Plans for the 2016 Christmas in Atlantic events are set. Atlantic Chamber Director Ouida Hargens outlined the plans for the City Council during her 4^th Quarter Chamber report at the Council’s meeting Wednesday evening. Hargens said there are some new events scheduled to take place this year.

She says a Holiday Open House will be held November 12th beginning at 9-a.m. It’s a chance for you to explore what area businesses have to offer for the holiday season, get a jump start on holiday shopping, and more.  Several retail businesses will be use the opportunity for their Christmas Customer Appreciation. Hargens said also, the location of the Grand Lighting Ceremony has been changed to the Historic Rock Island Depot on the north end of Main Street, because [weather permitting], “Santa Claus will be landing in Atlantic in a Helicopter.”The Grand Lighting Ceremony is November 17th, beginning at 5-p.m., with free entertainment and hot dogs.

In addition, Hargens says a Holiday Skating Rink will be available during the Thanksgiving weekend only (Nov. 26th and 27th), from 11-a.m. to 7-p.m. on the 26th, and 11-a.m. to 3-p.m. on the 27th, in front of the Rock Island Depot. The skating rink is actually synthetic, but you will be able to use figure, ice or hockey skates to participate. The cost is $7 for adults, $5 for kids 14 & under, and free for those age 2 and under. The Skating Rink, she said, is made possible thanks to T.S. Bank being a huge sponsor this year, for Christmas in Atlantic.

Hargens also announced Atlantic was featured in the latest Iowa Magazine in their “Small Town Holiday” edition. She says Atlantic was listed as one of the top ten destinations to celebrate Christmas. It’s the second year the City has been recognized in a statewide publication.

Other upcoming holiday events in Atlantic include:

• A Harvest Market Nov. 21^st from 3:30-to 7:30-pm at the Cass County Community Building.
• The Festival of Trees at the SS Peter & Paul Catholic Parish Center, Dec. 1^st through the 4^th.
• Fireworks and a lighted parade, 6-p.m. Dec. 3
• A Holiday Concert at the 1^st United Methodist Church on Dec. 4^th, beginning at 3-p.m.
• Carriage rides and Santa’s Cabin at the Atlantic City Park. And much more.

For more information, go to atlanticiowa.com or call 1-877-283-2124.

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

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Atlantic City Administrator John Lund reported to the City Council Wednesday night the Iowa Department of Revenue has informed him of the property tax rollback figures, which will positively affect the City’s future budget. He says the rollback went up 1.2-percent, which is good for the City’s General Fund, Debt Service and Employee benefits fund.

The bad news is that means an increase in the local residential property taxes of 1.2-percent, assuming the tax levy stays the same. The change also means Commercial property taxes will be coming down. Mayor Dave Jones said “Like it or not, it’s going to even out somewhere down the road. They don’t cut taxes, they just shift them [the burden].”

The Mayor also reminded citizens of Atlantic that political signs cannot be placed in the City right-of-way, which essentially means they cannot be in the area between the sidewalk and the street. The same goes for those “Help Wanted” ads some have placed around the City.

Jones said also, he’s getting mad about illegal parking. He said that’s especially true where people are parking in handicapped spots with out a handicapped sticker, placard or license plate on their vehicle. He suggested if you see a vehicle which is apparently parked illegally, notify the Police Department.

He also was upset about speeding along 22^nd Street in Atlantic. He says it seems every three or four months he has to remind citizens to obey the speed limit on 22^nd Street. Persons caught will receive a ticket. Jones says slow down and use common sense.

Red Oak Police report two people were arrested on separate charges overnight Wednesday into early this (Thursday) morning. At around 12:20-a.m., Red Oak Police arrested 32-year old Matthew Daniel Sloan, of Red Oak, for Theft of a Motor Vehicle. Sloan was transported to the Montgomery County Jail where he was charged with felony Theft in the 2nd Degree. His bond was set at $5,000. Sloan was also cited for Driving without a valid driver’s license.

And, at around 8:30-p.m., Wednesday, Red Oak Police arrested 48-year old Raymond Lee Briggs, of Red Oak, for Public Intoxication, as Police were following-up on a call involving Briggs’ spouse. When the couple appeared at the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center, authorities say Raymond Briggs had blood-shot and watery eyes and smelled of alcohol. He submitted to a Preliminary Breath Test, which indicated his Blood Alcohol Content was .271, or more than three-times the legal limit for intoxication. Briggs was booked into the jail and held on $300 bond.

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office says two people were arrested on drug charges Wednesday night. 31-year old Cody Chance Day, of Nodaway, faces charges that include Possession of Marijuana, 3rd or subsequent offense, and two counts of Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. His bond was set at $2,600. And, 22-year old Kory Allan Schmelzer, of Corning, was charhed with Possession of Marijuana/1st offense. His bond was set at $1,000.

Authorities say their arrests happened a little after 8-p.m. Wednesday, following a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Schmelzer. In the vehicle, Adams County Deputies observed a small baggie of marijuana in plain view.

One person died and four others were injured during an accident in Adair County that took place at around 9:35-p.m. Wednesday, south of Orient. The Iowa State Patrol says a passenger in one of the vehicles, 88-year old Dawn Christensen, of Adair, died at the Greater Regional Medical Center in Creston from injuries she suffered in the crash that happened during a head-on collision on Highway 25, near 330th Street.

Officials say during the crash, a 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue driven by 30-year old Derek Eugene Ueligger, of Creston, was traveling south in the northbound lane, when it collided head-on with a northbound 2012 Chevy Impala driven by 82-year old Betty Jean Schultz, of Greenfield. Following the crash, the Oldsmobile came to rest in the ditch, while the the Chevy came to rest on the highway.

Ueligger, and Schultz were injured in the crash and transported by ambulance to the hospitals in Creston and Greenfield, respectively. A passenger in one of the vehicles, 85-year old Norma Caltrider, of Adair, was flown to Methodist Hospital in Des Moines. Another passenger, 89-year old Marilyn Ehrsam, of Greenfield, was transported by Adair Rescue to the Adair County Memorial Hospital in Greenfield. It wasn’t clear if any of the victims were wearing their seat belts. The accident remained under investigation.

The Council Bluffs Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating 11 year old Kyle Walding, who is a missing child from the Children’s Square USA Facility located at 500 North 7th Street in Council Bluffs. Walding is described as a white male 4’8” tall and 73 lbs. with brown hair and hazel eyes. He was last seen at Children’s Square at 7:30 pm, he was wearing a black and gray hooded sweatshirt, dark colored sweat pants, and a yellow and gray beanie cap with a ball on top.

Kyle Walding

Walding left the facility with several other runaways, who are all older children.
If anyone locates this child, you are encouraged to contact the Council Bluffs Police Department (712) 328-5737 or the Criminal Investigations Division at (712) 328-4728.

A Pottawattamie County man was arrested late Wednesday night on two counts of Attempted Murder. Council Bluffs Police say 21-year old Zachary Ratliff of Council Bluffs, had fled the scene of the attack in the 100 block of Glen Avenue at around 10:44-p.m., but was apprehended several blocks away. Ratliff refused to speak with a detective, and was transported to a local Hospital for treatment of injuries he received during the altercation.

When officers initially arrived on the scene of the incident, they were informed by witnesses that the victims, 18 year old David Combs and 21 year old Timothy Black, both of Council Bluffs, had driven themselves to a local Hospital to seek treatment for the injuries they suffered during the incident. An investigation determined Ratliff had arrived at Combs and Black’ residence with another male, and an altercation ensued outside of the residence on the sidewalk.

During the altercation, Ratliff was said to have produced a type of cutting instrument and used it to cut the two victims before fleeing the scene. The victims’ injuries were not considered to be life threatening. The investigation into the incident is ongoing by the Criminal Investigation Division. Anyone with any information that was in the area at the time of this incident is encouraged to contact this Division at 712-328-4728 or they may call Crime Stoppers at 712-328-7867.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Police say a white man with a history of racial provocations and confrontations with police ambushed and fatally shot two white officers. The separate attacks happened early Wednesday in the Des Moines, Iowa, area. The suspect identified as 46-year-old Scott Michael Greene surrendered hours later.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The two Iowa police officers shot and killed in separate ambush-style attacks are being remembered as friendly public servants. Des Moines police Sgt. Tony Beminio was a dedicated and popular officer who seemed to always have a smile. Urbandale officer Justin Martin is recalled as a “kind, gentle, compassionate” person who was just beginning a law enforcement career.

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Police have arrested an Ames woman on suspicion of killing her husband in a shooting death that authorities had originally reported as an accident. Des Moines television station KCCI reports that 35-year-old Candace Cummings has been charged with first-degree murder in the Oct. 21 shooting death of 36-year-old Harland “Jesse” Cummings.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A man says he had two recent confrontations with the man police believe ambushed and fatally shot two Des Moines-area police officers. Ardis Gardner, who is black, says Scott Michael Greene, who is white, waved a Confederate flag during the national anthem at the group of black parents he was sitting with at an Oct. 14 high school football game and intimidated them again a week later at another game.