Iowa Republican Governor Terry Branstad is set to hold several Town Hall meetings across the state this coming week. One of the meetings takes place 2:30-p.m. Tuesday (Oct. 20th), at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Building (102 Chestnut Street), in Atlantic. The event is open to members of the public.

Governor Terry Branstad has scheduled a special election to fill the House District 21 seat left open by the death of longtime lawmaker Jack Drake. Branstad announced Friday that an election would be held on Dec. 8. The district in southwest Iowa includes Adams and Union counties and parts of Cass and Pottawattamie counties.

Drake, a Republican, was first elected to the House in 1992. He died of natural causes on Sunday at Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic. Secretary of State Paul Pate announced the filing deadline for candidates is November 13th at 5 p.m.

Sheriff’s officials in Pottawattamie County have recovered one of two vehicles stolen following an incident that took place Wednesday afternoon that resulted in injuries to a police officer, and shots being fired at the suspect. Acting on a tip from the public, a stolen 2013 Chevrolet Malibu was found abandoned in 28000 block of Magnolia Road earlier this (Friday) morning.

Authorities say they believe that 27-year old Adam Thomas, of Council Bluffs, is still in possession of a silver 2007 Nissan Murano SUV, with Iowa plate 640 SSR. The vehicle, belonging to Thomas’ sister, was taken from his mother’s home near where the abandoned pickup used in Wednesday’s incident, was found.

Adam Thomas is wanted for Attempt to Commit Murder, Theft in the 1st degree, Theft by Deception, and Escape from Custody, after he escaped from custody and struck a police officer with a stolen pickup.

Officials encourage anyone with information on the location of Thomas or the Murano to contact Crime Stoppers or their local law enforcement agency. A tip leading to Thomas’ arrest could be eligible for a cash reward and you can remain anonymous when giving the information. The Crime Stoppers number is 328-STOP.

The Atlantic Police Department today (Friday) released additional details about an accident that took place Tuesday morning on the east side of town. Officials say a car driven by Robert Rasmussen, of Cumberland, and a tractor, driven by Fred Kay, of Atlantic, were both traveling west on 7th Street (Highway 6), near the intersection with Highway 71, with the tractor was in the north lane. When Rasmussen began to pass the tractor, his car hit the left rear wheel of the tractor, causing the car to flip onto its top.

Rasmussen was transported to the Cass County Memorial Hospital for treatment of Minor Injuries. He was cited for Driving Under Suspension and Failure to have SR-22 Insurance. Fred Kay was not injured during the incident. Damage from the crash amounted to $2,000.

Some much colder conditions have moved into Iowa and National Weather Service meteorologist Brad Fillbach says the first hard freeze of the season for much of the state will arrive early tomorrow (Saturday). “We’re looking at lows in the mid 20s to mid 30s across the state. We do have frost advisories and freeze warnings out,” Fillbach said. The freeze warning for 1 a.m. to 9 a.m. Saturday covers much of northern, eastern and southeastern Iowa.

Freeze warning for counties in purple; Frost Advisory for counties in light blue.

High temperatures today (Friday) are forecast for the 40s and 50s. Warmer weather will return soon. “Saturday’s highs will warm back up into the 50s, with 60s by Sunday and Monday,” Fillbach said. Some areas of the state should have temperatures in the 70s on Monday and Tuesday.

A Frost Advisory is in effect from 1-until 9-a.m. Saturday, for parts of the KJAN listening area, including Cass, Adair, Adams, Audubon, Carroll, Crawford, Dallas, Guthrie, Madison, Ringgold, Sac, Taylor and Union Counties.

The first rain chances in several weeks may arrive next week. “We do have chances early next week, but the chances are fairly slight and what rain we do get doesn’t appear to be of any significance,” Fillbach said. NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center released its winter outlook Thursday, and it calls for a slightly warmer-than-normal winter in Iowa, with near normal precipitation.

(Radio Iowa)

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – More Council Bluffs residents now have free access to outdoor wireless Internet. The Daily Nonpareil reports the Council Bluffs Area Wi-Fi Consortium launched the Bluffs Community Wi-Fi network Thursday. Residents can connect to the Internet by searching for the “BLink” network in the wireless settings on their device and accepting the terms and conditions. No password is needed.

The consortium is a cooperative organization between the school district and the city. The school district’s Chief Technology Officer David Fringer said its goal is to bring as much free Wi-Fi to Council Bluffs as possible to encourage teaching and learning in the community.

Access to BLink Wi-Fi is available in an area around Wilson Middle School. The second phase of the project will expand west between I-29 and U.S. Route 6. Public Wi-Fi is already available downtown.

Police in Red Oak say no injuries were reported following an accident Thursday evening at the intersection of Reed and 4th Streets. Officials report a 2010 Dodge Caravan driven by 79-year old Peggy Lou Vanbuskirk, of Red Oak, was traveling westbound and approached a stop sign at the intersection, but continued into the intersection, where her vehicle made contact with a northbound 1994 Chevy pickup, driven by 68-year old Bobby Joe Bruce, of Red Oak.

Vanbuskirk was cited for Failure to Obey a Stop Sign. Damage from the accident, which happened at around 4:15-p.m., amounted to $6,000.

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

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The area’s top news at 7:07-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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