OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Another Iowa educator is a finalist to become superintendent of the Omaha district in Nebraska.  The district said Friday that Superintendent Stephen Murley, of the Iowa City schools, is one of three finalists. Murley took over in Iowa City in 2010 after working in Wisconsin.

The Omaha board is trying to replace John Mackiel, who retired in August after 15 years. In April the board hired former Des Moines Superintendent Nancy Sebring, but she withdrew in June after sexually explicit emails sent to and from her work account became public.

The two other finalists for the Omaha job are the chief academic officer for the District of Columbia Public Schools, Carey Wright, and Mark Evans, who is superintendent at Andover Public Schools in Kansas.

No injuries were reported after a vehicle was struck by a deer Thursday night, in Atlantic. According to Atlantic Police, a vehicle driven by Robert Hammers, of Malvern, was hit by a deer that crossed the road ran into the left front side of the vehicle. The accident happened at around 8:20-p.m., as Hammers was traveling south on Highway 6, near the intersection with 17th Street.  Damage from the mishap was estimated at $2,000.

The Atlantic Police Department Friday morning, released additional information about a two-vehicle accident that occurred Thursday evening. As we had mentioned earlier, the crash involved a Ford Escape SUV and a GMC pickup.

A GMC pickup involved in the collision with a Ford Escape in Atlantic. (12/6/12) Ric Hanson photo.

Officials say the SUV, driven by Jennifer Simons, of Atlantic, and the pickup, driven by Connie Poulsen, of Atlantic, were both traveling south on Highway 6 at 3:40-p.m. Thursday, when Simons stopped for oncoming traffic, prior to turning left (east) onto 22nd Street.

Poulsen failed to stop in-time. The pickup she was driving rear-ended the SUV, causing a total of $20,000 damage. Simons, and a passenger in her vehicle were transported to the Cass County Memorial Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. Atlantic Police Officer Spencer Walton told KJAN News Thursday, that a child passenger in the SUV was properly buckled-in, and did not appear to have suffered any injuries, while the driver suffered abrasions or other minor injuries to her legs.

The A-PD says Poulsen was cited for Failure to Maintain Control.

Adding an extra “warm fuzzy” to the holiday season, Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce members are joining together to treat shoppers to something more this weekend. This  Sunday afternoon ( Dec. 9th), businesses in downtown Atlantic will open their doors for shoppers and groups to partake in free samples, recipes, and the holiday experience.

Recipe walkers are advised to start at the Rock Island Depot (102 Chestnut Street) between 1- and 4-p.m., to obtain a list of participating businesses. Officials at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce say that there is not a theme to the recipe walk this year, so walkers should anticipate finding a great variety of sweets and savories.

Questions regarding the recipe walk should be directed to the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce at (712) 243-3017. Details about other holiday events in the area can be found at ChristmasinAtlantic.com.