The Marne Community Club is hosting their annual Chili Contest on Sunday, January 31st. At the same time, the Annual Men’s Pie Baking Contest will be held. Judging for both contests will be “peoples’ choice.”

Anyone interested in entering the Chili Contest should bring a gallon crock pot of chili to the Marne Community Center by 6:00 p.m. on the day of the contest. The same goes for entering the Men’s Pie Contest. There are no fees for entering. Trophies for both chili and pie winners are on display at the Marne Community Center, and the 1st place winners’ names will be added to their respective trophy.

Everyone is welcome to join the fun, either as a participant or a judge! Come to Marne and share a meal. The main course will be, of course, chili. Please bring a potluck salad to share. Pie for dessert! Beverages will be provided.

(Press Release)

Officials with the Hillary Clinton presidential campaign have announced actress Jamie Lee Curtis will stump for the Democrat candidate during stops in Iowa, beginning this Sunday. Curtis will discuss what’s at stake for Iowa women in the upcoming election, and highlight Mrs. Clinton’s “Lifelong record of fighting and delivering real results for women and girls, both at home and around the world.”

Curtis will hold a campaign organizing event 1-p.m. Sunday, Jan. 24th, at the Hillary for Iowa Office at 1851 Madison Avenue, in Council Bluffs. A similar event takes place 4-p.m. Sunday at Clinton’s campaign office in Carroll (223 W. 6th St.).

Other events featuring Jamie Lee Curtis are scheduled to occur in Waukee, Ames, Newton and Des Moines. The events are free, but reservations are required. You may do so by going to Mrs. Clinton’s website (https://www.hillaryclinton.com/events/) and selecting the event location you wish to attend.

(This story replaces 2 separate stories containing the same info.)

Two men were sentenced on drug charges in U-S District Court Tuesday, in Council Bluffs. The U-S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa reports 47-year old Manuel Montejano Pinon, of Des Moines, and 32-year old Michael Arnold Ramirez, of Los Angeles, California, were sentenced by Senior United States District Court Judge James E. Gritzner. Pinon will serve a little more than 13 ½ years in prison for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine and 5-years in prison for possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. The two prison terms were ordered to be served consecutively. Ramirez received a sentence of slightly more than 12-years in prison for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine and money laundering to conceal drug proceeds.

Acting United States Attorney Kevin E. VanderSchel says Pinon pled guilty to the charges on September 23rd (2015). According to the plea agreement, Pinon was involved in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in the Southern District of Iowa. As part of the conspiracy, Pinon delivered money from the sale of methamphetamine to the methamphetamine suppliers. Pinon also possessed a firearm to further his involvement in drug trafficking.

In Ramirez’s plea agreement, he acknowledged he was involved in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in the Southern District of Iowa. As part of the conspiracy, in April of 2015, Ramirez traveled from California to Iowa for the purpose of transporting drug proceeds back to California. Ramirez also concealed the drug proceeds in order to disguise the location and source of the proceeds of the drug conspiracy.

Both men were sentenced by Senior U-S District Court Judge James E. Gritzner. Their cases were investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement. Both cases were prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

(9-a.m. News)

The Atlantic High School (AHS) Industrial Technology Department is in the process of investigating the possibilities for developing a “hands on” building trades program for high school students. Speaking earlier this week on KJAN’s “Heartbeat Today” show, Derek Bair, Industrial Tech teacher, says the “Project Renovate” program would initially be for juniors and seniors.

A course curriculum has been developed, and students will have the opportunity to register for the class during high school registration in February. Already, 60 students have expressed interest in the high school credit program.  A steering committee consisting of local contractors, carpenters and land developers has been providing program guidance and development. Bair says they will become an integral part in assisting teachers and students.

Bair says he’s currently looking for possible construction projects in Atlantic. The committee has discussed renovating an entire house or working on a new construction project that might include home additions, remodels, and renovations of local residences. He says they’re not looking for small projects like bathroom remodels or closet installation, because those types of projects won’t last an entire year. Anyone having a home construction project that might be qualified for “Project Renovate,” should contact Derek Bair at 712-243-5358, or e-mail dbair@atlanticuaschools.org.

Owners would be responsible for the cost of materials and other fees that might apply. All projects must be within the City Limits of Atlantic. The steering committee will meet in February to discuss possible construction projects.

The Internal Revenue Service has launched its “Free File” service for the 2016 tax season. Christopher Miller, the I-R-S spokesman for Iowa, says there are a few changes to the program this year. “The income level for using the free tax software has increased to $62,000 this year,” Miller says. “That’s a $2,000 increase over last tax season so more families can use the program.” Also new this year, several software providers are offering the easy importation of Form W-2 information, which can help reduce errors.

“So now, your W-2 info can be immediately downloaded into your tax software, making the whole process easier and more attractive,” he says. In addition to being more accurate, Miller says filing taxes electronically increases the speed at which refunds are processed, if you’re due money back.

“Most of us can now go to the IRS website, IRS.gov, and file our taxes for free using brand-name tax software,” Miller says. Free File is available at irs.gov\FreeFile. The federal tax filing season began on Tuesday, when the IRS began accepting returns.

(Radio Iowa)