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Applications sought for CDBG housing grants in Elk Horn

News

November 16th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

The Southwest Iowa Planning Council (SWIPCO) says it is seeking applications from low to moderate income homeowners in the City of Elk Horn. Income qualified homeowners who live in the target area may be eligible to receive a five year forgivable loan to provide housing repairs.

Swipco logoThe funds are made possible by a Community Development Block Grant the City of Elk Horn received from the Iowa Economic Development Authority. Elk Horn was awarded $304,000 for the repair of eight homes.

Interested applicants should contact SWIPCO at 712-243-4196 for more information. All applications are due to the SWIHTF office at 1501 SW 7th St. by Dec. 1, 2015.

(Update) Driver of SUV that struck a pedestrian in Council Bluffs ID’d

News

November 16th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Police in Council Bluffs said late Monday evening, that the female driver of an SUV which struck a 17-year old female pedestrian Monday morning at 25th and Broadway, has been identified. The driver, whom police declined to identify, contacted the traffic unit Monday afternoon. An investigation into the incident will continue Tuesday morning.

In their original report, Bluffs Police said a 17-year old female was crossing the intersection southbound on the west side of the intersection, in the crosswalk. A red, crossover-type SUV vehicle, driven by a white female, was facing north on 25th street and attempted a left turn to go west onto Broadway. The vehicle struck the pedestrian in the crosswalk.

The driver of the vehicle stopped and made contact the pedestrian, and remained on scene until the Fire Dept arrived. Paramedics transported the pedestrian to Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs, where she was treated for minor injuries and released. The driver of the vehicle left the scene before police arrived to investigate the crash.

AP poll: NC still No. 1; Oregon joins Top 25; ISU 7th

Sports

November 16th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

North Carolina is No. 1 in the first regular-season men’s college basketball poll by The Associated Press after opening with victories over Temple and Fairfield. The Tar Heels were the preseason No. 1 for a record ninth time. They received 37 first-place votes Monday from the 65-member national media panel — 29 more than second-place Kentucky. Maryland is third with 14 first-place votes and Kansas is fourth with five first-place votes.

Defending national champion Duke is fifth and followed by Virginia, which had the other first-place vote. Iowa State, Oklahoma, Wichita State and Gonzaga round out the top 10. Oregon won its opener and joined the poll at No. 25. Wisconsin dropped out from 17th after losing to Western Illinois and beating Siena.

 

Iowa State hoping to finish strong

Sports

November 16th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

AMES, Iowa (AP) — After 10 games, Iowa State finally has a realistic shot at a winning streak. It wouldn’t be enough to save their bowl hopes — but it might be enough to save seventh-year coach Paul Rhoads. The Cyclones (3-7, 2-5 Big 12), who’ve lost to five of the top 11 teams in this week’s AP rankings, close the season against Kansas State (3-6, 0-6) and West Virginia (5-4, 2-4).

Rhoads said the chance to finish fifth in the Big 12 for the first time since the league went to 10 teams and the chance to grab four Big 12 wins will be motivating factors for the program.

Carcel joins SWIPCO as Community Development Director

News

November 16th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Officials with SWIPCO (the Southwest Iowa Planning Council), Monday, announced Amber Carcel, of Avoca, joined the organization Oct. 26th, as its Community Development Director. Carcel comes to SWIPCO from Iowa Western Community College where she was the Business and Computer Program Coordinator. Prior to Iowa Western Carcel was the Energy Housing Director at West Central Community Action in Harlan. She is also a veteran of the United States Air Force.

The SWIPCO community development department includes five staff in addition to the director. The department handles a wide variety of tasks including housing assistance, grant writing and administration, community and regional planning, and general assistance to local governments.

Executive Director John McCurdy said Carcel holds a Bachelor degree in business marketing, a Masters of Arts in Education and a Masters of Business Administration in addition to her work experience. Outside of SWIPCO Carcel is a member of the AHSTW school board and an active mentor in the Teammates Mentoring Program, as well as an adjunct instructor at Metro Community College. She and her husband, Tim, have two children, Timmy (13) and Lilianna (9).

4 arrests reported in Mills County

News

November 16th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office today (Monday), reported four arrests over the past week. Last Thursday, 19-year old Mark Sean Dupre, of Council Bluffs, was arrested on a Warrant for Failure To Appear in court on a Possession of Controlled Substance charge. Dupre was arrested at around 11:40-p.m. at the Mills County Sheriff’s Office, where his bond was set at $5,000.

34-year old Michael Alan Hathaway, of Council Bluffs, was arrested Thursday night in Mills County, for Possession of drug Paraphernalia. His bond was set at $300. And, 41-year old Deborah Lynn Wentz, of Council Bluffs, was arrested Thursday morning for Unlawful Possession of Prescription Drug, and on a Pottawattamie County Warrant for Probation Violation. Her bond was set at $1,000.

Mills County deputies also arrested 24-year old Shialea Kay Cozad, of Omaha. She was taken into custody Saturday night in Glenwood, for Possession of Contraband in Correctional Institution, and on warrants for Violation of No Contact Order and being a Fugitive from Justice.  Bond was set at $30,300.

Multi-tasking driver crashes in Mills County

News

November 16th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

A woman trying to do too many things at once crashed her vehicle Saturday evening, in Mills County. The Sheriff’s Office says Jennifer Weber, of Pacific Junction, was giving her back seat infant a bottle, and attempting to change a DVD in her 2009 GMC, when her vehicle veered off Highway 275.

The front passenger wheel hit a culvert going under a driveway. The vehicle continued through the ditch and embankment before it collided with a speed limit sign. At that point, the vehicle flipped forward and landed on its roof. Weber suffered injuries to her head and mid section and was transported to a hospital by Tabor Rescue. The infant in the car was properly buckled and did not appear to be injured.

Officials say the accident happened at around 6:20-p.m., Saturday.

Atlantic FFA Heads to Kentucky

Ag/Outdoor, News

November 16th, 2015 by Jim Field

Clayton Saeugling, Garrett Schwanke, Nate Moen, Lexi Freund, Haley Carlson, Emily Saeugling, Cale Pellett

Clayton Saeugling, Garrett Schwanke, Nate Moen, Lexi Freund, Haley Carlson, Emily Saeugling, Cale Pellett

The Atlantic FFA loaded up seven members and one advisor and headed off to Louisville, Kentucky this past week to attend the 88th National FFA Convention and Expo! The group which included seniors Haley Carlson, Clayton Saeugling and Garrett Schwanke, Juniors Nate Moen and Lexi Freund and sophomores Emily Saeugling and Cale Pellett along with advisor Eric Miller left Tuesday, October 27th to head down. With a 13 hour drive over, the chapter went out to eat and explored the hotel before turning in for the night.

Wednesday marked the first day of the National FFA Convention and the Atlantic FFA started it off at the Louisville Slugger Museum. Here, members toured the factory and learned the history, evolution, and even processing of these bats. Members were also able to witness history as fresh bats were carted by to be shipped off to be used in the World Series! Everyone received a miniature baseball bat of their own after the tour.

Finally the time had come where the Atlantic FFA made its appearance at the 88th National FFA Convention around mid-afternoon. There, the chapter attended the first general session where officers gave reflections on the convention.. During this session, FFA members heard from an inspirational speaker that goes by the name of Rick Rigsby. Dr. Rigsby speech entailed many humorous, but also sad stories that all incorporate leadership and doing what’s morally right. This motivational speaker was a great way to end the first general session.

Thursday morning the FFA members spent the day at the Churchill Downs, the home of the Kentucky Derby. The Atlantic FFA took a tour of the racetrack and learned about derby history. Inside the museum FFA members got to see all different types of derby wear and history. Also a oval room was set up to watch a movie about a day at the derby.

The morning continued to expo center, which is the size of five football fields and filled with 450 exhibitors that represent colleges, agriculture, US armed services, auto & truck companies, and fundraising. At noon, the Atlantic FFA gathered for the Iowa picture. This picture is a group photo of all the FFA members that attend national convention from the state of Iowa. Also Atlantic FFA attended the second round of the talent competition where 15 solo or group acts performed their musical talents. The chapter also stayed for the third general session, where the main event was the Stars of America pageant. The pageant includes special “Star” recognitions such as American Star Farmers or Stars in Agribusiness. These are individuals who have exceeded the expectations of others in the various categories.

On Friday, the group created their own tour in a way, for the reason that a tour through one of the many caves in Kentucky was cancelled due to excessive rain. After driving around for a short amount of time, one member suggested driving through the Burnheim National Forest and exploring it for themselves. In the forest, there were many “nature trails,” and walking paths to see the beauty of the landscape. After exiting the forest, the Atlantic FFA made their way to the Jim Beam distillery, where another self-given tour was presented to the group by their own advisor, Mr. Miller. The last place the Atlantic FFA went was the General George S. Patton Museum on Fort Knox. After touring the museum and taking a picture in front of a tank used in the Army, members went back to the convention center to hear Caleb Gustin give his retiring address, as well as listen to Brad Montague, creator of the series “Kid President” on Youtube. His speech was about promoting the world to do awesome things through easy and fun ways.

Haley Carlson, Lexi Freund, Emily Saeugling, Nate Moen, Cale Pellett, Garrett Schwanke, Clayton Saeugling

Haley Carlson, Lexi Freund, Emily Saeugling, Nate Moen, Cale Pellett, Garrett Schwanke, Clayton Saeugling

Saturday at the 8th session 4 Atlantic FFA members earned their American FFA Degree. Kristin Johnk, Chancey Richards, Wyatt Saeugling and Tucker Sager each walked across the stage to receive the Golden Key of the FFA, the highest award ever granted in the organization. After waving goodbye to Louisville around 10:30 a.m., the journey home had begun. Two stops were made along the way for food plus one at the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, which is currently being renovated. Some members decided that five minutes of swaying 630 feet in the air from the wind was enough, so everyone packed up and got back on the road again.

The Atlantic FFA returned home at about 10:30 p.m. full of memories and fresh ideas on how to better their chapter. All members and even advisor Mr. Miller can agree in the saying that they took something very positive away from this event.

Senior, Haley Carlson said, “The 88th National FFA Convention continued to fuel my passion for agriculture in hopes of achieving my goals of state office someday. I got to reconnect with old friends and make many new ones. My favorite part was getting the chance to talk with state and national officers before sessions. I learned about the agriculture opportunities around the country. What sticks with me the most is that anyone, no matter who you are or where you come from, can wear the blue and corduroy jacket.”

Sophomore, Emily Saeugling said, “My first national convention was a really cool experience. I’m excited for the opportunities in FFA and I am really glad I had this experience.”

2 from Atlantic arrested on drug charges, Sunday

News

November 16th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports a traffic stop Saturday, resulted in two people being arrested on drug charges. 28-year old Denise Jean Chamberlin, of Atlantic, was arrested on charges of Possession of Marijuana 3rd/Subsequent offense, and OWI 1st Offense. 29-year old Randy Wayne Fredericksen, of Atlantic, was arrested on a charge of Possession of Marijuana 2nd Offense. Both individuals were taken to the Cass County Jail and released on bond, Sunday. Chamberlin’s bond was set at $3000, while Fredericksen’s bond was $1000.

And, on Friday, Deputies in Cass County arrested 56-year old Robert John Rasmussen, of Massena. He was taken into custody on two District Court warrants for Failure to Appear. Rasmussen was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released Saturday, on his own recognizance.

Iowa 92 bridge west of Treynor is open

News

November 16th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa Department of Transportation’s Council Bluffs construction office reports the Iowa 92 bridge over Little Silver Creek, one-mile west of Treynor, was opened to traffic Sunday evening.

The bridge project used a unique accelerated bridge construction design incorporating numerous innovative technologies contributing toward advancements in project safety, construction schedule, construction impact, project quality, user satisfaction, and service life.