The City of Atlantic’s Personnel and Finance Committee will meet this evening at City Hall, beginning at 5:30. During their session, the Committee will receive an Airport Grant Proposal pertaining to a Corporate Hangar Project. If approved, an Iowa DOT General Aviation grant of $150,000 would be combined with Airport Commission funds of $32,700, the tenant’s cash down payment of $50,000 and a City of Atlantic Internal Loan amounting to $190,000, for a total of $422, 700. The funds would be used for the demolition of the existing block hangar, asbestos mitigation, completion of a 75-by-85 foot hangar and Engineering Services.

The Airport Commission would repay the City for it’s loan over the course of eight-years, with the proceeds coming from lease fees for the hangar. The Committee will also consider a TIF application for the Southern View Condominiums. Developer Don Sonntag has made the request from the City to support the project. The Committee will review the request and make its recommendation to the full City Council during their meeting scheduled to take place Wednesday evening. If the Council supports the request, Interim City Administrator John Lund will begin the process of preparing a resolution and take care of related matters. Bond Counsel Chip Schultz has indicated the City can save money by issuing TIF bonds combined with a public works bond, to support the project.

The P&F Committee was also discuss options for 19th Street with regard to the City’s Improvement Plan and 2015 Bond, and an amendment to the Urban Revitalization Plan with regard to Tax Abatement applicability. The meeting takes place in the Council’s Chambers, at City Hall.

Authorities in Union County are investigating the theft of a vehicle from Afton. The Sheriff’s Dept. says Rosalie Davidson, of 811 E. Scott St in Afton, reported Sunday night that sometime between 6-and 11-PM, someone took her red 1998 Chevrolet Blazer (IA license plate CGN701) from her residence. The loss was estimated at $3,000.

Officials with the Cass County Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign report the unit received $7,767 from donations in late 2014. Red Kettles were set up at Fareway, Hy-Vee and Wal-Mart, in Atlantic, with volunteers ringing bells in the spirit of the season to help encourage donations.

The campaign was headed-up this past year by Bell Ringing Campaign Chairman Steve Livengood and his assistant Dave Hancock, who made the contacts, set up the equipment and gave a great deal of their time to make the campaign a success.

Funds raised during the campaign are used in Cass County for school programs, and to assist those with emergency needs such as food and clothing. Persons with emergency needs can contact the Atlantic Police Department for Red Cross assistance.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say a 43-year-old Sioux City man has been killed after falling partway out of his pickup. The accident occurred about 1 a.m. Saturday. The Iowa State Patrol says Davon Kieler was driving alone when he fell out of the driver’s side door and lost control of the truck. The patrol says the door crushed Kieler when his truck sideswiped a parked vehicle.

The patrol says alcohol was a factor in the accident. Kieler was not wearing a seat restraint.

With Ric Hanson.

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Four people were arrested Friday on various charges, in Creston. According to the police report, 52-year old Clayton A. Allison, and 37-year old Brandy Allison, both of Lorimor, were arrested at the Union County Law Enforcement Center on warrants for Violating a Protection Order. Clayton Allison is currently serving a seven-day sentence, while Brandy Allison was later released on her own recognizance.

49-year old Deborah Lynn Graham, of Afton, was arrested Friday in Creston, for Driving While Suspended. She was later released on $300 bond. And, 36-year old Amanda Beth Atkins, of Creston, was arrested Friday for Domestic Abuse/Simple Assault. She was also later released on $300 bond.

With KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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DES MOINES, Iowa – Burning a cleaner fire in wood stoves or fireplaces over the winter months is helpful to the health of Iowans, and also to the state’s climate, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Alison Davis, a senior adviser in the EPA’s Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, says a good way to burn the hottest and most efficient fire is to use only dry, seasoned wood.

“The reason this is important is that dry wood burns more completely, and that benefits you in two ways,” she explains. “One, you get more energy out of the firewood, because it burns more of the actual wood itself. And the other is, the fire then produces less smoke.”

It’s also suggested that to maintain proper airflow and efficiency, regularly remove the ashes from your wood burning stove or fireplace. Davis adds that wood smoke produces fine particle pollution, which can be harmful to human health.

“When you breathe in air that has fine particles in it, it can penetrate deep into the lungs where it can harm the heart, the blood vessels and the lungs,” she stresses. “Fine particles are linked to heart attacks, strokes.” In addition to particle pollution, there’s also the danger of smoke filled with toxins or harmful chemicals if certain materials end up in the fire.

So, the EPA advises never burning such items as plastics, foam and other garbage, or wood that’s been coated, painted, or pressure treated.

(Iowa News Service)

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is encouraging Iowans who are looking for a post-holiday getaway to consider a weekend in a state park cabin. The DNR’s Jim Lawson says there are nine state parks and one state-owned resort that have cabins available for use in the winter. “The amenities range anywhere from our camping cabins, which are heated and use alternate restroom facilities, to the more modern cabins at Honey Creek Resort, which has an indoor water park nearby,” Lawson said.

Sherburne House at Springbrook State Park near Guthrie Center.

The four cabins available for rent at Pine Lake State Park in Eldora include built-in fireplaces and two have attached bedrooms. There’s a large house available at Springbrook State Park near Guthrie Center, while other cabins scattered around the state are small and don’t include much more than an electric heater and a futon. “Prices vary quite a bit according to the area, but they can range from several hundred dollars a night at the resort…to just 35-dollars a night for our camping cabins,” Lawson said.

“We try to have a certain percentage, in some cases just one cabin in an area available, that will accept pets,” Lawson said. Many of the state park cabins are available for reservation just a few weeks in advance. In the summer, those same cabins are often fully booked many months ahead of time.

(Radio Iowa)

GLENWOOD, Iowa (AP) – A former Glenwood teacher accused of having a sexual relationship with a student and of giving alcohol to a minor has pleaded guilty to a reduced charge as part of a plea deal. The Omaha World-Herald reports 39-year-old Russell Crouch was arrested and charged in May with sexual exploitation by a school employee and supplying alcohol to a minor.

Crouch was given deferred judgment, meaning if he successfully completes a year of probation, the charge of misdemeanor aggravated assault will be removed from his record. A district court judge has ordered him to complete counseling and therapy.

Crouch taught at Glenwood High School before he resigned. He had been a teacher in the district since 2006 and taught in Hyannis and Ansley, Nebraska.