While three southwest Iowa counties (Mills, Montgomery & Pottawattamie) have instituted a burn ban, or plan to do so, Atlantic Fire Chief Mark McNeese said there are no immediate plans to call for a burn ban in Cass County. McNeese said Cass County Emergency Management Director Mike Kennon has consulted with the district fire chiefs, and has determined there is no need to call for a ban on burning right now. McNeese said that doesn’t mean residents in the county shouldn’t take the necessary precautions before conducting any open burning. He says if the fires start to get out of hand or if there are a rash of uncontrolled burns, then a ban might be put into effect, but that’s not something they want to do right now. McNeese asks residents to use common sense and contact their district fire chief or department ahead of time, so crews know where to respond if the need arises.

The Iowa Fire Marshals Office has granted a request by Mills County Emergency Management, for the issuance of a burn ban. The ban on opening burning takes effect at 10-a.m Thursday, Feb. 2nd, and will remain in place until further notice.

Authorities in Page County are investigating recent incidents of theft and Criminal Mischief. Sheriff’ Lyle Palmer says an Essex man reported Sunday, someone stole about 40-gallons of fuel from his property in rural Page County, after damaging a padlock. Jim Long, of Essex, said the fuel was valued at $160, while the padlock had an approximate value of $10.

And, Braddyville Mayor Kelvin Kirchner reported Sunday, someone broke the door knob off of the east door to the Braddyville City Hall. The incident occurred sometime between January 23rd and the 28th. The culprit did not gain entry to the building, however. Damage was estimated at $40.  Both incidents remain under investigation.

Two people were arrested in Atlantic, Tuesday. According to the Police Department, 21-year old Dean Stevens, of Atlantic, was arrested on a Cass County warrant for Simple Assault with Injury. And, 18-year old Curtis McCoy, of Atlantic, was arrested on a Cass County warrant for OWI/1st Offense. Both men were booked into the Cass County Jail.

The Atlantic P-D says also, no injuries were reported following an accident Tuesday morning at West 6th and Palm Streets. Officials say vehicles driven by Kenneth Kelly and Matthew Prall, both of Atlantic, collided when Kelly attempted to go around Prall’s vehicle, while Prall was making a left hand turn into a driveway near the intersection. Both vehicles were traveling east on West 6th Street. Kelly was given a verbal warning for prohibited passing. Damage from the collision amounted to $2,500.

An Atlantic man was one of 30 people appointed today by Governor Terry Branstad, to the Judicial Nominating Commission. Robert Camblin and H. David Boettger, of Harlan, were appointed to the Judicial Nominating Commission for District 4. And, Bill Horan, of Rockwell City, along with Ann Trimble-Ray, of Early, were appointed to the J-N-C, in District 2-B.  The appointments take effect today (February 1, 2012), and are not subject to Senate confirmation. The State Judicial Nominating Commission interviews applicants and selects nominees for appointment to the Iowa Supreme Court as well as the Iowa Court of Appeals.

The commission is comprised of:   A chair, who is the senior justice of the supreme court, other than the chief justice; Seven Lawyer commissioners elected by lawyers; and Seven non-lawyer commissioners appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Iowa Senate.  All commissioners, but the chair, serve for a term of six years.  Within sixty days of receiving the notice from the secretary of state, the commission must submit the names of nominees to the governor. The commission selects three nominees for appointment to the Supreme Court, and three nominees for appointment to the Court of Appeals.