The City of Atlantic’s Parks and Recreation Department’s Board of Directors will meet 5-p.m. Monday, at City Hall. During the meeting, the board will receive updates on: The Schildberg Recreation Area; The Park Maintenance Building project; Sunnyside Tennis Court reconstruction project; The Dog Park at the Schildberg Recreation Area, and the new Boat ramp near the Water Treatment plant. In addition, Parks and Rec Director Roger Herring will provide his report on a Master Plan for the Schildberg Recreation Area, fundraising and grant writing progress.

The Atlantic Police Department reports a local woman was arrested early Sunday morning on three charges associated with an  disturbance involving a knife, which occurred just outside of Desperados Bar at around 1-a.m.  Officials say after investigating the incident, 26-year old  Prudence Penelope Gwendolyn Page, of Atlantic, was taken into custody on Willful Injury and Domestic Abuse Assault charges, along with a charge of Carrying Weapons. The charges stem from an alleged assault in the 100 block of East 5th Street, on Christopher Castillo, of Atlantic.

According to Atlantic Police Chief Steve Green, Castillo was stabbed in the upper torso. He was taken by ambulance to the Cass County Memorial Hospital, and later transported to an undisclosed hospital in Omaha. The extent of his injuries were not released. Prudence Page was being held in the Cass County Jail an appearance before the magistrate.

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office says a Corning woman was arrested Sunday afternoon following an investigation into an incident which took place Friday, at the Brooks Bar. 20-year old Brooke Goldsmith was arrested at around 1-p.m., for Attempting to Purchase Alcohol under the legal age, a simple misdemeanor, and, Identity Theft, an aggravated misdemeanor. Goldsmith was brought to the Adams County Jail, posted a $2,300 bond, and was released.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Omaha police, city officials and even residents know that many Nebraskans think the state’s largest city is violent.  Much of that reputation is driven by Omaha’s relatively high number of homicides – 40 in 2012. Of those, more than half occurred in northeast Omaha, where poverty, unemployment and substandard housing is rampant.

Willie Barney, president of north Omaha’s revitalization organization, the Empowerment Network, says it’s those factors that fuel the area’s gangs and gun violence. University of Nebraska at Omaha criminal justice professor John Crank says decades of disinvestment by businesses in the area have also contributed to north Omaha’s violent crime and high murder rate.

Police and community groups are using everything from weekly progress meetings to summer jobs programs to reduce violent crime.

The latest area news (podcast), from KJAN News Director, Ric Hanson….

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A chase on Interstate 80 involving the Iowa State Patrol and other area law enforcement agencies early Sunday morning, ended about two and one-half miles north of Shelby near the intersection of 450th Street and County Road M-16. According to scanner traffic, the pursuit of a Toyota extended cab pickup registered to a subject out of Avoca, began at around 3:45-a.m. on I-80 in northwestern Pottawattamie County. During the chase, several items were allegedly tossed out of the vehicle over the course of nearly two-miles, beginning at the 39.2-mile marker. The items were said to have included: A baggie; “A White powdery substance;” cash; and an additional  “White powdery substance,” which apparently blew back on, or hit the truck.

The chase wound its way from Pottawattamie County into Shelby County, and included the suspect vehicle traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes of I-80 briefly, before crossing back onto I-80 westbound, and an off-road foray into a field, where the vehicle reportedly crashed through a barbed wire fence. Efforts by law enforcement to stop the pickup included the use of “Stop Sticks,” and at least a couple of  Precision Immobilization Technique, or “PIT” maneuvers. The vehicle ended up in a ditch, and at least one-person was taken into custody.

No injuries were reported. No other details are currently available.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

Officials with the Cass County Memorial Hospital (CCMH) in Atlantic, say the staff at the Cass County Health System (CCHS) will be hosting an Obstetrics Open House on Tuesday, January 29^th, from 5:30 – 7:00 pm.  The event will showcase the Obstetrics (OB) Department at  CCMH and obstetric care provided throughout CCHS.

The new CCMH Obstetrics Department features four labor, delivery, recovery and
postpartum (LDRP) suites, each with an in-room private bath with shower.

Diann McLaren, RN, Director of Inpatient Services says their new inpatient area includes four labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum suites, each with a private bath.

The open house will include tours of the OB department, refreshments and door prizes.  Staff will be on hand to discuss different services including surgical cares and anesthesia, breastfeeding support, nutrition education, prenatal classes, post-birth support and more.  Expectant moms, fathers-to-be, support people, and anyone interested in learning more about the services provided at CCHS are invited and encouraged to attend.  Several of the five physicians who regularly provide prenatal and delivery care at CCHS will be available during the event.

For more information about the OB Open House, call 712-243-7516.

The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce held its annual dinner and awards program Saturday night, at the Cass County Community Center. There were many awards presented, but one award with national recognition, was presented for the 12th year in a row. Atlantic is the only community in Iowa that sponsors the ATHENA award thanks to a more than decade long partnership with Deter Motor Company, in Atlantic. The 2012 ATHENA Award went to Dolly Bergman. The award was presented by last year’s winner, Wendy Richter, with the Family Crisis Support Network, in Atlantic.

Past recipients have included include LaVon Eblen, Judy Marnin, Leanne Pellett, Denise O’Brien, Margaret Slepsky, Glenda Farrier, Carole Schuler, Jan Kinnison, Janell Hansen, Ann Pross and Wendy Richter.

Numerous other awards were handed-out to deserving groups and individuals as well, during the Chamber’s Annual Banquet and awards program. The Distinguished Service Award was presented by Eleanor Hoover, to long-time Atlantic area residents and historians, Philip and Trina Chinitz.

The Chamber’s Community Betterment Award went to the Nishna Valley Family YMCA….The Community Service Award went to Eagle Scout Casey Ihnen….The Outstanding Committee Member Award was presented to Jim Sampson…The Outstanding Chamber Volunteer Award went to Deb and Brian Church and their family, the Ambassador of the Year Award was presented to Sue Muri, with Star Ambassadors Sue Muri, Tammy Waters, Karl Aldag, Dolly Bergman and Dr. Keith Leonard also receiving Special Recognition.

The gavel of leadership was presented to Chamber President Elect Chip Hansen, who’s with 1^st Whitney Bank and Trust. Amy Jordahl, with the Atlantic Hy-Vee, was named Vice President for 2013. Departing Chamber President Debbie Leistad received an award of recognition during the ceremonies, Saturday.

Sheriff’s officials in Adams County say an investigation into a domestic situation resulted in the arrest of a Villisca man. Ronald Borem was taken into custody at around 9-p.m. Friday, on an Obstruction of Emergency Communications charge.

Authorities say the sheriff’s office received word of a verbal domestic situation taking place at 305 east 5th Street, in Villisca. During the course of their investigation, deputies determined Borem allegedly attempted to prevent a person in the residence from contacting emergency personnel for assistance.

Borem was brought to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $300 bond.