Police in Red Oak conducted a traffic stop early this (Thursday) morning, and ended-up arrested the driver for having an open container of alcohol in the front cup holder of the vehicle. 31-year old Christopher Ivan Long, of Red Oak, was pulled over at around 1:40-a.m. in the 1100 block of E. Corning Street. Long was released on a citation, but taken into custody about 35-minutes later for Disorderly Conduct. He was subsequently released on a $300 cash bond.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

MOUNT VERNON, Iowa (AP) — Hillary Rodham Clinton says she opposes the big Pacific Rim trade accord backed by President Barack Obama. The Democratic presidential candidate says in an interview with PBS there are too many “unanswered questions” about the Trans-Pacific Partnership. She joins Democratic rivals Bernie Sanders and Martin O’Malley who warn it could lead to lost American jobs.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — Dubuque is getting more street lighting and security cameras as part of an effort to address safety in the city. The Dubuque City Council voted 6-1 Monday to spend more than $500,000 to add 96 cameras and install 216 light-emitting diode, or LED, streetlights. The Dubuque Telegraph Herald reports 25 existing lights will get converted to brighter fixtures.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — A Duke University researcher says three lemurs at a northeast Iowa zoo at the center of a lawsuit likely have stressful lives being apart from fellow members of their species. The Des Moines Register reports Peter Klopfer testified Tuesday during the trial of the federal lawsuit against Cricket Hollow Zoo in Manchester.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — An auto shop owner in Waterloo has been sentenced to life in prison for the killing of a man last year. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports Judge Todd Geer on Wednesday sentenced Anthony Albert Tronca to the mandatory sentence following his conviction last month of first-degree murder in the death of 44-year-old Ronald Randall.

Empty storefronts in downtown Atlantic are becoming so much of a concern for some City Officials in Atlantic, that the City Administrator said if the matter isn’t addressed quickly, it will become a “Serious Problem.” During his report to the Council, Wednesday, Administrator John Lund said he sat down Tuesday with Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Director Ouida Wymer, to discuss the problem. He said he intends to utilize Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) funds to conduct a downtown assessment for the purpose of economic development, and a market analysis conducted by the IEDA (Iowa Economic Development Authority), that might help to attract more businesses to the downtown area.

Lund said the study would include public surveys to identify areas of need, as far as businesses and services are concerned. Mayor Dave Jones said the City paid a good deal of money (About $40,000) about 15 years or so ago, to have a similar study conducted through what at that time, was the recently established Community Promotion Commission. He suggested the Chamber go back through those results and see if some of the goals and needs have been fulfilled, before spending more money for another study.

Jones said the City itself shouldn’t have to be involved in the role of business recruitment, since it has a Chamber of Commerce whose purpose is to promote and recruit new businesses, as well as retain current establishments. He says there seems to be some confusion and finger pointing as to which entity is responsible for recruiting new retails businesses, the Chamber, or the Cass-Atlantic Development

He says someone “Needs to tackle that bull. My personal opinion is, CADCO is a County-wide organization, the Chamber is an Atlantic organization….they should do more attracting retail to that area.” The funds he says, are going to come out of the CPC anyway, which is funded by the City each year. Councilman Bob Cord said CADCO shouldn’t be excluded from the recruitment process, and Jones agreed, but he said they tend to focus on bringing more industry to communities in the County, not so much retail.

Jones said even if CADCO managed to bring in a new business with the potential for 250 jobs, the question remains, where would the employees come from, because Atlantic has a relatively low unemployment rate. He said the City needs to focus on mid-range housing to bring qualified people into town who can fill those jobs.

The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday evening, gave the go ahead for Fire Chief Mark McNees, to begin the process of training three department personnel plus himself, for Fire Extinguisher Inspections and Servicing. Their approval means McNees can also purchase the necessary equipment to service commercial and public fire extinguishers, some the which will come from a local man who is no longer in the business. McNees said the fire department has the facilities and the people, so “It’s right up our alley.”

He said there is a big demand right now for a local fire extinguisher and inspection service, since no one in or near Atlantic provides that service. The total cost of the upstart service is estimated at $5,000-to $6,000, which includes the necessary equipment, parts, supplies and training. McNees proposed paying for the program through the Fire Trust and Agency Account, which was donated for projects above and beyond equipment. Those funds would then be replaced by billing customers for the service and inspections, just like a commercial business would do.

The Chief would handle the billing and collect receipts, which he would turn over to City Clerk Deb Field to document and place into the proper account. The service itself would fall under the jurisdiction of the State Fire Marshals Office. McNees said he doesn’t want the Fire Department to be in competition with someone who may want to start their own, so anyone who wants to open such a business is welcome to do so. Or, residents and business owners may choose to go to one of the other communities such as Red Oak, Carroll, Omaha or Des Moines.

A Red Oak woman was cited for Failure to Yield from a Stop Sign following an accident late Wednesday morning. Police responded to the crash at around 11:50-a.m. at the intersection of N 2nd and East Oak Streets, in Red Oak.  An investigation determined  a 2005 Cadillac Deville driven by 67-year-old Ladonna Johnson, of Red Oak was traveling northbound on North 2nd Street and continued through the intersection before it was clear.

Johnson’s Cadillac struck a 2007 Dodge Caliber driven by 47-year-old Charlene Telschow, of Red Oak, as she was traveling westbound on East Oak Street.  Telschow was transported by Red Oak Rescue to the Montgomery County Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.  Damage from the collision amounted to $8,000.

Red Oak Fire and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office assisted at the scene.

A man from Polk County died this (Wednesday) morning, during a fiery, single-vehicle crash in Union County. The Iowa State Patrol says the driver of the SUV, 60-year old Patrick A. Mitchell, of Des Moines, who was wearing his seat belt, died at the scene.

Officials say Mitchell was traveling south on Green Valley Road, south of 140th Street, at around 3:35-a.m., when his 2010 Subaru Forester left the road, went airborne over a drainage ditch and crashed through a fence, before coming to rest and bursting into flames.

The accident remains under investigation.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports two arrests took place, Tuesday. At around 2:20-p.m., deputies arrested 59-year old William Elliott, of Red Oak, on two warrants out of Fremont County. The warrants were for Violation of a No Contact Order, and Operating a vehicle without the Owners Consent. Elliott was transported from the Montgomery County Jail by Fremont County deputies, back to the Fremont County Jail.

And, at around 12:40-p.m. Tuesday, deputies in Montgomery County arrested 27-year old Zackery Haley, of Villisca, for Violation of a No Contact Order. Haley was being held at the Jail in Red Oak.

A reminder from Cass County Treasurer Tracey J. Marshall: All Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) driver’s license stations will be closed Thursday, Oct. 8th, for employee training. The stations will resume full operations beginning 8:30-a.m., Friday.

The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce and the Atlantic Volunteer Fire Department have partnered together to create the First Annual Firemen’s Picnic before the Firemen’s Parade.  Chamber Executive Director Quida Wymer says “The goal is to bring the community downtown early to shop their favorite businesses, enjoy a BBQ meal and stay for the Annual Parade.” 

The picnic begins at 4 p.m. The meal is $6 and includes a brisket sandwich, baked beans, chips and a drink. The meat is being provided by the Atlantic Locker and Henningsen’s Processing, and will be smoked by participants in the 1st Annual “Smokin’ the Competition” BBQ smoke-off taking place this Friday evening, on 6th Street, between Chestnut and Poplar.

Entertainment for all ages will be available throughout the evening. Face Painters, Clowns, a Bounce House and a landing from Lifenet will be at the picnic along with performances by Isiserettes Drill & Drumline and the Pleasant Green Baptist Church Marching Saints. The award winning ministry allows the youth to express themselves through dance and drum corp. Their ages range from 3 years old to 20.

Following the picnic at 6 p.m. you can watch the Firemen’s Parade from Chestnut Street. To be a part of the parade, please begin line up at 4 p.m. at 3rd & Olive Street. There will be volunteers there to direct you where to go.

The Firemen’s Picnic and Parade is presented to you by the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, Atlantic Volunteer Fire Department and sponsored by Atlantic Locker, Henningsen’s Processing, Lloyd and Meredith, W & S Appliance, Megan Roberts, State Farm, Cappels’ Ace Hardware, Designer Portraits, Great Western Bank, Pelgas, Rancho Grande & Robinson’s True Value. For more information on the Firemen’s Picnic & Parade or a full list of activities, visit www.atlanticiowa.com.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports a Glenwood man was arrested Tuesday on a warrant out of Nodaway County, MO.

Benjamin Ensley

21-year old Benjamin Ensley faces charges that include Burglary in the 1st Degree, Armed Criminal Action, Assault in the 2nd Degree, Theft in the 1st Degree, and Property damage. His bond was set at $50,000, altogether.