In an update to our earlier reports, officials with the Atlantic Police Department said today (Thursday), an Atlantic woman was injured during a motorcycle accident Wednesday evening at 7th and Laurel Streets. The accident happened at around 7:18-p.m., when a Can-Am Spyder 3-wheel motorcycle slowed to turn from westbound 7th Street onto Laurel. A car driven by Christopher Herbert, of Atlantic, was behind the Spyder, and slowing down, when his vehicle was rear-ended by a Honda motorcycle operated by Megan Magers, of Atlantic.

Megars suffered what were described as apparent, non-life threatening injuries, and transported by Medivac Ambulance to the Cass County Memorial Hospital for treatment. No other injuries were reported. Magers was cited for Failure to Maintain a Reasonable and proper speed. Damage to the motorcycle was estimated at $3,000, while Herbert’s car sustained $1,500 damage.

A phone scam that’s been making the rounds across the country, has been reported in Shelby County. Officials with the Harlan Police Dept. and Shelby County Sheriff’s Office said today (Thursday), that they have received numerous calls about persons who claim to be from the IRS, calling residents to tell them they owe money to the agency, and that the person contacted can be arrested if the call is not returned (if left on an answering service), and/or money is not sent. Authorities remind residents, that this IS A SCAM!

The IRS will never contact you by phone, regarding your tax status. Ignore the calls. DO NOT call them back, and never give out any personal information. If a voicemail was left with you, simply delete it. Authorities said also, the “Grandchild in trouble” phone scam has resurfaced. In this case, a person claiming to be a grandson or granddaughter, calls and says they are in jail, and needs money to be bailed out. Again, you should ignore the call, or hang-up. A Griswold woman noted on the KJAN Facebook page, that she too, had received a “Grandchild in trouble” scam call.

The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce will host a Drive-In Movie experience, this Saturday, September 22nd. Chamber Executive Director Bailey Smith said “This will be a fun, nostalgic experience for community members and those in the surrounding area to enjoy. This also gives us the opportunity to show off our town and encourage people to shop and eat before coming to the movie.”

The Drive-In Movie will be at the Cass County Fair Grounds in the Grand Stand area beginning around 8-p.m., with a showing of “The Sandlot”. The screen is 60 feet long with a high definition projector. Speakers will be available next to the screen for people to utilize. A transmitter will be provided for those enjoying the movie from their car. Attendees will turn their radio to a certain station and the transmitter will play the audio through their car speakers.

Entry is $5 per car or $2 per person for car-less entry. You are welcome to bring lawn chairs and blankets to sit on. Parking will be available on the other side of the Fair Grounds for car-less entry attendees. Inside parking for the Drive-In is limited, so pack a chair or blanket as precaution. Free bottomless popcorn will be available as well as one free drink per attendee. Additional beverages will be $2 each. Candy will also be available for purchase for $1.

For more information, visit www.atlanticiowa.com, call the Chamber at 712.243.3017 or email chamber@atlanticiowa.com.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (Sept. 20, 2018) —As the American Red Cross responds to Hurricane Florence, providing food, shelter and comfort to those affected, individuals outside the affected areas are urged to help by giving blood or platelets to care for patients in the storm’s path and across the country. People can also help by making a financial donation to support relief efforts. Hurricane Florence’s wrath left catastrophic damage behind and also took a toll on blood and platelet donations. Nearly 200 Red Cross blood drives in the Southeast were forced to cancel, resulting in more than 5,200 uncollected blood and platelet donations. “Natural disasters like hurricanes can disrupt blood drives and prevent donors from giving, but hospital patients still depend on lifesaving transfusions,” said Cliff Numark, senior vice president, Red Cross Blood Services. “There is an especially critical need for platelets to help cancer patients and type O blood donations for ongoing patient care and emergencies. Every donation can be a lifeline for patients.”

Donors of all blood types are urged to help restore hope to patients across the country by making an appointment today to give blood or platelets. Appointments can be made by using the Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Financial donations are also needed and allow the Red Cross to provide disaster relief immediately. Help people affected by Hurricane Florence by visiting RedCross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or texting the word FLORENCE to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities include:

• American Red Cross Blood Donation Center/ Loess Hills Blood Donation Center (705 N. 16th St.), Council Bluffs.
• Manning, 10/12/2018: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., IKM Manning High School, 209 10th Street
• Anita, 10/9/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Community Center, 805 Main Street
• Denison, 10/2/2018: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., United Methodist Church, 113 South 14th Street
• Logan, 9/27/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Community Center, 108 West 4th Street
• Red Oak: 9/24/2018: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1101 East Summit; 10/2/2018: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Montgomery County Hospital, 2301 Eastern Ave
• Clarinda, 9/20/2018: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Regional Health Center, 220 Essie Davison Drive.
• Shenandoah: 10/6/2018: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Earl May Nursery & Garden Center, 301 S Fremont St; 10/10/2018: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Shenandoah High School, 1000 Mustang Drive
• Council Bluffs: 9/23/2018: 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., Broadway United Methodist, 11 South 1st Street; 10/1/2018: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Harrah’s Casino, 1 Harrahs Blvd; 10/2/2018: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Iowa Western Community College, 2700 College Road; 10/12/2018: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Abraham Lincoln High School, 1205 Bonham
• Treynor, 9/20/2018: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Community Center, 11 West Main.
• Defiance, 10/2/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., St. Peter’s Hall, 402 5th Street
• Harlan, 9/25/2018: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Veteran’s Memorial Building, 1104 Morningview
• Westphalia, 9/20/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., St. Boniface Parish Center, 305 Duren St.
• Lenox, 10/9/2018: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Lenox High School, 600 S. Locust St.

MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa (AP) — City officials in central Iowa have designated about 60 structures as unsafe following a July tornado that damaged about 2,000 buildings. The Times-Republican reports that the properties in Marshalltown now have small red posters that say “Dangerous building — do not occupy.” Michelle Sponheimer is the city housing and community development director. She says the posters are a warning, not an eviction notice. Owners can decide if they want to rebuild or demolish the structure. Sponheimer says the nonprofit Mid-Iowa Community Action is helping displaced residents find alternate housing.

Sponheimer says the city may eventually need to demolish unsafe properties that are abandoned because they pose a risk to public safety. She says the city may seek demolition funding assistance from entities such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Kim Reynolds failed to document the appointment of a district court judge by a mandated deadline in June and some attorneys are saying it’s a slipup that has cast doubt on the judge’s authority to make rulings. Under the Iowa Constitution, Reynolds had until June 21 to pick a judge for the eastern Iowa 6th Judicial District from two names submitted by a judicial nominating commission.
She says she told her chief of staff she’d chosen attorney Jason Besler that day but there is no proof and Besler wasn’t called until four days later. Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Cady says he takes her word that she made the verbal appointment.

Guy Cook, an attorney who served on a state judicial nominating commission, says Besler’s appointment could create problems if someone who appears before him challenges his authority. Gary Dickey, an Iowa lawyer who served as former Gov. Tom Vilsack’s chief attorney, says he plans to ask Cady to ratify the appointment to avoid such a challenge.

LELAND, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say an 88-year-old woman died after her car collided in northern Iowa with a pickup truck driven by one of her grandchildren. The Iowa State Patrol says Shirley Schutter’s car was struck Monday afternoon at an intersection in Leland after she’d halted for a stop sign. A patrol report says she pulled into the path of the pickup driven by 27-year-old Ethan Schutter, of Lake Mills. The patrol says Shirley Schutter died at the scene. She lived in Forest City.

Patrol Sgt. Nathan Ludwig confirmed today (Thursday) that Ethan Schutter is one of Shirley Schutter’s grandchildren. Ludwig also says Ethan Schutter wasn’t injured enough to require hospital treatment.