The U-S Postal Service is closing several mail processing centers across the country this year, but none in Iowa. The reasons are twofold, according to Mike Birkett, with the National Association of Letter Carriers. First, Birkett says, Iowa already had its turn in 2011 when a mail processing center in northwest Iowa was shut down and the operation was moved to another state.

“Sioux City, Iowa, closed a plant three to four years ago and that mail all got moved up into South Dakota,” Birkett says. “So, it did affect Iowa, just not this second phase.” Second, he adds, it’s hard to justify closing facilities that postmark and sort mail for rural areas. “It’s very difficult to ship mail from one place to another and to get it back in any kind of a decent time frame,” he says, “so that’s what’s, I think, saved those.”

In the states where the processing centers are being closed, people can expect a delay of an extra day or two for cards and letters they mail to arrive.

(Radio Iowa)

Authorities in Pottawattamie County say one person was seriously hurt during a home invasion and assault over the weekend, near Honey Creek. Law enforcement and emergency responders were called to the residence just off 170th a little after 9-p.m., Sunday. Sheriff Jeff Danker says the victim was struck by a roofing hammer. Additional information will be released later this morning with regard to the incident.

Members of the Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education will hold their regular, monthly meeting tonight, at the high school. During their 7:30-p.m. session, the Board will receive an Operations/Maintenance update from Russell Peck. They’re also expected to act on approving Early Retirement Applications, Early Resignation Incentives, and a request by the Nishna Valley YMCA for carpeting.

Discussion items on their agenda include a report from Linda Nichols on the Home/School Program, and an Honorary Diploma request.

The Creston Police Department reports today (Monday) the arrest on Friday of a Creston man on a warrant out of Texas. 32-year old John Jacob Garcia was taken into custody at around 11:18-a.m. on the warrant for Unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. Garcia was being held in the Union County Jail on $5,000 bond.

Sunday night, Creston Police arrested 18-year old Briar Dakota Shivers, of Indianola. Shivers was arrested at the Wal-Mart store on a charge of 5th Degree Theft. He was later released on a Citation to Appear later, in court.

And, a Creston resident reported to police Saturday morning, that sometime between 8:30-p.m. Friday and 9-a.m. Saturday, someone threw a beer bottle at her vehicle. The incident didn’t result in damage, but the victim reported someone entered her vehicle and took a key, as well as a bottle of cologne. The loss was estimated at $195.