Authorities in Red Oak say a Nebraska teen was arrested early this (Thursday) morning, following an accident and pursuit. According to the Red Oak Police Department, the 17-year old male from Bellevue, NE., was charged with interference with official acts and providing false identification in connection with the incident which occurred shortly after midnight.

Authorities say officers were on stationary patrol at the intersection of North 2nd and East Hammond Street when they saw a Ford Explorer turn north and hit a retaining wall. The SUV then continued north towards officers’ patrol vehicles. Officers also noticed the vehicle had a flat front right tire.

When officers initiated a traffic stop, the SUV continued northbound on 2nd Street and ran a stop sign at the intersection with Corning Street. The vehicle then turned eastbound on Joy Street, where it made a complete stop. The suspect then exited the vehicle and fled on foot eastbound. The juvenile cut through the alleyway southbound in the 300 block of Joy Street before being caught by officers between Joy and Corning Streets.

The suspect was taken to the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center, and transported to Sarpy County, where warrants have been issued. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office assisted Red Oak Police in the investigation.

Officials with Atlantic Municipal Utilities are proposing an electric and water rate increase. Councilman Dana Halder reported to the City Council Wednesday night he sat in on the AMU Board meeting on November 18^th. Halder says the board reviewed the budget and set Dec. 2^nd at 5:30-p.m. as the date and time for a public hearing on the proposed 5-percent increase each for the water and electric. The meeting will be held in the basement meeting room in the AMU building. If approved, it would be the second consecutive year for rate increases from AMU.

Last year, electric rates went up 12-percent, and the water rate was increased 4-percent. AMU General Manager Steve Tjepkes has said the proposed electric rate increase is due to EPA regulations for the coal-fired power plant in Council Bluffs, from which AMU receives additional energy. AMU’s cost related to the Council Bluffs plant improvements and EPA compliance will amount to $500-thousand next year, and about $1.2-million in 2015.

Tjepkes reports also that the proposed increase in Atlantic’s water rates is driven by changes that require parts of the system to be lead-free, which entails the removal of some parts and replacement of those items with non-lead parts. Those costs are estimated at 30-to 35-thousand dollars.

If approved, the average household in Atlantic would see a One-dollar increase in their water bill each month, while the electric bill would increase two-to three-dollars per month. Councilman Halder reports also, the AMU Board discussed and approved a resolution pertaining to a metering charge.Halder says AMU has the ability to receive by radio waves the meter reading. If residents don’t allow the utility to install the new meters, after a certain amount of time there will be a $25 charge.