The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce reminds parents and children alike, that Santa will make two more appearances in his cabin at the Atlantic City Park, prior to his busy night on Christmas Eve. The Jolly Old Elf will be in his cabin to visit with the children this Thursday, Dec. 20^th, from 5:30-to 7:30-p.m., and on Saturday, Dec. 22^nd, from 1:30-to 3:30-p.m.  While talking with Santa, kids can enjoy a cup of hot chocolate. So far, he’s seen more than 700 children at his cabin here in Atlantic.

Santa’s cabin is sponsored by the Atlantic Rotary Club and decorated by Brink Flower and Gift Company. Area businesses, including Simply Hair, Midwest Health Center and Atlantic Feedwater Systems, are providing the cocoa. Popcorn is also available to children who stop by the cabin. It’s made possible in part through Meyer and Gross Real Estate.

And, don’t forget horse drawn wagon rides will be offered one more time before Christmas: On Saturday, Dec. 22^nd, from 1:30- to 3:30-p.m. The free wagon rides start at the City Park at 6^th & Chestnut Streets. They’re sponsored by First Whitney Bank, the Leonard Family Businesses and Wells Fargo Bank.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

At least two area school district boards of education are planning to hold their regular meetings tonight (Monday). The CAM and Elk Horn Kimballton School Board meetings both begin at 7-p.m., in Anita and Elk Horn, respectively. In Anita, the CAM Board will hold its Annual/Reorganizational meeting in the High School Media Center.

During the session, they will discuss, and possibly act on: a Resolution setting the bid date and public hearing with regard to the multipurpose building; Extra-curricular activities; Semester graduates; Revisions to Board Policies; a Wellness Center request, and the CAM Education Association Initiation of Bargaining toward the 2013-2014 Master Contract.

In Elk Horn, the EHK School Board will discuss the Early Start Calendar for 2013-2014 and try to answer any questions with regard to Reorganization and the related petitions. They’ll also discuss and possibly act on suggested changes to the Early Retirement package, as well as approve the second reading of Board Policies, series 500.

The Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department’s Board of Directors will meet this (Monday) evening in the Council’s Chambers, at City Hall. During their session, which begins at 5:15, the board will receive updates on the Schildberg Recreation Area Campground, Park Maintenance Building and Sunnyside Park Tennis Court Reconstruction. They’ll also hear an update on the Schildberg Recreation Area Dog Park, and act on a request to move forward with a proposal to the Atlantic City Council for fundraising.

The Board will also discuss the formation of a Building Committee to put together ideas to be presented to the Park Board, and, they’re expected to hear an update on engineering and a plan that’s in the works for a Boat Ramp near the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Prior to adjournment, Parks and Rec Director Roger Herring will provide his report to the Board, including a review of his meeting with the Schildberg Committee with regard to kiosks, mileage signs and Vision Iowa grants.

Slippery roads may have been partially to blame for a rollover accident Sunday evening, in Pottawattamie County. According to the Iowa State Patrol, a 2005 Ford Mustang driven by 26-year old Santosh Servisetti, of Lincoln, NE., was traveling west on Interstate 80 one-mile east of the Shelby exit, when the car went out of control at around 6:45-p.m. . The vehicle entered the north ditch and rolled over before coming to rest on its top on a barbed wire fence. Servisetti, who was wearing a seat belt, refused medical treatment at the scene.

A problem with steering was to blame for an accident late Saturday morning in Montgomery County, that sent two women to the hospital. According to sheriff’s officials, a vehicle driven by 80-year-old Maxine Mary Wilkinson, of Emerson, was traveling west on Highway 34, when the steering wheel began to shake. The motion caused Wilkinson to lose control of the 1986 Pontiac, which went into the south ditch and came to rest.

Wilkinison, and a passenger in her car, 92-year-old Ruby Dorothy Warren, of of Emerson, were both transported to the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital to be checked for possible injuries. Damage to the car was estimated at $2,000. The accident happened a little before 11-a.m. Saturday, just past the intersection of Highway 34 and Evergreen Avenue.

A South Dakota State Trooper, and native of Elk Horn, Iowa, has left the hospital after spending more than eight-weeks recovering from traumatic brain injury that occurred when a suspected drunk or impaired driver he was pursuing, tried to run him over. Television Station KELO reports Trooper Andrew Steen went home Friday.

Trooper Andrew Steen leaves the hospital (Photo via Facebook/KELO)

The incident which caused his injuries occurred at a Sioux Falls, SD strip mall on Oct. 17th. In addition to the brain injury, Steen suffered a severely broken ankle.

He hobbled out of the hospital with the assistance of crutches and into a waiting vehicle, but stopped to thank everyone who had been praying for him, and sending well wishes over the past eight weeks. Dozens of South Dakota Highway Patrol troopers waited at the hospital to escort the Steen family home. The head of the Highway Patrol, Col. Craig Price,  says he looks forward to having Steen back on duty.

During the first few weeks of his hospitalization, Steen’s parents weren’t sure if their son would ever be able to walk, talk or even function on his own again. Family credits prayer, the doctors and an outpouring of support from the community for the trooper’s quick recovery. A Facebook page “Praying for Andrew Steen” set up to follow his progress, has garnered more than 13,600 “Like” since its inception.

w/Marissa Hovde

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Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say a Council Bluffs woman has been accused of encouraging her 13-year-old son to fight a schoolmate.  The Council Bluffs Nonpareil reports 31-year-old Alisha Hazen was arrested Thursday. She faces charges on felony child endangerment, serious assault and contributing to delinquency of a minor.

Police say they received complaints about a YouTube video that allegedly shows Hazen encouraging her son to punch a 12-year-old boy at Kreft Elementary School in November. Police say Hazen later punched the other boy in the face after her son was struck in the face and head.
The newspaper reports the video has received several hundred views.

Hazen was released from jail after posting a $2,000 bond.