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

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The Audubon Chamber of Commerce held its annual Community Banquet and Awards program Monday evening. Among the awards presented during the event, were those for 2015 Citizen of the Year, and 2015 Junior Citizen of the Year. Brett Irlmeier won Citizen of the Year, and Alysha Vance won the Junior award.

Prior to presenting the award to Irlmeier, officials noted that since he moved to Audubon in 1993, Brett has “demonstrated the qualities of a great citizen,” and “his commitment to the town of Audubon and to making it a better place to live, has been instrumental,” in making the community a great place to live and work. Irlmeier is the President and CEO of the Audubon State Bank, where he has worked his way through the ranks since he started there in 1993.

He also serves many organizations, including: Treasurer of the Audubon County Economic Development Corporation; Vice President of the Midwest Partnership Economic Development Board; the Audubon Lions Club; Pheasants Forever; SIAC (The School Improvement Advisory Committee); the Audubon County Community Foundation, and, he volunteers for the Youth Little League Program. Brett and his wife Deb, have a daughter, Kali.

2015 Audubon Junior Citizen of the Year, Alysha Vance, is a junior at the Audubon High School. In selecting her for the honor, officials said Vance is involved in many organizations, including being an active FFA member since eighth grade. She’s also participated in several career development competitions, community service projects, and leadership events.

Alysha has served as a student senate representative, and last spring was inducted into the National Honor Society. She was described as “Embodying the ideals of integrity, respect, character and responsibility” that the citizens of Audubon want in the community. Upon completing high school, Alysha plans to pursue a Veterinary Medicine Degree, to follow her dreams of becoming a veterinarian. She’s the daughter of Tony and Amy Vance, and has a sister, Aryn.

Also at the Audubon Chamber Community Banquet, Monday, officials presented the 2015 Community Service Award for the “2015 Channel Seed Ag Bowl,” with Heuss Distributing, Inc. (HDI), and Audubon Sports Boosters serving as event coordinators. The event took place Aug. 27th, 2015, with the Audubon Wheelers taking on the AHSTW Vikings in a locally televised matchup.

Atlantic Parks and Recreation Director Roger Herring Monday evening updated the Parks & Rec Board on the status of fundraising efforts for Schildberg Recreation Area and other park improvements. With regard to a Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant, Herring said progress “Is movin.” Herring said they have authorization from the Feds and State to go ahead with the design phase of the Schildberg Lake #2 trail, and he hopes to have bid letting in July. Completion is expected to occur later this fall.

Herring said there was a delay in getting the grant approved, due to red tape with regard to “coding.”

Proposed additional trail around Lake #2 at the Schildberg Rec Area. (File photo from Feb. 2015)

Part of the trail is in the City limits, but since the original request was to have it outside the City limits, the powers that be had to re-evaluate the whole process. In other news, Roger Herring said he and Assistant Parks & Rec Director Seth Staashelm have been putting together a grant request from the Cass County Community Foundation that has to be turned-in by no later than May 31st. The application will be for anywhere from $15-to $20,000, for upgrades to some City Parks.

That includes Harl-Holt Park at 17th and Olive Streets, behind the old YMCA building. Staashelm says they would like to upgrade equipment at the park, including replacement of the basketball court at the park. Instead of replacing the concrete, they could install something called a “Versacourt,” Which is a plastic tiling outdoor system. The Parks and Rec crew can assemble and secure the system themselves, which would save on costs. Another benefit is different types of recreational lines can be placed on the court, including basketball and pickelball, to name but a few. The product has a 15-year warranty.

They also hope to update or replace some playground equipment at the Harl-Holt Park, and retrofitting the swing. Roger Herring said they are also working on a Vision Iowa grant application. Currently, they are soliciting Letters of Support for the grant application. That includes revisiting previous persons or entities that have supported prior grant applications, and a Resolution of Support from the City and others.

The goal is to submit the application by April 14th. In other business, Staashelm and Herring received approval from the Parks and Rec Board to have a special Online Reservations program created so that people can check to see what City Park shelters are available, and make reservations for the use of those shelters. The computer program and services would cost around $700. It would save Herring and Staashelm countless hours in scheduling and confirming shelter house reservations.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

328 AM CST TUE JAN 19 2016

MODERATE SNOWFALL EXPECTED OVER SOUTHERN AND SOUTHWESTERN IOWA TODAY. SNOW WILL SPREAD FROM WEST TO EAST THIS MORNING AND PERSIST INTO TONIGHT…RESULTING IN MODERATE ACCUMULATIONS LIKELY ACROSS SOUTHWESTERN AND SOUTHERN IOWA. LIGHT ACCUMULATIONS ARE EXPECTED ELSEWHERE.

CRAWFORD-CARROLL-AUDUBON-GUTHRIE-CASS-ADAIR-ADAMS-UNION-TAYLOR-RINGGOLD-MONONA-HARRISON-SHELBY- POTTAWATTAMIE-MILLS-MONTGOMERY-FREMONT- PAGE–COUNTIES: A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST THIS EVENING.

SNOW WILL BEGIN DURING THE EARLY MORNING HOURS AND END IN THE LATE AFTERNOON. STORM TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS…2 TO 4 INCHES WITH THE HIGHEST AMOUNTS TOWARD THE MISSOURI BORDER. WINDS WILL BE SOUTHEAST AT AROUND 10 MPH. VISIBILITY DURING TIMES OF HEAVIEST SNOWFALL WILL FALL TO A MILE OR LESS. ROADS WILL BECOME SLICK AND SNOW PACKED AND WILL CREATE HAZARDOUS TRAVEL CONDITIONS AT TIMES.

DALLAS-AND MADISON COUNTIES: A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 9 PM CST THIS EVENING. AGAIN, 2-4″ OF SNOW IS POSSIBLE.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW COVERED ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES…AND USE CAUTION WHILE DRIVING.

Police in Council Bluffs Monday afternoon released additional details concerning an emergency landing by a small aircraft that took place late Monday morning. Authorities say just before 11-a.m., emergency personnel responded to the area of East Manawa Drive and Red Tail Road for an emergency landing of an airplane in the bean field North of a housing subdivision.

Council Bluffs P-D photo.

A further investigation revealed the airplane a single engine Cessna had taken off from the Council Bluffs Airport and a short time later began experiencing engine trouble. The pilot, Travis Yohn, was able to safely land the plane in the empty field. The pilot and the other occupant, Connor Galvin, were both unhurt and the airplane sustained no visible damage.

Officers with the Council Bluffs Police Department were working Monday afternoon with the Federal Aviation Administration and the Council Bluffs Airport personnel in removing the airplane from the field.

MONONA-HARRISON-SHELBY-POTTAWATTAMIE-MILLS-MONTGOMERY-FREMONT-PAGE COUNTIES….347 PM CST MON JAN 18 2016

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN OMAHA/VALLEY HAS ISSUED A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW…WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM TO 6 PM CST TUESDAY.

Winter Weather Advisory for counties shaded in purple

CRAWFORD-CARROLL-AUDUBON-GUTHRIE-CASS-ADAIR-ADAMS-UNION-TAYLOR- RINGGOLD COUNTIES...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM TO 6 PM CST TUESDAY.

LIGHT SNOW WILL BEGIN TO FALL OVER THE FAR SOUTHWEST LATE TONIGHT AND CONTINUE TO SPREAD EAST THROUGH TUESDAY. MODERATE ACCUMULATIONS ARE EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING THE MORNING HOURS TUESDAY. THE SNOW WILL END FROM WEST TO EAST TUESDAY EVENING.

TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS…2 TO 4 INCHES WITH HIGHEST AMOUNTS SOUTH OF INTERSTATE 80.

* LOOK FOR REDUCED VISIBILITIES AT TIMES. PLAN ON SLIPPERY ROAD CONDITIONS…INCLUDING DURING THE MORNING COMMUTE ON TUESDAY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS PERIODS OF SNOW WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW COVERED ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES…AND USE CAUTION WHILE DRIVING.

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports two people were arrested following an incident in Corning early Monday.  At 5:30am Sheriff’s officials were called to a residence at 1909 Filbert Avenue in Corning.  54-year-old Aaron Sherer and 39-year-0ld Jamie Starr were both arrested for Domestic Abuse after both were found with minor injuries.  Both individuals were transported to the Adams County Jail and held pending an appearance before a magistrate.

The Atlantic Police Department released details Monday on multiple recent arrests.

On Friday, January 15th Atlantic Police arrested 21-year-old James Parrish of Kansas City, KS on an out of state warrant for Fugitive from Justice.  Parrish was taken to the Cass County Jail and booked in.

On Saturday, January 16th Atlantic Police arrested 25-year-old Norrin Bishop of Atlantic for 4th Degree Theft.  Bishop was booked into the Cass County Jail.  Also on Saturday Officers arrested 38-year-old Adrian Hansen of Atlantic for Domestic Abuse Assault, Obstruction of Emergency Call, and False Imprisonment.  He was taken into custody and transported to Cass County Jail and booked in.

On Sunday, January 17th Atlantic Police arrested 21-year-0ld Bryce Baker of Atlantic for Domestic Abuse Simple Assault and Violation of a No Contact Order.  He was taken into custody and booked into the Cass County Jail.

A single engine aircraft with two persons on-board has made an emergency landing in a soybean field in the vicinity of Lake Manawa subdivision, not far from Interstate 29, in Pottawattamie County.  The report came in at around 11-a.m. after the FAA lost radar contact with the aircraft, which, according to Plane Flight Tracker.com, is a 1976 Cessna registered to company out of Council Bluffs. On-board were a student pilot and pilot. No injuries were reported.

Council Bluffs P-D photo.