An accident just outside of Boone Saturday afternoon claimed the lives of two elderly Boone residents, and injured two other people. The Iowa State Patrol reports a 1996 GMC Jimmy driven by 15-year old Daniel Peter, of Ames, was traveling west on Highway 30 and changing lanes to make a left hand turn, when the SUV was hit by a  2003 Humvee Limousine driven by 43-year old John Barker, Jr., of Des Moines. The accident happened at around 3:15-p.m., Saturday.

Following the impact, the SUV left the road and rolled over, ejecting one passenger. The limo came to rest in the median. The Patrol says 77-year old Dorothy Peter, of Boone, died at the scene. 80-year old Delbert Peter, of Boone, was flown by helicopter to Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, where died from his injuries. Officials say he was not wearing a seat belt.

Injured in the crash, was 28-year old Danielle Snook, of Davenport, and 24-year old Loyd Hise, of Guthrie Center. Both were flown by Mercy One helicopter to Mercy Hospital in Des Moines. The Des Moines Register said Sunday that Snook was in Fair condition, while Hise was listed in critical condition. The accidednt remains under investigation.

The Cass County Community Center is the planned location for a night of dancing and music on June 23rd,  as local musicians return to the bandstand for a big band dance. The jazz band “Popcorn Button” will bring their second dance of the summer to the community.The Community Center is a new venue for the band, which means they’ll be able to accommodate more dancers and listeners. The band is comprised of a diverse group of talented volunteer musicians from Atlantic High School, the community, and several universities. Some return from colleges and internships as far away as Iowa City and Kansas City to play at the dances.

Dance instructor Jake Auerbach and his mother Pam will once again be offering a guide to getting started with ballroom and swing dancing at the event from 7:30-8 pm. Event organizers are also working out the scheduling of a potential visit from a member of the Iowa State University Cyclone Swing Society. This will provide the opportunity for all involved to learn some new moves in addition to the basics of waltz, swing, two step, and polka.

The dance is a free public event. A free will donation will be accepted at the door to help defray costs of the event. All ages and dancing abilities are invited and encouraged to attend from 7-10 pm on Saturday, June 23rd at the Cass County Community Center in Atlantic.  For more information, contact Curtis Ullerich at info@popcornbutton.org or at 712-249-2588, or visit the band’s website at www.popcornbutton.org.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – A veterans’ health care network that serves Nebraska and western Iowa is planning to expand its mental-health services.  The Lincoln Journal Star reports the Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System is planning to add more staff in Lincoln, Omaha and other locations.  The 10 percent increase in staff comes as the Veterans Administration prepares to deal with more cases of post-traumatic stress disorder and other problems. The region’s health care system currently has 106 employees.
 
Chief psychologist Todd Fleischer says officials have not yet decided where all the new hires will be based. But he says the request for mental-health providers is being fast-tracked. The hiring move will add 1,600 people nationwide.

 The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports four Red Oak residents were arrested on underage drinking charges.

The Sheriff’s Office received a report of a minor beer party taking place in Coburg early Saturday morning.  When deputies arrived they arrested on alcohol underage charges 18-year-old Chloey Elizabeth Major, 19-year-old Colby William Wise, 20-year-old Justin Lewis Marsden, and 19-year-old Hillary Jo Jackson who are all from Red Oak.  No other details are currently available.