Atlantic Police Chief Dave Erickson reports officers with the Atlantic Police Department have take a pledge to keep tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor products out of the hands of youth in the community. Known as “I-Pledge,” the program is a partnership with the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division (ABD), to educate local retailers and to enforce Iowa’s tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor product laws.

Due to a change in Iowa law, alternative nicotine and vapor products are now considered age-restricted products and will be part of the I-PLEDGE program’s compliance initiatives this year. Since the program’s inception in 2000, the statewide tobacco compliance rate has grown to 91%. By participating in the program, the A-PD Office has committed to do its part to increase the compliance rate even more this year.

I-PLEDGE places emphasis on retailer training. Clerks who successfully complete an online training course and then pass an exam will become I-PLEDGE certified. This allows a retail establishment to use an affirm­ative defense against a civil penalty if the certified clerk makes an illegal sale. Chief Erickson says “I-PLEDGE’s retailer training is a great way for clerks to prepare themselves to refuse illegal tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor product sales. The training also assists retailers to ensure they maintain a compliant and responsible establishment.”

Atlantic Police Officers will be conducting compliance checks on local establishments as part of the I-PLEDGE program. Underage customers, under the supervision of law enforcement officials, will enter establishments and attempt to buy tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor products. Clerks who make the illegal sale will be cited on the spot.

Criminal penalties for selling tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor products to a minor include a $100 fine for a first offense, a $250 fine for a second offense and a $500 fine for third and subsequent offenses. However, handing out citations is not the intent of the I-PLEDGE program.

Erickson says “By partnering with the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division, we hope to educate clerks and maintain a com­pliant retail environment in our community. Moreover, we pledge to help keep tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor products out of the hands of Iowa’s youth.” To take the I-PLEDGE training or search certification records go to www.iowaabd.com.

Officials with the City of Harlan report a SNOW EMERGENCY has been declared for Thursday, Feb. 9th. That means NO PARKING on the City’s North/South streets from 8-a.m. until Noon, Thursday. There will also be NO PARKING on the East/West streets in Harlan, from 1-until 5-p.m., Thursday.

Violators of the Ordinance will receive a $25 ticket and risk having their vehicle towed at the owner’s expense.

A traffic stop in Pottawattamie County Tuesday night on a vehicle with an improper registration plate, resulted in the arrest of a man on an OWI charge. Pott. County Sheriff’s Officials say 55-year old Robert Wayne Henry, of Macedonia, was arrested at around 7:30-p.m. for OWI/2nd offense after a Deputy observed an odor of alcohol. Henry took a standard Field Sobriety Test at the scene, but refused to take a Preliminary Breath Test.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports a man from Shelby County who was wanted for failing to report to the Council Bluffs Work Release Facilty on Sunday, was arrested at around 3:30 this (Wednesday) morning at the Casey’s Store, in Avoca. 26-year old Colton Edward Benson-Blaine was detained by Shelby County Deputies until a Pott. County Deputy could arrive on the scene and transported the man to the Pott. County Jail.

According to the Iowa Department of Corrections, Benson-Blaine was sentenced to 12 years in prison in 2011 after being found guilty in Shelby County of voluntary manslaughter in the death of 39-year old Jay Anthony Casali at a home in Harlan.  He was also wanted most recently in Pottawattamie County, for operating a vehicle without consent and escape. He was transferred to work release on January 24th, 2017. The man previously failed to return from Work Release in April 2016 and in Oct. of 2014.

Colton Benson-Blaine

The Iowa Department of Transportation reports Interstate 80 westbound is closed between the Shelby and Minden Exits due to a crash involving multiple semi tractor-trailers. The accident happened sometime prior to 7-a.m. (As of 8:20-a.m., the DOT reported traffic was at a “Standstill” at the Avoca Exit on I-80 westbound) Westbound traffic was being routed south on Highway 59 to Highway 6 back to I-80 near Council Bluffs. No other details are available.

Photo submitted