The Iowa DOT reports (As of 9:39-a.m.), that I-680 and I-80 are now open, following separate crash incidents. Motorists are reminded to slow down, watch for emergency vehicles and snow plows. No injuries have been reported thus far.

511ia.org reports that as of 9:15-a.m., Interstate 80 north of Atlantic, west of the Olive Street exit, east of Highway 173, is blocked due to at least three separate, non-injury accidents. Other accidents have I-680 and I-80 blocked in Pottawattamie County, near Loveland and Underwood respectively. Slow down, and anticipate delays!

Expect delays in travel this morning if you’re heading westbound. The Iowa Department of Transportation reports (as of 8:45-a.m.) travel on Interstate 680 east of I-29 in Pottawattamie County is blocked in both directions, due to a jackknifed semi-tractor trailer near Loveland. Interstate 80 eastbound near Underwood is also blocked due to a crash involving a semi. A tow ban is currently in effect in Pott. County, also, meaning if your vehicle goes into the ditch or median, it will be several hours before a tow truck can extricate the vehicle.

More State and area news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A man has been formally charged with second-degree murder in the slaying of his roommate in Sioux City. Thirty-eight-year-old Abdiqadar Sharif is accused of stabbing 40-year-old Guled Nur on Oct. 28. The new charge was contained in a court document prosecutors filed Wednesday in Woodbury County District Court. The initial charge by police was first-degree murder.

Prosecutors say Sharif stabbed and kicked Nur after an altercation broke out at their apartment. Sharif is scheduled to be arraigned Nov. 16.

Get a kick start to your holiday shopping and join Atlantic retail businesses for a Holiday Open House this Saturday, November 10^th beginning at 9-a.m. Businesses will be offering a holiday sneak peek as well as treats, giveaways and special promotions. “This is a great city-wide event to not only kick off the holiday shopping season, but to also support local businesses that do so much for our community,” Bailey Smith, Executive Director at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce said. “We have so many incredible retail businesses in town that offer unique items for a reasonable price. Atlantic has everything you need, and this shopping day gives community members the chance to see that,” mentioned Smith.

Participating locations include: Atlantic Motor Supply (NAPA), Aunt B’s, Bonnesen’s, Brown’s Shoe Fit, Brymons Interiors, Cappel’s Ace Hardware, The Franklin Market, Hanson’s Fine Jewelry, Something For You, Steffens Cycle Shop, Style Sixty & Co., The Picker’s Parlor and The Uppercut & More Boutique. For the second year, The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce is offering AtlantiCash at a discounted price as part of their Holiday Promotion, sponsored by First Whitney Bank & Trust. “Every year the Chamber thinks of a promotion to get the community excited about doing their holiday shopping in Atlantic and we couldn’t think of a better deal than discounted AtlantiCash. Last year we sold $10,000 in 20 minutes so this year our goal is to sell $15,000,” Smith stated.

This Saturday only, discounted AtlantiCash will be available at the Chamber from 9 AM – 12 PM. AtlantiCash will come in packs of $100 for $80, a 20% discount. Community members can purchase up to three packs. Payment must be made at time of purchase in the form of cash or check only. There is a first-come, first-purchased basis with only a limited amount of AtlantiCash available. Pick up your Christmas Brochure from area retail businesses, like the Chamber on Facebook or follow on Twitter to find dates and details to celebrate Christmas in Atlantic. You can find a complete list of activities at www.christmasinatlantic.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 with any questions at chamber@atlanticiowa.com or call 712.243.3017. Christmas in Atlantic is presented by TS Bank.

Whimsically decorated chairs, homemade raspberry pie, an opportunity to parachute out of a military aircraft, and a chance to auctioneer for a minute are just a few of the items that were up for bid at the charity auction Saturday, November 3 to benefit the Danish Windmill in Elk Horn. Guests enjoyed a Danish-inspired farm-to-table dinner featuring locally sourced foods topped off by a live auction of more than 40 items and 37 silent auction items which had been donated for the event. Proceeds from the fundraiser will go to the current Mill restoration and historic preservation project that has been underway since 2016.

“With the historic millwright and timber guild carpenters in town to build the new cap frame and begin the reconstruction phase, it’s been a crazy few weeks,” said Lisa Steen Riggs, the Windmill’s Manager. “The good news is that it’s finally starting to look like a windmill again. We had hoped it would be completed in time for the Gala, but it won’t be too much longer before its sails are turning in the wind again. We still have to raise about $75,000 to complete Phase II of the project so we are grateful for the generosity of those who donated and purchased items at the Gala. The $26,000 is needed and greatly appreciated!”

Riggs said that cash donations are coming in and proceeds from the 5^th Annual Naughty or Nisse 5k Fun Run from the Mermaid to the Mill on Saturday, November 24 during Julefest will go toward the restoration. “The Danish Windmill is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. We accept donations through our secure website and Facebook page. Purchases made in the museum and online stores help support the Windmill as well,” she continued. “We are a participating charity in AmazonSmile and hope people will keep the Mill in mind on Giving Tuesday which is November 27.”

For more information on the Danish Windmill’s restoration project and how you can help, contact the Mill at 712.764.7472 or visit danishwindmill.com.

GUTHRIE CENTER, Iowa (AP) — A sheriff says some criminals are walking free because his jail in central Iowa has no room to hold them. Des Moines station KCCI reports that Guthrie County Sheriff Marty Arganbright renewed calls Thursday for a new jail. He says there are more than 30 arrest warrants out for criminal suspects in his county, but the jail has been over capacity for the past year. There’s room for 10 inmates. Arganbright says holding inmates elsewhere is expensive: roughly $60 a day, plus transportation.

He also says the jail’s square footage doesn’t meet Iowa code, and mold in the jail presents a health hazard for inmates and staff. County officials have hired an engineering firm for a needs assessment.

The Creston Police Department today (Friday), reports 26-year old Christian Robert Edward Mills was arrested Thursday at the Creston P-D, on a Union County warrant for Failure to Appear on original charges of Carrying a weapon, and OWI/1st offense. Mills was subsequently released on a $2,000 cash-only bond.

The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:06-a.m. From KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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