Atlantic broke two consecutive days of record low temperatures today and Sunday. For the 24-hour reporting period that ended today at 7-a.m., the low in Atlantic for March 2nd was -12. That broke the old record of -11 set on that date in 1913. The record low for today, March 3rd, was also broken at 7-a.m., when we recorded a temperature of -11. That broke the record set on this date in 2002.

For the month of February, the average High was 25.1 degrees, which was 10-degrees below normal. The average Low was -1, which was 16 degrees below normal. Precipitation for the month amounted to just under an inch, at 0.93, which is near normal.

The normal, average High for the month of February is 35.4, with the normal average Low 15.2.  Precipitation is normally .96.  KJAN is the OFFICIAL National Weather Service reporting site for Atlantic.

Police in Red Oak report the arrest early this (Monday) morning of a Cass County man on drug charges. 45-year old Kenneth Dale Schooling, of Griswold, was taken into custody at around 2:30 a.m. in the 200 block of east Nuckols Street, on a Possession of Methamphetamine charge. Schooling was being held in the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center on $1,000 bond.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – A monthly economic index for nine Midwestern and Plains states has dropped slightly but still suggests growth over the next three to six months. The overall Mid-America Business Conditions Index fell to 57.4 in February from 57.7 in January.

Looking six months ahead, the business confidence portion of the overall index also dropped last month. It hit a still strong 59.7 from January’s 62.2. The survey results from supply managers are compiled into a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Survey organizers say any score above 50 suggests growth, while a score below that suggests decline.

The survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.

An energy analyst with the Iowa Department of Agriculture is predicting higher prices for propane are here to stay. Harold Hommes says prices in Iowa have dropped dramatically since hitting the $5 a gallon level in late January, but Iowans should expect to pay more than they did last summer when the average price was around a dollar. “We’re not going to return to the prices we saw this past winter, we’re far from that, but I believe higher prices are here to stay in that market,” Hommes says.

Traditionally, domestic customers have held down values, according to Hommes, but the marketplace is evolving and producers now send the propane to places like Asia where they can make the most profit. “We now export about 400,000 barrels a day and that demand is likely going to continue for the foreseeable future. I don’t see that situation changing,” Hommes says.

This week’s survey places the average price per gallon of propane at two dollars and 59 cents ($2.59). About 15-percent of Iowa homes are heated with propane, mainly in rural areas.

(Radio Iowa)

Voters in Pottawattamie County will be heading to the polls Tuesday to decide on a $1.5-million bond issue proposal for the building of a new veterans center. The Omaha World-Herald reports the Pott. County Board decided in January to present a proposal to the voters during a special election. 60 percent approval is required for the measure to pass. County officials held an informational meeting Saturday on the proposal.

The new building would be located on what is now a county parking lot at Sixth Avenue and Sixth Street. The 6,300-square-feet building would include meeting rooms, a computer lab and handicapped-accessible restrooms.

The current 1,600-square-foot veterans affairs office is located in a former Sunday school at 223 S. Sixth St. The agency helps the 8,000 or so Pottawattamie County veterans apply for federal benefits, navigate government paperwork, arrange food, shelter and utilities if needed and receive other services. It also helps surviving family members of deceased veterans. The staff handles about 300 veteran visits and fields about 670 phone calls per month.

A current lack of space means that donated clothing for veterans has been moved to the hallway outside of the office.There is also no computer lab, meaning it’s difficult to provide veterans privacy when filling out the government paperwork that must be done online. Many of the elderly veterans don’t understand computers, but even the younger and computer-savvy may need the staff’s help. There is also no private place for veterans to meet with outside counselors.

County officials estimate that if the bond issue passes, someone with a house valued at $100,000 will pay an additional $5.92 per year in property taxes for the next three years, assuming that the bonds are sold for a three-year period.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Another round of snow blanketed Iowa this weekend with parts of the state receiving as much as five inches, and bitter cold temperatures have returned. The National Weather Service says wind chills as cold as 40 degrees below zero were likely in northern Iowa overnight. Central Iowa was forecast to see wind chills ranging from 20-to-35 degrees below zero.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — With six women running in House and Senate primaries in Iowa this year, some are starting to wonder if 2014 might be the year that the state finally sends a woman to Washington. Women’s groups have long bemoaned the fact that Iowa is one of just two states that has never elected a woman governor or member of Congress.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa has only two inspectors to make sure thousands of asbestos-removal projects each year are being done properly in the state. The Des Moines Register reports the lack of inspections at asbestos removal projects was highlighted by problems at a downtown Des Moines renovation project. A contractor who had worked on renovations to a former Younkers department store in Des Moines complained to the state in January about improper asbestos removal.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Roy Devyn Marble scored 21 points and Number 20 Iowa snapped a three-game losing streak by beating Purdue 83-76 yesterday. Aaron White and Mike Gesell added 15 points each for the Hawkeyes, who have recorded consecutive 20-win seasons.

VAN METER, Iowa (AP) — A 29-year-old Iowa man is recovering after accidentally shooting his own finger during target practice. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is investigating the incident that happened Sunday afternoon at Badger Creek State Recreation Area in Madison County. Authorities say Zach Sainz inadvertently let one of his fingers get in front of the 9mm handgun he was firing.

Sainz was taken to a Des Moines hospital for treatment of a non-life threatening injury. His condition wasn’t immediately available Sunday evening.

Police in Red Oak report the arrest at around Noon, Sunday, of 43-year old Clinton Joe Hans England, of Red Oak. England was taken into custody in the 200 block of E. Walnut Street, and charged with Driving While Suspended. His bond was set at $300.

A car reported stolen out of Sugar Creek, Missouri a few days ago was found Saturday night…after it slammed into a residence in Red Oak. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office says their 9-1-1 Center received a call from a resident at 107 E. Market Street at around 10:55-p.m., saying a vehicle had just struck the rear of his home and whomever was driving had taken off on foot.

Authorities arrived on the scene and found a green 2001 Honda Accord with Missouri license plates resting against the rear exterior wall of the home. The driver of the vehicle was not located. A check of the vehicles’ registration determined it had been stolen out of Missouri.

The residence sustained about $2,500 damage during the incident, while damage to the car was estimated at $1,000. The Red Oak Police Department is asking anyone with information about the incident to call Mongtomery County Crimestoppers at 1-800-432-1001, or Red Oak Police at 623-6500.