A truck driver from Nebraska was injured this (Friday) morning when the semi he was driving crashed into a ditch and rolled onto its side, in Crawford County. The Iowa State Patrol says 43-year old Christopher Evans, of Omaha, who was wearing a seat belt, was transported to the Manning Regional Hospital by Crawford County Ambulance following the accident that happened at around 8:35-a.m. A report on his condition is not available.

The Patrol reports the crash occurred after Evans, who was driving a 1999 Peterbilt westbound on Highway 141, attempted to pass a non-contact, 2001 Case tractor pulling a wagon, and driven by 63-year old Ronald Halbur, of Manning. The tractor was attempting to turn south onto 370th Street and crossed the centerline of the road to merge into the left lane, when the semi went to pass on the left. When the semi entered the south ditch, the trailer hit the embankment off 370th and the semi ended-up on its left side on 370th.

Halbur wasn’t injured during the accident.

The “ReOpen 2nd Floor” Committee will host a Halloween trick or treat and open house on the second and third floors of Atlantic’s City Hall Saturday, October 31st, from 2:30 – until 4:00 p.m., and from 7:30 until – 9:00 p.m.  Children and adults are invited to wear costumes if they choose, pick a treat and tour portions of City Hall that have been closed to the public for nearly 40 years.

City Hall does not yet have an elevator so visitors should be aware that the only access to the second floor is by stairs. Visitors are not required to go to the second floor to receive a treat though. Saturday’s open house will be the last opportunity for voters to visit City Hall prior to the referendum next week that will determine if the classic auditorium on the second floor will be remodeled and used by the public again.

On Tuesday, November third, citizens of Atlantic will vote on the question of using Local Option Sales Tax to remodel the second and third floors of City Hall, making them available for the public to use again. The remodel project will update the electrical system, add heat and air conditioning to the second and third floors, install an elevator, remodel the former fire department apartments into a conference room, refurbish the classic auditorium that seats up to 300, add restrooms, a serving kitchen and a custodial closet.

The question on the ballot will be, “Shall the City of Atlantic, in Cass County, Iowa, issue its bonds, paid with local option sales tax (LOST) revenue in an amount not exceeding the amount of $875,000 for the purpose of paying for the cost of restoring the historic ballroom/theater and creating a multi-purpose facility on the second and third floors of City Hall?”

Local Option Sales Tax (L.O.S.T.) is the 1% tax on sales that take place locally. L.O.S.T. is to be used for capital improvements, community development or parks and recreation. The City’s average income from L.O.S.T. for the past 10 years has been over $750,000 annually. If the issue is approved, $60,000 would be used each year to repay the $875,000 bond over 30 years. Only 8% of the fund would be needed to repay the bond, leaving 92% of the fund to continue being used for the same purposes it has been in the past. Local option sales tax cannot be increased higher than 1% according to state law so taxes will not be raised to pay for the project.

Potential events the facility might be used for include: meeting space for clubs and community groups, concerts, conferences, corporate meetings, City Council meetings when a large crowd will attend, dances, parties, theatrical productions, political gatherings, weddings and receptions, etc.

Answers to frequently asked questions, other information about the project and a photo gallery of the interior of the building can be found at www.reopen2ndfloor.com.

Two people were hurt Thursday afternoon when a truck and combine collided, in Pottawattamie County. The Sheriff’s Office says the accident happened at around 6:10-p.m. on Railroad Highway, near Yellow Pole Road. According to the report, 35-year old Jayson Hickle, of Missouri Valley, was traveling southbound in a truck, when the vehicle collided head-on with a combine driven by 50-year old Larry Larsen, of Crescent. The crash caused Larson to be ejected from the combine.

Both men were transported by ambulance to local area hospitals.  Authorities say Hickle was charged with driving while license under suspension, failure to maintain control, and open container. The accident investigation is on-going and additional charges may be filed.

Three people were injured during a collision Thursday afternoon, in Pottawattamie County. The Sheriff’s Office said Friday (today), the accident happened at around 2:40-p.m. on Highway 6 near the intersection with 300th Street. Officials say a 2011 Toyota Corolla driven by 30-year old John Son, of Omaha, was traveling east on Highway 6 at the same time a 2012 Nissan Altima driven by 53-year old Julie Achenbaugh, of Treynor, was heading west. The vehicles collided head-on on the westbound shoulder of the road.

Authorities say Son was not injured in the crash, but two passengers in his car, 20-year old Htoo Day, and 52-year old Eh Gay, both of Omaha, were hurt and transported by ambulance to area hospitals.  Achenbaugh was also transported to a local area hospital by ambulance.

Deputies charged Son with unsafe passing.