A reminder from Cass County Treasurer Tracey J. Marshall: All Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) driver’s license stations will be closed Thursday, Oct. 8th, for employee training. The stations will resume full operations beginning 8:30-a.m., Friday.

The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce and the Atlantic Volunteer Fire Department have partnered together to create the First Annual Firemen’s Picnic before the Firemen’s Parade.  Chamber Executive Director Quida Wymer says “The goal is to bring the community downtown early to shop their favorite businesses, enjoy a BBQ meal and stay for the Annual Parade.” 

The picnic begins at 4 p.m. The meal is $6 and includes a brisket sandwich, baked beans, chips and a drink. The meat is being provided by the Atlantic Locker and Henningsen’s Processing, and will be smoked by participants in the 1st Annual “Smokin’ the Competition” BBQ smoke-off taking place this Friday evening, on 6th Street, between Chestnut and Poplar.

Entertainment for all ages will be available throughout the evening. Face Painters, Clowns, a Bounce House and a landing from Lifenet will be at the picnic along with performances by Isiserettes Drill & Drumline and the Pleasant Green Baptist Church Marching Saints. The award winning ministry allows the youth to express themselves through dance and drum corp. Their ages range from 3 years old to 20.

Following the picnic at 6 p.m. you can watch the Firemen’s Parade from Chestnut Street. To be a part of the parade, please begin line up at 4 p.m. at 3rd & Olive Street. There will be volunteers there to direct you where to go.

The Firemen’s Picnic and Parade is presented to you by the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, Atlantic Volunteer Fire Department and sponsored by Atlantic Locker, Henningsen’s Processing, Lloyd and Meredith, W & S Appliance, Megan Roberts, State Farm, Cappels’ Ace Hardware, Designer Portraits, Great Western Bank, Pelgas, Rancho Grande & Robinson’s True Value. For more information on the Firemen’s Picnic & Parade or a full list of activities, visit www.atlanticiowa.com.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports a Glenwood man was arrested Tuesday on a warrant out of Nodaway County, MO.

Benjamin Ensley

21-year old Benjamin Ensley faces charges that include Burglary in the 1st Degree, Armed Criminal Action, Assault in the 2nd Degree, Theft in the 1st Degree, and Property damage. His bond was set at $50,000, altogether.

Authorities in Union County are looking for a vehicle involved in a hit-and-run accident early this (Wednesday) morning. The vehicle in question is described as a black Toyota with damage to its passenger side, and possibly green paint transferred in the process of the hit-and-run.

Officials say a 1997 Honda Civic driven by 42-year old Martin Kahi, of Creston, attempted to pass the Toyota on Highway 34, as it left the City of Creston at around 4:50-a.m., but the suspect vehicle blocked Kahi’s car from passing. As both vehicles continued east on Highway 34, the Toyota pulled over onto the shoulder of the road and allowed Kahi to pass.

The Toyota then pulled up beside the Civic in the west bound lane and eventually swerved back into the eastbound lane, blocking Kahi from heading east, and causing him to sideswipe the Toyota on the right side quarter panel and door. Anyone with information about the other vehicle should contact the Union County Sheriff’s Office.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports a Griswold woman was arrested Saturday on assault and other charges. 24-year old Morgan Kay Leeder faces Domestic Abuse Assault, Assault on a Peace Officer, Assault, and Interference with Official Acts, charges. She was brought to the Cass County Jail and released later that day on $2,600 bond.

And, 25-year old Shane Michael Suhr, of Anita, was arrested this (Wednesday) morning, on a Cass County Sheriff’s Office warrant for Domestic Abuse Assault, Child Endangerment, and Obstruction of Emergency Communications. The charges stem from an incident that took place October 4th, 2015. Suhr was taken to the Cass County Jail and later released on $4,000 bond.

The Cass County Board of Supervisors today (Wednesday), approved a recommendation by County Attorney David Wiederstein, to appoint his law firm partner John Otto, as Assistant County Attorney, retroactive to October 1st. Otto will assume the job left vacant by the resignation early last August, of Jamie Arnold. Otto will cover for Wiederstein on certain days when Wiederstein is gone, along with the days when Juvenile Court meets and on legal Motion days.

Otto will be paid $2,037 for the 18 pay periods that runs through the end of the Fiscal Year. That’s the remainder of the $40,000 set aside for the position of Assistant County Attorney during the current Fiscal Year.

In other business, the Cass County Supervisors received a Collective Bargaining Proposal from the Union representing the County’s Sheriff’s Deputies and Jailors. The Supervisors will review the proposal and present their own during a meeting next week.

And, Cass County Engineer Charles Marker reported to the Board the status of some area bridge projects. Marker said work on the Griswold Golf Course bridge (Bridge #83) remains on schedule, with a meeting pertaining to the concrete bridge deck pouring tentatively set to take place next week. They hope to begin pouring the deck on Oct. 15th, weather permitting. He says the also hope to have the asphalt approaches to the bridge laid by the middle of November.

Marker says the landfill road bridge (Bridge #292) is currently stalled out while supplies are on back-order. The deck for the bridge has already been poured, but a shortage of steel means they cannot get the culvert pipes needed for the side ditches along the bridge. Marker says if the pipes do not arrive by next week, the contractor can use what the County has available, and then replenish the County’s supply when the contractor’s steel arrives.

He says guardrails still need to be installed and asphalt wedge approaches laid. They’re still targeting the middle of November for completion. And, Charles Marker said work on Bridge #247 south of Anita will begin next week, and should be completed much quicker, because it uses steel, and the supplies are ready to go.

The corrugated deck will be covered with gravel once the decking is in-place. He said also they are having trouble obtaining road rock with the closing of one-quarry, and long wait periods for the Stennett Quarry in Montgomery County, which is used by several other counties, as well.

More area and State news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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Police in Creston are investigating the theft of a handgun from inside a vehicle. A Creston man reported Tuesday morning that sometime between 9-p.m. Monday and 8-a.m. Tuesday, someone entered his truck parked near his residence in the 900 block of N. Division Street, and took a Springfield XD .9-mm (9 millimeter) handgun. The loss was estimated at $600.

Springfield XD .9mm similar to the one stolen.

The area’s top news at 7:06-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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A woman from Oakland was arrested early this (Wednesday) morning in Red Oak, on a warrant out of Pottawattamie County. Red Oak Police say 25-year old Noel Kerrie Dominguez was taken into custody at around 12:15-a.m. on a warrant for Failure to Appear in court on a Domestic Abuse charge. She was transported to Pott. County and being held at the jail in Council Bluffs and a $500 cash bond.