In an update to our earlier reports, the Audubon County Sheriff’s Office says three people, two adults and a child, were injured during a rollover accident Sunday evening 5-miles southeast of Exira. The accident happened at around 6:25-p.m. on 320th Street near Nighthawk Avenue.

Officials say 21-year old Tasha Ann Anderson, of Exira, was driving a 2002 Hyundai eastbound on 320th and was attempting to turn north onto Nighthawk Avenue, when her car went out of control, entered the east ditch and rolled over, coming to rest in a bean field.

Anderson and her passengers, 20-year old Michaela Marie Bacon, and 2-year old Takiah Zander, all of Exira, were transported to the Cass County Memorial Hospital by Exira Rescue. There was no report on the extent of their injuries. Anderson faces a  charge of Failure to Maintain Control. Damage to her vehicle was estimated at $6,000.

The Atlantic City Council will hold a Public Hearing during their meeting Wednesday evening at City Hall, with regard to a proposed Amendment to the Fiscal Year 2017 Budget. The meeting begins at 5:30-p.m. City Administrator John Lund says if the City overspends in any of the nine state codes budget activities areas during a particular fiscal year, a budget amendment is required. Atlantic, he says, has chosen to incorporate a single amendment towards the end of the fiscal year, to reconcile the City’s current budget with its final expenditures. Lund says “This is a routine matter.”

The changes include: Amending revenues to account for $34,500 resulting from an underestimated hanger rent, and because the City parked a sizable amount of liquidity into a long-term Certificate of Deposit (CD) with Whitney Bank for 2.5%, as opposed to a regular savings account interest rate of 0.15%.  The change made for an additional $47,250 to the City through the strategic investment of cash reserves.

Lund says the Budget Amendment also accounts for $3,500 that’s needed for higher chemical costs associated with mosquito spraying, the funds for which are in the LOST (Local Option Sales Tax) Progress Fund. And, an additional $22,000 was needed in the Finance and Administration Department to cash out the City Clerk’s benefits upon retirement and to pay for a second City Clerk during a training period earlier this year.

Following the Public Hearing, the Council will act on passing a Resolution to amend the budget as stated. The Council will also act on a Resolution “Setting salaries for Appointed Officers and Employees of the City of Atlantic,” for Fiscal Year July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018. The Resolution includes the final numbers for compensation as worked out by the Personnel and Finance Committee.

In other business, the Council will hold a hearing on amending the City Code, with regard to Fireworks. The Ordinance restricts fireworks use to July 2nd and 3rd, 2017, from Noon until 10-p.m., and on July 4th, 2017, from Noon until 11-p.m. News Year’s Eve, fireworks may be displayed from 6-p.m. until 12:15-a.m. New Year’s Day. No fireworks will be used within 300-feet of a Public School building, assisted living facility or hospital. Anyone who violates the Ordinance is subject to a $250 fine plus court costs. Additional violations will result in a fine of $600 plus court costs.

The Ordinance also spells out who may sell fireworks (Persons with a State Permit who have proof of Insurance), and the costs for inspection fees associated with the selling of fireworks. An inspection fee of $100 will be charged for any permanent structure where fireworks are sold, and $200 for temporary structures. The operators of such sales sites must have $1-million dollars worth of insurance each, for Personal Injury (per person) and Property Damage. Vendors meeting the restrictions will be allowed to sell their wares from June 1st until July 8th (June 13th – July 8th for locations w/temporary structures), and December 10th until January 3rd.

The Council is expected to hold the first reading of the Ordinance after the hearing, followed by a waiving of the second reading and approval after the third reading.

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

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The World Pork Expo will draw thousands of agricultural producers to central Iowa this week. The annual event is being held at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines Wednesday through Friday. Doug Fricke, spokesman for the National Pork Producers Council, says visitors will see hundreds of booths at the world’s largest pork industry-specific trade show.

“We’ve got exhibits in both the Agricultural Building and the Varied Industries Building in addition to hospitality tents all the way down Grand Avenue and then outdoor space located on Rock Island between the Swine Barn and the Varied Industries Building,” Fricke says. “We’ve got a packed, packed trade show.”

Last year’s show attracted 20-thousand visitors from 30 countries and producers from every county in Iowa. Fricke says the event brings together producers and industry professionals from across the globe for three days of networking, education and innovation. “There’s always something new to see and unique,” he says. “That’s one of the major draws to the trade show. Some of the things, you can read about them but it’s always nice to see them, see how they work, how they operate and how they’d fit into an operation on your farm.”

There’s more to take in at the event than many people can attempt in a day, so he says many producers will attend for a second day.  “Company-wise, we have just over 450 companies,” Fricke says. “That equates to just under a thousand booth spaces.”

Learn more at: www.worldpork.org

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – Police are investigating the fatal stabbing of a man in central Sioux City. Sgt. Jeremy McClure says the man was killed Saturday night after a fight started over a disputed theft. The man’s name and other details have not been released. No arrests have been reported.

Police in Council Bluffs arrested a man early this (Monday) morning after he allegedly attempted to gain entry into the residence of his 29-year old ex-girlfriend. The incident occurred at around 12:45-a.m. in the 1400 block of Avenue B.  Authorities say 33-year old Jesus Medina, of Council Bluffs, made entry into the residence when the victim called police. Medina then left the residence and discharged several rounds from a handgun outside in an unknown direction. He left the scene in a vehicle.

Officers responding to the area located Medina in the area of N. 25th St and Nash Blvd., where a traffic stop was conducted. Medina was apprehended and a handgun was recovered. A records check revealed Medina had valid warrants for his arrest along with the charges stemming from his involvement in the disturbance at 14th and Ave. B. He was transported to the Pottawattamie County Jail.  The charges include: 2 counts of Harassment in the 1st degree (one warrant-related); Intimidation with a dangerous weapon; Felon in Possession of a firearm, and Discharge of a firearm within City limits.

Jesus Medina

There were no reports of injury or property damage as a result of the incident, which remains under investigation by the Council Bluffs Police Criminal Investigation Division. Case details have been forwarded to the Pottawattamie County Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

Shelby Fire and Rescue and Exira Fire and Rescue responded to two separate accidents, Sunday. One happened at around 5:48-p.m. on Interstate 80 westbound near the Shelby Exit. The other, a rollover accident, happened in Audubon County at 320th and Nighthawk Avenue, at around 6:35-p.m.

There was no immediate report of injuries. Additional details are currently not available.

Omaha Fire and Rescue personnel have recovered the body of a man from the Missouri River. According to KETV in Omaha, Omaha Police responded to a report of a body in the river at around 2:15-p.m., Sunday. The body was recovered near Epply Airfield.

The victim is believed to be a White or Hispanic male between the ages of 25 and 40. He has short dark hair and a goatee. The man appeared to be about 5 feet 8 inches tall and of average build. He has a tattoo on each forearm. No other information was provided.

Authorities are asking for the public’s help identifying the person. Contact the OPD Homicide Unit at 402-444-5656 or Crime Stoppers at 402-444-STOP, if you have any information as to the mans identity.

The Atlantic School District’s Board of Education will hold a Special Meeting 6-p.m. Tuesday at the Middle School Library. During the meeting, the Board will act on awarding a renovation bid for the Cass, Incorporated Building.

On March 27th, the Atlantic School Board voted on approving an offer to purchase the Cass, Incorporated building and to terminate a more than $51,000 lease for another property. The purchase price was $925,000. The latest architects’ report on May 10th indicated an  additional $410-420,000 would be necessary to renovate the facility to make it ready for occupancy and programs. That was based on new State Fire Marshal requirements and the uncertainty over bid estimate.