xtremely cold weather is moving into Iowa over the next day or so and forecasters say it’ll stick around at least through the weekend. Auto mechanic Jeff Johnson, in Omaha/Council Bluffs, says now is the time to go through the checklist to make sure your vehicle is ready for the winter ahead. “Look at all your tires and make sure they’re aired up to manufacturer’s specifications,” Johnson says. “Check your wiper blades, check your coolant, make sure all your headlights and brake lights are ready to go. Also, make sure all your belts and hoses are all going to be prepared for any weather condition.”

He adds, you won’t get far if you don’t have good tires, and if you need snow tires, get them on, pronto. “Make sure your tires are properly aired up and that they have a decent amount of tread,” he says. “Winter tires are very important if your vehicle isn’t the safest, maybe a rear-wheel drive and even some front-wheel drive vehicles, it’s a great thing to add to your vehicle.” For some Iowans, the deep freeze will mean their cars won’t start as the frigid weather was too much for the old battery. Johnson says have your battery tested to make sure it has enough cold cranking amps to keep your car starting, even when the wind chill is far below zero.

(Radio Iowa)

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest today (Monday), of 37-year old Aaron Michael Greene. Greene, who’s from Glenwood, was arrested at around 12:20-p.m. at the Mills County Jail, and charged with being a Fugitive from Justice. He remained held in the jail without bond. And, 26-year old Guillermo Torres Jr., of Omaha, was arrested Saturday night on a charge of OWI/1st offense. His bond was set at $1,000.

First Whitney Bank in partnership with the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce will be giving 14 lucky shoppers a total of $600 between now and Christmas. The Twelve Days of Christmas Drawings will run December 13th – December 23rd. There will be 12 winners taking home $25 AtlantiCash, one runner up winning $100 AtlantiCash and a Grand Prize of $200 AtlantiCash.

“We are pleased to be a premier partner of the Shop Local campaign and love to be able to give back to the community members that choose Atlantic first,” Paul Gude, CEO, First Whitney Bank.

The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Shop Local partners are: First Whitney Bank, Hy-Vee, Akin Building Center, Atlantic Motor Supply, NAPA, Brymons Interiors, Olsen Fuel, Brown’s Shoe Fit Co., Complementary Care and Wellness, Fajen Lumber, Hanson’s Fine Jewelry, Howard’s Clothing, McCunn Specialty Firearms, Picker’s Parlor, Something for You, Steffens Cycle Shop, The TV Store and Weitzel’s Restaurant and Bar. The chamber and these businesses launched the Shop, Scratch and Win promotion and The Twelve Days of Christmas Drawing. These seventeen businesses have offered prizes and discount on over 6,400 scratch off tickets that have been distributed over the past four weeks to people shopping local.

“The scratch off tickets with prizes and discounts offered brought a lot of customers into our store and they were all excited for the fun promotion. Who doesn’t love a scratch off ticket?” Kelly Schlake, Atlantic Motor Supply, NAPA said.

All the scratch off tickets are eligible for a second chance prize in The Twelve Days of Christmas Drawings. Winners will be called and announced on the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Facebook Page. If you have a Shop, Scratch and Win ticket, be sure to submit it to the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce or participating businesses for a second chance in The Twelve Days of Christmas Drawings. The last drawing will be on December 23rd.

“This year’s Holiday Shopping Incentive has been a lot of fun and we are excited to be able to give away $600 in AtlantiCash as a “Thank You” to all those who are choosing to shop local first,” Ouida Hargens, Executive Director, Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce.

For more details go to www.atlanticiowa.com or contact the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce 712-243.3017.

Students and staff with the Audubon Community School District today (Monday), have the chance to meet with counselors and members of the local ministerial organization, to grieve over two students whose lives were tragically cut short in a crash, Saturday. Audubon Superintendent Brett Gibbs told KJAN News the day started out a bit somber, as expected, but they’re trying to get back to a normal routine while still allowing the healing and grieving process to continue. (click on the sound bar to hear his comments)

Jamison Steckler, an 8th grader and his brother Gavin Steckler, a 5th grader died as the result of a car accident [Saturday] on Interstate 80. Gibbs said because the accident happened Saturday, many of the district’s 500 or so students had a chance to attend church and seek solace in their church families as well as each other.

Gibbs said their Crisis Management Team at the school has been in-place for about the past four or five years. They received extensive training from Cheri Love, a nationally recognized leader in crisis intervention and grief counseling.

The staff filled the hallways greeting the kids this morning, and spent the first period of classes talking with students about grieving and that it’s okay to do so. The only changes to the schedule as a result of the tragedy, was that the Vocal Music Performance scheduled for tonight has been postponed to a later date.

Audubon State Bank has a fund set up to help the Steckler family deal with the loss and expense.