DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A Des Moines private university is offering potential students other options if they don’t want to submit their SAT or ACT test results with their application packet.  Drake University announced on Wednesday that it’ll adopt a test-flexible admissions policy starting with applicants for the fall 2016 semester who have a high school GPA of 3.0 or higher and meet other criteria.

Those prospective students can keep their results to themselves and opt instead for an interview in which they can speak about their experiences inside and outside of the classroom.  The Des Moines Register reports that the move by the university is unusual in the Midwest but gaining popularity across the country. School officials say they still find the test valuable predictors of an applicant’s academic performance.

Police in Glenwood received several reports Wednesday of thefts from motor vehicles. Four people told authorities their vehicles had been entered in Glenwood, and property stolen from inside the vehicles. No arrests have been made.

And, authorities say a Glenwood man, 21-year old Lucas Bird, was arrested this (Friday) morning, on a charge of Public Intoxication. His bond was set at $300.

A report released Thursday by the American Wind Energy Association predicts Iowa could produce 40-percent of its energy needs from wind power within five years.Mike Prior, with the Iowa Wind Energy Association, says the projection is based on the current rate of development.  “If development continued at the pace that is was, uninhibited, we would be able to meet those percentages by that time. Certainly there are challenges, PTC being one of them. There may be some transmission challenges,” Prior said.

PTC refers to production tax credits. The federal incentive program for wind farms expired at the end of last year. Industry analysts have also suggested Iowa could eventually sell its wind-generated electricity to other states. Beth Conley, with Houston-based Clean Line Energy Partners, is working to make that concept a reality.

“Right now, we are engaged in the regulatory process in Iowa, so working through our siting and working through our engineering,” Conley said. “We are in conversations with both customers in the east that would be interested in purchasing the power and customers in the west that are interested in developing this wind power to move east.”

The report issued Thursday is based on data from the U.S. Department of Energy. Iowa was the top state in country in 2014, generating 28 percent of its electricity by wind. Nationally, that figure is just 4.5 percent.

(Radio Iowa)

Downtown Atlantic will find more shoppers than usual filling its sidewalks and doorways this Saturday, July 18th. Participating Atlantic businesses will once again offer crazy, summer deals during the annual Crazy Daze retail sales event.

Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Director Ouida Wymer says “Crazy Daze is a long time tradition in Atlantic. We hope to bring people from out of town to experience crazy sales, have a great time and come back to shop Atlantic.”

Shoppers can also enjoy a free, Thanks with Franks hotdog lunch on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.  at 5th and Chestnut. The hot dogs and chips meal is sponsored by Hockenberry Family Care and Hy-Vee.  Beverages will be provided by the Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company.

In addition to crazy sales at Atlantic retailers, there will be live street entertainment by BJ Hart and Caleb Kelly, as well as Sheltered Reality. Sheltered reality is a nonprofit musical organization whose performing membership spans all ages from 4 years old to 76. Performances include performance of percussion set to music, as well as high energy choreography, to engage and motivate audiences.

Crazy Daze activities are brought to you by McDermott & Son Roofing, Renew Ag Supply and Salute Gymnastics. For more information on Crazy Daze and other Chamber events visit atlanticiowa.com or contact the Chamber office at 712.243.3017.