One person was arrested early this (Wednesday) morning in Pottawattamie County following a chase that began in eastern Nebraska and ended near Council Bluffs. Pottawattamie County Sheriff Jeff Danker says his deputies’ involvement in the chase began at around 5-a.m., when a broadcast was sent received indicating Douglas and Sarpy County, Nebraska Sheriff’s officials along with the Nebraska State Patrol, were in pursuit of a stolen vehicle. The chase was along Interstate 680 eastbound heading towards Iowa. When the stolen vehicle crossed the State line, Nebraska authorities terminated their pursuit.

When an Iowa State Patrol Trooper picked up the chase in the vicinity of 130th Street and River Road, the suspect’s vehicle took off north into a field. It then back tracked south through the field before exiting onto River Road in front of Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s deputies.

As deputies pursued the vehicle south on River Road, the suspect drove around a set of spike strips deployed by Council Bluffs Police. With deputies in pursuit, the suspect turned west onto an abandoned set of railroad tracks leading to a swing bridge. Shortly thereafter, he lost control of the vehicle and was taken into custody. The suspect’s name has not yet been released.

The Iowa Transportation Commission, Tuesday, approved a Revitalize Iowa’s Sound Economy (RISE) Local Development grant application submitted by the city of Stuart. Up to $303,750 will be made available to assist in construction of approximately 1,100 feet of South Seventh Street, approximately 500 feet of Southwest Eighth Street, and intersection improvements on South Gaines Street and South Division Street located on the southwest side of town. The project is anticipated to be completed by November 2012. 

Officials say the project is necessary to provide access to 68 acres for light industrial purposes. Funding for the grant comes from the city share of the RISE Fund.

(8-a.m. News)

The Atlantic School Board, Tuesday, approved the purchase of a diesel-powered 84-passenger bus, and a propane-powered 64-passenger bus. Transportation Director Dave Eckles had recommended the purchases, because the current 84-passenger bus is on its last legs. Superintendent Mike Amstein quipped “Every time we send it out, we pray for divine intervention that we’ll see it come back again, and it’s not in behind a wrecker.” He said a current 64-passenger bus is going to “nickel-and-dime” the district “to death,” if they don’t do something about it.  Amstein said also, the new 84-passenger bus would have a larger under carriage carrying capacity. Using a small, propane powered bus he says, would save the district money, in the long run. Amstein says the problems experienced years ago with propane powered engines has not cropped up in recent years, according to other districts he’s spoken with.  The buses are not likely to be delivered to the district until sometime in July. 

In other business, the Atlantic School Board amended the 2011-2012 District Calendar, to make May 18^th as the last day of school this year. Amstein says the extra day will make up for a February 15th dismissal, when students and staff were allowed time-off to attend the State Wrestling Tournament. The Board also approved an increase in the price of school lunch prices. Last year, the district increased prices by a nickel, but the State says that should have been 13-cents. An Iowa Department of Education consultant told the district it should increase the cost by a minimum of 4.18% for the upcoming year, especially considering the increase in the cost of fruits and vegetables for the National School Lunch Program. The School Board tabled action on changing the Driver’s Education fee for this summer, until its next regular meeting, when more specific information is available on the cost.