MONTEZUMA, Iowa (AP) — A search is continuing for the body of a man who fell into Lake Ponderosa when ice broke beneath the all-terrain vehicle he was riding. KCCI-TV reports that authorities identified the man as 57-year-old David Hartke, of Grundy Center. Montezuma Fire Department Chief Chris Widmer says the effort is now considered a recovery mission.

Hartke fell through the ice Saturday evening after ice fishing at the lake near Montezuma, about 50 miles east of Des Moines. The initial search for the man continued until about 2 a.m. Sunday when it was called off because equipment kept freezing. The search continued Sunday afternoon. Widmer says divers were plunging into 37-degree water as the searched for the body.

Members of the Midwest Regional Dive Team, including persons from southwest Iowa, began their search efforts for Widmer at Noon, Monday.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office has updated their report on recent and past accidents.

Officials say late Saturday morning, deputies responded to a report of a single-vehicle accident on I-80 at the 65 mile marker. A 2003 Hyundai Sonata driven by 62-year old James William Garrow, of Davenport, was westbound on I-80 when a deer ran north across the road and struck the front of the vehicle. The deer went through the windshield of the vehicle and crushed the roof area. Garrow and a passenger, Nancy Jean Herberg, were transported to CCMH via Medivac and Anita Rescue. Damage to the vehicle is estimated at $10,000.

On December 10th, deputies responded to a report of a single-vehicle accident on White Pole Road in Wiota. A 1999 Toyota Camry driven by 24-year old Sydney Kay Darling, of Anita, was eastbound on White Pole Road when the driver lost control, striking a sign and jumping a terrace. The vehicle landed on its wheels and rolled into a field. Upon arrival, no one was with the vehicle. No injuries were reported. Damage to the vehicle is estimated at $5,000; damage to the sign is estimated at $1000. The incident remains under investigation.

On December 9th, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a single-vehicle car/deer accident on Highway 92. A 2006 Chevy K2500 owned and driven by 25-year old Simon Dale Jensen, of Adel, was westbound on Highway 92 approximately ½ mile east of 690th Street when the driver reportedly swerved to avoid striking deer in the roadway, entering the north ditch and flipping the vehicle onto its top. No injuries were reported. Damage to the vehicle is estimated at $10,000. Jensen was cited for Failure to Maintain Control.

And on December 4th, deputies responded to a report of a single-vehicle accident on Olive Street north of Atlantic. A 2005 Sterling semi driven by 52-year old Todd Allen VanWinkle, of Des Moines, was northbound on Olive Street when the driver lost control on the ice-covered roadway and entered the east ditch. VanWinkle was transported to CCMH by Medivac Ambulance. Damage to the vehicle was estimated at $15,000.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports three recent arrests. On Saturday, 38-year old Troy Adam Dillavou, of Carroll, was arrested on charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance (more than 5 grams), Drug Tax Stamp Violation, and OWI 3rd Offense. Dillavou was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was subsequently charged with Possession of Contraband. Dillavou remains at the Cass County Jail on $40,000 bond.

On Friday, deputies in Cass County arrested 44-year old Kory Chris Schubert, of Griswold, on a charge of Domestic Abuse/Serious Assault. Schubert was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released the following day on his own recognizance.

And on Thursday, 55-year old Leroy Michael Rodriguez, of Anita, was arrested on a District Court warrant for Failure to Appear. Rodriguez was taken to the Cass County Jail where he served 48 hours and was released.

(12:40-p.m. News)

No serious injuries were reported following two separate accidents over the weekend, in Atlantic. According to the Police Department, an accident Friday afternoon at the intersection of 7th and Poplar Streets caused $4,000 damage, and resulted in a citation for Failure to Yield. Officials say a vehicle driven by Robert Zimmerman, of Lewis, was westbound on 7th Street at around 2:45-p.m., when an eastbound vehicle driven by Charles Bannister, of Valley, NE, turned in front of Zimmerman, in an attempt to head north on Poplar Street. Bannister was cited for Failure to Yield while making a left turn. Both drivers were checked out by crews with Medivac ambulance, but refused transport to the hospital.

The other accident happened at around 11:45-a.m. Saturday, in the Casey’s west parking lot. A vehicle operated by Sarah Scott, of Lewis, was backing out of a stall when it struck a parked vehicle registered to the Casey’s store. The damage amounted to $1,800.

Officials with the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce report the Atlantic Jaycee’s and Dick Wright were named Angels of Christmas over the weekend.

For the past several years, the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce and Stifel Nicolaus have sponsored the Angels of Christmas award, a surprise honor bestowed upon two community members or organizations who symbolize the true Christmas spirit. The “angels” are nominated via written letters of recommendation to the Atlantic Special Promotions & Events Committee. The presentation happens in front of a large audience at the end of the annual free holiday concert at the First United Methodist Church on the second Saturday in December.

Dick Wright is very private about his deeds, but they most definitely do not go unnoticed. The person who nominated him said Wright “Unselfishly gives his time and vehicle to help many individuals in the Atlantic and surrounding areas.” As a member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church, he helps man the video system, does “Dial A Daily Word” and serves on committees. Dick has been a long-time auxiliary member at the Cass County Memorial Hospital that takes patients to therapy. Not only does he take patients to therapy, but he also frequently drives patients to Dr. appointments, both in and out of town.

The Atlantic Jaycee’s adopted a project developed by the West Central Development in the 1980’s that gives food for a Christmas meal to those in need or just because they deserve it. They were nominated because “For over 30 years the Atlantic Jaycee’s have been raising money and collecting names to help the people of Cass County have a Merry Christmas.” Baskets of food for a complete Christmas dinner are put together by the local grocery stores and delivered with the help of other local organizations. Many families are helped during the Christmas season that fills them with the holiday spirit.