DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Trial has been set for a registered sex offender accused of trying to sexually assault boys he lured to a Des Moines elementary school playground. Station KCCI reports that trial for 39-year-old Loren Lewis is set for Dec. 2. He has pleaded not guilty to second-degree sexual abuse, two counts of enticing a minor under 13, and assault with intent to commit sexual abuse.

Police say Lewis lured an 11-year-old and 12-year-old boy to the playground on Aug. 3, and then told the boys to pull down their pants. Police say when they refused, Lewis assaulted one of the boys and attempted to perform sex acts on him

Lewis was convicted in 1997 of assault with intent to commit sexual abuse. The victim in that crime was a 10-year-old boy.

The Synergy Winds of the 34th  Army Band, Iowa Army National Guard will be performing during a FREE show at the Corning Opera House next Sunday, November 10th. The woodwind quintet is stationed in Fairfield, Iowa and the only military band in the state of Iowa. The mission of the 34th Army Band is to provide music throughout the spectrum of military operations, instill in our soldiers the will to fight and win, and foster the support of our citizens and promote our national interests at home and abroad.   The 34th Army Band is made up of citizen soldiers whose civilian occupations include teachers, salesmen, corporate management, engineers, and students.

The Unit’s numerous ensembles have extensively toured the State of Iowa performing at official military ceremonies, sporting events, parades, concerts, festivals, school assemblies, patriotic concerts, and many other events. The current focus of the 34th  Army Band has been developing smaller Musical Performance Teams (MPTs) to expand their ability to support more musical requests, both for the military and events throughout Iowa.  Current MPTs include the Concert and Marching Bands, Sidewinders Rock Band, 42 Romeo Rock Band, Scrap Metal Popular Music Group, Synergy Winds Woodwind Quintet, Ceremonial Brass MPT and Operation Groove Jazz Ensemble.

The 34th Iowa Army National Guard Band will start playing at 1:30-pm next Sunday, as people arrive for the Veteran’s Program at 2-p.m. Featured during the program is Michael Wilson’s One Man One War art exhibit, and Corning Center for Fine Arts Poppy installation. Synergy Winds will perform as part of the program and play TAPS at the Poppy Field in Central Park.

Other Corning Opera House upcoming events include Christian Pop Artist, Josh Wilson on November 16; Joseph Hall’s Elvis Christmas Rock & Remember on December 7; and Music of Vince Guaraldi & Peanuts by Donovan Johnson and friends. For more information contact Executive Director, De Heaton at 641-418-8037 or www.CorningOperaHouse.com.

Listed as Travel Iowa’s number one Christmas destination, downtown Atlantic lights up six blocks with nearly 200,000 lights for the holiday season. “Christmas in Atlantic kicks” off Saturday, November 9th, with the Holiday Open House beginning at 9 AM. Visit local businesses to get a holiday sneak peek and enjoy treats, giveaways and special promotions. Participating locations include: Aunt B’s, Bonnesen’s, Brown’s Shoe Fit, Cappel’s Ace Hardware, Hanson’s Fine Jewelry, Jazzercise, The Franklin Market, The Picker’s Parlor, The Uppercut & More Boutique and Something For You.

Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bailey Smith says also, that for the third year, the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce will be offering AtlantiCash at a discounted price as part of their Holiday Promotion, sponsored by First Whitney Bank & Trust. Smith said “We wanted to think of something exciting to get people out shopping local. What better way than to offer AtlantiCash, which can only be spent in Atlantic, at a discount.” Two years ago, she said “We sold $10,000 in 20 minutes. Last year, we sold $15,000 in eight minutes. The goal this year is to sell $30,000, all of which goes back into Atlantic businesses.” For one day only, community members can come to the Chamber on Saturday, November 9th and buy a pack of $100 in AtlantiCash for $80, a 20% discount. Community members may purchase up to three packs. The discounted AtlantiCash will be available from 9 AM – 12 PM.

The Holiday Promotion is also sponsored by Hy-Vee, Olsen Fuel Supply, Brown’s Shoe Fit, Brymons Interiors, Fareway, Outfitters Outlet Store, Something For You and Unique Salon & Spa.

The Annual Grand Lighting Ceremony, sponsored by Atlantic News Telegraph and Precision Concrete Services, will be Thursday, November 21st at 5-p.m., at the Historic Rock Island Depot in Downtown Atlantic. There will be free hot cocoa, and the Atlantic Hy-Vee will be serving free hot dogs for the community to enjoy. Santa will have a special arrival on his helicopter, weather pending, at 5:30-p.m., to turn on the lights and see children in his cabin from 6- until 7:30-p.m. Nov. 21st, at the City Park.

Prior to the Lighted Parade on December 7th, visit Santa in his cabin where you can enjoy hot cocoa and popcorn, as well as horse-drawn carriage rides from 3-to 5:30-p.m. Visit www.christmasinatlantic.com for Santa’s full holiday schedule. Santa’s Cabin is sponsored by the Atlantic Rotary Club. The Lighted Parade and Fireworks will be December 7th, starting at 6-p.m. If you or your group/organization wishes to be in the parade, please submit your entry to the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce by calling 712-243-3017 or emailing chamber@atlanticiowa.com. Pre-registration is not required, but is encouraged. The Lighted Parade and Fireworks is sponsored by A.M. Cohron & Son.

Join the Chamber for a Holiday Concert and Angel of Christmas on December 8th, at the First United Methodist Church, starting at 3-p.m. Submit your nominations for Angel of Christmas to the Atlantic Area Chamber by November 22nd. The Angel of Christmas is sponsored by Cass County Health System. Don’t forget to pick up your Christmas Brochure from area retail businesses, “like” the Chamber on Facebook, or follow them on Twitter, to find dates and details to celebrate Christmas in Atlantic. Capture the Christmas magic with #MyAtlanticIA, and post to the Atlantic Area Chamber’s Facebook page or Instagram (AtlanticIowaFan).

Employees from at least three area businesses were temporarily evacuated Saturday evening in Boone, after a train derailed, causing damage to some vehicles in the Union Pacific parking lot.  KCCI-TV reports the incident happened at around 6-p.m. near the Boone Hy-Vee store in the 1100 block of 8th Street. An estimated nine cars derailed from the track. No injuries were reported.

Authorities say there was a smell of natural gas in the area, but at last report the source was unknown. Employees with the Hy-Vee, Dollar General and O’Riley’s Auto Parts stores were evacuated.

The incident remained under investigation.

A head-on collision in eastern Iowa claimed two lives, Saturday morning. The Iowa State Patrol reports both drivers, 62-year old Bradford J. Stiles, of Iowa City, and 35-year old Lydia Louise Schirmer, of Williamsburg, died, when their vehicles collided at around 8:45-a.m. on Highway 151, just south of Amana.

The Patrol says a 2006 Toyota Tacoma pickup driven by Stiles, was traveling north on Highway 151 at the Iowa River bridge, when the vehicle went out of control on the frost covered bridge. The pickup crossed the centerline of the road and struck Schirmer’s 2008 Honda CRV. Both vehicles came to rest on the road. Both drivers died at the scene.

The accident remains under investigation. The Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Iowa County Sheriff’s Department, Amana Fire Department and 1st Responders, and an Iowa DOT maintenance crew.