Officials with the Nishna Valley Family YMCA in Atlantic say the “Walk to School” Program, sponsored by Healthy Cass County, will continue this week (Mon., Oct. 8th through Friday, Oct. 12th). As many as 15 kids walked daily from several of the sites in Atlantic last week. It’s hoped more students will participate as the program builds momentum.

Children will continue to walk with volunteers, beginning from four different starting points: The Cass County Community Center; Pellet Park (18th & Chestnut); Sycamore Village; and, 14th St. and Redwood Drive. The groups and volunteers will gather at those locations beginning at 7:15-a.m., and proceed to the Washington, Schuler and Middle Schools, at 7:30-a.m. Other students are welcome to join as the groups make their way to school. An added incentive this week: kids will get to walk with athletes from the Atlantic High School’s Cross County and Football teams. The kids will also receive charms or other prizes each day of the week, and if they walk every day, will receive a certificate of recognition for their accomplishment.

If it is too cold, or rain threatens during the morning of the walk, it will be cancelled by 6:30-a.m. Parents and volunteers can call the YMCA at 243-3934, or listen for any weather-related announcements, on KJAN.

The Harlan Police Department, on Friday, released a list of arrests and incidents from over the past week. On Oct. 4th, 38-year old Vicki Harris, of Harlan, was arrested on a charge of Interference with Official Acts, after she allegedly became unruly and uncooperative, following a traffic stop.  On Oct. 3rd, 23-year old Kyle Tearney, of Tennant, was arrested on Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Prohibited Acts, charges. Tearney was also cited for having a defective muffler. The charges were the result of a traffic stop.

On Oct. 1st, 27-year old David Coenen, of Harlan, was arrested on Possession of Stolen Property in the 2nd degree, Possession of Stolen Property in the 5th degree, and Ongoing Criminal Conduct, charges. His arrest followed the execution of a search warrant at a home in the 600 block of Broadway Street, in Harlan. That same day, 14-year old Elias Shaeffer, of Harlan, was cited for Possession of Tobacco, after officers called to the Harlan High School found the substance allegedly in the teens’ possession. Schaeffer was cited for the offense and released.

And on Sept. 29th, officers with the Harlan Police Department investigated several instances of unknown persons disturbing Halloween decorations and yard ornaments. No arrests have been made. Officials ask citizens to report any suspicious activity to the Police Department, and when you call, provide as much information as possible, such as a suspect description, and any vehicle they may have been using.

w/ Chris Parks

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The lineup of activities is set for Harvest Fest in Atlantic on Saturday, October 13th and there will be plenty of activities for the entire family to enjoy.

Crafters will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. as well as the quilt show sponsored in part by Atlantic Locker, Rex Pharmacy and Something for you.

Free downtown tractor rides will start at the Depot and ride to City Park and back from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Music can be enjoyed with an acoustic performance of Dirt Road Acoustic Rehab, a country and blues sounding local band, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. presented by McDermott and Son Roofing and Tanner’s Fashions.  The band will also be performing in full on Friday night during the Rib Fest activities.

Apple pies must be entered by 2 p.m. Saturday at the Depot for the Gade Insurance & Farmer’s Kitchen Contest and the Children’s Pumpkin Painting with McCurdy Pumpkins will be at 3 p.m.

Atlantic Chamber Director Megan Roberts said “The pumpkins typically go fast, so we encourage everyone to show up early. While families are there waiting, they can enjoy tractor rides, lunch, crafters or the entertainment. There is something for the whole family at this fall festival.”

The U-S Department of Agriculture says Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsackwill be near Lewis Monday, to announce the allocation of additional conservation acres for 20 states, including Iowa, under programs to preserve grasslands and wetlands and accelerate protection of critical species and habitat around the country.

U-S Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack

Vilsack will speak near the Zimmerman Farm located  three-quarters of a mile east of the intersection of 525th Street and Idelwood Road, at 3-p.m., Monday.

The allocation includes new acres in Iowa to preserve Pheasant habitat, restore Iowa’s Pheasant population, and ultimately generate economic benefits across Iowa through increased outdoor recreation and hunting.  The Secretary will also highlight the importance of passing comprehensive, multi-year food, farm and jobs legislation, which officials say will provide America’s rural communities with the certainty that millions of acres of conservation lands will be there in the future to sustain and create jobs in the small businesses that reinforce the nation’s tourism and recreation industry.

Additional details are currently pending.

Authorities say two southwest men were assaulted and robbed in their home this (Friday) morning when intruders burst through the door and at least one of the crooks was armed with some sort of gun. Council Bluffs Police Sergeant Chad Meyers says the incident happened about 7:15 A-M in a house on the city’s west side, near Interstate 29. “Three individuals who were masked up forced their way into 3607 Fifth Avenue,” Sergeant Meyers says. “We’re unsure of what their motives were at this time. There were three individuals in the house at the time.”

The two unidentified men are both in their 40s and are brothers. Their elderly mother was also in the house. She was not hurt. One of the assailants fired his weapon at both men, hitting one of them.”There’s some blunt force trauma,” Meyers says. “It looks like a gun that was used may’ve been a pellet gun.”

The incident is being classified as a home invasion-robbery. The injured man was taken to the hospital. Police say the masked invaders took a wallet and fled. No arrests have been made.

(Radio Iowa)

Shelby County Emergency Manager Bob Seivert says the Fire Danger level is in the “HIGH” category through Monday, Oct. 8th. The index was lowered from the “Extreme” category due to the cool and damp conditions. Even so, controlled Burns should only be conducted with the knowledge of the local Fire Chief. The next update from Shelby County with regard to the Fire Danger Index, is expected to be released on Monday.  Seivert had said earlier, he expects the Fire Danger to remain High, throughout the month of October.

It’s the seasons for ghosts, goblins and haunted houses. To set the mood, a Haunted House will be held in Atlantic each weekend in October, leading up to Halloween. Donna Snyder and Cherie Petty are with the Atlantic Eagles, the organization which, along with the Atlantic JayCees and several area businesses, is sponsoring the event. Snyder says the Haunted House is being at the same location it’s taken place for the past five-years, Barn number 4 at the Cass County Fairgrounds. The house is open this (Friday) and Saturday evening, with additional dates to follow: Oct. 12^th and 13^th, 19^th & 20^th, Oct. 26^th and 27^th, and on Halloween. On Friday evenings, there will be a “Spookless Matinee,” from 7-to 8-pm.

A “Scare Fest” will be held every Friday and Saturday as well, from 8-pm to Midnight. On Halloween, the “Spookless Matinee” will be held from 7-8pm, along with the “Scare Fest,” from 8pm to Midnight. Cherie Petty says it takes a lot of planning, work and volunteers to get the venue prepared for the fun, family event, and even if you’ve been to the Haunted House in years past, there’s always something new. This year is no exception. She says they received several donated props from a haunted house that is no longer in business, so there’s hardly anything left over from the past.

Petty, who has been involved with haunted house activities for five-years, says there are all sorts of eerie sounds, but nothing that will reach out and touch you, but they will “get pretty close.” Donna Snyder says the cost to attend the Haunted House is $7, with discounts available beginning the weekend of October 12 and 13^th, if you bring two, non-perishable food items. The food will be donated to the Atlantic Food Pantry. The following weekend, donations of pet food, toys and treats and other appropriate items, will be used for the Atlantic Animal Shelter. Again, that brings your cost down to $5.

While the price for the haunted house is the same for everyone, kids can attend the “Scare Fest” for just three-dollars.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will hold a public meeting in Atlantic later this month, to discuss outdoor recreation. The 2-hour meeting takes place at 6:30 p.m., Oct. 18th, in the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce Rock Island Depot meeting room.  The Atlantic meeting is one of a series being held across the state to gather information to develop a new 5-year outdoor recreation plan for Iowa.  The draft plan will be available for public comment in December before it is submitted to the National Park Service.

Michelle Wilson, project leader for the State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, says “We want Iowans with an interest in outdoor recreation or who participate in outdoor recreation to attend this meeting and help set a course for the future of outdoor recreation.” Wilson says they want residents to tell the DNR what recreational activities they would like to participate in, what amenities or conveniences would help you participate more often and what should the state focus on when it comes to outdoor recreation.

The plan will serve as a guide for future projects developed by the Iowa DNR.

w/ Ric Hanson

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