A fire early this morning in Hancock destroyed a home, but no injuries were reported. Fire officials say the blaze at 212 E. Duncan Street was reported at around 1-a.m. A blown, nearby electrical transformer and power lines connected to the home are suspected as the cause of the fire. The home’s owner was gone when the fire broke out and discovered the blaze when she got home.

Firefighters from Oakland and Avoca provided mutual aid to Hancock Fire. Crews were on the scene still, late this morning, trying to douse the smoldering remains of the home.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – Sioux City officials, community leaders and law enforcement are considering banning the sale of certain single-serve beer for off-site consumption in an effort to curb public intoxication. The Sioux City Journal reports that consideration of the idea of banning the sale of high-power malt liquor stemmed from a round table discussion last month over possible solutions to homelessness and alcohol addiction in downtown Sioux City.

Sioux City Police Chief Doug Young says controlling the sale of single cans of alcoholic beverages might take care of the amount of homeless intoxicated individuals in the area, but says a ban could be difficult to implement. City officials say the idea of a ban is only in the early stages of discussion.

Police in Creston say a man’s flip-flop (sandal) got caught between his brake and accelerator pedals Wednesday afternoon, interfering with his ability to stop, and resulting in a chain reaction accident. 22-year old Casey Bird, of Creston, was traveling north on Sumner Street at around 2:20-p.m., when his footwear got sandwiched between the two pedals, causing him to push on both pedals at the same time. Bird was unable to stop his 1992 Ford van before it hit the rear of a 2000 Mercury SUV driven by 35-year old Timothy Bledsoe, of Nevada, which was stopped in traffic waiting for the light to change at the intersection with Adams Street.

The impact caused the SUV to run into the rear of a 2011 Chevy Malibu, driven by 76-year old Marisue Lewis, of Creston, who was also waiting at the stop light. Bird’s Van kept pushing on the SUV for a few moments before he could free his foot and stop the vehicle.

The accident caused a total of $1,600 damage. No citations were issued.

Police in Creston say three residents reported incidents of theft, this week. On Wednesday, a woman in the 200 block of N. Jarvis Street told police her boyfriends’ cell phone was stolen from her vehicle while it was parked outside her home. The theft occurred on Oct. 8th, and the loss was estimated at $15.  And, a woman residing in the 1000 block of Manor Drive, in Creston, reported Wednesday that sometime between 11:30-a.m. and 3:30-p.m. Tuesday, someone took money from her purse, while she was working at ECC. The loss was estimated at $100.

On Tuesday, a Creston resident reported someone stole his debit card and attempted to use it for numerous online purchases. The incidents took place Monday and Tuesday. The man’s bank was able to cancel all transactions before any funds were lost.

The Atlantic Area Chamber’s 15th Annual Scrooge Contest, sponsored by Hockenberry Family Care and Longaberger Consultant – Dolly Bergmann, gets underway during the month of November. Eleanor Hoover organized the contest back in 2002 just one year after the inaugural Lighted Parade.

Hoover said the Scrooge title is used because, “Contestants find the meaning of Christmas, by giving to others. That is the real honor of being named Scrooge. Therefore, I am hoping that together as a community we will assist the contestants to provide many neighbors and friends the same joy of having a meal to celebrate the holidays.”

Scrooge contestants raise money and collect non-perishable food items for the Atlantic Food Pantry. The 2015 candidates include: Tony Schimdtki, Fareway; Alli Bruckner, Cass County Health Systems; Rich & Nedra Perry, Geis Perry Jewelry; and Ted Robinson, First Whitney Bank. Hoover says “Candidates can choose any method they want in collecting their points. In the past, candidates have hosted soup suppers, and put pictures and boxes in local businesses to collect food donations.”

According to Hoover, contestants are responsible for collecting and submitting their points to the Chamber by December 2nd at Noon. The contestant with the most points will be named Scrooge, and all proceeds will benefit the Atlantic Food Pantry. Winner of the Scrooge Contest serves as the Grand Marshal in the Lighted Parade on Dec. 5th at 6 p.m. in Downtown Atlantic. Cash donations are worth one point on the dollar and two non-perishable items earn the contestants one point.

Past Scrooge titles have been awarded to: Mary Ann Moorman 2007, Dana Halder 2008, Tammy Wise & Janet Huey 2009, Ritchie Anderson 2010, Janet Cappel 2011, Melanie Petty 2012, David Miller 2013 and Mark McNees 2014.

The contest will run from November 1st to December 2nd. Donations to a contestant can be made by delivering food or funds to their drop off locations or the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce. For more information call the Chamber at 712-243-3017 or email chamber@atlanticiowa.com.