The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports no one was seriously injured during a two-vehicle accident on Friday morning. The accident happened at the intersection of Highway 34 and K Avenue at approximately 9:30 a.m. An investigation determined that a 2016 Freightliner semi with an enclosed trailer driven by 59-year-old Michael Hayes of Madison, North Carolina was traveling west on Highway 34. At the same time a 2014 Chevy Equinox driven by 70-year-old Francis Dickson of Omaha was traveling north on K Avenue. The equinox entered the highway and the passenger side of the SUV struck the semi trailer’s landing gear. Dickson and his 39-year-old son Daniel Dickson of Omaha were evaluated at the scene and released with minor scrapes.

That portion of the highway was shut down for about 45 minutes following the crash. The front and side airbags did deploy on the Equinox and it was considered a total loss. The semi trailer sustained an estimated $5,000 damage. Dickson was cited for Failure to Yield upon entering a through Highway.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Montgomery Count Communications Center, Red Oak Police, and Red Oak Fire and Rescue.

Council Bluffs, Iowa – Five Cass County, Iowa residents were arrested on federal indictments charging Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl. The arrests are the result of a six-month investigation into a series of fentanyl overdose cases occurring in Cass and Shelby Counties. The investigation identified a fentanyl distribution network that covered Western Iowa and Eastern Nebraska. The investigation into this distribution network remains ongoing.

According to court documents, 19-year-old Mason Blaine Loudermilk of Atlantic, Iowa; 28-year-old Chase Daniel Jahnke of Lewis, Iowa; 26-year-old Kelsi Marie Thurman of Lewis, Iowa; 25-year-old Colby Ray Clarken of Atlantic, Iowa; and 19-year-old Collin Jacob Clarken of Atlantic, Iowa appeared on June 24, 2022. Trial is set for each defendant on August 8, 2022.

The potential penalty for conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance as charged in these indictments is a minimum of twenty years up to life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the United States Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

This case has been investigated by the Iowa Division of Narcotics, along with the Cass County Sheriff’s Office, Atlantic Police Department, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa State Patrol, Omaha Police Department, Fourth Judicial District Department of Correctional Services, Iowa Division of Intelligence, and Drug Enforcement Administration. This case will be prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

United States Attorney Richard Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement.

The Atlantic Chamber Ambassadors were hosted by Nishna Valley Family YMCA on Thursday, June 23rd, 2022, to view the new splash pad/sun deck area as well as celebrate new staff.

The Ambassadors were introduced to a few new staff members who have shifted roles and joined the YMCA since the beginning of the year. Kelsey Smith-Walhovd is serving as the zero to five-year old Program Administrator. Tom Williams has been hired to fill the Property Director position and Tina Olson works as the Member Enrichment Director. Dan Haynes, Nishna Valley YMCA CEO, also shared that Allison Knox-Westmeyer is the part-time Fitness Director and Megan Wedemeyer works as the Marketing/Communications Director.

The Ambassadors also viewed the recently added hands-on summer themed activities such as pool inflatables, splash pad characters, sun deck loungers and more. The splash pad/sun deck was designed for adults to enjoy the sun and families with 2^nd grade and younger children. The splash pad also includes a “Nature Explore” area that allows little ones to explore through sand, dirt, grass, and more.

Nishna Valley Family YMCA is currently offering summer pass memberships for non-members for $99. This pass includes access to the pool, hot tub, sun deck/splash pad, and the Nature Explore Playground. The YMCA offers numerous year-round fitness classes, personal training, adult, and youth programs as well as an aquatics center great for all ages.

For more information about Nishna Valley Family YMCA, including membership pricing, contact 712-243-3934 or visit www.nishnavalleyymca.com. Nishna Valley Family YMCA is located at 1100 Maple Street, Atlantic.

DES MOINES – Iowans can now submit new notary commission applications online through the Fast Track Filing system, Secretary Pate announced today. This addition will allow notaries to apply for a new commission from the comfort of their home, without having to scan in documents any longer.

While Notary Renewals have been available to file online for years, this is the first time an original commission can be filed electronically. Per Iowa Code, Notaries must renew their commission every three years. There are currently more than 58,000 active notaries across the state.

“Fast Track Filing is once again making it easier for Iowans to access and complete needed paperwork without the burden of hiring a courier or mailing it to my office,” Secretary Pate said. “This new addition to the site will provide faster turnaround times for those attempting to become a notary public and provide access whenever Iowans need it.”

Since its launch in 2018, Fast Track Filing has become a hub for business owners to file and manage their business documents. Currently, more than 90% of business filings are conducted through the system.

The latest addition is one of many since the initial launch of the system. From forming business entities to completing UCC filings, Fast Track Filing is making Iowans’ lives easier one filing at a time.

To view the Fast Track Filing system, click here. For more information about Iowa notaries, click here.

Travel industry experts predict the upcoming Fourth of July holiday will be the busiest-ever for travel by car, truck, S-U-V and van in Iowa and nationwide, despite record or near-record gasoline prices. Meredith Mitts, spokeswoman for Triple-A-Iowa, says the forecast predicts nearly 48-million people will travel at least 50 miles from home over the holiday, and 42-million will travel by motor vehicle.

The average price for gas in Iowa is now $4.68 a gallon, down from the all-time record set last Wednesday of $4.76. The national average is $4.94. A year ago, gas in Iowa was averaging $2.89. Based on past holiday history, Mitts says pump prices will likely bounce again before the Fourth of July arrives.

The demand for travel started rising earlier this year, she says, and it’s not tapering off. People are ready for a break, Mitts says, and despite higher prices, they’re still finding ways to take that much-needed vacation.

While air travel is forecast to be slightly stronger than last year, domestic air travel volumes are expected to remain well below pre-pandemic levels. She blames recent issues with air travel and ongoing concerns of cancellations and delays due to pilot shortages.