(Updated 9:51-a.m.) — An accident northwest of Atlantic just past mile marker 54 eastbound on Interstate 80, has resulted in four injuries that initially appeared to be minor. Dispatch reports said two vehicles collided and that injuries were minor, but subsequent reports indicated one of the crash victims had more serious injuries. That person was in a van, that was reported to be upside down.

Numerous emergency personnel from Atlantic, Marne, Elk Horn and Walnut, as well as and law enforcement responded to the scene. The accident was reported at around 9:30-a.m. Both eastbound lanes were blocked for a time. The last of the injured persons was loaded into an ambulance at around 10:20-a.m.

No other details are currently available.

Sheriff’s officials in Union County say a rural Prescott resident reported last week that someone had vandalized his pickup while it was parked at 2152 250th Street, in Shannon City. The incident occurred at around 3-a.m. Jan. 15th. Damage to the vehicle was estimated at $1,400.

With the chance of a two inch snowfall to occur in Clarinda later today (Tuesday), the Clarinda Police Department wants to remind the citizens of Clarinda about the emergency snow ordinance.

The ordinance states that: no person shall park any motor vehicle or other apparatus upon any street of the city that will obstruct the removal of snow when there has been an accumulation of two (2) inches or more. Any vehicle left parked on any street in violation of this ordinance may be impounded, and the registered owner of the vehicle will be subject to a $15.00 parking fine, and payment of all applicable towing and storage fees in order for the vehicle to be released.

The emergency snow ordinance remains in effect until the snow ceases to fall and the streets have been plowed from curb to curb.

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

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Police in Council Bluffs continue to ask for your help in solving the theft of multiple vehicles from the parking lot of the Harrah’s Casino and Hotel. The theft took place sometime during the night of Jan. 11th-12th.

A navy veteran and his wife were moving across the country and all of their belongings (including 3 vehicles) were stolen overnight. Since then, two of the vehicles and some of their items have been located, however authorities are asking for your help once again.

This time, there is video evidence of a possible suspect in the case. If you recognize the possible suspect (seen in the pictures below), or have information about the location of the victim’s Yamaha motorcycle, contact Crimestoppers at (712)328-7867.

A Creston man was arrested early Monday morning. Police say 24-year old Jordan Hoag was arrested on a charge of Driving While Revoked. His bond at the Union County Jail, was set at $1,000.

And, a Creston woman reported to Police Saturday afternoon that someone has been entering her garage in the 800 block of W. Montgomery Street, and taking items on multiple occasions. Most recently, a snow blower and table saw came up missing. The loss was estimated at $300.

The area’s top news at 7:06-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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The Audubon Chamber of Commerce held its annual Community Banquet and Awards program Monday evening. Among the awards presented during the event, were those for 2015 Citizen of the Year, and 2015 Junior Citizen of the Year. Brett Irlmeier won Citizen of the Year, and Alysha Vance won the Junior award.

Prior to presenting the award to Irlmeier, officials noted that since he moved to Audubon in 1993, Brett has “demonstrated the qualities of a great citizen,” and “his commitment to the town of Audubon and to making it a better place to live, has been instrumental,” in making the community a great place to live and work. Irlmeier is the President and CEO of the Audubon State Bank, where he has worked his way through the ranks since he started there in 1993.

He also serves many organizations, including: Treasurer of the Audubon County Economic Development Corporation; Vice President of the Midwest Partnership Economic Development Board; the Audubon Lions Club; Pheasants Forever; SIAC (The School Improvement Advisory Committee); the Audubon County Community Foundation, and, he volunteers for the Youth Little League Program. Brett and his wife Deb, have a daughter, Kali.

2015 Audubon Junior Citizen of the Year, Alysha Vance, is a junior at the Audubon High School. In selecting her for the honor, officials said Vance is involved in many organizations, including being an active FFA member since eighth grade. She’s also participated in several career development competitions, community service projects, and leadership events.

Alysha has served as a student senate representative, and last spring was inducted into the National Honor Society. She was described as “Embodying the ideals of integrity, respect, character and responsibility” that the citizens of Audubon want in the community. Upon completing high school, Alysha plans to pursue a Veterinary Medicine Degree, to follow her dreams of becoming a veterinarian. She’s the daughter of Tony and Amy Vance, and has a sister, Aryn.

Also at the Audubon Chamber Community Banquet, Monday, officials presented the 2015 Community Service Award for the “2015 Channel Seed Ag Bowl,” with Heuss Distributing, Inc. (HDI), and Audubon Sports Boosters serving as event coordinators. The event took place Aug. 27th, 2015, with the Audubon Wheelers taking on the AHSTW Vikings in a locally televised matchup.

Atlantic Parks and Recreation Director Roger Herring Monday evening updated the Parks & Rec Board on the status of fundraising efforts for Schildberg Recreation Area and other park improvements. With regard to a Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant, Herring said progress “Is movin.” Herring said they have authorization from the Feds and State to go ahead with the design phase of the Schildberg Lake #2 trail, and he hopes to have bid letting in July. Completion is expected to occur later this fall.

Herring said there was a delay in getting the grant approved, due to red tape with regard to “coding.”

Proposed additional trail around Lake #2 at the Schildberg Rec Area. (File photo from Feb. 2015)

Part of the trail is in the City limits, but since the original request was to have it outside the City limits, the powers that be had to re-evaluate the whole process. In other news, Roger Herring said he and Assistant Parks & Rec Director Seth Staashelm have been putting together a grant request from the Cass County Community Foundation that has to be turned-in by no later than May 31st. The application will be for anywhere from $15-to $20,000, for upgrades to some City Parks.

That includes Harl-Holt Park at 17th and Olive Streets, behind the old YMCA building. Staashelm says they would like to upgrade equipment at the park, including replacement of the basketball court at the park. Instead of replacing the concrete, they could install something called a “Versacourt,” Which is a plastic tiling outdoor system. The Parks and Rec crew can assemble and secure the system themselves, which would save on costs. Another benefit is different types of recreational lines can be placed on the court, including basketball and pickelball, to name but a few. The product has a 15-year warranty.

They also hope to update or replace some playground equipment at the Harl-Holt Park, and retrofitting the swing. Roger Herring said they are also working on a Vision Iowa grant application. Currently, they are soliciting Letters of Support for the grant application. That includes revisiting previous persons or entities that have supported prior grant applications, and a Resolution of Support from the City and others.

The goal is to submit the application by April 14th. In other business, Staashelm and Herring received approval from the Parks and Rec Board to have a special Online Reservations program created so that people can check to see what City Park shelters are available, and make reservations for the use of those shelters. The computer program and services would cost around $700. It would save Herring and Staashelm countless hours in scheduling and confirming shelter house reservations.

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