The Atlantic Volunteer Fire Department held its 2013 recognition banquet, Saturday night. It was the fourth such year for the event. Fire Chief Mark McNees said Jake Vetter was named “Rookie of the Year,” for having met his Firefighter 1 training requirements and attending meetings.

Mark McNees receives the “Firefighter of the Year” award from 2nd Asst. Fire Chief Tim Cappel.

Justin Masker receives the “Top Dog” award.

Chief Mark McNees bestows the “Rookie of the Year” award to Jake Vetter. (Bobbi Jo McNees/Photos)

Justin Masker won the “Top Dog” award, for responding to most of the calls the department was dispatched to over the past year. That includes EMS, fire and/or Fire and Rescue. And, the Chief himself was awarded “Firefighter of the Year.” McNees said he was “Surprised and grateful” for receiving the honor.

Seven Firefighters were also honored for their milestone years, including: Chris Towne (15 years); Tom Cappel (15 years); Shawn Page (15 years); Justin Masker (5 years); Justin Anderson (5 years); Andy Kloewer (5 years), and Nathan Oswald (5 years).

There are 39 members of the Atlantic Volunteer Fire Department who put their lives on the line to save people and property, every day of the year.

The Page County Sheriff’s Department reports the arrest last Friday of a Braddyville man. 23-year old Matthew Thomas Riddle was taken into custody at around 12:45-p.m. following  a traffic stop at Cottonwood and 3rd Streets, in Braddyville. Riddle was charged with Driving Under Suspension, and cited for having an expired registration and failure to provide proof of insurance. He was arrested and brought to the Page County Jail where he was unable to post bond.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest on Friday, of 19-year old Bryce Charles Elihue Baker, of Atlantic. Baker was taken into custody on a District Court warrant for Violation of Probation. He was brought to the Cass County Jail and being held on $10,000 bond.

On Thursday, January 30th, 21-year old Johnathan Tyler McAlpin, of Red Oak,  turned himself in at the Cass County Jail on a Cass County Sheriff’s Office warrant for Eluding (D Felony), OWI 1st Offense (Serious), and Driving Under Suspension (Simple). McAlpin was booked and released on his own recognizance later that day.

Also on January 30th, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office charged 20-year old Kyler Jay O’Brien,  with Burglary 3rd Degree (D Felony) with regard to a report from September 25th, 2012 in Anita, wherein the victim reported her house broken into and her purse gone through. O’Brien remains at the Cass County Jail on theft and drug charges from January 3rd, 2014. Including the new charge, O’Brien was being held on $13,000 bond.

The opportunity to spend the summer in Lake Anita State Park is available for individuals who serve as a campground host. Campground hosts receive free camping at a designated site while they help state parks staff by assisting campers, explaining park rules, helping with registration and serving as an impromptu local tour guide. Hosts help park staff to keep the park clean and with light maintenance.The camping season is April 1 to October 31.

Applications are available online at www.iowadnr.gov/volunteer then click on the campground hosts link in the column on the left. Or, call 515-242-5704 to have an application mailed. Applicants will have a federal criminal history and drivers’ license check as part of the process.

“We would like to get the host placed by mid-March so they are ready to go in April,” said Linda King, with the DNR’s office of volunteer services.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – College-bound Iowa students can get advice about career options and student debt using a new web tool.  Officials from the Iowa Student Loan Board officially launched the new tool Monday on www.studentloan.org. It’s called the “ROCI Reality Check,” meaning a reality check on the return on college investment.

Christine Hensley, the board chairwoman, says the tool provides students with information about the starting salaries for careers in their chosen majors, as well as the likelihood they may get a job. She says it is designed to help students think about how much money to borrow for college. Gov. Terry Branstad says students need this kind of information to make smart decisions.

Iowa Student Loan is a nonprofit that doesn’t receive state funding.