DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A man has been rescued from the Des Moines River in central Iowa. The Des Moines Fire Department says emergency personnel responded to a report Monday afternoon about a man in the river near Sixth and Holcomb Avenues. Emergency personnel floated a boat to the man and used it pull him to shore. Authorities say the man did not follow instructions during the rescue, and at one point let go of a rescue device.

KALONA, Iowa (AP) — A man has been charged with vehicular homicide in connection to a car crash in eastern Iowa that killed a teenager. The Iowa State Patrol says 28-year-old Jeffrey Bulechek faces charges of homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence and serious injury by vehicle. Court records do not list an attorney. Authorities say Bulechek failed to yield at an intersection before the crash. They say he was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the collision.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad is praising Gov. Chris Christie’s veto of a ban on crates for sows but says the New Jersey Republican’s action wasn’t influenced by the 2016 Iowa caucuses. Branstad called Christie’s veto on Friday of legislation outlawing gestation crates a “good decision.” Branstad says the veto allows farmers to protect young pigs from being crushed by heavy sows. Branstad said, “I give him credit for listening.”

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Dozens of people gathered at the University of Iowa Monday to join nationwide protests over the grand jury decision in the Michael Brown case in Missouri. Organizers say they want to “start a conversation” with authorities about how police officers treat minorities.

The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce invites you to experience the magic of Christmas at Santa’s Cabin this Thursday, December 4th from 5:30 to 7:30 pm in the Atlantic City Park. Share your holiday wishes with Santa while observing his new chair, hand built by local resident Steve Livengood. Santa’s Cabin will be open every Thursday from 5:30-to 7:30-p.m. through December 18th, sponsored by the Atlantic Rotary Club.

Santa’s cabin will also be open on Saturdays, December 6th from 3-to 5-p.m. and December 13th & 20th, from 1:30- to 3:30-p.m. Enjoy a stroll down Chestnut Street by horse-drawn carriage on Saturdays
in December, sponsored by First Whitney Bank and Wells Fargo. December 6th from 3-to 5-p.m. and Dec. 13th & 20th from 1:30-to 3:30-p.m.

For more information, contact the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce at 712-243-3017.

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert A. McDonald has directed all Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare and benefits facilities to hold town-hall events to improve communication with, and hear directly from, veterans nationwide.  McDonald said “Caring for veterans is a calling, and our first commitment is to provide veterans and their families the timely, quality care and benefits they have earned and deserve through their service to our nation.

He went on to say “As we seek continual improvement and to rebuild trust among veterans, it is critical that we continue to listen and learn directly from those who use our system.” The meetings are designed to allow feedback from Veterans, family members and other beneficiaries. Each facility will also welcome input from Congressional stakeholders, Veteran Service Organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations, and other community partners.

One of the meetings will take place in Des Moines from 6-to 8-pm Dec. 15th, at the VA Medical Center, Canteen (3600 30th Street). The event will be hosted by Des Moines VA Medical Center Director and the Des Moines VA Regional Office Director.  If you would like more information, contact the hospital’s public affairs office at 515-699-5588.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office, Monday, reported the arrest on Saturday of 50-year old Roger Lee Wimer, of Council Bluffs. Wimer was taken into custody at around 5:30-p.m at Highway 34 and Ingrum Avenue,  on a charge of OWI/1st offense, His bond was set at $1,000.

Sheriff’s officials said also, there were two accidents over the holiday weekend. At around 6-a.m. on Thanksgiving Day, a 2011 Malibu driven by Kaviona Freerman of Omaha,was traveling south on 221st Street and around a corner towards Deacon Road, when she lost control of the car after she was blinded by the bright lights of an oncoming vehicle.  When Freerman’s car went onto the right shoulder of the road, she over corrected. The vehicle crossed the center line went into the east ditch and collided with the embankment. Freerman was transported to Jennie Edmundson Hospital, by Glenwood Rescue.

And at around 8:35-a.m. Friday, a woman lost control of her 2005 Chevy, after it hit a patch of ice on a Highway 34 bridge, just east of 295th Street, in Mills County. The car, driven by Andrea Weston of Red Oak, was traveling westbound on State Hwy 34 east of 295th Street when  it started sliding. A witness stated that after hitting the frost, Weston over corrected, sending the vehicle across the center line before it made contact with guard rail on the south side of the bridge.Weston was also transported by Glenwood Rescue to Jennie Ed. for treatment.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) – A new report shows sales of wholesale liquor in Iowa increased by $7.7 million in the last fiscal year. The Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division’s annual report also shows alcohol revenue topped $300 million in the state. That includes totals from beer tax revenue, license fees and wine taxes.

The report’s numbers on wholesale liquor shows flavored liquor and craft beer helped drive sales. Still, well-known brands also sold very well. The total alcohol revenue was a 3 percent jump from the previous fiscal year, which was substantially less than the 9.5 percent increase seen in the fiscal year that ended in 2012. Division Administrator Stephen Larson says he expects modest percentage increases in revenue in the future.