Atlantic Police Chief Steve Green says the public shouldn’t be alarmed if they see local police officers deviate from their normally clean-shaven look. During the month of November, A-PD officers are taking advantage of “No Shave November” in a competition to raise funds to help with the annual “Shop with a Cop” and “Family Dreams Christmas” Programs.

Officer and Reserve Officers will be allowed to grow the beard of their choice in November. The idea is that those officers must raise a minimum of $100 each in donations during November, to be put towards the kids’ programs. Any officer who does not raise the required amount minimum will be making up the difference out of his own pocket. A number of officers have already begun seeking donations and have exceed their minimum…before the month has even begun.

While the Atlantic Police Dept. takes donations toward their youth programs throughout the year, and will continue to accept donations at the P-D as usual, the officers felt the “No Shave” idea would be a great way to kick-off the seasonal fundraising efforts this year.

Anyone wishing to donate can contact the officers in person, or drop off your donation in the name of a specific officer or reserve officer at the Police Department. General donations are also accepted. Chief Green says it has been a tough year for a number of families in the Cass County area, and the needs of the kids are expected to be numerous.

Checks should be made to the “Atlantic Police Reserves,” with an indication for the Christmas or Youth programs, in the memo line.

Iowa Senator Joni Ernst says she has some concerns over the budget deal that was announced in the early morning hours Monday. The Republican from Red Oak says the bill could hurt farmers. “What I have looked at so far I am extremely disappointed in. The first is the crop insurance issue, which hits hard at rural America. Not just Iowa, but others that come from farming communities and farming states,” Ernst says. She says it would hit the program again.

“We just went through this several years ago with the federal Farm Bill, and cuts were made to crop insurance at that time. Now we are facing three billion dollars in cuts,” Ernst says. “The very concerning issue is that the Agricultural Committee — those who serve on the committee — were not even consulted about this particular cut.” Ernst says she doesn’t like plans for the money cut out of crop insurance and other programs.

“Instead of applying those cuts, those savings to our deficit and our debt, we use it on additional spending. I don’t think this is what Iowans want. I don’t think this is what Americans want,” according to Ernst. Ernst says she wants to see spending cut. “I am very disappointed in this deal, I probably will not be supporting this budget deal,” Ernst says. With the timing of the release of the bill, Ernst isn’t sure yet what other senators are thinking about it and whether there will be enough votes to move it ahead.

Ernst says it may move ahead, but she isn’t sure yet without hearing other feedback from those who might be undecided. “Especially when we take into consideration the crop insurance and that we are spending much more in this bill than what was laid out in our original budget earlier this year,” Ernst says. Ernst made her comments during her weekly call with reporters.

(Radio Iowa)

Police in Glenwood report just one recent arrest. On Tuesday, 21-year old Lucas Bird,  of Glenwood, was arrested for OWI 1st offense. His bond was set at $1000 cash.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office today (Wednesday), released additional details about an accident that happened west of Marne, Saturday morning. Officials say just before 6-a.m., deputies responded to a report of a vehicle that struck a bridge near Marne.

A 2012 Nissan Versa driven by 31-year old Jason Daniel Hammond, of Walnut,  was westbound on Highway 83 when he swerved to avoid an oncoming vehicle that was partially in his lane. As he did so, his car hit the bridge rail. The oncoming vehicle did not stop and was not located.

Hammond was transported to CCMH via Medivac. Damage to his vehicle was estimated at $3,000.