(Atlantic, Iowa) – To celebrate being Iowa’s number one Christmas destination, the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce has launched a ‘Christmas in Atlantic Holiday Shop’ with custom gifts and more surprises for the holiday season.

Chamber Executive Director Bailey Smith says “We knew we couldn’t be the number one Christmas destination in Iowa without some ‘swag’ for residents and guests to purchase when visiting us this time of year. We’re kicking things off with three ornaments that are designed to represent the whimsical nature of our celebration, like Santa’s Cabin, and celebrate the nostalgia of what makes us unique, which is our downtown lights display. More items will be added to the shop as the holiday season continues.”

The ornaments are available for purchase at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce and are $15 each or all three for $40. To sweeten the deal, ornaments will be available at a discount this Saturday, November 9th during the annual Discount AtlantiCash event, presented by First Whitney Bank & Trust. Saturday only, ornaments will be available for $12 each or all three for $35 when you purchase AtlantiCash.

“We wanted to offer a deal to sweeten the excitement of Discount AtlantiCash and give shoppers the opportunity to start the Christmas magic early,” Smith said.

From 9 AM – 12 PM Saturday, November 9th only, AtlantiCash will be available in packs of $100 for $80, a 20% discount. Shoppers can purchase up to three packs. Payment must be made at time of purchase in the form of cash or check only. There is a first-come, first-purchased basis with only a limited amount of AtlantiCash available.

Since AtlantiCash is money that has to be spent at local businesses, it boosts the Local Option Sales Tax, and supports businesses and what they offer this holiday season. Last year, Smith said, the Chamber sold $40,000 in about 45 minutes. The goal this year is to sell another $40,000.  Smith said “We wouldn’t be able to pull off this promotion without the help of our amazing sponsors and First Whitney Bank & Trust. Their partnership helps us support local merchants and put money back into Atlantic.”

The Holiday Open House will also be taking place on Saturday, beginning when retailers open. Businesses will be offering a holiday sneak peek as well as treats, giveaways and special promotions. For a list of participating retailers, visit www.atlanticiowa.com.

Pick up your Christmas brochure from area retail businesses, ‘like’ the Chamber on Facebook or follow on Instagram to find dates and details to celebrate Christmas in Atlantic. You can find a complete list of activities and a printable version of the brochure at www.atlanticiowa.com.

Capture the Christmas magic with #MyAtlanticIA and post to the Atlantic Area Chamber’s Facebook page or Instagram (AtlanticIowaFan). Contact the Atlantic Area Chamber with any questions at chamber@atlanticiowa.com or call 712-243-3017. Christmas in Atlantic is presented by Gregg Young of Atlantic.

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – Officials with the Pottawattamie County Emergency Management Agency said that effective today (Monday, Nov. 4th), the Burn Ban which had been in-place for the entire county, was lifted, and is no longer in effect. (see the notification below).

ATLANTIC, IA – Cass County Public Health has immediate openings for the current session of “A Matter of Balance.” The free class is designed to help decrease falls and help older adults manage their fears about falling. Though the class officially begins the first week of November, there are still slots available for interested participants. A Matter of Balance is an award-winning program to help older adults learn to manage their concerns about falling, make changes to reduce the risk of falling, and increase their physical activity. It includes 8 weekly two-hour sessions for a small group of 8-12 participants led by trained facilitators.

Cass County Public Health has been offering this program since 2018 because falls among adults aged 65 and older are common, costly, and preventable. According to the CDC, falls are the leading cause of injury for adults ages 65 years and older, with 1 in 4 older adults reporting falling every year. Falls are the leading cause of injury-related death among adults ages 65 and older.

For more information, or to sign up now, call Cass County Public Health at 712-243-7443.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with Cass Health in Atlantic, Monday, said that on Friday, November 1st, Dr. Elaine Berry was presented with the Iowa Association of County Medical Examiner’s Distinguished Service Award for her 35 years of service.

Dr. Berry began serving as Cass County Medical Examiner in 1989. Throughout the first 27 years of appointment, she was the only medical examiner in Cass County aside from an occasional appointed deputy who took call on the rare occasion that Dr. Berry was out of town. Her nominator and fellow medical examiner investigator Tabetha Smith, RN, said “Being a death investigator can be emotionally, mentally, and physically strenuous, and even more so when you are unable to share the burdens of the role. She recounts memories of having to leave early from her children’s musical concerts and family holiday parties, so she could fulfill her duties to her patients and the role of medical examiner.”

In 2016, Dr. Berry was able to recruit additional help. CCHS officials say thanks to the support of other investigators sharing the duties, Dr. Berry was able to give her time to her other passions: volunteering at her church teaching Sunday school and serving on medical mission trips. Today, Dr. Berry serves as the Cass Health Chief Medical Officer, and she continues to serve in the roles of Director for Emergency Services and County Medical Examiner.

Dr. Elaine Berry (Photo provided by CCHS)

Dr. Angela Weppler said “Dr. Berry, more than anyone I know, has committed to our community in multiple ways, from EMS, hospice, and nursing home directorships to her years of service as our County Medical Examiner. I cannot think of another provider who has sacrificed more of their time and skill or who is more deserving of recognition for their service to Cass County than Dr. Berry.”

(Glenwood, Iowa) – Officials with the Mills County Emergency Management Agency said that effective 10-a.m. today (Monday, Nov. 4th), the Burn Ban which had been in-place for the entire county, was lifted, and is no longer in effect. (see the notification below).

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports five recent arrests.

On Sunday, 24-year-old Makayla Rae Smith, of Malvern, was arrested for OWI/1st offense. Bond $1,000.

Saturday evening, 39-year-old Andrew Christopher Carrera, of Omaha, was arrested for OWI/3rd offense; No Valid Driver’s License; and failure to stop or obey a stop/yield right-of-way, sign. His bond was set at $5,000.

There were two arrests Friday in Mills County: 42-year-old Matthew Edward Wallman, of Council Bluffs, was arrested on two-counts of Child Endangerment, and Harassment in the 2nd Degree. He was being held without bond in the Mills County Jail. And, 23-year-old Chase Jonathan Ives, of Bellevue, NE, was arrested Friday night at the Pottawattamie County Jail, on a Mills County warrant for Failure To Appear. Bond was set at $5,000.

On Oct. 30th, Mills County Deputies arrested 31-year-old Matthew Russell Archer, of Glenwood, for Public Intoxication. Bond was set at $300.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports two people were arrested on separate drug charges over the past week. On Oct. 28th, the Iowa State Patrol arrested 27-year-old Francisco Alberto Salazar-Barragan, of West Point, NE, following a traffic stop for erratic driving on eastbound I-80 at mile-marker 80, in Adair County. Upon questioning and a partial field sobriety test, Salazar-Barragan pulled a baggie of marijuana from his pocket. He was arrested for OWI/1st offense, and Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana – 1st offense. Salazar-Barragan was released the following day on a $1,000 cash or surety (C/S) bond.

On Saturday, Nov. 2nd, an Iowa State Patrol Trooper arrested 32-year-old Chelsea Michelle Kevan, of Hinckley, MN, following a traffic stop on eastbound I-80 at mile-marker 86, in Adair County. She was pulled-over for alleged reckless driving. Kevan was charged with OWI/2nd offense, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (A glass pipe), Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana-1st offense, being a Fugitive from Justice (an extraditable warrant from the Weld County, Colorado Sheriff’s Dept. for a traffic offense – Vehicular Eluding), and Child Endangerment. She was being held in the Adair County Jail on a $1,000 cash/surety bond on the Iowa charges, and a $500 cash-only bond on the Colorado warrant.

The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports also:

35-year-old Janet Pauline Osboro, of Lincoln, NE, was arrested Oct. 28th on I-80, for OWI/1st offense. Her breath alcohol content (BRac) level initially measured .307-percent. At the Adair County Jail a breath sample came in at .247-percent, or slightly more than three-times the legal level for intoxication. She was released a few hours later on a $1,000 C/S bond.  And, on Oct. 30th, 39-year-old Barrett Martin Driskill, of Des Moines, was arrested at the Cass County (IA) Jail on an Adair County felony warrant for failure to appear on charges that include: Eluding – injury, OWI, drugs or participating in a felony; and Poss. of a Controlled Substance/3rd or subsequent offense. Driskill was being held on a $5,000 cash-only bond.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) urged President Biden to stand up for families navigating the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) decision to end intercountry adoptions for those without Chinese familial ties. In the letter, the lawmakers noted that approximately 300 children in the PRC – some with various health conditions – are already paired with families in the United States, including Iowans who have been waiting in the final stages of the adoption process for years.

“We request that you act in the best interest of these children and families by urging the PRC to fulfill and uphold the commitment the country has made,” the lawmakers wrote.

“The American families that have been matched with their adoptive children are prepared to meet their long-term medical and emotional needs, and to give them the love and nurturing they need,” they continued. “Many of these children know that they have a home, which in many cases have been prepared for their arrival since the families were notified that they were matched and moving forward with the adoption process.”

 After the State Department noticed last week that the PRC may complete adoptions for families in some countries, the legislators called on President Biden to ensure such an action would pertain to the United States, too.

Read the full letter here.