The City of Atlantic’s Community Development Committee is slated to meet this afternoon, in the Council’s chambers at City Hall. The committee will discuss a nuisance abatement program, and their goals for Fiscal Year 2012. The meeting begins at 12:30-p.m.

The Atlantic CDC will also discuss matters pertaining to the S.F. Martin House. Martin House owner Roger Steffens appeared before the City Council last week to inquire about the possibility of receiving financial assistance from the City to complete exterior renovations on his property. His request followed the Council’s approval of a tax rebate and financial assistance package for the Boulders Inn and Suites project, which was negotiated in May 2010, and renegotiated this Spring, after Boulders developers failed to sign the original agreement in a timely manner.

The exterior of the historic property has become an eyesore in the downtown area, as it has been left unfinished for many years. Mayor Dave Jones last week urged Steffens to seek other sources of assistance, such as grants or loans from SWIPCO and/or CADCO.

Jones said Steffens could also submit a request for proposal (RFP) to the Community Development Committee for their review, but he also said the Council was unlikely to approve any funding at this time. Jones also announced he was accepting names of persons interested in serving as advisors to the CDC on who would be eligible to receive TIF incentives and/or tax rebates for new businesses in the community.

w/ News Director Ric Hanson

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(updates w/victim’s name)

Authorities in Council Bluffs are investigating a shooting incident which took place early this (Wednesday) morning, on the city’s west side. Council Bluffs Police officials say officers were called to 2317 3^rd Avenue at around 12:40-a.m., after receiving word a man had been shot.

Officers and rescue crews found the home’s occupant, 41-year old James Andrews outside, near the rear of the residence. He was transported to the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, for treatment of what were described as non-life threatening injuries. Officials say he suffered a single gunshot wound to the abdomen.

Council Bluffs Police detectives have interviewed a person present during the shooting, but no arrests have been made at this time, and the incident remains under investigation.

Construction is slated to officially begin Thursday morning in Red Oak, for the new Jail/Law Enforcement Center (LEC). The project received a “green light” in Montgomery County last August, when more than 72-percent of registered voters in the County approved a 5.675-million dollar bond issue, designed to replace the current jail, which is more than 100-years old. The new jail will be located in a vacant lot adjacent to the current facility.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the new jail and LEC begins at 11-a.m., Thursday, with several local dignitaries on-hand, along with the project‘s architects, and general contractors. The project is expected to be finished in a little over a year.

The completed facility will offer a space for female prisoners, who are currently transported to the jail in Adams County for holding, because the Montgomery County Jail lacks the necessary space to separate female-and male inmates. The county’s 9-1-1 dispatch center will also be housed in the new jail/LEC.

Groundbreaking for the new Montgomery County jail takes place a little more than six-months after a similar event occurred in Greenfield, for a new Adair County Public Safety Center/Jail. A 2.8-million dollar bond referendum was approved by voters in Adair County in May 2010. The facility is in a lot adjacent to the current, nearly 110-year old jail. The new facility in Greenfield, will serve as the jail, as well as home for the Greenfield Police Department, and administrative offices.

AMES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa is warning drivers to stay away from roads, bridges and ramps that are closed by flooding along the Missouri River because it’s against the law and dangerous. The Department of Transportation on Tuesday reminded  motorists that signs, barricades, fencing and other devices where roads have been closed are there for a reason – to protect the public.

Officials say even if water is not currently flowing over a highway, the road could be damaged or there could be other risks ahead making it unsafe for travel. According to the department, a little as 6 inches of moving water can knock you off your feet, while 2 feet of floodwater can float a car.

734th Agribusiness Development Team insignia

A community homecoming ceremony for the 734th Agribusiness Development Team (“ADT”), Iowa National Guard will be held Saturday, June 25 at 11 a.m. in the Johnston High School large gym, 6501 NW 62nd Ave., Johnston. Local officials and Iowa National Guard leadership will participate, and the public is

Their mission was to provide training and advice to Afghan universities, provincial ministries, and local farmers with the goal of increasing stability and improving opportunities for Afghanistan’s re-emerging agribusiness sector.

w/ News Director Ric Hanson

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Two Cass County men were arrested last week on drug charges, following a traffic stop in Audubon County. Sheriff’s officials say 45-year old Thomas Lee Roy Jackson, of Anita, was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine, 3^rd offense, and 30-year old Travis Austin Moon, of Wiota, was charged with Possession of Meth along with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Their arrests took place after an Audubon County Sheriff’s deputy stopped a vehicle the men were traveling in on Highway 71, near 225^th Street, at around 4-p.m., Friday. Both men were released from jail after appearing before a judge. Their preliminary hearings were set for July 7^th.

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Department reports an Audubon man was arrested over the weekend after setting a traffic ticket on fire. 47-year old Wallace Rhino Abildtrup was arrested Saturday night on a charge of Disorderly Conduct.

His arrest followed a traffic stop on Market Street in Audubon, when Abildtrup allegedly became belligerent, and several times refused to sign a traffic ticket before setting the ticket on fire. He was brought to the Audubon County Jail and later released after appearing in front of a magistrate.

And, an Atlantic man was arrested Sunday night on OWI and other charges. Sheriff’s officials say 24-year old Robert Dale Hackwell was charged with OWI 3^rd offense, Careless Driving, and numerous other traffic violations, after he was pulled over in Gray. Hackwell was brought to the Audubon County Jail, posted bond, and was later released. His preliminary hearing was set for June 30^th.

w/News Director Ric Hanson

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