Ann Pross, Director of Iowa Western Community College’s Cass County Center, says applications are currently being accepted for nursing scholarships being offered by the Don and Lois Sonntag Endowment Fund. All students from Atlantic and surrounding communities are encouraged to apply for the available funds. The actual amount awarded to each student will depend upon the number of qualified applicants.

Applications can be found on the Iowa Western website at www.iwcc.edu/es/financial/scholarships.asp, and must be received by July 6th, 2012. IWCC officials will make the final determination of who is qualified for the scholarships, based on need and certain scholarship criteria. All funds from the effort will be used only for those students enrolled in nursing prerequisite courses, or the nursing program.

In addition, the Sonntag Endowment Fund is offering a Challenge Grant of up to $5,000, for matching funds to benefit students attending Iowa Western Community College. The Atlantic couple has already committed $2,500 to nursing scholarships, and a gift from Pat McCurdy brings the current scholarship total to $3,500. Additional funds are still being accepted to match the $5,000 challenge, and have $10,000 available for area students who are pursuing a career in nursing.

Matching funds under the endowment program can be in any amount, and should be submitted directly to the Iowa Western Community College Foundation, a 501-c-3 tax deductible entity. For more information, contact Don Sonntag at 712-249-1906, or Ann Pross at IWCC in Atlantic, at 712-243-5527.

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A Clarinda man was arrested Wednesday evening on an OWI charge. Police Chief Keith Brothers says 37-year old Ryan Gary Fewsen was taken into custody at around 6:30 p.m. , on a charge of OWI/1st offense, following a traffic stop at 14th and Stuart Streets. officers Fewson was released on a recognizance bond and will appear before the Page County Magistrate at a later date for an initial appearance.

The City of Atlantic is looking for a female to fill a position on the Community Promotion Committee. Mayor Pro-Tem Steve Livengood said during Wednesday evening’s City Council meeting, that they’re looking for resumes’ from woman because of gender balancing mandate handed down by the State. Livengood said the applicant should be “community active.” Your resume may be submitted to City Hall.

Livengood said also, the City “Is not going to shoot cats.” The Community Protection Committee, he says met on June 12^th to discuss a complaint about cats which, according to one resident, threatens her bird sanctuary. He says the Committee reviewed the City’s Animal Protection and Control licensing Code, and no where does it mention cats per se. Regardless, the Committee feels Chapter 55 of the Code is applicable to cats, even though it specifically says “dogs” and “animals.” Chapter 56 refers specifically to dog licensing. Livengood says the committee is examining the pro’s and con’s of licensing cats, but no decision has been made. Livengood said if your neighbor’s cat is in your yard, you have rights. He suggested cat owners respect their neighbors’ wishes to keep the animals out of their yards, while the issue is being studied.

In other business, City Administrator Doug Harris said a representative from Mediacom Cable Company wanted to inform residents of the community who have cable tv service, that the company will be going to an all digital platform in September. As a result, analog television sets will be incapable of receiving cable signals without a special box. The box will also improve internet speed with the changeover. And, the City Council approved a three-year Collective Bargaining Agreement with the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 234, along with a Resolution establishing the Pay Plan for non-union employees of the City of Atlantic, for the fiscal year which begins July 1^st and ends June 30^th, 2013.

DENISON, Iowa (AP) – Officials say an ammonia leak has forced a beef slaughterhouse in western Iowa to close down for a day.  A spokesman for Tyson Fresh Meats says the Denison plant is expected to resume operations today (Thursday).  The Sioux City Journal reports that the leak was discovered before Wednesday’s production began. Workers were evacuated, and no injuries have been reported.

Atlantic (KJAN)- .79″

Audubon – 1.5″

Avoca – 1.5″ to 1.6″

Clarinda – .82″

Harlan- 1.10″

Massena- 1.01″

Malvern – .45″

Oakland – 1.00″

Red Oak – 1.05″

Valley- 1″

Villisca – .83″

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Firefighters from Marne and Atlantic were called to the scene of what was initially reported to have been a structure fire in rural northwestern Cass County this morning. According to dispatch reports, there was a blaze was in a barn on the Dale Larsen property at 57384 Boston Road. However an Iowa State Patrol Trooper who was the first to arrive on the scene shortly after the call was dispatched at 6:40-a.m, indicated it was merely a large round bale of hay that was smoldering, and there was no structure fire.

The Atlantic Fire Department said later, that three large, round hay bales were smoldering inside a hay barn on the property. The owner used a forklift to move the bales to his pasture so they could be extinguished. The cause of the incident appears to have been the result of spontaneus combustion. No injuries were reported.

An Atlantic woman was one of five people arrested on drug charges Wednesday, in Red Oak. According to Red Oak Police, 19-year old Jessica Moorehead, of Atlantic, was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana, following an investigation into a separate incident. Officials say Red Oak Police officers arrived at 1660 East Summit Street, and upon arrival, smelled a strong odor of marijuana allegedly coming from an apartment. 

A search warrant led to the arrests of Moorehead and 19-year-old Timothy Jennings, of Red Oak, who faces Possession of a Controlled substance/Marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia charges. 41-year old Kevin Eugene Jennings, of Red Oak, was also charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. 37-year old Anthony Deon Gregory, of Red Oak, along with 19-year old Timothy Gene Humphrey, of Omaha, were charged with Trespassing.

There’s been a change in ownership at Medivac Ambulance Service. David Miller and his wife Donita have owned the company based in Harlan, since 1979. Miller spoke about the change and trends that they’ve seen over the past year before the Atlantic City Council, during their meeting Wednesday night. He said their over-all call volume has pretty much stayed the same over the past year as the primary paramedic/advanced life-support provider. They average about 1,200 ambulance calls per year. Miller says over the past year, they have increased their staff somewhat. He says two, full-time paramedics have moved from Nebraska into the community of Atlantic and purchased real estate. One of the paramedics has more than 20-years of experience. 

Miller says he celebrated his 40^th year in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) this year, and, while he’s enjoyed his career, “All goods things must come to and end.” With that having been said, Miller introduced the new owners of Medivac, Bob and Nella Seivert, of Harlan. He said the couple has been with the company for 28-years individually, and nothing will change as far as how things operate. 

Bob Sievert said he and his wife moved to the area in 1984, from northwest Iowa. He said they’ve watched Medivac and the EMS field grow over the years. Nell Seivert is an instructor in several areas for the American Heart Association. Bob Sievert serves as the Emergency Management Coordinator for Shelby County, a position he will retain. Nell will become the Operations Manager for the both the Harlan and Atlantic Medivac service. 

Seivert says LaVonne Schroeter, Manager of the Atlantic Medivac division, will also continue in her position with the company. Bob Seivert says he “Looks forward to a long and productive relationship,” with the City, and will continue Miller’s open-door policy of communication.