In area News: Two tractor-trailers collide on I-80 in Cass County early this morning, just east of the exit to Highway 71. One of the trucks erupted into flames. Only Minor injuries reported; Cass County Democratic Party Chair says several campaign signs have been stolen or vandalized in Atlantic; Atlantic Walk to School Program continues this morning; Atlantic School Board and Audubon City Council to hold separate, regular meetings tonight; record low temps set in Atlantic over the weekend; Ag Sec. Tom Vilsack to speak near Lewis this afternoon. RED FLAG WARNING for Counties along and north of Highway 30 today (from Noon-to 7-pm)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

Members of the Audubon City Council will hold their regular meeting this (Monday) evening. On their short agenda, is discussion about, and possible action on, a Housing Rehabilitation Application through the Region 12 Council of Governments (COG). The Council will also receive and possibly act on, bids for the painting of the swimming pool, and a generator for the Sewer Department. Their meeting begins at 7-p.m.

The Atlantic School District’s Board of Education will return to their Monday evening monthly sessions, beginning tonight. Previously, the Board had met on Tuesday evenings twice  a month, but during their last session, voted to change it back to Monday’s. During tonight’s session, which begins at 7:30, the Board will hear a progress report on construction at the Middle School, and a Student Council report from Media Specialist, Ginger Bechtold.

They’ll also act on contracts, including those for General and Special Education, and Volunteer Coaches, along with any resignations. The School Board is also expected to take action on approving changes in substitute non-certified pay, and the Certified Annual Report as well as Special Education Supplement, and a sharing agreement with the Fremont-Mills Community School District, for Chemistry classes.

Discussion items will focus on Driver’s Education, and a review of the 2012-2013 Activity Budget. The meeting takes place as always, in the Atlantic High School’s Media Center.

The Chair of the Cass County Democratic Party says campaign signs for candidates running for public office are being stolen or vandalized in Atlantic. Sherry Toelle (Tell’ee) says while some people feel that political signs being stolen and/or vandalized “Is merely a prank, ” it is far more than that.  She says “It is trespassing, destruction and/or theft of personal property, and a violation of people’s right to free speech.”

Toelle says she has had numerous reports of Democratic yard signs being stolen and/or vandalized from all parts of Atlantic. She says “What the vandals do not realize is that this only helps our Democratic candidates’ purses as these signs must be purchased from the campaigns, adding to their coffers. So, for every sign destroyed, the vandal is actually causing more money to go to the campaigns.”

And, for the record, Cass County Republicans say their signs are also being taken or vandalized, in Atlantic.

According to Iowa law, a person could be charged with criminal mischief for vandalizing a sign or fifth-degree theft for stealing a campaign sign.

Two people suffered only minor injuries during a two-vehicle collision and fire early this (Monday) morning near a bridge on interstate 80 in Cass County.

Semi’s collided on I-80 eastbound, at the East Nishnabotna River Bridge, Monday morning. (Ric Hanson photo)

According to the Cass County Sheriff’s Office, deputies and emergency crews responded to a report of a two-semi collision on I-80 eastbound just past the 60-mile marker (Highway 71) on-ramp to Interstate 80, at around 1:30-a.m.  Officials say a 2006 Sterling truck driven by 57-year old Roland A. Delezene, of Omaha, NE, was eastbound on I-80 when it struck the rear of a 2006 Freightliner, driven by Ali Rana Younis, of, Brampton, Ontario, Canada. The impact of the collision forced both semis nearly two-thirds of the way across the bridge before they came to rest in the outside lane.Younis and an unidentified passenger in the cab of his truck, were transported to the Cass County Memorial Hospital by Medivac Ambulance. Delezene was uninjured.

Approximately 300 gallons of fuel was spilled at the location of the accident and were later cleaned up by a private company. A small fire on the engine of Delezene’s vehicle had extinguished itself upon emergency crews’ arrival. Damage to Delezene’s truck is estimated at $50,000, while the damage to Younis’ truck is estimated at $5,000. The Sheriff’s Department says Delezene was cited for Following too Close. Atlantic Fire and Rescue remained on the scene for a little more than two and a-half hours.