The Young Professionals of Atlantic (YPA) will host the 2nd annual awards luncheon on April 29th, 2015 and are seeking community-wide nominations for the awards. The awards are designed to recognize the achievements of young professionals who demonstrate a commitment to excellence and innovation in his/her profession and community.

The awards are open to any Young Professional that meets the following criteria: professional is aged 21-40 years old as of November 1, 2014, professional is employed by a Chamber member business or organization and professional resides within Cass County. Young Professionals will be nominated for their excellence in 4 different categories: YP Newcomer, YP Entrepreneur, YP Business Leader, YP Public Servant. There will also be one YP Choice Workplace award given.

The YP Choice Workplace Award recognizes companies who effectively attract, retain and develop young professionals. Individuals can nominate their company or another company. Companies must be Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce members. Check the membership directory at www.atlanticiowa.com for eligibility.

To nominate: go to www.atlanticiowa.com for a nomination form or stop into the Atlantic Area Chamber Of Commerce Office (102 Chestnut, Atlantic, IA 50022) to pick up a nomination form. All nomination forms must be submitted by Monday, April 6th at noon. The YPA nominations will be reviewed by a selection committee.  The Award Recipients in all 4 categories and the YP Choice Award will be recognized and celebrated at the April 29th Awards Luncheon.

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The Young Professionals of Atlantic is a social group with no membership dues or required meetings. Their mission is to connect, engage and attract young leaders into the community while promoting the greater Atlantic area. Members are young professionals between the ages of 21-40. Any interested individuals can contact Kevin Wieser, YPA President at 712-243-1336 for information.

Two Atlantic men have been arrested on drug-related charges. The Atlantic Police Department reports 19-year old Nicholas Zimmerman was taken into custody on a Cass County warrant for Possession of a controlled substance, and Gathering where marijuana is used. And, 18-year old Caleb Woodard was arrested on a warrant for Controlled substance violation, Possession of a controlled substance/1st offense, and gathering where marijuana is used. Woodward was subsequently charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance/marijuana – 1st offense, and Possession of drug paraphernalia.

Both men were booked into the Cass County Jail.

(In an update to our story at 8-a.m.) Three people suffered minor, or non-life threatening injuries during an accident this (Friday) morning, in Atlantic. The Atlantic P-D says the accident happened at around 7:35-a.m. at the intersection of 6th and Maple Streets.

Ric Hanson/photo

Authorities say a van driven by Margaret Trotter, of Atlantic, was traveling south on Maple and had entered the intersection with 6th Street, when she struck a pickup driven by Paul Hohenberger, of Atlantic, that was headed westbound on 6th. Hohenberger stopped at the intersection, but then proceeded west when he was hit. The man was cited for Failure to Yield from a stop sign.

Hohenberger reported minor injuries, but refused transport to the hospital. A passenger in the van was transported by Medivac Ambulance to the Cass County Memorial Hospital, while a second passenger in the vehicle and Trotter went to the facility in a private vehicle.

Damage from the collision amounted to $14,500.

A two-vehicle accident in Pottawattamie County Thursday evening resulted in one of the drivers being transported to a hospital in Council Bluffs. According to the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Department, the accident happened at around 6-p.m. near Carson, at the intersection of Highway 59 and Dogwood Avenue.

Authorities say two vehicles were traveling north on Highway 59 when one of the drivers signaled to turn right into Dogwood, but instead turned left. The other vehicle went to pass on the left and struck the turning vehicle on the side.

The driver of the vehicle that was struck, 24-year-old Kali Kelly, of Oakland, was transported by Carson Rescue to Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. The other driver, 30-year-old Megan Jefferson of Treynor, was not injured. Both women were wearing seat belts. Officials say Kelly was cited for failure to give a continuous signal.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Officials say a fire at a Des Moines towing company has destroyed six vehicles worth more than $1.5 million. A Polk County Sheriff’s Office officials spotted the blaze around 10:15 p.m. Thursday at Hanifen Towing Co. Emergency crews from Delaware Township, Saylor Township, Altoona and Johnston responded to the fire and controlled it in less than two hours. Fire officials remained on the scene Friday morning to monitor for hot spots.

Six vehicles inside the building were ruined in the fire. No injuries were reported. Officials say the cause of the fire remains under investigation. Despite the fire, Hanifen Towing opened for business Friday.

A delegation from Iowa’s largest city is in Nebraska’s largest city today (Friday) for the N-C double-A men’s basketball tournament, but they’re not at the CenturyLink Center just to watch the games. Deb Ward, with the Omaha Convention and Visitors Bureau, says it’s a learning experience for everyone involved in putting on the Big Dance. “We’ve got a contingency from Des Moines coming in,” Ward says. “Des Moines is going to host this thing next year. They’ve never done that before so they’re sort of looking to Omaha for some expertice. Same thing with Wichita. We’ve had a contingency from Wichita. They’re hosting it in a couple of years.”

Omaha has hosted several big sporting events in recent years, including the U-S Olympic swimming trials in 2012. With huge crowds expected this weekend, Ward says it’s an opportunity for the Omaha-Council Bluffs area to shine — and to enjoy an economic boost.  “Back in 2012, we saw a 31% increase in hotel demand over the year prior,” Ward says. “I can imagine it’s going to be that and more.” Ward says most of the 93-hundred hotel rooms in Douglas County, Nebraska, are booked this weekend and those in surrounding areas are filling up. She says area businesses are preparing for large crowds.

“The beauty of this is, of course, there’s things to do between the games and there’s the Saturday off day when we’ll have a lot of visitors looking for things to do,” Ward says. “They’ll be out exploring the bars and restaurants and shops and attractions which is a bonus.” The Henry Doorly Zoo and the Durham Museum are expecting an increase in visitors, along with Omaha’s Old Market area, and the casinos on the Iowa side of the river.

(Radio Iowa)

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A 25-year-old Sioux City woman has pleaded not guilty to child endangerment that resulted in serious injury. Kara Jackson entered a written plea Wednesday. Her trial starting date has not been set. She’s accused of causing her 5-month-old son’s skull fracture.

Last week prosecutors dropped their case against the boy’s father, 23-year-old Aaron Tucker. Woodbury County Attorney Patrick Jennings says it’s unclear whether Tucker was at fault. Jennings says the case can be refiled if more evidence surfaces. In court documents Tucker and Jackson accused one another of dropping the child on several occasions.

The 8-a.m. Newscast w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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Child care providers working in Harrison, Monona, and Shelby counties are invited to a professional development day on Saturday, May 16 at Willow Lake Recreation Area near Woodbine. The event starts at 8:00-a.m., with registration.

Two workshops are being offered:

8:30-am-to 12:30-p.m. –  MyPlate for My Child Care: 4 Easy Steps
Research suggests the groundwork for lifelong dietary habits may be laid down during the preschool years. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans and MyPlate provide four recommendations that can be implemented in the childcare setting. Participants will assist in preparing some new exciting recipes for a light lunch.

1:00-p.m to 4:00-p.m. –  Nature Explore: Wonder-Filled Beginnings
Part of the Nature Explore series from the Arbor Day Foundation, participants in this workshop will gain engaging strategies for documenting infant and toddler learning, and tips for choosing natural materials that meet the unique needs of infants and toddlers. The class will be going outside if possible so appropriate dress is suggested.

Providers may choose one or both workshops for up to a total of 7 hours of licensing credit. Providers are to sign up for each workshop via the Training Registry at https://ccmis.dhs.state.ia.us/TrainingRegistry and submit payment before May 11.

Each workshop is taught by approved ISU Extension and Outreach specialists. Due to generous funding from Harrison, Monona, Shelby Early Childhood Area, the event is low-cost to providers serving these counties. Support is also provided by the ISU Extension and Outreach offices in corresponding counties, and Iowa Child Care Resource and Referral. Priority is given to Harrison, Monona, and Shelby county providers but other providers may also register.

For more information, contact the Shelby County extension office at 712-755-3104.

Two people were hurt during a collision early this (Friday) morning, here in Atlantic. The crash between a van and a pickup happened at around 7:35-a.m. at the intersection of 6th and Maple Streets. The injured were transported to the Cass County Memorial Hospital, by Medivac Ambulance.

Ric Hanson/photo

No other details are immediately available.