Atlantic School District Superintendent Steve Barber, along with school nurse Laura Freund have issued a video statement with regard to COVID-19. View the video here:

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office has released details about an incident Tuesday morning where a female was found unresponsive but alive. Sheriff’s officials responded to the 500 block of 1st Avenue at 7:25 a.m. on Tuesday morning. The female was taken by rescue personnel to the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital and then was transferred to UNMC in Omaha for treatment of complications from exposure. The Sheriff’s Office was able to identify the female on Friday and she is recovering at this time. Officials say there is no evidence of foul play and the woman apparently lost consciousness due to exposure to below freezing temperatures.

The investigation is open at this time and the individual’s name is not being released as this is believed to have been a medical emergency.

U.S. Marshals in Nebraska and Iowa are looking for man accused of attempted murder.  A warrant for 36-year old Benjamin Marley Manly was issued Dec. 2nd. Manley, who also goes by the name “Christopher Reeves,” is wanted for: Attempt to commit murder; Intimidation with a dangerous weapon; and Felon in Possession of a firearm. He is described as being a white male, 5-feet 8-inches tall, 205 pounds, with brown hair and eyes. He has letters tattooed at the bottom of his neck, and numerous tattoo’s on his chest and arms.

Benjamin Manley

Council Bluffs police believe it was Manley that shot at a female victim outside a gas station on Thanksgiving. Officials say he was seen in the Omaha and Council Bluffs area as recently as Friday morning. Manley went to prison in 2008 after he was arrested for shooting at a US Marshall near Kwik Trip on Saddle Creek in 2007. He was sentenced for 15 years.

Authorities say Manley may be suicidal and attempt “suicide by cop.” He has a history of shooting at police. If you see him, DO NOT attempt to detain or interact with the man. Call 9-1-1 immediately. Any information leading to his arrest will be rewarded by the U.S. Marshals, up to $5,000. Call the Council Bluffs Police Department Crimestoppers at 712-328-STOP (7867) with your tip on his location.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — After facing a workforce shortage for months, Iowa has awarded an emergency $2.3 million contact-tracing contract to a company owned by a Republican Party insider. The Iowa Department of Public Health selected Iowa City-based MCI for the contract out of 14 companies that applied, saying it submitted the best proposal and that political considerations did not play a role. The company is expected to supply 200 contact tracers to supplement the hundreds of public health workers who have failed to keep up with Iowa’s fast-growing virus caseload.

The first 60 graduated training and were beginning state work Friday. MCI is owned by GOP donor Anthony Marlowe, and has done work for President Donald Trump and Gov. Kim Reynolds’ political campaigns.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — The FBI is pleading with the public for any information on a missing Iowa girl on what is her 11th birthday. The FBI field office in Omaha, Nebraska, posted a plea on its Twitter page Friday asking for any information of Breasia Terrell, who has been missing since July 9. Authorities say she was last seen at a Davenport apartment complex with her half-brother and his 47-year-old father.

Breasia Terrell

Police have not made any arrests in the girl’s disappearance but have labeled the father of Breasia’s half-brother a person of interest. The man was convicted of a sex crime in 1990 when he was 17. A $10,000 reward is being offered for information leading to her location. If you have any information, please call the FBI in Omaha at 402-493-8688.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa man convicted of a hate crime for tearing down and burning an LGBTQ flag hanging outside a Des Moines bar has been sentenced to time served. The Des Moines Register reports that Daniel Rosemark was sentenced last month to the 361 days he had already served while being held on charges in the case. He pleaded guilty in October to reckless use of fire or explosives as a hate crime and drug possession.

A criminal mischief charge was dropped in exchange for his plea. Police say that in November 2019, Rosemark torn down a rainbow pride flag that had been outside The Blazing Saddle in the East Village.

Atlantic, IA — Cass County Health System (CCHS) officials announced Friday (today), that Dr. Bethel Kopp will join the CCHS medical staff in January 2021. Dr. Kopp is an internist who has been in practice for more than 30 years. A native of Anita, Dr. Kopp is a graduate of Creighton University. She has practiced in the Corning area since 1986. Her family includes her husband Dr. Stephen Gruba who is a retired family medicine physician.

Beginning in January, she will provide care for patients at the Massena Medical Center two days each week, and at the Anita Medical Center one day each week. She will also offer telehealth appointments. Dr. Kopp provides care primarily for adults but will also offer appointments for adolescents. In addition to providing care for patients, Dr. Kopp will be teaching part-time at the Creighton University School of Medicine.

Dr. Kopp says “I think the reason that I really enjoy medicine is that it’s one of those things that I look forward to, and I can’t imagine not going to work. It’s not really work! It’s being with people and trying to help. I love that I’ve been able to take care of parents, grandparents, and all the generations in a family.” CCHS Chief Clinic Administrator Tammy Bireline echoed Dr. Kopp’s excitement. “Her addition to our team will allow us to enhance access to care for patients living in eastern and southern parts of our service territory. We are very fortunate to welcome her to our family of experienced and skillful clinicians,” Bireline said.

More information about appointments with Dr. Kopp will be available in late December.