Iowa Republican Governor Terry Branstad is set to hold several Town Hall meetings across the state this coming week. One of the meetings takes place 2:30-p.m. Tuesday (Oct. 20th), at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Building (102 Chestnut Street), in Atlantic. The event is open to members of the public.

Governor Terry Branstad has scheduled a special election to fill the House District 21 seat left open by the death of longtime lawmaker Jack Drake. Branstad announced Friday that an election would be held on Dec. 8. The district in southwest Iowa includes Adams and Union counties and parts of Cass and Pottawattamie counties.

Drake, a Republican, was first elected to the House in 1992. He died of natural causes on Sunday at Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic. Secretary of State Paul Pate announced the filing deadline for candidates is November 13th at 5 p.m.

Sheriff’s officials in Pottawattamie County have recovered one of two vehicles stolen following an incident that took place Wednesday afternoon that resulted in injuries to a police officer, and shots being fired at the suspect. Acting on a tip from the public, a stolen 2013 Chevrolet Malibu was found abandoned in 28000 block of Magnolia Road earlier this (Friday) morning.

Authorities say they believe that 27-year old Adam Thomas, of Council Bluffs, is still in possession of a silver 2007 Nissan Murano SUV, with Iowa plate 640 SSR. The vehicle, belonging to Thomas’ sister, was taken from his mother’s home near where the abandoned pickup used in Wednesday’s incident, was found.

Adam Thomas is wanted for Attempt to Commit Murder, Theft in the 1st degree, Theft by Deception, and Escape from Custody, after he escaped from custody and struck a police officer with a stolen pickup.

Officials encourage anyone with information on the location of Thomas or the Murano to contact Crime Stoppers or their local law enforcement agency. A tip leading to Thomas’ arrest could be eligible for a cash reward and you can remain anonymous when giving the information. The Crime Stoppers number is 328-STOP.

The Atlantic Police Department today (Friday) released additional details about an accident that took place Tuesday morning on the east side of town. Officials say a car driven by Robert Rasmussen, of Cumberland, and a tractor, driven by Fred Kay, of Atlantic, were both traveling west on 7th Street (Highway 6), near the intersection with Highway 71, with the tractor was in the north lane. When Rasmussen began to pass the tractor, his car hit the left rear wheel of the tractor, causing the car to flip onto its top.

Rasmussen was transported to the Cass County Memorial Hospital for treatment of Minor Injuries. He was cited for Driving Under Suspension and Failure to have SR-22 Insurance. Fred Kay was not injured during the incident. Damage from the crash amounted to $2,000.