Members of the Atlantic School District’s Board of Education will hold a regular meeting Wednesday evening at the High School. During the session that begins at 5:30-p.m., the Board will receive a special presentation from Brenda Buman and Carolyn Boose, with regard to the Link Center, a facility which is designed to provide Kindergarten through 8^th grade students in the Atlantic Community School District with serious psychiatric conditions a safe and therapeutic environment for evaluation and treatment outside of a regular classroom setting.

The Board is also expected to approve contracts or Letters of Assignment for Darla Weber as Schuler paraeducator, Jenifer Rugaard as Schuler and Severe/Profound (S&P) paraeducator, Ashley Updike, from Kindergarten to S&P para, and Gwen Ullerich from Class 1 to S&P para. The Board will also act on approving Clint Roland and Dent Petty as Co-Archery Club sponsors.

In other action, the Atlantic School Board will act on approving a School Budget Review Committee (SBRC) application for Enrollment, Open Enrollment Out and LEP Instruction beyond 5-years. The request is to recover spending authority amounting to $53, 987 only, not cash. They’ll also act on a two-year renewable cooperative agreement between ISU and the Atlantic School District for student teaching. The District has a similar agreement with UNI that allows college students to teach in the District.

Other actions item include the purchase of 13 security cameras to be placed at strategic locations among, for better coverage, mostly exterior. The cameras and license will run a little over $19,000. Installation will be handled by the District’s Technology Department and Brown Electric, for an additional $2,500. And, the Board will act on using Capital Projects Funds for the purchase or replacement of Auditorium curtains at the Atlantic Middle School, at a cost of $15, 195. The old curtains deteriorated beyond repair, and were unable to be reinstalled following renovations in 2013.

Prior to adjournment, the Atlantic School Board will discuss the District’s School/Athletic facilities, and Superintendent Search interview groups.

Officials with Atlantic Municipal Utilities (AMU) and the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce have announced the Annual Holiday Christmas Lighting Contest “Deck the Homes”. The contest encourages the community to nominate their favorite merry and bright home.

To nominate your favorite merry and bright home, call Atlantic Municipal Utilities at 712.243.1395. Winners will receive an Atlantic Municipal Utilities Voucher. Nominations are due December 12th.

Pick up your Christmas in Atlantic Brochure from area retail businesses, “like” the Atlantic Area Chamber on Facebook or follow on Twitter to find dates and details to celebrate Christmas in Atlantic. You can find a complete list of activities at www.christmasinatlantic.com.

Police in Harlan say there were two accidents in the community on Nov. 4th. The first, at 7th and Spring Streets, happened as a 2013 Chrysler driven by David Phipps, of Harlan, was traveling north on 7th Street. Phipps suffered from a medical condition, causing him to lose control. His vehicle left the road and struck a tree in the City right-of-way. Phipps was transported by Medivac ambulance to Myrtue Memorial Hospital in Harlan. Damage to his vehicle was estimated at $7,500.

The other accident happened at the Casey’s General Store, in Harlan. A 2011 GMC owned by Kathryn Campbell, of Harlan, was parked at the fuel pumps after she had filled her vehicle and went in to pay. When she returned, Campbell discovered the right front side of her vehicle was damaged. Witnesses told police a U-Haul truck had struck her truck and continued east on Chatburn Avenue. All attempts to locate the U-Haul were unsuccessful. The damage to Campbell’s vehicle was estimated at $5,000.

The Harlan Police Department has released a report on recent arrests and incidents. This past Sunday (Nov. 6th), 25-year old Andrew Becker, of Harlan, was taken into custody following a traffic stop.  Becker was taken to the Shelby County jail where he was charged with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, possession of a controlled substance, and prohibited acts penalties.

On Nov. 4th, 24-year old Megan Kroeger, of Harlan, was arrested when officers served a Shelby County warrant on Kroeger.  Kroeger was transported to the Shelby County Jail where she would serve the Shelby County warrant.  Kroeger was also charged with possession of a controlled substance and prohibited acts penalties.  With Kroeger at her residence was 31-year old Robert Sommer, also of Harlan.  Sommer was also arrested and taken to the Shelby County jail where he was charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.  Both subjects were also charged with violation of a no contact order.

On Nov. 3rd, 19-year old Cody Varnes, of Omaha, was arrested following a traffic stop.  Varnes was cited for failure to have a valid driver’s license and failure to prove security against liability.  Varnes was released after receiving the citation. Also on Nov. 3rd, Harlan Police arrested 37-year old Brian Cave, of Omaha.  Cave was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with driving with a suspended driver’s license.  He was also cited for dark windows and failure to prove security against liability.

Harlan Police said also, that on Nov. 1st, Express Lube and Tire, in Harlan, reported that a shop truck, a blue 1997 Chevrolet K-Series pickup, was taken from their lot sometime during the night.  On November 7^th, the truck was located at a business in Denison.  The investigation continues.

(1;55-p.m.) DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa office that administers elections says local officials are reporting higher than expected Election Day voter turnout. Secretary of State’s office spokesman Kevin Hall says several county auditors around the state have reported a higher percentage of voters than they anticipated.

He says the number of Iowans who voted early was down by about 40,000 this year compared to 2012, which could explain the busier Election Day precincts. Nearly 1.6 million voters participated overall in 2012, or about 73 percent of registered voters. Hall says it’s too early to say how this year will ultimately compare.

Hall says the election appears to be running smoothly so far, with no major problems preventing people from voting.

The Iowa Department of Transportation’s District 4 office in Atlantic reports emergency repairs to the BNSF Railway tracks on Iowa 333 between Hamburg and Interstate 29, in Fremont County, requires closing the roadway to traffic from 8 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15, until 3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16, weather permitting.

Motorists will be detoured around the work zone using I-29, Iowa 2, and U.S. 275.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest on Sunday of two women on drug charges. 25-year old Alexandra Lynn Stone, of Atlantic, was arrested on charges of Possession of Meth 2nd Offense; Possession of Marijuana 2nd Offense; Possession of Burglar Tools; and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia; and 28-year old Laci Dawn Leslie of Atlantic, was arrested on charges of Possession of Tramadol 2nd Offense and Unlawful Possession of Prescription Drug. Both were taken to the Cass County Jail. Stone remains held on $6,300 bond; Leslie remains held on $2,000 bond.

Also arrested Sunday, was 27-year old John Martin Chamberlin III, of Atlantic. He was taken into custody for Public Intoxication. Chamberlin brought to the Cass County Jail where he pled guilty, and was released later that day.

On Sunday, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested 25-year old Thomas Alton Dees, of Thornton, CO, on felony charges of Possession with Intent to Deliver Marijuana, and a Drug Tax Stamp Violation. Dees was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held on $10,000 bond.

On November 2nd, Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 42-year old Matthew Franklin Rowland, of Lewis, on an Ida County warrant. Rowland was taken to the Cass County Jail and was released later that day on bond.