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Central IA man arrested on Union County warrant

News

March 29th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

The Union County Sheriff’s Office reports a central Iowa man was arrested Monday night on a Union County warrant for Probation Violation. 31-year old Mitchell Kenneth Venteicher, of Boone, was taken into custody at the Union County Law Enforcement Center.  Venteicher was being held in the Union County Jail on $5,000.00 bond.

And, a resident of Arispee reported Monday evening, that while his semi was parked in Lorimor, someone stole a tire, chain and padlock.  The loss was estimated at $635.

Fossilized coral reefs found during University of Iowa work

News

March 29th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – Construction crews have unearthed fossilized coral reefs and animals at the University of Iowa. Cedar Rapids television station KGAN reports that the fossils recently were found during work on the Seaman’s Center Annex on the university campus in Iowa City.

Experts say the marine fossils reflect life and nature of what was a shallow sea 385 million years ago that became what now is Iowa. Geologist Ryan Clark says “there’s probably half a dozen or more different animals fossilized in this particular rock.”  Some of the fossil samples will be used for research at the university’s Paleontology Depository.

Fredericksen Mem. Fund brings Zach McCool to Atlantic for pitching clinic

News

March 29th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

The Trevor Frederickson Memorial Fund recently brought back Zach McCool to the Atlantic area over spring break.  Trevor’s mom/spokesperson Melanie Petty says while Zach was here, he held a pitching clinic for pitchers in the 4th through 7th grade.  Trevor was a left handed pitcher and played first base from little league through high school.  Petty says the fund is pleased to have helped with the pitching clinic again this year.

Plans are in full swing for the 8th Annual TFred Memorial Golf Tournament which will be held on Saturday, August 13th.  This is the only fundraiser to raise money to give back to the community in Trevor’s honor.  Follow the event through the media and on Facebook for updates throughout the year on what they are doing and how you can help.

Grant Petty is shown presenting the check to Zach along with two of the sessions participants.

Grant Petty is shown presenting the check to Zach along with two of the sessions participants.

2016- Coca-Cola Days in Atlantic: “The Right Choice”

News

March 29th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

(Chamber issued correction for date of the event)

Coca-Cola Days, presented by Atlantic Bottling Company, will be held September 23rd and 24th in Downtown Atlantic. The event is the second biggest collector’s show in the United States and includes a tailgate barbeque open to the public, a Show Swap & Sell, “Discover Atlantic Raffle” and many more activities for all ages. This year’s feature theme is “Coca-Cola- The Right Choice.”EDITED 2 - coca cola days revised full chest

Coca Cola days’ committee chair, Dolly Bergmann says “The theme is created by a volunteer committee each year.” “Coca-Cola – The Right Choice,” was chosen according to Bergmann, because they wanted to tie into the election season. T-Shirts for the 2016 Coca-Cola Days Celebration will feature the theme, “Coca-Cola – The Right Choice”

The event will feature Bottles and Cans on Parade this year, a continuation of last year’s Bottles on Parade. Participating businesses will receive a 4-foot tall plastic Coca-Cola bottle or can to decorate highlighting their business, recognizing civic organizations or highlighting local artists in the community. The bottles will be displayed 2 weeks prior and 2 weeks after Coca-Cola Days and be voted on by the community. The winners will take home AtlantiCash. EDITED - coca cola days revised sleeve

The event will encourage Atlantic Residents and Coca-Cola Collectors to stop into businesses to vote on their favorite bottle.  The activity has three confirmed sponsors, including: Atlantic Coca-Cola Center & Museum, Cappel’s Ace Hardware and China Buffett. Sponsorships are still available for Chamber members interested in supporting the Coca-Cola Days event in 2016.“

For more information on Coca-Cola Days or a full list of activities, please visit www.cocacoladays.com, call the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce at 712-243-3017 or email chamber@atlanticiowa.com.

Biochemical state tax credit gains legislative approval, headed to governor

Ag/Outdoor, News

March 29th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

State tax credits will soon be available to Iowa companies that make new products from what’s left over after ethanol and biodiesel are made from “biomass” like corn and soybeans. Governor Terry Branstad supports the concept and the Iowa House gave it final legislative approval Monday afternoon.  Representative Mary Ann Hanusa, a Republican from Council Bluffs, says “This bill incentivizes new start-up companies in Iowa and other ventures to take the biomass feedstocks currently produced in Iowa and manufacture these new building block chemicals.”

Bill backers envision companies developing new products from the starches, sugars and oils that are the left-overs of biofuel production. “The federal Department of Energy has identified approximately 30 chemicals which provide that greatest market potential,” Hanusa says. The bill is “made to order” for Iowa, according to Hanusa, because the state leads the country in biofuel production.

“This bill will create new opportunities for research and development and has the potential for creating new businesses and new product lines,” Hanusa says. “…This legislation will open new horizons in industry, economic development and education across Iowa.” Companies that develop new products from biofuel production left-overs will apply to the Iowa Economic Development Authority for the tax credits.

The bill calls for a 10 million dollar cap on these tax credits each year. The 10 million will come from the Economic Development Authority’s already existing 170 million dollar account for a series of refundable state tax credits.

(Radio Iowa)

Nearly 47 percent of disabled Iowans were employed in 2014

News

March 29th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Nearly half of all disabled Iowa adults are working. Only two other states have a higher percentage of their disabled citizens in the workforce. Heather Link is the human resources manager at Owner Revolution in Atlantic and Adair. She says companies like hers in rural Iowa are finding it more difficult to find employees with “a good work ethic.”

“What we have found with employing people with disabilities…is they tend to have a much higher work ethic because they want to be there,” Link says. “They have better listening skills. They’re more trainable due to their desire to succeed and, overall, they are more content with their work.” Her company has used federal and state grants to help make workplace accommodations for disabled employees.

“It’s really a great opportunity for businesses to take advantage of the underutilized, but awesome workforce there is in people with disabilities,” Link says. Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds says with nearly “full employment” in Iowa, it’s important to help physically or mentally disabled youth transition into the workforce.

“We believe that every Iowan can learn and every Iowan can work and every Iowan can have, most importantly, a rewarding career,” Reynolds says. Nearly 47 percent of adult Iowans who have a disability were employed in 2014. Officials estimate about 12-and-a-half percent of all Americans have some sort of disability, but only a third of them had a job.

(Radio Iowa)

2 Creston residents arrested on drug charges

News

March 29th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

The Creston Police Department reports two people were arrested on drug charges, Monday night. 46-year old Misty McKinney, and 21-year old Jameson Cox, both of Creston, were arrested at an apartment in the 400 block of N. Oak Street in Creston, at around 10:35-p.m. McKinney was charged with Possession of drug paraphernalia, Possession of a Controlled Substance. She was also charged with Providing False Information. Cox faces charges that include Possession of drug paraphernalia and Possession of a Controlled Substance. Cox was being held in the Union County Jail, while McKinney was being held in the Ringgold County Jail. Their bonds were set at $1,000, each.

And, a Creston business — Eby’s Auto – reported to police Monday evening, that someone had taken a Dealer license plate from one of the vehicles in their sales lot. The plate number is D2477-033. The loss was estimated at $25.

Holliday hits 1st spring home run, Cardinals beat Mets 3-1

Sports

March 29th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) – Matt Holliday hit his first home run this spring, a long drive off Bartolo Colon that helped the St. Louis Cardinals beat the New York Mets 3-1 Monday. Holliday’s shot hit the Marlins clubhouse beyond the left field wall. The Marlins and Cardinals share the complex. Holliday later singled and scored.

Cardinals starter Carlos Martinez gave up one run and three hits in six innings. He walked none and struck out four. Colon allowed three runs and seven hits in six innings. Neil Walker doubled and scored the Mets’ run. Playing his first Grapefruit League game since straining his knee on March 10, Mets shortstop as Asdrubal Cabrera went hitless in three at-bats.

Chiefs’ Husain Abdullah announces retirement

Sports

March 29th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – Chiefs safety Husain Abdullah announced his retirement after seven seasons on Monday, adding his name to the growing list of players who have walked away from the NFL because of health concerns. Husain said on Instagram that he sustained his fifth concussion this past season, which sidelined him for five weeks. He said there were many factors in his decision with “personal health being foremost.”

Abdullah joined the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Washington State, and spent four productive seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. He walked away in his prime to make a pilgrimage to Mecca, then returned after one season to earn a roster spot with the Chiefs. He proved to be a dependable safety for Kansas City the past three seasons.

Skyscan forecast & weather data for Atlantic: 3/29/16

Weather

March 29th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Today: P/Cloudy to Cloudy & windy. High 68. S @ 15-30.

Tonight: Mostly cloudy & windy. Low around 54. S @ 15-30.

Wednesday: Mo. Cldy w/a 40% chance of shwrs & tstrms. High 70. S @ 15-30.

Wed. Night: Periods of shwrs & tstorms diminishing to light rain. Low 40.

Thursday: Mo. Cldy w/light rain in the morning. High 47.

Friday: Mo. Cldy. High 45.

Monday’s High in Atlantic was 65. The Low thru 7-a.m. today was 21. Last year on this date, our High in Atlantic was 61, and the low was 27. The All-time Record High in Atlantic on this date was 90 in 1986. The Record Low was 5 in 1969.