The Atlantic Fire Department held its annual awards banquet, January 30th. Fire Chief Mark McNees says “Everyone of our volunteers is a necessity to our survival. This year a couple went above and beyond with training, tasks, calls made, leadership and striving to make themselves and others better firefighters.”

During the event, Jeremiah Thompson was awarded “Firefighter of the year.” Mitch Peerbolte was awarded “Rookie of the year,” and Max Petersen received an award for “2015 Honorary Atlantic Firefighter.” Max Petersen is the son of Marty and Sue Petersen.

Also recognized during the AFD’s awards banquet, was John Johnson, for his 35-years of service, and Jim Shannon, Marty Petersen, and Mark McNees, all for their 25-years of service.

Max Petersen received an award for “2015 Honorary Atlantic Firefighter.”

Jeremiah Thompson was named 2015 Firefighter of the Year. (All photos courtesy Mark McNees)

Mitch Peerbolte was awarded “Rookie of the year,”

The area’s top news at 7:05-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A 38-year-old Sioux City man is accused of using counterfeit bills to make purchases at various times and places since August. The Sioux City Journal reports  that the man — identified as Fernando Gabriel Morales — would use the counterfeit bills himself or give the bills to others. He’d run away when confronted about the fakes. Morales was arrested Thursday.

Court records say he’s charged with eight counts of forgery and several other crimes. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 29th.

Two men from Malvern were arrested on drug charges Sunday night, following a traffic stop in Montgomery County. Sheriff’s officials say a vehicle driven by 31-year old David Allen Shuffler was pulled over at around 8:05-p.m. on Highway 34 at the Mills/Montgomery County line. Afterward, Shuffler was arrested for Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Driving While Suspended.

His passenger, 43-year old Michael Shawn Hart, was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Both men was transported to the Montgomery County Jail, where Shuffler was being held on $1,000 bond, and Hart was released with a citation.

Police in Red Oak along with Sheriff’s Deputies from Montgomery County, were called to a residence in the 700 block of N. 5th Street in Red Oak, Sunday evening, after receiving a report a man was threatening people with a firearm. When they arrived shortly after 7-p.m., officers and deputies attempted to take 42-year old James Reed Mitroff II, of Red Oak, into custody, but he allegedly resisted arrest.

After what was described as “Heavy resistance” by Mitroff, he was subdued and handcuffed. During their investigation, it was determined Mitroff had alleged committed a domestic assault while displaying a firearm. The man didn’t make any threats while armed.

He was arrested for aggravated Domestic Abuse Assault and Interference with Official Acts. His bond at the Montgomery County Jail, was set at $2,000.

Home prices and sales increased 7.7-percent in Iowa last year. Numbers released by the Iowa Association of Realtors show 44,621 homes were sold in the state in 2015. That was up from 43,772 homes sold the previous year. Meanwhile, the median sale price for a home sold in Iowa last year was $140,000. That compares to $130,000 in 2014. IAR president Ken Clark reports it’s the fourth consecutive year of increases in home prices in the state.

The IAR also reports homes sold faster in 2015 than any year in the past decade.

(Radio Iowa)

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — More than 2,000 people raced to the top of Omaha’s tallest building this weekend, but one of the slower racers earned one of the loudest ovations. Sixty–year-old Ann Hegstrom heard cheers when she crossed the finish line on crutches Saturday. Hegstrom of DeSoto, Iowa, told the Omaha World-Herald she didn’t want to miss her fourth race up the First National Bank tower even after breaking her femur around Thanksgiving.

Initially, Hegstrom planned to only climb halfway, but decided to continue up all 40 floors and finish in 28 minutes, 57 seconds. Thirty-two-year-old Morgan Chaffin of Omaha won the women’s division in 5 minutes, 59 seconds.

Ivan Marsh of Ashland, Nebraska had the fastest time of 4 minutes, 32 seconds. The 41-year-old has won all 10 of the tower races.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Measures that would address the growing use of body cameras in Iowa are not expected to impact law enforcement agencies this year. But their introduction this session showcases looming challenges for state officials. A bill that would have specified storage requirements for body camera footage did not move past a procedural deadline in the recent legislative session.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Court of Appeals will hear an appeal filed by the former operator of the Argosy riverboat casino in Sioux City this week. The Sioux City Journal reports the case challenging decisions the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission made will be heard Tuesday.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Des Moines officials are re-examining a little-used city rule that limits home day cares to six children while state rules allow as many as 16. The Register reports a day care provider who had been caring for 12 children complained after city officials forced her to follow the city rule. Tonja Boggs filed a complaint against the city’s 483 other home day cares.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — More than 2,000 people raced to the top of Omaha’s tallest building this weekend, but an Iowa woman on crutches earned one of the loudest ovations. Sixty-year-old Ann Hegstrom heard cheers when she crossed the finish line Saturday. Hegstrom of DeSoto, Iowa told the Omaha World-Herald she didn’t want to miss her fourth race up the First National Bank tower even after breaking her femur around Thanksgiving.

Police in Red Oak arrested a man Saturday afternoon for “Breach of Peace.” 23-year old Matthew Kalvin Owens, of Red Oak, was charged after he allegedly violated Red Oak City Code “By publicly cursing and using abusive language toward another individual.” The language was allegedly directed toward “multiple individuals” in the City of Red Oak. Owens was taken into custody at around 4:15-p.m. Bond was set at $300.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Measures that would address the growing use of body cameras in Iowa are not expected to impact law enforcement agencies this year, but their introduction this session showcases looming challenges for state officials.

Several lawmakers agree legislative action is needed soon as more Iowa authorities use body cameras to counter allegations of excessive force and public mistrust. In Iowa and around the country, legislators are scrutinizing existing laws and using task forces to figure out the storage, public inspection and confidentiality of body camera footage.

In Iowa, a bill that would have specified storage requirements for body camera footage did not move past a procedural deadline. The focus now turns to a separate bill that includes the creation of an interim legislative committee to investigate the issue.