A frost covered windshield proved to be costly for a Harlan man last week. The Harlan Police Department reports Richard Graeve was traveling north on 19th Street on November 8th. Because his view was obstructed by a frost covered windshield, he misjudged the clearance between a legally parked car registered to Sandra Holcomb, of Harlan.

Graeve’s 2007 Ford struck the left rear of Holcomb’s 2007 Dodge, causing $5,000 damage to both vehicles. Officials say Graeve was cited for Driving with an Obstructed View. No injuries were reported.

The Harlan Police Department reports the arrest on Tuesday of a Harlan man. 61-year old Gary Anderson, was arrested when police were called to Leah Marie Photography for a subject who would not leave. Following an investigation, officers found Anderson at his residence on Baldwin. He was taken into custody and transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with assault causing injury, criminal mischief and trespassing. Anderson was also served with a complaint that was filed on November 18th for trespass by the Durant Street Country Store.

On November 13th, officers with the H-PD arrested 33-year old Timothy Kroening, of Colby, WI. The man was taken into custody after officers were called to investigate an alleged subject smoking marijuana on the deck of a local bar. Kroening was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and possessing contraband.

And, on November 6th, 24-year old Cameron Behrens,  of Harlan, was charged with Theft 2nd degree, a class D felony for allegedly taking money from the Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium. Behrens was cited and released.

Authorities say a man wanted in southwest Iowa on felony kidnapping and attempted murder charges, turned himself in at around 10:19-a.m., Wednesday. 57-year-old William Wayne Elliott, of Red Oak, is accused of forcing 22-year old Shelby Mae Schmitz, of Red Oak, into the basement of his home on November 11th, after she stopped by for a visit.

He then allegedly doused her with gasoline and threatening to set Schmitz on fire.  Schmitz escaped and reported the incident to Red Oak Police. The woman was hospitalized for evaluation and treatment as authorities got a search warrant for Elliott’s home. He was not there but authorities say they located evidence in the home, including narcotics.

Elliott was being held in the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center on $100,300 bond. The Red Oak Police Department was assisted in its investigation by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Marshal’s Service.

The Iowa State Patrol says a central Iowa man was injured during an accident Wednesday morning on Interstate 80, in Cass County. 56-year old Bradley Alan Katzenberger, of Des Moines, was transported from the Cass County Memorial Hospital by LifeNet helicopter to the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, where he was reported to be in “Fair” condition, Wednesday night.

Officials say Katzenberger was traveling west on I-80 at around 5-a.m., when the 2000 Workhorse delivery truck he was driving was hit from behind by a westbound 2006 International semi, driven by 23-year old Daniel L. Hart, of Omaha. Following the impact, the Katzenberger vehicle left the road to the right and rolled several times into the ditch. Katzenberger, who was wearing his seat belt, was ejected from the truck.

Hart left the scene of the accident near the 55-mile marker, and was involved in a separate crash at the 49-mile marker of I-80 westbound, a short time later. He was placed under arrest and charged with Leaving the Scene of an Accident.

(Updated 4-a.m. Thu., 11/21/13)

The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce reports Santa’s Cabin will be open this Thursday in the downtown City Park, with a fresh smell of new cedar after the Atlantic Rotary Club repaired the roof and damaged logs last spring. Santa will be in his cabin to see children following the Grand Lighting ceremony at 5:30-p.m. (sponsored by MAHLE Engine Components and Corner Stone Landscaping), when more than 200,000 light bulbs are turned on to signal the start of the holidays.

Prior to Santa’s arrival, Chamber Director Megan Roberts said a sparkling cider toast will be given from the Grand Lighting Stage to celebrate the holiday kick off. In addition to a photo booth, free horse-drawn carriage rides, hot cocoa and visits at Santa’s Cabin, the Chamber’s Holiday Recipe Walk will also be happening for attendees to enjoy from 5-7 p.m.

Roberts says “Many merchants will be open later on Thursday night, and we have nine stops on the Holiday Recipe Walk where attendees can sample holiday favorites and take home a recipe card for their own collection,” Roberts said. “This is all a part of our efforts at the Chamber to create activities on the Third Thursday of each month.”

A list of participating businesses will be handed out at the Grand Lighting Stage near the city park and include: The Atlantic Coca-Cola Center & Museum; Aunt B’s; Bonnesen’s; Camblin Plumbing & Heating; Cappel’s Ace Hardware; Downtowner Cafe & Catering; Cullen & Associates; Longaberger Consultant Dolly Bergmann, and Rex Pharmacy.

The Third Thursday in November is only the beginning of the Chamber sponsored holiday events, followed by the Lighted Parade on Dec. 7th. Roberts said parade entries are welcome by contacting the Atlantic Area Chamber at 712.243.3017 or emailing chamber@atlanticiowa.com for a registration form. Pre-registration is not required but is encouraged.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – Woodbury County officials agreed to spend more money to restore a levee along the Little Sioux River in western Iowa.  The Sioux City Journal reports the county board Tuesday approved a $128,000 bid for work on the levee near Smithland.  Landowners will be billed for the work, which includes placing 3,600 tons of concrete and quartzite along 1,800 feet of riverbank.

The project follows a $232,000-taxpayer funded effort to add a berm and boulders to retain soil. Those fixes didn’t work and the riverbank continued to wash away.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built the original flood-control device in 1964.

Board member Larry Clausen voted against the winning bid because he favored a different contractor, but he says the county has no choice but to repair the levee.