An effort to find photos of all 851 Iowans who died in the Vietnam War is almost complete. Iowa Newspaper Association executive director Chris Mudge says last May the search began for the last 47 photos. “We have located all but one,” she says. “David LeRoy McCombs served in the Army. He died on October 11, 1969 at the age of 26. He was from Oskaloosa. We hope to find a picture of David so he can be placed next to his 850 comrades who, along with David, made the ultimate sacrifice.”

The photos are part of the “Faces Never Forgotten” project. A virtual wall of soldiers’ faces will be featured in the education center next to the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C. Governor Terry Branstad asked Mudge to speak at his weekly news conference to issue what Branstad referred to as a “call for action” in hopes of finding someone who knew McCombs.  “As a Vietnam era veteran and the governor of Iowa, I want to ensure that every Iowan who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation is recognized and honored,” Branstad said.

A fire destroyed key military records and officials do not know what race McCombs was, or where he may have attended school. They have found his birth certificate and know his hometown was Oskaloosa. His last known address was California. Branstad says anyone who may have information about McCombs should contact the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs.

(Radio Iowa)

The Young Professionals of Atlantic (YPA) have announced the 2015 nominees for the second annual YPA Awards Gala presented by the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce and Megan Roberts State Farm. The event is designed to celebrate the achievements of young professionals who demonstrate excellence and innovation in his/her profession and community.

In addition to recognizing the success of area young professionals, one Chamber business will be recognized as the YP Choice Workplace of the Year. The YP Choice Workplace Award recognizes companies who effectively attract, retain and develop young professionals. Nominations were received in the following categories: YP Newcomer, YP Business Leader, YP Entrepreneur, YP Public Servant and YP Choice Workplace. The nominees are as follows (name/employer):

• Newcomer: Dan Mehmen/Principal Financial & Darryl D. Smith Company; Dr. Ojash Raval/Cass County Health System, and Anthony Smith/1st United Methodist Church.
• Business Leader: Dr’s. Pat & Kate Hoffmann/Atlantic Animal Health Center; Ryan Legg/Rehab Vision at CCHS; Kevin Wieser/Brown’s Shoe Fit Company, and Jenny Williams/Lindeman Tractor.
• Entrepreneur: Tricia Brosam/Eastside Salon; Brandi Eckles/Lou Lou’s, and Adam Nelson/Snipers Smokin BBQ.
• Public Servant: Cate Christensen/Wells Fargo; Lora Kanning/Cass County Conservation; John Lund/City of Atlantic; Jessica Nichols/Wells Fargo, and Ouida Wymer/Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce.
• Choice Workplace: Cass County Health System and Deter Motor Company.

The 2015 award winners will be announced at the YPA Awards Gala on April 29, starting at noon. The event will take place at the Atlantic Golf & Country Club. Special thanks also goes out to Awards Partner, Renew Ag Supply. Visit www.atlanticiowa.com to register on the Events Calendar page or call the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce at 712-243-3017.

The Young Professionals of Atlantic is an organization focused on connecting, engaging and attracting young leaders into the community while promoting greater Atlantic. Any interested individuals can contact chamber@atlanticiowa.com or call 712-243-3017 for information.

No injuries were reported after a teenaged driver accidentally crashed a car into a building in Glenwood, Sunday afternoon. Glenwood Police report 14-year old Brianne Merritt, of Glenwood, was attempting to park a 2011 Buick LaCrosse on the parking lot of the Eddy’s convenience store at 1200 Locust Street. While pulling into a handicapped spot on the southeast side of the business, the teen accelerated, causing the car to hit the front of the store, just north of the front entrance.

The car crashed through the wall at around 2:12-p.m. and entered the store before Merritt put the vehicle into reverse and backed out into the parking lot. A male employee of the store was the only person in the building, but he escaped injury. Four other people in the car, including Merritt’s mother and three juveniles, were also uninjured.

No citations were issued. Police said the crash was caused by driver inexperience. Damage to the vehicle was estimated at $2,000, while the building sustained $5,000 damage.

The Glenwood P-D reports also, 33-year old Caleb Wear, of Silver City, was arrested Sunday for OWI/1st offense. His bond was set at $1,000.

(Corrects address to Clarinda instead of Red Oak)

Deputies in Page County, early Saturday morning, arrested one person on an assault charge.

Ricky Peterson

38-year old Ricky Dean Petersen, of Clarinda, was arrested at around 7-a.m. on a charge of Domestic Abuse Assault, following an investigation into a domestic disturbance at 1389 O Avenue. Petersen was transported to the Page County Jail, appeared later before a Magistrate,  posted bond and was then released.

In an update to our report Saturday morning, the Audubon County Sheriff’s Office says it is continuing to investigate a drowning incident in a rural farm pond. The body of 63-year old Maynard Nielsen, of Elk Horn, was found lying face down by a dock, in about 4-feet of water.

Nielsen’s vehicle was parked nearby. The owner of the property found Nielsen’s body. Nielsen suffered from cerebral palsy most of his life, but it’s not known if that or another medical condition contributed to the incident.  An autopsy was scheduled to be performed in Ankeny.