The Cass County Planning and Zoning Commission Thursday (Jan. 24^th), approved an amendment to the County’s Zoning Ordinance, which changes the Business District section of the Ordinance to permit businesses that sell and repair firearms, and/or operate an indoor shooting gallery. The Commission will forward its recommendation to the Cass County Board of Supervisors, for the consideration and possible adoption of the amended ordinance.

A Massena man appeared before the Commission Thursday night at the courthouse in Atlantic, to present his plan to open a gun sales and repair shop and indoor shooting range, near Massena. Currently, that type of business is not allowed under the County’s Zoning Ordinance.

If the Supervisor’s approve the Zoning Commission’s recommendation to adopt the amended ordinance, the gun shop near Massena could be open later this spring.

Someone tried to clean-out the Red Oak Washboard Laundromat this week. According to Red Oak Police, a person or persons unknown used a blunt device to gain entry into the supply closet at the business, located in the 1400 block of North 1st Street, in Red Oak. Inside the closet, the thief or thieves removed a security system, a monitor and one of the cameras. The suspects also attempted to remove a change machine from a wall, but their efforts were stymied by some tough to remove bolts. Another change machine was tampered with, but not damaged.

The incident took place sometime between 6 p.m. Wednesday and 11 a.m. Thursday, and resulted in a loss to the business of about $1,055 altogether. Anyone with information about the burglary is asked to contact Red Oak Police at 712-623-6500.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

The Harlan Police Department reports minor damage to two vehicles involved in an accident on Thursday, January 17th. A 2008 GMC driven by Rita Pfannkuch of Harlan was pulling onto 6th Street from a parking space when she came into contact with a 2007 Chrysler driven by David Smith of Panama. Smith was going northbound on 6th when the collision occurred. Each vehicle sustained $750 in damage.

The Harlan P-D reports a second accident occurred on Friday, January 18th. A 2011 Ford being driven by Corey Gaskill of Manilla was headed northbound on 4th Street approaching the intersection with Hill Street. That’s when a 1994 Ford being driven by Nicole Andersen of Harlan was heading East on Hill Street where she failed to yield to Gaskill’s vehicle. The front of Andersen’s car made contact with the left rear of Gaskill’s vehicle, causing both of them to spin. Gaskill came to rest facing south on 4th Street and Andersen came to rest facing north. Total damages came to $8,000. Andersen was cited for failure to yield.

The Harlan Police Department reports an Atlantic man was arrested on an assault charge, Wednesday. 33-year old Shawn Wegner was taken into custody following an investigation into an incident at 1022 6th Street in Harlan, where Wegner allegedly struck Ryne Nelsen, of Harlan. Wegner was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with assault.

The H-PD reports also, 24-year old Tyler Stahl of Harlan was cited for allegedly allowing his pit bull mix to run at large. The dog was reportedly being aggressive to pedestrians. On Tuesday, Harlan Police were called to the high school and  later cited 16-year old Caleb Rihner for a minor in possession of tobacco.

And, on January 15th, 48-year-old Larry Finstad, of Harlan, was arrested on a warrant for probation revocation. He was transported to the Shelby County Jail.

Lenox Police Chief Jon Huggins reports an elderly man died following an accident Wednesday morning. Huggins says at around  10:20-a.m. Wednesday, Lenox Police were notified of an accident near Van Buren Streets and Maple.

Wash bay damage at an automatic car wash caused by a pickup truck, in Lenox. (Photo courtesy Lenox P-D).

On arrival the officer determined the driver of the vehicle was not breathing. The ambulance was notified and CPR was started with assistance from employees of Barker Equipment. The driver was identified as 92-year old Mack E. McCall, of Lenox. McCall was transported to the hospital where he later died.

An investigation into the incident showed McCall was in the process of entering the automatic car wash, when he experienced a medical problem which caused him to loose consciousness.  The truck then accelerated through the closed overhead door, crossed Maple street, two yards, a fence and Van Buren Streets before crashing into a combine head at the implement dealership.

The pickup was totaled in the crash, while damage to the car wash was estimated at $4000. Other damages amounted to at least $500.

Two people were arrested late Monday morning in Corning following a reported disturbance at a mobile home park. Adams County Sheriff’s Officials say 30-year old Bobbie Bruce and 21-year old Michael Sickels, both from Corning, were arrested just before Noon, Monday, on charges of Domestic Assault and Assault. Bruce was being held in the Adams County Jail on $1,000 bond, while Sickels’ bond was set at $1,300.

Iowans submitted more than 600 photos as part of a contest to determine the cover of the next Iowa Travel Guide. Iowa Tourism Office spokesperson Jessica O’Riley says judges have now narrowed the field to three finalists. The finalists include boaters having fun on an Okoboji lake entered by Brock Bringle of Storm Lake, a family hiking at Maquoketa Caves State Park submitted by Kelsey Delperdang of Cedar Rapids and a kayaker enjoying the Turkey River sent in by Jessica Rilling from Cedar Rapids.

Fans or followers of the Iowa Tourism Office on Facebook will now choose their favorite of the three photos between now and February 1. The winning cover will be announced February 4. O’Riley says fans may vote for their favorite photo once a day per Facebook profile.

The new Iowa Travel Guide will be made available this spring. The annual publication features information about hundreds of vacation destinations in Iowa, as well as hotel and campground listings. The tourism office distributes more than 100,000 copies of the guide and a digital version is also available at www.traveliowa.com. The cover of the 2012 Iowa Travel Guide features bicyclists on the High Trestle Trail near Madrid.

(Radio Iowa)

The Atlantic Police Department reports the arrest Wednesday, of 19-year old Brady Hollander, of Atlantic. Hollander was taken into custody on a charges of Domestic Abuse Assault and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was booked-in to the Cass County Jail and held pending an appearance before the magistrate.

And, the A-PD says there were no serious injuries reported following a collision Wednesday evening at 5th and Poplar Streets. Officials say a vehicle driven by Heather Griffin, of Atlantic, was traveling west on 5th Street at around 4:10-p.m., at the same time a vehicle driven by Andrew Elings, of Wiota, was traveling south on Poplar.

Officials say when Griffin pulled out onto Poplar, her vehicle struck Elings’ vehicle on the left front corner, causing a total of $2,200 damage. Griffin was cited by Police for Failure to Obey a Stop Sign.

Officials with Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan are ready to unveil some of the new additions to the hospital. To mark the progress and near-end of the $16-million renovation project, which began in June 2011, an open house will be held today (Thursday), from 4:30 to 6:30-p.m. Dr. Bendorf, general surgeon for Myrtue Medical Center, says visitors will get a chance to see something a little different this evening.

“This is an opportunity for people to come and see the inner workings of an O-R. before it is up and running. I think it will be a good opportunity for people to come look at our new facility.” The Operating Rooms have seen quite a few upgrades with equipment and also higher ceilings which Bendorf said was the hardest challenge. “The way the lights are mounted on the ceiling, it just was really difficult to adjust and there was no way to raise the ceiling. So this is a huge improvement on that. In addition, there was no way we could do big orthopedic cases in the existing O.R’s. The increase in size will really expand our capabilities in that regard.”

The renovation project has been conducted in phases, with the Outpatient clinic and surgical center showcased for the open house this evening. Medical staff will be on-hand during the open house, to provide tours of the facility.

(Joel McCall/KNOD)