Officials with the Atlantic Police Department say 14 children ranging in age from seven-to 10, boarded a SWITA bus and headed to Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo last week. The June 4th trip was made possible by the Atlantic Police Department’s Children’s fund.

Back row, pictured left to right: Lt. Jon Parsons; Sgt. Paul Wood; Dispatcher Brittany Shampang; Amber Singleton, & Officer Devin Hogue

Three A-PD officers and two female volunteers accompanied the kids as they explored the many zoo exhibits and learned about the animals. Officials report the kids and officers had a great time at the zoo, and hope to do it again, next year.

The Atlantic Police Department’s Children’s fund is sustained by private donations from citizens and charity organizations, and enables the department to interact with local, area youth during several different activities, including an upcoming weekend campout.

Officials with the A-PD thank the parents of the children who attended the zoo event for allowing their kids the opportunity to do so, and all those generous persons and businesses who contributed funds to make the trip possible.

Officer Devin Hogue & a few kids take abreak at the zoo & share some laughs. (both photos courtesy the Atlantic Police Dept.)

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports a Taylor County man was arrested early Monday afternoon on an alcohol-related charge. Authorities stopped a car driven by 48-year old Mark Land, of Gravity, after they received a report of him allegedly being intoxicated at the Corning Hy-Vee Store. Upon further investigation, Land was taken into custody on a charge of OWI/1st offense.

Police in Red Oak are investigating a reported residential burglary. Officials say they received a call from a woman on E Street late Monday night, indicating someone had entered her home and removed several items, including an XBox 360, XBox 360 games and other, miscellaneous items. There was no visible damage, or indication of forced entry, to the structure. The incident is believed to have occurred sometime between late Friday evening and early Saturday morning. Anyone with information about the crime is asked to contact the Red Oak Police Department at 712-623-6500, or Montgomery County Crimestoppers at 1-800-432-1001.

Two people were arrested Monday night on drug charges, following a traffic stop in Montgomery County. Sheriff’s officials say deputies, assisted by Red Oak Police, arrested 29-year old Charles Adam Bradshaw, of Panora, and 29-year old Lacey Jo Smalley, of Clarinda.

Bradshaw was taken into custody on a warrant out of Dallas County for Probation Violation. He was also charged with driving while barred, possession of drug paraphernalia and providing false information to a peace officer. Bradshaw being being held in the Montgomery County Jail without bond.

Smalley faces a possession of marijuana charge. She was booked into the Montgomery County Jail and held on a $1,000 cash bond.

More than a quarter of the Iowa business owners who took part in a new survey plan to boost employment between the months of July and September. The third quarter Manpower Employment Outlook Survey found 27-percent of Iowa companies expect to add workers, while just six-percent anticipate a decrease in staffing levels. Manpower spokesperson Karen Miller says the result is a “Net Employment Outlook” of 21-percent. “That’s a really solid number. It’s the same as it was in Q2, so everything looks pretty optimistic for Iowa,” Miller said. The Net Employment Outlook is down slightly from a 24-percent outlook one year ago. Many of the recent Manpower surveys have listed Iowa as one of the best states in the nation for job opportunities. For that reason, Miller is encouraging Iowa employers to bolster their employee retention plans.

“As the unemployment numbers drop and hiring expectations increase, that means competition for top talent will be heating up,” Miller said. “So, if you’re looking for a job, now is a great time to find a job. If you’re an employer, you’re going to want to make sure you have plans in place to retain your top talent or risk losing them to your competition.” The Q3 2013 Manpower survey found job prospects are especially good in Iowa’s capital city.  “Des Moines is expected to be the best metro in the U.S. for job opportunities,” Miller said. In Des Moines, 28-percent of the employers surveyed plan to add workers in the third quarter, while just two-percent anticipate layoffs.

Of the more than 18,000 employers Manpower surveyed in the United States, 22-percent expect to add to their workforces, while six-percent expect a decline in their payrolls between July and September.

(Radio Iowa)