Authorities in Red Oak say a Red Oak man was arrested on a Criminal Mischief charge, following an alleged attempted residential break-in Wednesday afternoon. 47-year old Brian Keefe Ogletree was arrested for 4th degree criminal mischief and interference with official acts, in connection with an incident in the 700 block of East Coolbaugh Street.

Red Oak Police say officers arriving at the scene shortly before 5:30-p.m. found Ogletree with his hand through a broken window in the door. The man allegedly tried resist arrest, when officers confronted him.

Olgetree was brought to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $1,000 bond.

Cass County resident and cancer survivor Deanna Spry is on a mission to raise awareness about the importance of having regular mammograms.

Cancer survivor Deana Spry raises money for cancer research. (Photo Courtesy CCMH)

Between managing the Casey’s store in Anita, spending time with her family, and going antiquing with the busy 49-year  almost missed getting a mammogram last December, but a couple of visits to the Cass County Memorial Hospital resulted in a diagnosis of breast cancer, and the decision to have a bilateral mastectomy.

Spry is organizing a special event scheduled to take place at Lake Anita on Saturday, Oct. 13, beginning at 1 p.m. She calls it “Trailing for TaTas,” and she’s urging people to come and walk the three miles of trails along the lake and take part in a wide variety of fun activities including hayrack rides and entertainment. (For more information or to sign up, visit http://tinyurl.com/8hvzt4q)

Spry says she wants to “Make it a fun get together to create an awareness about breast cancer and provide an opportunity to share stories and support others who have been touched by this disease.” Every dollar raised through Trailing for TaTas will be donated to the American Cancer Society, the nationwide voluntary health organization that, among other things, helps provide funding for research and mammograms.

Spry says she tells every woman she sees, to get a mammogram, because “It’s a simple thing. It’s only once a year and it only takes a half-hour.” Spry says she thinks “Everybody’s life is worth that much.”

The Page County Sheriff’s Office reports two people were arrested following two separate fights Tuesday. Sheriff Lyle Palmer says 38-year old Joshua Watkins, of Council Bluffs, was arrested on a charge of Simple Assault, following an altercation in the 200 block of east Washington Street in Northboro, at around 4:30-p.m., Tuesday. Watkins was taken into custody following an incident which also involved Kenneth and Elizabeth Rainey. Watkins was brought to the Page County Jail, posted bond, and was released.

A little over two-hours later, Page County deputies arrested 55-year old Eric Knizley, of College Springs, following an altercation between Knizley and 51-year old David Stimson, in Shambaugh. The alleged assault was the result of an earlier incident. Knizley was charged with Serious Assault. He was brought to the Page County Jail and posted a $1,000 bond before being released.

Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Director Megan Roberts says the City’s “Young Professionals” group has seen a period of “extraordinary growth,” recently, with more than 25 people attending each event…up from just a handful at this same time last year. She told the Atlantic City Council Wednesday, that the growth demonstrates an increase in young families coming to Atlantic and becoming involved in the community. They include new teachers, accountants, retail managers, and specialists in other fields. Roberts said while the influx of new and younger residents is great to see, it also points out the dire need for affordable housing in the community.

Roberts said the Chamber has had “Lots of requests” for housing, and it’s one of the biggest struggles young people wanting to move into the community, have. She says the situation isn’t going to improve anytime soon, but there are groups such as the Cass-Atlantic Development Corporation (CADCO), who are working to tackle the problem. Roberts said she hopes the Council continues to support those efforts.

CADCO Housing Committee Chairman Pat McCurdy agreed with Roberts that there is a shortage of “All kinds of housing in this town.” He said there are two ways to improve the situation, one is by making the City more attractive so homes can sell. McCurdy commended the Council and City for approving and enforcing the “Minimum Maintenance Code,” which improves the value of a home and makes the City a more attractive place to live. Toward that end, McCurdy says local youth from eight different church groups are getting involved with CADCO to paint three houses this Saturday, owned by poor or eldery residents. All the materials and paint have been donated.

Another way the City can improve its housing situation, according to McCurdy, is to come up with a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Plan, that is applicable to new housing developments. He said local developer Don Sonntag and others want to build more homes, but “He needs some help,” in the form of a TIF. He said individuals have a hard time to build affordable housing and “Make it cash flow,” without some sort of help, because the rent in Atlantic is not high enough. He said without housing, the young professionals, some of whom work in other, nearby towns, and want to live in Atlantic, cannot afford to live here and raise their families.

The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday, tabled action on a TIF plan, at the request of Councilman Shawn Shouse, head of a Committee tasked with creating a draft, fair plan for the Council to approve. Shouse requested the delay in discussion because he was made aware of information based on legislation passed earlier this Summer in Iowa, that will need to be incorporated into any policy the City develops. The Council will discuss further, but not take action on the matter, during their meeting on October 17th.