(Adair, Iowa) – In an update to our report last Friday, the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office today (Monday) said only one person was injured during a multi-vehicle accident Friday afternoon, on Interstate west of Adair. Wet/icy roads contributed to the accidents.

Authorities started receiving multiple calls about the incident on I-80 eastbound at mile marker 76, at around 4:45-p.m.  The driver of a 2014 Nissan Rouge, Erin Schild, of Lincoln, NE., suffered suspected minor/non-incapacitating injuries, and was transported by Cass EMS ambulance to the Cass Health in Atlantic. Authorities said the Nissan was in the left lane when it left the road and struck the cable barrier. The SUV veered back into traffic and was struck on the passenger side by a 2021 Lexus RS driven by  61-year-old Richard Earl Adam, of Blair, NE.

The SUV left the road again and traveled through the cable barrier on the north side of the roadway and came to rest in the median. Damage to the vehicles amounted to $25,000 total. The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office said also, at about the same time and place, a 2015 RAM pickup driven by 59-year-old Patricia Sue Wagaman, of Red Oak, went out of control due to the weather conditions, and was left stranded against the cable barrier. There were no contact vehicles involved in the mishap. Her pickup sustained $8,000 damage.

And, an eastbound 2019 Jeep Cherokee driven by 40-year-old Erin Hoffmeyer, of Lincoln, NE., was eastbound on I-80 at around 4:45-p.m., Friday, when she slowed for the multi-vehicle accident in front of her. Hoffmeyer’s SUV went out of control on the icy bridge – which caused most of the other accidents – and came into contact with the cable barrier. The vehicle sustained $5,000 damage, but was able to have been driven away.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce report “The Annual Grand Lighting Ceremony” will take place 5-p.m. Thursday, November 18th, at the Historic Rock Island Depot in Downtown Atlantic. Bailey Smith, Executive Director at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce said “Atlantic is Travel Iowa’s number one destination to celebrate the Christmas Season and Grand Lighting is a big reason why. There are over 200,000 lights strung throughout the trees on Chestnut Street as well as City Park that helps create this magical scenery for everyone to enjoy.”

Grand Lighting kicks off at 5 PM with a free hot dog meal, provided by Atlantic Hy-Vee. There will be free hot chocolate as well, at the Chamber tent. Santa will make his special arrival at 5:30 PM to turn on the lights and see children in his cabin, sponsored by the Atlantic Rotary Club and Farmhouse & Flowers, from 6 PM – 7:30 PM. Smith credits the Atlantic Street Department with helping to make the holidays brighter. “We wouldn’t be number one without the Atlantic Street Department who spends a good month and a half restringing lights, hanging garland and décor throughout downtown and 7th Street. Atlantic Municipal Utilities works to ensure the lights turn on and stay on all season long. They’re the best and we’re very fortunate to have them in our community.”

Pick up your Christmas brochure from area retail businesses, “like” the Chamber on Facebook, or follow on Instagram to find dates and details to celebrate Christmas in Atlantic. You can find a complete list of activities at www.atlanticiowa.com. Capture the Christmas magic with #MyAtlanticIA and post to the Atlantic Area Chamber’s Facebook page or Instagram (AtlanticIowaFan). Contact the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce with any questions at chamber@atlanticiowa.com or call 712.243.3017. Christmas in Atlantic is presented by Momentum Exterior Services.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – Mills County Sheriff’s Deputies executed a search warrant Sunday afternoon at a residence outside of Glenwood, and made two arrests. Authorities say during a search of the residence at 24128 Kane Avenue, which is just outside of Glenwood, law enforcement located a marijuana grow in the basement, along with Methamphetamine, firearms, and several items of drug paraphernalia. Taken into custody at the scene, without incident, was 35-year-old Dane Eugene Matthew Hansen, and 39-year-old Michelle Lee Szymarek, both of Glenwood.

The pair was being held in the Mill County Jail. Glenwood Police assisted with the incident.

Hansen-Szymarek

(Clarinda, Iowa) – The Page County Sheriff’s Office Monday, said that a woman wanted on a Pottawattamie County warrant for Violation of Probation, turned herself-in to Page County Deputies, Nov. 8th. Emily Rae Rhoades was being held in the Page County Jail on a $5,000 cash or surety bond.

Emily Rae Rhoades

(Radio Iowa) – The Mason City School Board will consider tonight (Monday) whether to stop using “Mohawks” as the name of the district’s mascot. The issue of the school’s nickname is tied into logo and branding discussions that have been previously tabled by the board. The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe has called for the district to end the use of the name and associated imagery. Superintendent Dave Versteeg in a memo to the board recommends that the board direct the administration to start the transition from the use of the Mohawk name and mascot, including Native American images, symbols and likenesses to a new mascot immediately and for the administration to present at the January 17th school board meeting a timeline to complete the transition from the Mohawk name and a plan to adopt a new mascot as of July 1st of 2022.

Versteeg also recommends that no new use of Mohawk will be used immediately and current uses will be phased out or replaced. The district would immediately stop the use of Mohawks to introduce teams at athletic events with teams being introduced just as Mason City.