on AtlanticIowa.com or by calling the Chamber at (712) 243-3017.

One week after the Obamacare health insurance marketplaces opened, the Southwest Iowa Chapter of Organizing for Action will host a Community Conversation on the impacts and benefits of Obamacare to residents of southwest Iowa, businesses and communities. During the 5:30-p.m. Oct. 10th event in the Community Room at the Red Oak Fire Station (1904 N. Broadway), there will be a panel discussion, followed by a Question and Answer period. Light refreshments will also be served. The event is free and open to the public.

Officials with Organizing for Action (OFA) say it is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to advancing the policies that the American people voted for in 2012.