(Red Oak, Iowa) – A woman from Red Oak complained of chest pain, following an accident Monday afternoon, in Red Oak. According to Red Oak Police, Red Oak rescue medics checked 39-year-old Katie Confer for injuries, and then released her from the scene. Authorities say Confer was driving a 2008 GMC Yukon SUV eastbound on E. Oak Street, at the same time a 2019 Ford F-250 pickup driven by 20-year-old Carston Johnson, of Stanton, was traveling eastbound.

When Johnson slowed and then stopped for a non-contact vehicle turning south onto N. 5th Street, his pickup was struck from behind by Confer’s SUV. Katie Confer told Police she looked down at her vehicle’s radio, and when she looked up, was unable to stop in time before her SUV hit the pickup.

Damage from the collision amounted to $14,000. Red Oak Police cited Confer for Following Too Close.

(Creston, Iowa) – Police in Creston say three people were arrested on separate charges, Monday. At around 8:17-a.m., Monday, 39-year-old Valerie Ann Cross, of Creston, was arrested at the Creston/Union County LEC (Law Enforcement Center), on a Union County Warrant for Criminal Mischief in the 3rd Degree, for damage amounting to anywhere from $750-$1,500. Cross was taken to the Union County Jail and released on a $2,000 cash or surety bond.

Monday afternoon, Creston Police arrested 21-year-old Garrett Neal Thomson, of Creston, at the Creston/Union County LEC. Thomson was charged on a Union County Warrant, with Unlawful Possession of Prescription Drug/FTA for Pretrial on a Serious Misdemeanor. He was taken to the Union County Jail and later released on a $1,000 cash only bond.

And, Monday late Monday evening, 24-year-old Sydney Arlinda Martin, of Creston, was arrested at the Creston/Union County LEC, an a charge of Disorderly Conduct-Abusive Epithets/Threatening Gesture. Martin was cited and released.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City Council in Atlantic has a full agenda for their meeting 5:30-p.m. Wednesday, at City Hall. First-up: Mayor Grace Garrett will administer the Oath of Office to Atlantic Police Officer Adam Roberts, who was hired in April 2024, and is a graduate of the Clarinda High School. Roberts will complete his field training at the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy at the end of August.

The Council will act on an Order to close 6th Street, between Poplar and Chestnut, every Thursday from 3-until 7-p.m., effective June 1st through Oct. 10th, for Produce In the Park, and during that same period on Thursdays, from 4-until 6-p.m., for other events, and, to allow a Produce In the Park banner to cross Chestnut Street, from late May though mid-October. The Council is also expected to approve a Collective Bargaining Agreement with the International Union of Operating Engineers, representing the City’s Public Works Department (Street Dept. & Wastewater Dept.). The agreement was ratified by Union membership on April 17th, and is in effect from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027.

In other business, the Atlantic City Council will hold the second reading of an Ordinance amending the City’s Code of Ordinances, with regard to RAGBRAI ®, to help the locate RAGRAI Committee deal with the public health and safety issues that can be created by an influx into the City of a large number of people. RAGBRAI arrives in Atlantic on July 22nd. Riders will depart the following day. The Council will also act on an Order to approve an update to the City’s Comprehensive Plan, as unanimously recommended by the Personnel & Finance Committee, and is recommended for updates every five-years.

They’ll also act on an Order to refer a request for vacating a “Phantom” right-of-way (ROW) to the Planning and Zoning Commission.The request is for an area that begins at the corner of W. 4th and Laurel Streets, terminating westward, at a phantom railroad ROW. The City Council will then review and act on approving the Contract and Bonds for the Sunnyside Park Splashpad project. The Council previously passed a resolution awarding the project to the Hensley Group, LLC, out of Muscatine, in the amount of $552,084.

(Red Oak, Iowa) The Red Oak Fire Department and Red Oak Police Department, along with their partner, Behind the Shields are bringing a Bike Rodeo to the Inman Elementary this
spring. In an effort to promote bicycle safety for the summer, 3rd through 5th graders are encouraged to bring their bicycles and helmets to Inman Elementary on Monday, May 13th, 2024. The bike rodeo will be from 1:00pm to 3:00pm.

Officials urgently stress that all children in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade bring their helmets with them to ensure they fit properly. If your child does not have a helmet, there will be some helmets on hand. However, there is a limit in the helmet inventory.

The Bike Rodeo is a free event designed to teach children essential bike safety skills and promote safe cycling habits. Participants will have the chance to engage in a variety of skills and activities at different learning stations. These stations will include helmet fitting, safety inspections, and skill-building exercises. This event is made possible through the generous support of our sponsors and partners:

Children’s Nebraska – Trauma Injury Prevention, Blank Children’s Hospital – Unity Point Health Des Moines, Behind the Shields, and the Red Oak Community School District. Officals said also, the event could not have made this possible without the support of Fire Chief John Bruce and Police Chief Justin Rhamy.

If you are interested in volunteering to help with the bike rodeo please reach out to either Amber Jennings at jennings@redoakpolice.com or Levi Kinnison at fireprevention@redoakia.city.