State and federal officials are urging Iowans to think about their pets when making emergency plans for floods, tornadoes and other severe weather. Phil Kirk, a preparedness coordinator with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, says FEMA has learned through painful experience the importance of including pets in any preparations.  “There have been countless examples where citizens refused to evacuate their homes in the face of danger because they didn’t have a way to take their pets along or a place to bring them to safety,” Kirk says. “Sadly, those decisions cost some people their own lives as well as the lives of their pets. Additionally, our first responders were faced with even greater risks of trying to save those lives.”

Kirk suggests pet owners try to acclimate their pets to Midwestern storms, whenever they might roll through.  “During storms in this part of the country, take them out when there’s lightning and thunder and get them exposed to it so when it really happens and there’s a need to leave, it’s not the first time that they’ve dealt with it,” he says. Kirk says FEMA has found it must include pets in any emergency preparations a family makes.

“They go hand-in-hand,” Kirk says, “because there are people who will not leave without their pets and I understand that. So, we need to try to do what we can to make sure that everybody can leave and be safe.” Kirk suggests putting together an emergency kit for the pets — as well as the family — so everyone in the home is ready to respond. He says a family needs to have non-perishable food, bottled water, medications and other material together to last for the first 72 hours of an emergency.

(Radio Iowa)

A Glenwood man was arrested Sunday on a drug charge. The Glenwood P-D reports 30-year old Logan Lingle was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance. His bond was set at $1,000. On Saturday, 30-year old Tare Shannon, of Council Bluffs, was arrested in Glenwood for Driving While Barred. Her bond was set at $2,000. And last Friday, Glenwood Police arrested 48-year old David Craigmile, of Glenwood, for Public Intoxication. His bond was set at $300.

It’s happening again. Jamie Park, branch manager of the Wells Fargo Bank in Atlantic, told KJAN a scam aimed at getting your personal information is making rounds in the area. Park said at around 11:15-a.m. today (Monday), a bank customer called to report they had received a text message warning that the person’s “Check/Debit Card-is SUSPENDED! Please respond.” The message included a link to a website that instructs you to fill out information. Again we remind you: This is an attempt by scammers to gain access to your personal information. DO NOT RESPOND TO THE TEXT OR ACCESS THE WEBSITE ATTACHED TO THE TEXT.

Earlier this month, similar texts went to persons who have Wells Fargo accounts, as well as those who have no accounts at the bank. Among those who received the fake text were persons in County government and local law enforcement officials.

Remember, never respond to unsolicited text messages claiming to be from your or any other bank, that asks you for your personal information. If there is ever any doubt about the status of your bank account, call or stop by your local bank branch.

No injuries were reported following an accident Saturday morning at the Casey’s General Store in Atlantic, Saturday morning. Authorities say a vehicle driven by Alison Bruckner, of Atlantic, was pulling away from the pumps at the Casey’s central location (701 Poplar), when a vehicle driven by Todd Schroeder, of Atlantic, came up on the right side of Bruckner’s car heading west, and turned in front of the Bruckner vehicle.

Damage from the collision amounted to $3,500. No citations were issued.

Two men were arrested on drug charges, Saturday, in Atlantic. The A-PD reports 56-year old Glenn Keller, of Council Bluffs, and 52-year old Ronald Keller, of Massena, were taken into custody. Glen Keller was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana, Possession of a Controlled Substance/Cocaine – 1st offense; Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and Open Container. Ronald Keller faces charges that include Possession of a Controlled Substance Violation, OWI -2nd offense, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Driving under suspension, Possession of drug paraphernalia, and Prohibited acts. Both men were booked into the Cass County jail.

On Sunday, Atlantic Police arrested 29-year old Albert Johnson, of Atlantic, on an Ida County warrant for Contempt of Court. He has since bonded-out of jail. And, 20-year old Nick Renner, of Atlantic, was arrested for Public Intoxication. He was booked into the Cass County Jail.

Audubon Police Chief Matt Starmer reports a local teen was arrested last Tuesday (March 24th, on a drug charge. Officers arrested 16-year old Alyssa Leigh-Anne Stevens, of Audubon on a Possession of Marijuana – 1st offense, charge. Stevens was released to her parents and will be referred to the Juvenile Court.

And on Saturday, Audubon Police arrested 29 year old Shawn Leroy Schmidt, of Audubon. Schmidt was charged with Aggravated Domestic Abuse – 2nd offense. He  was being held on $5000 bond in the Audubon County Jail.

Governor Terry Branstad says there’s no reason to add an accommodation for year-round high schools in the bill that would resolve the controversy about when Iowa schools may start classes this fall. “We don’t have any year-round high schools in Iowa, so there’s not something that we need to address,” Branstad says.

Both the Iowa House and Senate have approved bills that would let schools start “on or after August 23rd.” A December memo from the Branstad administration put schools on notice that it would no longer grant waivers and enforce existing law, which means schools would have to start during the week in which September 1st falls. “I can live with the present law or this compromise is something that I would find also acceptable,” Branstad says.

The Democratic leader in the Iowa Senate has placed a hold on the compromise date of no earlier than August 23rd. Senate Democratic Leader Mike Gronstal has said since the bill grants a waiver to year-round elementary schools, it should include waivers for year-round high schools, in case districts want to move in that direction in the future. Branstad rejects that argument. “I see no reason to address something that’s a non-issue when there are no year-round high schools,” Branstad says. “I can’t see what his problem could be.”

In addition to resolving the dilemma about when Iowa schools can start classes in the fall, lawmakers have also failed to decide how much state aid districts will get for 2015-2016 school year. Branstad told reporters this morning (Monday) he’s sticking with his bargaining position, which would provide about 100-million more to schools. Democrats in the legislature are holding to their bargaining position, a four percent boost in per pupil spending that would amount to a roughly 200-million dollar increase for public K-through-12 schools.

(Radio Iowa)

The United States Postal Inspection Service is offering a reward of up to $1000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the burglary of the U. S. Post Office in Brayton. The incident occurred after the Post Office closed at the end of its business day on March 25th.

JJ O’Hara, US Postal Inspector in Des Moines, says anyone who breaks into, or attempts to break into any U.S. Post Office with the intent to commit a larceny or other depredation, is committing a felony, subject to a fine and/or imprisonment for up to five years.

If you have any information concerning the crime, contact the U. S. Postal Inspectors at 1-888-876-5322 or the Audubon County Sheriff’s Office at 712-563-2631.

A local accounting firm reports financial statements for both the City of Atlantic and Cass County have been completed. The reports, compiled by Gronewold, Bell, Kyhnn & Company, P.C., are for the Fiscal year that ended June 30, 2014. Copies of the report are available at the Atlantic City Clerk’s office and office of the Cass County Auditor, respectively. The reports are also available from the State Auditor’s Office.

The City of Atlantic Financial report can be found here: http://auditor.iowa.gov/reports/1420-0128-C00F.pdf

The Cass County Financial report can be found here: http://auditor.iowa.gov/reports/1410-0015-C00F.pdf  Cass County Auditor Dale Sunderman summarizes the County report as follows:

The County had local tax revenue of $25,969,742 for the year ended June 30, 2014, which included $1,230,203 in tax credits from the state. The County forwarded $19,029,316 of the local tax revenue to the townships, school districts, cities and other taxing bodies in the County. The County retained $6,940,426 of the local tax revenue to finance County operations, a 0.7 percent increase from the prior year.

Other revenues included $6,088,828 from the state, including indirect federal funding of $2,467,736, charges for service of $351,156, and $191,376 for the use of money and property. Expenditures for County operations totaled $14,468,301, a 21.2 percent increase from the prior year.

Expenses included $4,958,282 for roads and transportation, $1,092,156 for mental health, $2,359,152 for public safety and legal services, $813,009 for capital projects, the flow thru of indirect federal funding and $1,222,405 for administrative services.

Two men wanted on outstanding warrants related to drug activity in Audubon County have turned themselves in. Audubon County Sheriff Todd Johnson reports 21-year old Reece Joseph Blohm, of Audubon, turned himself in this (Monday) morning. He was charged with Possession of Marijuana/2nd offense, and Gathering Where Controlled Substances are used. 21-year old Robert Paul Joens, of Exira, also turned himself in to the Sheriff’s Office this (Monday) morning. He was wanted on a Gathering Where Controlled Substances are used, charge.

Blohm appeared before the magistrate and was released from custody. A preliminary hearing for both men will be held April 16th. An extensive investigation into their alleged activities began in November, 2013, and remains ongoing.