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

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The Atlantic City Council meeting lasted just 15 minutes, Wednesday evening, due to a short agenda. During their session, the Council, as expected, approved an Order making 1^st Whitney Bank and Trust the City’s Official Bank for the Checking account in 2018, and an Order making the local paper the official newspaper for legal publications in 2018. They also passed the third and final reading of an Ordinance amending the current Code, with regard to No Parking on 13^th Street, from Locust to Birch. The area had been overlooked for one side No Parking when the signs were posted on other streets. The result was that when vehicle parked on both sides of the street, it created a very narrow passage for vehicles to negotiate, and a safety hazard.

City Administrator John Lund informed the Council about various meetings coming up, including Community Protection on Jan. 16^th. Dan Lee, Community Development Director for SWIPCO, is expected to be present during that 5:30-p.m. meeting to discuss a Rental Property Inspection Ordinance. There are other meetings that have yet to be scheduled for this month, including the Finance and Administration Committee meeting to discuss Bull Creek

John Danos, Dorsey and Whitney, LLP, partner, who provides cities and municipalities with financing and complex local government matters information, including those pertaining to bonds, will also meet with city leaders, with regard to facilitation a meeting with regard to financing the county-wide landfill. The meeting is expected to take place Jan. 17^th, after the regular City Council meeting. The Atlantic Beautification Committee will meet January 18^th. During the committee meetings, the public may attend, but cannot participate.

Lund says the other big thing that’s coming up in the next few months, deals with municipal bonds. Lund says there is a very narrow window for getting low, competitive interest rates because of tax reform, so getting the lowest rates possible this quarter is important. It’s expected that on February 21^st, a Public Hearing will be held with regard to bonds, along with approval of the preliminary official statement and purchase agreement, and the City will receive the funds on Feb. 22^nd.

Lund will talk later, as well, with Standard and Poors officials in New York, with regard to improving the City’s bond by upgrading it to “A minus.” And, in his report, Mayor Dave Jones reminded citizens and property owners in Atlantic, to shovel the snow off the sidewalks on their properties.

ANKENY, Iowa (AP) — Convenience store chain Casey’s General Stores Inc. plans to expand its Ankeny headquarters. Casey’s senior vice president Brian Johnson told The Des Moines Register that the company had run out of space in its building. The company recently opened its 2,000th store, and more growth is expected. Johnson also says the company is seeking tax credits from the city and state.

Nearly 900 people work at the Ankeny location, not counting warehouse employers or truck drivers. Johnson says the expansion could lead to Casey’s hiring at least 80 more office workers there over the next five years.

A man from Mills County faces multiple charges following a traffic stop this (Thursday) morning in Council Bluffs that escalated into a pursuit, the crash of a stolen vehicle, and the eventual apprehension of the suspect. Council Bluffs Police report just before 2-a.m. today (Thursday), officers attempted to stop a 2000 Honda Accord in the area of 21st and Ave E as it was west bound on Ave E. The vehicle was reported stolen out of Saunders County Nebraska. The vehicle failed to yield for officers and fled.

Antonio Saldana

Officers pursued the vehicle for a short distance before terminating their attempt to stop the vehicle. The driver of the stolen vehicle continued to drive erratically and at high rates of speed, giving no regard for the safety of others. A little after 2-a.m., officers were called to the area of 1900 blk of Ave C for a hit and run, where a vehicle had struck a parked pickup. The driver had abandoned the vehicle and ran on foot. Upon officers’ arrival in the area, the vehicle was identified as being the stolen Honda that had previously run from officers.

Officers searched the area and located the suspect / driver in the area of 16th and Ave D. He was identified as 20-year old Antonio Saldana, of Glenwood. Saldana was placed under arrest and transported to Pottawattamie County Corrections. He was booked on numerous charges, including: Felony Eluding; Theft 2nd; Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Crash; No Driver’s License; Wrong Way on a One-Way, street, and Possession of Weapons (Brass Knuckles)

The Council Bluffs Police Department would like to remind motorists, the majority of car thefts that occur during this time of year are a result of cars being left unattended with the keys in them. The use of keyless starters or staying with your vehicle while it warms up will help prevent your vehicle being taken by thieves.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — No winning tickets were sold for the $460 million Powerball drawing. The winning numbers selected Wednesday night were 2, 18, 37, 39 and 42, and the Powerball number was 12. The jackpot jumps to an estimated $550 million for Saturday’s drawing. That would make it the nation’s 8th largest lottery prize ever.

Powerball is played in 44 states, as well as Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The odds of winning are one in 292.2 million. The $550 million prize refers to the annuity option, paid over 29 years. The cash prize would be almost $348 million.

Lottery players also can vie for another giant prize, as the Mega Millions game’s grand prize will be $418 million in Friday’s drawing.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:30 a.m. CST

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — No winning tickets were sold for the $460 million Powerball drawing. The winning numbers selected Wednesday night were 2, 18, 37, 39 and 42, and the Powerball number was 12. The jackpot jumps to an estimated $550 million for Saturday’s drawing. That would make it the nation’s 8th largest lottery prize ever.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa City police suspect dangerously cold weather played a part in the death of a man whose body was found Tuesday. Officers were sent to area around 2 p.m. Tuesday after 24-year-old Paul Biagas was found dead in the snow near the Robert A. Lee Recreation Center. Police Lt. Zach Diersen says investigators believe Biagas may have been walking home on New Year’s Eve to his apartment near downtown Iowa City.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The Salvation Army in Omaha has announced it will open several locations in the city and nearby Council Bluffs, Iowa, for people to escape the bitter cold that has gripped much of the nation. The group says its Kroc Center in southeastern Omaha, North Corps Community Center in northeast Omaha, Citadel Corps in midtown Omaha and Council Bluffs location across the Missouri River will serve as warming centers through Friday.

FARLEY, Iowa (AP) — Frigid temperatures are creating challenges for Iowa farmers who say animals can endure cold winter conditions but need extra attention to stay healthy and productive. Iowa entered 2018 with subzero temperatures. One dairy farmer tells the Telegraph Herald that his livestock needs to be partially protected from the frigid conditions. He says the cold weather can make cows uncomfortable and cut into productivity.

The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors will host a public meeting on Wednesday, January 17th. The meeting is with regard to the current county radio and communication system and the challenges the County is facing. The session takes place in the courtroom at the Montgomery County Courthouse in Red Oak, beginning at 6:30-p.m. The courtroom is located on the second floor of the courthouse.

During the public meeting, there will be a presentation about the Montgomery County Local Enhancements to [the] Iowa State Interoperable Communications System P25 Platform Proposal. There will also be comments from Montgomery County Joint Communications, Montgomery County Emergency Management, Montgomery County Emergency Personnel and Agencies and the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital. Financial options will also be discussed.

Time will be allowed for public comments and questions. Residents are encouraged to attend this meeting. The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors will be in quorum; however, there will be no actions made. For more information, contact Montgomery County Emergency Management Coordinator Brian Hamman, at 712-623-3749.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The Salvation Army in Omaha has announced it will open several locations in the city and nearby Council Bluffs, for people to escape the bitter cold that has gripped much of the nation.

The group says its Kroc Center in southeastern Omaha, North Corps Community Center in northeast Omaha, Citadel Corps in midtown Omaha and Council Bluffs location across the Missouri River will serve as warming centers through Friday. The Kroc Center will be open from 5 a.m. through 9 p.m. The other two Omaha locations open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Council Bluffs center opens from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Salvation Army opens warming centers when the wind chill dips below freezing or air temperature drops below 15 degrees (-12.22 Celsius).

Two accidents have been investigated so far this week, in Cass County. The Sheriff’s Office says at around 7:20 p.m., Tuesday, deputies responded to a report of an accident on Olive Street. A 2007 Pontiac G6 owned and driven by 17-year old Haley Jo Lockard, of Atlantic, was southbound on Olive Street when she lost control of the vehicle and struck the front end of an oncoming 2016 Ford F150 pickup. The pickup was owned and driven by 50-year old Todd Paul Sadler, of Mapleton. No injuries were reported. Damage to Lockard’s vehicle is estimated at $5,000; damage to Sadler’s vehicle is estimated at $10,000. Lockard was cited with Failure to Maintain Control.

And at around 8:35-a.m. today (Wednesday), deputies responded to a report of a two-vehicle accident at Memphis Road and 700th Street. A vehicle driven by 68-year old Gary Steffens, of Wiota, was struck by a vehicle operated by 38-year old Travis Lee Armstrong, of Cumberland. Both vehicles then entered the northwest ditch. No injuries were reported. Damages to the vehicles is not immediately available. Upon investigation, Armstrong was arrested for OWI 1st Offense and Driving While Revoked. He remains held at the Cass County Jail on $2,000 bond.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office is reporting three arrests took place over the past couple of weeks. On Tuesday (Jan. 2nd), 27-year old Justin Tyler Jacobs, of Atlantic, was arrested on Atlantic Police Department warrants for Harassment 3rd Degree and Interference with Official Acts, as well as two District Court warrants for Probation Violation. Jacobs was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held on $2,600 bond.

On Dec. 27th, Deputies arrested 39-year old James Robert Fulk, of Atlantic, on felony charges of Theft 1st Degree and Theft 2nd Degree. Fulk was taken to the Cass County Jail and released the following day on $15,000 bond.

And, on December 21st, 29-year old Charlie Bennett Hadfield, of Exira, was arrested on Cass County charges of OWI 2nd Offense and Driving While Barred. Hadfield was taken to the Cass County Jail and released the following day on $4,000 bond.