There’s a big fuss being made over four tiny, fuzzy critters at one of the region’s largest tourist attractions.

Lions cubs at the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha.

Four lion cubs are being seen by the public for the first time at the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha. Zoo director Dennis Pate says a total of five lion cubs were born there late last month. “It’s exciting for us because it’s been 18 years since we’ve had (newborn) lions, 1994,” Pate says. “It’s been a long, long time and a lot of work on the part of the animal department to get the right male in, bring two females in. The females came from Idaho. Not sure where the male came from — Mr. Big — he’s a really big African lion.”

Four of the cubs are on display in the zoo’s Cat Complex with their mother. One female cub was smaller and is receiving extra care. So far, she’s thriving in the zoo’s hospital and will be introduced back with her mother and siblings once she is strong enough. Pate says the litter of five cubs — three females and two males — were born on December 29th.  “They’ll be here for quite a while,” Pate says. “As they grow, I imagine we’ll move them over so they have the outside yard, a lot of room to run and play. They should be a lot of fun to watch as they grow up. By the time they’re 16 weeks old, they’re going to be moving around a lot. Come spring, summer, it ought to be the joy of Omaha to come down and watch these cubs play.”

The four cubs that are on public view now are very healthy, Pate says, as is the new mother. The zoo also has four African lion adults, one male and three females. African lions are listed as “vulnerable” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. More information is available on-line at www.omahazoo.com

(Radio Iowa)

The City of Atlantic’s Planning and Zoning Commission discussed Tuesday, a proposal pertaining to a housing development, “Southern Heights II,” between 22^nd and 19^th Streets, west of Redwood.The discussion included the future of Plum Street, versus Southern Heights Drive, along with storm water runoff and drainage issues.

City Councilman Shaun Shouse is the Council’s liaison. He reported to the Council Wednesday evening there was ample information about why the developer thought the project was needed, and representatives from the Cass-Atlantic Development Corporation (CADCO) were on-hand to offer their support.

Shouse said some residents in the area also offered their input, which included their support for the project, and concerns about traffic flow from 19^th to 22^nd.   He said also, that John Lund, Assistant to City Administrator Doug Harris, reported to the P-and-Z Commission at the meeting, that he would look into other options to alleviate some of the traffic issues, and report back on those options during the next meeting. And, the developer indicated their intention to request the area be re-zoned in order to accommodate multifamily housing. If that is approved, additional details will be released concerning the site plan at a future date.

Authorities in Montgomery County are investigating numerous incidents of the theft. Officials with the Red Oak Police Department say a little more than half a dozen complaints have been received from residents of the community, with regard to vehicles being broken into, and items stolen from inside those vehicles.

One of the residents reported on Wednesday, that two  of her vehicles had been broken into. While that incident was under investigation, six other residents filed complaints about vehicle thefts. Authorities say they later received a call from a resident near Griswold who observed a black and gray plastic box on the Nishnabotna Bridge north of Red Oak on Highway 48.  Several items in the box were found to have been taken from one of the burglarized vehicles in Red Oak. Those items are being examined to see if they can reveal any evidence of who may have committed the crime.

Anyone with information into these thefts is urged to call Red Oak Police at 712-623-6500 or The Montgomery County Crimestoppers at 800-432-1001.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

After more than 75-minutes worth of discussion about an amendment to the County’s Zoning Ordinance that would change the Zoning Districts’ Permitted Principal Uses, the Cass County Board of Supervisors Wednesday approved the first vote on the matter. However, their approval came with the caveat that the Cass County Attorney review the wording as it stands, and comment on whether the words “Light Industrial” needs to be added to one sentence in the amendment. The question also remains, whether those two words will cause a conflict between the County, and Fagen, Incorporated, which has already purchased the former Amaizing Energy Ethanol site, and looks to use the property for renewable energy production.

Last Fall, Kathy Schowalter with PlanScape Partners, presented to the Board a proposal from Ron Fagen, CEO of Granite Falls, Minnesota-based Fagen, Incorporated, which pertained to the possible creation of a 25-million gallon Cellulosic ethanol plant on the Amaizing Energy site. During Wednesday’s meeting, Schowalter said while they had hoped a cellulosic ethanol plant would be operating on the site, that is by no means a certainty.

She said Fagen doesn’t have a buyer lined up for the site he purchased just yet, so it could become almost anything ag related, including a seed corn processor. But it would not become a CAFO – Confined Animal Feeding Operation. She said they simply don’t know what will “Come down the pike.”

Cass County Engineer Charles Marker expressed his concern that two words apparently left out of the amended ordinance may leave a loop hole for heavy industrial operations to locate in a Light Industrial Zone, not just at the Amaizing Energy site, but anywhere in the County. He said he ordinance as worded does not specifically say a site will be used for “Light Industry.” Instead, it says “Industry which uses renewable energy,” which he says, becomes an “Administrative problem.” That means any industry, heavy or not, which uses renewable energy as a means of production, could apply under article 17 of the ordinance.

Zoning Administrator Rich Hansen said the Zoning Commission, which forwarded its recommendation to the Supervisors for their approval, would have no problem with a slight re-wording to the amendment, prior to next week’s second hearing and vote by the Supervisors. But Supervisor Chuck Rieken questioned whether the Board has the right to delete or add language to an amendment without making sure the legalities are taken care of. That means consulting with County Attorney Dan Feistner.

The Board then approved the Zoning Commission’s initial recommendation, with the stipulation legal counsel provide input for the next hearing.

The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday evening, approved an amendment to the City’s Personnel Policy. City Administrator Doug Harris explained one part of the amendment pertains to how close the city’s police officers must live with regard to their response time. The current requirement calls for officers to live within five-miles of the City limits, but after consulting with Police Chief Steve Green, and looking at other, legal requirements, it was determined the officers may live within a 25-minute response time.

The second change to the Personnel Policy, pertained to the parity between Union and Non-Union contracts, with regard to Personal Holiday time. The current contract allows non-union employees two-personal holidays per year. The proposal called for that to increase to three days per year, which would make the total number of holidays 11. That matches what Union personnel employed by the City, receive. The amendment was approved unanimously.

In other business, City Administrator Doug Harris said the Airport Commission has submitted their Capital Improvement Program (CIP) to the State of Iowa. He says if approved, the local share for the projects, the total cost of which is $2.62-million, the local share would end up being $875, 953. And, if it’s approved by the State, the Commission would have to request the Council consider a bond issue to finance some of the improvements, which by the way, were not included in the CIP Harris presented to the Council last month.

He said also, renovations on the Atlantic City Hall will begin next week, with the lobby area. Eventually, work will proceed into the Council Chambers, which will result in one of the regular council meetings in February having to take place at another location.

Officials with the Atlantic Community Promotion Commission (CPC) report they would like anyone interested in doing the downtown beautification project…which includes planting, mulching, weeding, watering, and other maintenance of the flower beds on Chestnut Street…to write a proposal, and send it to city officials by noon on Jan 30th. The CPC will discuss the proposals during its meeting in February.

Those who make the proposals are invited to attend the meeting February 7th, at noon, to answer questions from the CPC about the proposal. CPC members said they have requests from other parties about overseeing the project, and decided to ask for proposals from those interested this year. The project consists of flower beds in Chestnut Street median between Sixth and Seventh Streets and on the Chestnut Street corners from Second to Sixth Streets, however, $7,500 has been budgeted, and if funds remain after the Chestnut Street area is complete, other areas (for example, the corner at Seventh and Olive Streets) could be considered.

The CPC also notes that the flower bed in the median on Chestnut Street is irrigated. Proposals should detail plant types, color schemes, plant heights (keep drivers’ visibility in mind), maintenance schedule, volunteer involvement, and a breakdown of costs, and in addition to annual plantings, CPC members would like proposals to expand the use of perennials to save money in the long run. Because types of plantings aren’t specified, the project will be considered based on the overall value (bang for the buck) rather than lowest cost.

Maintenance should be ongoing with special attention given to downtown events – Customer Appreciation Days, Crazy Daze, Atlanticfest, Coca-Cola Days, Harvest Fest, etc., and proposals should include all labor, materials and equipment. Those submitting proposals are responsible for their own insurance. Volunteer involvement is not required, but there has been a volunteer planting day in the past. Those submitting proposals may want to continue with that, utilize volunteers to assist with maintenance instead (such as coordinating businesses or groups to “adopt” corners to weed), or eliminate volunteers all together.

Use of volunteers is at the discretion of those submitting proposals. Volunteers would be coordinated and overseen by those submitting proposals. For more information, contact Caryn Barbero-Just at 254-0989.

The trial for two Nebraska residents charged in connection with an arson fire in Atlantic in Dec. 2010 has been delayed until March. According to online court records, 27-year old William Kautter, of Omaha, faces a felony 1st degree arson charge, and six felony charges of Attempt to Commit murder. His wife, 29-year old Elizabeth Kautter, also of Omaha, faces a felony 1st degree arson charge. All charges stem from a Dec. 2010 residential fire at 601 E. 6th Street, in Atlantic.

The homeowners, Myron and Jolynne Gill, along with one of their adult children and three juveniles, were in the home at the time, but all escaped without injury. Investigators determined gasoline was splashed across the front door and porch of the house and then set aflame.
Complaints and Affidavits filed in coordination with the arrest of William and Elizabeth Kautter said prior to the fire, William Kautter had made several harassing phone calls, threatened physical harm and death to the Gill family. In addition, cell phone records showed the Kautter’s had traveled to Iowa from Omaha the night of the fire, and, Elizabeth Kautter was seen purchasing gasoline at an Atlantic area gas station on December 14th, 2010.

The Kautter’s have plead not guilty to the arson charges. Both trials were set to have begun Tuesday, Jan. 8th, but on Monday, Judge Jeffrey Larson agreed to extend the pre-trial conferences until Feb. 25th, with the both trials slated for March 26th. The couple remains free on bond. William Kautter had also been charged with Making Terrorist Threats, but he instead plead guilty to a reduced charge of 1st Degree Harassment.