(Atlantic, Iowa) – A reminder from the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce: Get a kick start to your holiday shopping by purchasing discount AtlantiCash, presented by First Whitney Bank & Trust, this Saturday only (Nov. 30th), at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce. Chamber Executive Director Bailey Smith says last year they sold $40,000 in 45 minutes. The goal is to sell another $40,000 this year.

From 9-a.m. until Noon Saturday, November 30th only, AtlantiCash will be available in packs of $100 for $80, a 20% discount. Shoppers can purchase up to three packs. Payment must be made at time of purchase in the form of cash or check only. There is a first-come, first-purchased basis with only a limited amount of AtlantiCash available. Purchase will not be allowed before Saturday and bundles cannot be reserved for later pickup. To sweeten the deal of discount AtlantiCash, the Atlantic Area Chamber’s latest custom Christmas items will be available at a discount when you purchase AtlantiCash. On Saturday only, you can purchase an ornament one for $12 or all three ornaments for $35, the ‘Merry Atlantic’ mug for $15, or the whole Christmas in Atlantic bundle (three ornaments & mug) for $50.

Small Business Saturday will also be taking place on Saturday, beginning when retailers open. Businesses will be offering discounts, deals and special promotions. For a list of participating retailers, visit www.atlanticiowa.com. Discount AtlantiCash and Small Business Saturday are brought to you by First Whitney Bank & Trust, Cappel’s Ace Hardware, Rush CPA & Associates and Property Connection Real Estate.

Pick up your Christmas brochure from area retail businesses, ‘like’ the Chamber on Facebook or follow on Instagram to find dates and details to celebrate Christmas in Atlantic. You can find a complete list of activities and a printable version of the brochure at www.atlanticiowa.com.

Capture the Christmas magic with #MyAtlanticIA and post to the Atlantic Area Chamber’s Facebook page or Instagram (AtlanticIowaFan). Contact the Atlantic Area Chamber with any questions at chamber@atlanticiowa.com or call 712-243-3017. Christmas in Atlantic is presented by Gregg Young of Atlantic.

[UPDATED] (Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department reports five arrests:

Late Tuesday morning, 44-year-old Melinda Ann Foland, of Afton, was arrested following a traffic stop in Creston. Foland was charged with Operating While Under the Influence (OWI) 1st Offense, and Possession of Controlled Substance Marijuana 1st Offense. She was later released on a $2,000 bond. Tuesday afternoon, 47-year-old Toby Annette Crawford, of Creston, was also arrested following a traffic stop. Crawford was charged with OWI/1st Offense. Crawford was released from the Union County Jail on a $1,000 bond.

Tuesday night, Creston Police arrested 22-year-old Rhodey Lucky Charles Fechter, of Creston. Fechter was arrested at his residence and charged with Domestic Abuse Assault/Strangulation. He was being held without bond in the Union County Jail until seen by a magistrate.

At around 12:20-a.m. today (Wednesday), 20-year-old Tyson Scott Nall, of Murray, was arrested in Creston for Possession of Controlled Substance-Marijuana/1st Offense, and Person Ineligible to Carry a Dangerous Weapons. Nall was later released on a $2,000 bond.

And, on November 26th at around 2:35-p.m., 41-year-old Damiel Lee Swank, of Saint Charles, was arrested at the Creston/Union County Law Enforcement Center,  on a Union County warrant. He was also charged with Sex Abuse 3^rd, and Indecent Exposure.  Swank was later released on an $11,000 bond.

(Radio Iowa) – Des Moines Police say two officers shot at and killed a 70 year old man, who pointed a pistol at the officers in downtown Des Moines, early Tuesday morning. The man died in the lobby of the apartment building where he lived. According to a news release, the officers were responding to a report that a man was threatening a woman with a gun. The man’s name was not immediately released.

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – Thanksgiving travel is underway for thousands of people, The Omaha Airport Authority said Tuesday is the second-busiest day for Thanksgiving travel. This coming Sunday is expected to be the busiest. They added they’re expecting to see more than 185,000 travelers moving in and out of the airport, which they said is a 3 percent increase from last year. The Omaha Airport Authority said you won’t see any major changes from what you’re used to flying in and out of Eppley. They said the construction is not really affecting travel. But still, it doesn’t hurt to have some pointers. Chief strategy officer Steve McCoy recommends arriving no later than two hours before your flight.

If you’re picking someone up, help keep the lanes outside the terminal open by parking in one of the two free cell phone waiting lots until your traveler arrives. There is one cell phone waiting lot on the north side of the terminal, and one on the south.

McCoy says those picking-up an airline passenger can wait in one of those lots until your guest arrives. When they give you a call or a text message, you can pull-up and pick them up.

Be sure and keep an eye on any flight delays the weather may cause by checking your airline’s website or smart phone app.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Thanksgiving and the day before are the top two days in this country for the chance of a cooking fire to happen in someone’s home. Cooking causes an average of 158,400 home fires per year, which is 44% of all home fires in the United States. The American Red Cross offers safety steps everyone can follow if they will be preparing their family’s Thanksgiving feast.  Emily Holley, Regional Communications Manager for the Nebraska-Iowa Chapter of the Red Cross, says “Cooking is the leading cause of home fires, home fire injuries and the second leading cause of home fire deaths. Most happen because people leave cooking food unattended. We want everyone to have a safe, enjoyable holiday, so don’t leave the kitchen while you’re cooking.”

The Red Cross offers the following cooking safety tips:

• Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you must leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
• Use a timer to remind yourself that the stove or oven is on.
• Avoid wearing loose clothing or dangling sleeves while cooking.
• Keep kids and pets at least three feet away from cooking areas.
• Keep anything that can catch on fire — potholders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, and towels or curtains — away from your stove top and oven or any other appliance that generates heat.
• Clean cooking surfaces on a regular basis to prevent grease buildup.
• Consider purchasing a fire extinguisher to keep in your kitchen.
• Always check the kitchen before going to bed or leaving home to make sure all stoves, ovens and small appliances are turned off.