The Cass County Sheriff’s Office said Monday (Today), three people were arrested over the course of the past week. On Saturday, 22-year old John Henry Thompson, of Lewis, was arrested on charges of Criminal Trespass and Public Intox. Thompson was taken to the Cass County Jail where he pled guilty and was released the following day.

Last Thursday, 18-year old Jacob Taylor Salmans, of Creston, was arrested on an Atlantic Police Department warrant for Possession with Intent to Deliver. Salmans was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released later that day on $5000 bond.

And, on Wed., November 14th, 41-year old Michael Eugene Boggs, of Atlantic,  turned himself in to the Cass County Jail on an Atlantic Police Department warrant for Violation of a No Contact Order. Boggs was taken into custody and immediately released on $325 bond.

Police in Lenox are investigating an incident of vandalism perpetrated on a pickup truck over the weekend. Officials were notified on Saturday, that a 2000 Ford Ranger pickup owned by to Erik Mullen of Lenox , had its windshield had been shattered, tired slashed and paint keyed, while the truck was parked in the 100 block of East Kansas.

The damage is believed to have taken place sometime after 2-a.m. Friday. Police were unable to identify any suspects or witnesses. Anyone who may have seen or heard anything involving this incident is asked to contact the Lenox Police Department at 641-333-2929

The Atlantic City Council will hold their regular meeting this Tuesday evening at City Hall instead of Wednesday, due to the Thanksgiving Holiday. When their meeting begins at 5:30-p.m., the Council will hear a report from Atlantic Fire Chief Mark McNees. Afterward, they’re scheduled to act on a Resolution authorizing Mayor Dave Jones to submit a grant application to the Iowa DOT in hopes of obtaining a $5,000 grant for new traffic signs and posts, which are necessary under new reflectivity requirements.  If approved by the DOT, the funds would cover about one-quarter the total cost of implementing the unfunded mandate.

The Council will also hold a public hearing on reducing the speed limit on west 22nd Street, from Chestnut to Palm, from 45-to 35-miles per hour. The Community Protection Commission recommended the change after receiving a petition from residents along the affected stretch of road, and other factors. Another factor the Council will have to consider is a report from the City’s Planning and Zoning Commission, which outlines their concerns with regard to the matter, including how a change in the speed limit might affect Federal funding for major street improvements.

Other public hearings scheduled for Tuesday evening during the City Council meeting, will address an Amendment to the North Urban Renewal Plan to include a United Steel Erectors (USE) project, and a development agreement with the same company.The hearings will be followed by action on approving the expenditure as an Urban Renewal Project, authorizing payment and directing that it be included in the Dec. 1st, 2012 certification to the County. A second resolution pertains to the approval of a Development Agreement between the City and USE, Incorporated, along with Tax rebate payments.

And, the Council will act on approving the Final Plat for the Namanny Commercial Development project. The Planning and Zoning Commission has already approved the final plat, and is recommending the Council follow suite. If approved, the plat would divide a nearly eight-acre parcel zoned Light Industrial, into four lots, two of which would be used for commercial buildings along Highway 6, on the west side of town.

Reserve Officers with the Atlantic Police Department are currently seeking donations for the Reserve’s 5^th annual “Family Dream Christmas.” The program, which is for Cass County residents only, allows selected low-income or underprivileged families to go on a shopping trip with officers, to pick up groceries for the family’s Christmas dinner, along with gifts for the immediate family.

The Police Reserves are accepting cash donations through December 15^th for the program. Those donations can be dropped off at the Atlantic Police Department or at Masker’s Plumbing and Heating. Applications for families hoping to participate in the program can also be picked up at the Atlantic Police Department or at Masker’s Plumbing and Heating. Applications are due no later than 4-p.m. December 5^th.

Once all the applications have been received, they will be reviewed and the families chosen to participate will be contacted. There is no set limit on the number of families chosen. It simply depends on the amount of donations received.

If you have any questions, please call the Atlantic Police Department at 243-3512.

Numerous non-profit groups and/or agencies in Audubon and Cass Counties have received a total of $53,560 in grant funds from the Cass and Audubon County Community Foundations. All of grant recipients met the criteria as non-profit agencies or organizations in both respective counties. Representatives of the organizations received their checks on November 13th and 16th.

Nonprofit representatives receiving grant awards: 1st row from left to right: Shirley Bierbaum, Cass County Museum; Bob Boots and Steve Livengood, ARISE; Chelsea Fulton, City of Griswold and Griswold Volunteer Fire Department; and Glenda Farrier and Sam Hansen, CASS Incorporated. 2nd row: Vicki L. Christensen, Director, Anita Public Library; Kim Wendt, Anita Health and Wellness Center; Konnor Wendt, CAM Youth Sports; Kristi Burg, Daycare Board President, Anita Child Care Center; Dianna Williams, Ann W. Wickman Child Development Center; Leslie Haynes, Jack and Jill Preschool. 3rd row: Mark McNees, Atlantic Fire Department; Meredith Scherb, Atlantic Public Library; Jim Conn, Chuck Ehen and Leon Hodges, Atlantic Lions; Dan Hayne, Nishna Valley Family YMCA. Back row: Cass County Community Foundation Board Members Roland Landsness, Secretary/Treasurer; Nicholas Hunt, Chair; and Royal Bierbaum.

The Community Foundation of Southwest Iowa reports $21, 380 in grants were awarded to Cass County non-profit organizations through the Cass County Community Foundation. The biggest grants, of $2,000 each, were awarded to CAM Youth Sports, for a New Concession Stand at the Dave Bolt Field, and to the City of Griswold, for playground equipment at the Cocklin Fish Farm.

The City of Anita’s Public Library received a $1,700 grant for a multi-access server with color printer for use by patrons and staff. Grants amounting to $1,500 each were awarded to: the Anita Wellness Center; Atlantic Fire Department; Atlantic Lions Clubs; and the Cass County Historical Society. A $1,200 grant was awarded to the Ann W. Wickman Child Development Center in Atlantic. And, grants amounting to $1,000 each went to: The Anita Foundation Child Care Center; Atlantic Public Library; Atlantic Rock Island Society Enterprise (ARISE); The Griswold Volunteer Fire Dept.; Jack and Jill Preschool in Atlantic, and the Nishna Valley YMCA in Atlantic. In addition, the City of Marne received a $480 grant for playground equipment at the City Park.

Nonprofit representatives receiving grant awards: 1st row from left to right: Brett Irlmeier of Audubon, Chair, Audubon County Community Foundation; Pat Nyland, City of Brayton; Julie Olson, Audubon County Hospital Foundation; Melissa Thygesen, Audubon Firehouse Flames; and Gary Van Aernam, Audubon County Agricultural Society.

In Audubon County, $32,180 in grants were awarded. The biggest award went to the Audubon County Hospital Foundation, which received a $10,000 grant to fund architectural designs for a Rec Center. The Audubon County Agricultural Society received an $8,180 grant to replace the livestock show and cattle barns with a multipurpose building. The Little Mermaid Trail Committee received a $5,000 grant from the Audubon County Community Foundation, for the installation of an American with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible public restrooms in the park.

In addition, the PE4Life organization received a $3,000 grant for materials to build storage cabinets for skates to be used at the Agri-Hall. And, the Audubon County Hospital Foundation, City of Brayton, the Exira Fire Department and Audubon Firehouse Flames, received grants amount to $2,000 each, for various equipment or facilities improvements. The Audubon County Players Community Theater group received $757 for the purchase of tables for the dinner theater and supplies to make and repair flats.

A herd of deer on the road caused a Shenandoah woman to lose control of her car and crash Sunday night, in Page County. Sheriff’s officials say 37-year old Helen Mather was traveling south on 280th Street at around 10:15-p.m., when she swerved to avoid several deer on the road. Mather’s 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix spun around on the road and entered the ditch sideways, before rolling over three times and coming to rest on its wheels in a farm field on the east side of the road. Mather was not injured during the crash, which caused $3,200 damage to her vehicle. No citations were issued.

Earlier that same day, a 2012 Nissan Altima driven by 69-year old Ronald Wilson, of Elcho, WI, struck a deer on Highway Two, just past the 38-mile marker in Page County. The accident happened at around 9:07-a.m.  Neither Wilson nor his passenger were injured. The car sustained $3,000 damage. No citations were issued.

Four central Iowa teens were sent to the hospital to be checked for possible injuries following a rollover accident Sunday morning, near Clarinda. The Page County Sheriff’s Office says a 2003 Chevy Suburban driven by 15-year old Justin Sziber, of Des Moines, was travelig east on 196th Street at around 10:55-a.m., when the teen lost control of the SUV as it entered a curve. The vehicle slid into the east ditch before rolling onto its passenger side.

Sziber, and his passengers: 16-year old Austin Nibbler, 15-year old Jacob Leclair, and 16-year old Allison Leclair, all of Des Moines, were transported to the Clarinda Hospital by Clarinda EMS. Each of the teens were wearing their seat belts. Sziber was cited for Failure to Maintain Control, and Failure to have a valid license. The SUV sustained $5,000 damage during the crash.

The driver of a Chrysler Sebring suffered possible, unknown injuries following an accident Sunday evening just north of Essex, in Page County. Sheriff’s officials say 55-year old Alison Chambers, of Shenandoah was transported to the Shenandoah Medical Center by Shenandoah EMS, following the crash on Highway 48.

Chambers was traveling north on the road at around 4:05p.m and attempting to pass another vehicle, when she lost control of her car. The vehicle left the road and entered the north ditch. Damage from the accident amounted to an estimated $1,000. Chambers was cited for Failure to Maintain Control.