Page County Sheriff Lyle Palmer reports his deputies, Thursday, recovered a vehicle stolen from Taylor County. The gray, 2004 Chevy Silverado pickup with Iowa License number EFB 703, was recovered approximately 6 miles southeast of Shenandoah. That same day, a black and silver 1996 Ford F-150 with Iowa license plate BOP 965, was recovered about five-miles north of Shenandoah. It had been stolen from Council Bluffs. Anyone with information about the crimes is asked to call the Page County Sheriff’s Office @ 712-542-5193, the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office @ 712-523-2153, or their local Law Enforcement Agency

And, on October 25th, the Page County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a burglary that had occurred at 2490 Fremont Avenue.  An investigation determined a person or persons unknown entered the shed after cutting the paddle lock.  Some of the items stolen include a Generator, and a metal cutting chop saw.  Anyone with information on this crime is asked to contact the Page County Sheriff’s Office at 712-542-5193, or their local Law Enforcement Agency.

The Iowa State Patrol says the driver of a motorcycle was injured this (Friday) afternoon, when he struck a chunk of asphalt that had broken off the side of the road. The asphalt piece at some point came to rest near the center of the I-80 eastbound off-ramp at the Minden exit. The motorcycle, a 2004 Harley Davidson, struck the debris at around 12:48-p.m. and went out of control, causing the driver, 57-year old Christopher Mathison, of Council Bluffs, to be ejected from the machine. Mathison was transported by Minden Rescue to Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs.

The Atlantic Police Department reports the A-PD, in conjunction with the Atlantic Fire Department, Cass County Sheriff’s Office, Cass County Emergency Management Agency, Atlantic Medivac, and the Iowa State Patrol, will be conducting an “Active Intruder” drill next Friday, Nov. 4th, at the Atlantic High School.Officials stress that “There are currently no known threats of violence to any schools or facilities within the area. This is strictly A DRILL.

The drill will begin shortly after 10-a.m., and will include and “ALERT” from the principal’s office, notifying everyone in the building of the “Danger Zone.” Those area affected in the “Danger Zone,” will be practicing “Lockdown/Barricade,” and discussing alternate exits from the classroom.

The principal will continue to “Inform” everyone of any changes to the “Danger Zone.” “Counter,” which was taught in previous lessons, will not be practiced in the first drill. Classrooms not in the “Danger Zone,” will practice the preferred response, “Evacuation.”

To ensure participant safety, certain intersections and roads surrounding the Atlantic High School, specifically the area of E. 14th Street, will be temporarily blocked-off and inaccessible. The closures include: Eastbound traffic on 14th Street from Olive Street; 14th and Roosevelt Streets; 14th and Lincoln Streets; 14th and Mulberry; 14th and Cherry; 14th and Plum, and westbound traffic on 14th Street from Redwood Drive.

If you have any questions about the Nov. 4th “Active Intruder” Drill at the Atlantic High School, contact High School Principal Heather McKay, Asst. Principal Matt Alexander, or Atlantic Police Lt. Dave Erickson.

Officials with the Cass County Health System (CCHS) say enrollment for Healthcare Marketplace Exchange consumers will open on November 1st, and help is available through regional ACA (Affordable Care Act) Navigators. ACA Navigators work one-on-one with individuals to complete enrollment, weigh options, and answer questions on Marketplace plans and Medicaid. Abbey Stangl, CCHS Chief Financial Officer, says “We are happy to host the Navigators at CCHS, and we encourage customers to make an appointment as soon as possible.”

All prior year’s enrollees are strongly encouraged to meet with the ACA Navigator to update information and review new plans available on the healthcare.gov website. December 15th is the last day to enroll for coverage to start on January 1st, and January 31st is the final day to sign up for 2017 coverage.

All meetings with the Navigators are by appointment only, and they are private. Consumers are asked to bring important information with them, such as addresses, social security numbers, income information, and policy numbers for any current health insurance plans for all members of the household. Also, if you have an existing account in the Marketplace, bring your login information for access during your appointment.

The private appointments will be held at Cass County Health System in Conference Room 6, which is easily accessible from the Emergency Department entrance by Parking Lot C. For more information or to make an appointment, please call either Melissa Namanny at 712-250-8111 or Val Gifford at 712-250-8047.

Available appointment times are on:

·        Saturday, November 12th from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm

·        Wednesday, November 23rd from 9:00 am to Noon

·        Tuesday, December 6th from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm

·        Saturday, December 10th from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm

·        Tuesday, January 10th from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm

·        Saturday, January 21st from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm

·        Thursday, January 26th from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Additional dates and times can be arranged by appointment as well.

NORWALK, Iowa (AP) – A fifth-grade teacher in central Iowa has been named the state’s teacher of the year. Education officials announced Friday that Shelly Vroegh  of Lakewood Elementary School in Norwalk was selected as the 2017 Iowa Teacher of the Year. Four others were named as finalists.

The 43-year-old Vroegh, a teacher with 20 years of experience, is also an instructional coach. Officials at a Friday press conference highlighted her work as a district mentor and elementary math curriculum leader. Vroegh was also credited with coordinating a summer reading program.

The Iowa Teacher of the Year award was established in 1958. Honorees of the annual program serve as education ambassadors across the state.

The Atlantic Police Department reports three arrests. On Thursday, 22-year old James Parrish, of Atlantic, was arrested on extraditable warrants out of Johnson County, Kansas, for escape from custody and three Johnson County probation violation warrants for burglary. Parrish was being held in the Cass County Jail.

James Parrish (2015 booking photo)

On Tuesday, Atlantic Police arrested 40-year old Terrence Frazier, of Atlantic, on a warrant for Violation of probation. And, 32-year old Josie Stillian, of Atlantic, was arrested for Interference with Official Acts, as well as a warrant for Failure to Appear in Court. Both men were booked into the Cass County Jail.