The Annual Lighted Parade, presented by A.M. Cohron & Son, will fill downtown Atlantic with holiday cheer this Saturday, December 5th, starting at 6 PM. Bailey Smith, Executive Director at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce said “The Lighted Parade is a holiday tradition that Atlantic families look forward to every year. We felt this year could use some extra cheer and magic, so we worked closely with Cass County Public Health and Governor Reynold’s to organize a safe parade,” Smith said.

To accommodate State of Iowa Public Health mandates, the route has been extended. The parade will begin at 6th & Chestnut Street, travel north then turn east on 2nd Street and travel south on Walnut Street. Spectators must park along the route and remain in vehicles at all times. There will not be fireworks this year. The parade will also be live streamed on the Chamber’s Facebook page for those who wish to enjoy from home.

According to Smith, “With State mandates, adhering to the rules in place for this event is really important. We realize it’s not ideal to remain in the car the duration of the parade, but we’re very pleased and thankful with the respect shown during Grand Lighting, where the same rules applied. We’re confident the community will show the same respect for this event.”

Those interested in participating in the Lighted Parade can visit www.atlanticiowa.com for a registration form. Registration isn’t required but encouraged. Lineup will begin at 5 PM at 6th & Walnut Street. Participants must wear a mask if there are more than one person on a float while maintaining social distancing. Floats must have a holiday theme of their choosing. Each float also must have lighting and Christmas music is encouraged! Santa will not be allowed on floats, as he will end the parade on his Firetruck.

Before the parade, Santa will be in his Cabin at City Park from 3 – 5:30 PM. One house is permitted at a time and masks are required for those over the age of two. Families waiting to see Santa need to wait in vehicles. The Chamber will greet you, take your information and let you know when it’s your turn. Santa’s Cabin is presented by the Atlantic Rotary Club, Atlantic Dental Center and The Picker’s Parlor/The Franklin Market.

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.

The Glenwood Police Department reports three arrests: Last Wednesday, 24-year old Kristen Gleason, of Sidney was arrested for OWI 1st offense. 21-year old Tristan Herrera, of Glenwood, was arrested Wednesday for driving while barred. Both posted cash or surety bonds and were released.

And, on Friday, 19-year old Chase Ives, of Omaha, NE was arrested for Carrying weapon and possession of a controlled substance. Ives also posted bond and was released.

(Radio Iowa) – Sioux City’s 185th Iowa Air National Guard Air Refueling Wing is being awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for efforts during 2019. It’s the fourth year in a row the unit has earned the award. Colonel Stephanie Samenus (SAM-ah-nus), the vice wing commander, says the citation notes the unit’s high operations tempo that included thousands of flying hours, plus recruiting and retention efforts that led to maintaining 100-percent staffing.

“If we’re not able to man our organization in the necessary career fields, there are times our readiness might fall,” Samenus says. “Fortunately, here at the 185th, we have not been in that situation. We have a community that is very patriotic that supports the military and they continue to come to the 185th.” Last year, 90 new guard members were recruited to join the unit. During the 2019 evaluation period, the humanitarian efforts of the unit’s medical group were also highlighted. Samenus was in Puerto Rico where the 185th provided care — including eye exams and new glasses — to more than 9,000 people during a two-week exercise.

“One woman said it was the first time she was able to read a cook book so that she could make things for her family with this pair of glasses,” she says. “Our team loves to help others. That’s what we do in the military and across the island of Puerto Rico, we had more than 100 members from the 185th.”

During 2020, members of the 185th were part the natural disaster response, assisting with debris cleanup operations in Cedar Rapids following the derecho wind storm. Unit members were also active throughout the spring and summer months, providing support for the Test Iowa COVID-19 initiative.

Cass County Sheriff’s officials report a man from Adair County was cited following an accident Nov. 13th, in Griswold. Authorities say at around 1:12 p.m., the Cass County Sheriff’s Office responded to a two-vehicle accident on Montgomery and Main Streets in Griswold. A 2002 Ford Explorer owned and driven by 76-year old Cheryl Lou Reynolds, of Elliott, was traveling westbound on Main Street and began to turn left onto Montgomery Street when it was struck in the front driver’s side by a 1998 Peterbilt, whose driver, 58-year old Steven Eugene Feick, of Greenfield, was attempting to pass the vehicle on the left.

There were no injuries reported. Damage to the Ford is estimated at $4,500; damage to the Peterbilt is estimated at $3,000. Feick was cited for passing in a no-passing zone.

A second Iowa correctional officer has died after contracting COVID-19. A spokesperson for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union told KCCI the officer worked at the Clarinda Correctional Facility. No other information has been released.

The Iowa Department of Corrections previously reported that a staff member at the Iowa Correctional Institution for Women in Mitchellville died on Nov. 16 due to a COVID-19 infection. Corrections officials say 10 inmates have died from COVID-19 complications.

DECORAH, Iowa (AP) — A northeastern Iowa teenager has been arrested after authorities there say he intentionally rammed a law enforcement vehicle while fleeing police, injuring a Winneshiek County deputy. Television station KCRG reports that the incident happened over the weekend, when deputies responded to a report of domestic assault. Deputies say 18-year-old Druey Hood, of Decorah, fled the scene in a stolen vehicle, leading deputies on a high speed chase.

Police also believe Hood was intoxicated during the chase. Officials say at one point in the chase, Hood turned his vehicle around and rammed a squad car, leaving a deputy with minor injuries. Police say Hood resisted arrest and faces several felony charges.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports four recent arrests. Today (Monday), 18-year old Gabriel Juan Sherry, of Glenwood, was arrested at the Pottawattamie County Jail, on a warrant for Theft in the 2nd Degree. Bond was set at $5,000. Friday night, 47-year old Cameron Ancel Campbell, of Omaha, was arrested for Driving While revoked and OWI/1st Offense. His bond was set at $2,000. Thursday night, 19-year old James Robert Dose, of Malvern, was arrested in Mills County for Possession of a Controlled Substance, and OWI/1st offense. Bond was set at $2,000. And, Wednesday Night, 44-year old William Edward Frazier, Sr., was arrested for Theft in the 2nd Degree and Fraudulent use of Registration. Bond was set at $5,000.

(Radio Iowa) – Senator Chuck Grassley says he’s been cleared by his doctors to return to work after being in quarantine following a positive Covid test earlier this month.  Grassley, who is 87, says “the disease affects people differently,” and he did not experience symptoms. He took a Covid test after learning he had been exposed to someone else who tested positive for the virus.

In a written statement, Grassley cited “positive news” about a Covid vaccine, but Grassley said he’ll continue to wear a mask and practice social distancing and he urged Americans to remain vigilant in protecting themselves and others from the virus.

Iowa’s senior senator also said Congress “must do its part and pass long overdue relief legislation to help families, businesses and communities get through this crisis.”

(Radio Iowa) – Thanks in large part to the pandemic, this is expected to be the busiest Cyber Monday in history and Iowans are warned to be careful as they seek out sales online. Bao Vang, at the Better Business Bureau, says scams are on the rise at this time of year and she recommends using extreme caution as you mouse-click. Vang says, “If someone is splashing ‘Sale!’, ‘Limited-Time Deal,’ just think twice about whether this is luring you instead of actually being a legitimate sale.”

Vang recommends consumers do more reading, researching and checking on both the products and the sellers before buying anything online. “Beware fake websites,” Vang says. “Boy, there’s a lot out there, a lot of websites that are quickly made or can be put up relatively easily, will mimic other sites, can steal photos, images and products from other places.”

The National Retail Federation says consumers are predicted to spend just under $1,000 each this holiday season on gifts for friends and loved ones.