One of the attractions at the upcoming “Fly Iowa” Airshow in Atlantic this September, is an aerobatic performance by a man who’s used to flying….upside down.

Koontz' plane

The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce says Greg Koontz has been doing aerobatics for over 30 years and will give the audience at Atlantic’s Fly Iowa Air Show on September 15th something to watch in amazement, hold their breath during and go home talking about. His show is billed as a “wacky, fun air show comedy act.” Greg (Clem Cleaver in the show) arrives at the show as a misfit from the hills of the Deep South with no idea how to act in the city. He and his dog, Rat Dog, make a hilarious show that includes loops, vertical rolls, snaps, tumbles and inverted passes.

The Atlantic Fly Iowa Heritage & Homecoming Air Show begins with a flight brunch that is open to everyone. A hot air balloon, skydivers, many planes displayed for people to walk around and look at, and aerobatic acts, such as Greg Koontz will be performing.

Greg Koontz, aerobatic stunt pilot

Koontz started flying air shows in 1974, performing in comedy acts in a 1946 J-3 Super Decathlon Cub for Colonel Moser’s Flying Circus. He worked with Colonel Moser in St. Augustine, Florida, teaching aerobatics and flew in the Flying Circus all over the southeast and part of the Caribbean. He also developed solo aerobatic routines in the Bellanca Citabria, Great Lakes biplane and the Bellanca Decathlon.  Koontz brings the small, Super Decathlon Piper Cub to the Atlantic Fly Iowa Air Show.

Koontz has over 22,000 flight hours in over 165 different aircraft types. He   spent his career as a flight instructor, charter pilot and corporate flight department manager, flying everything from Cubs to jets. Today, he runs a bed and breakfast aerobatic school, Sky Country Lodge, on a private airstrip in Alabama. For more information about the Atlantic Fly Iowa event, contact the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce at 712-243-3017 or email chamber@atlanticiowa.com.

The Iowa State Patrol has released some additional details about the five people who were injured during a three-vehicle crash this (Monday) morning, in Pottawattamie County. Officials say four people in a 1997 Honda Odyssey van were injured, while the driver of a 2004 Honda Accord suffered life-threatening injuries. No names have been released at this time, however, until relatives can be notified.

The Patrol says the accident happened at the intersection of Highway 6 and Hunt Avenue (east of Council Bluffs), at around 7:25-a.m. Authorities report a 2012 Mazda 3 was slowing or stopped for turning traffic. The driver of the Accord failed to stop and rear-ended the Mazda before the Accord came to rest in in the westbound lane of Highway 6. The vehicle was then hit broadside by the van on the drivers’ side door. The driver of the Mazda was not injured.

An investigation into the crash continues.

The CAM Community School District’s Board of Education met in a special session this (Monday) morning, at the High School in Anita. Superintendent Steve Pelzer says the board approved the resignation of Kindergarten teacher Jennifer Berns. He said she has been offered and verbally accepted an Elementary Principal’s position with the Villisca Community School District.

Pelzer says they were fortunate to have filled her position with a previously interviewed candidate. Julie Green, from Atlantic, has been offered and accepted the job. She will be a first-year teacher. Pelzer says the Board also approved a Custodial position contract, and, a Management Fund Bill. He says that covers their liability and property insurance, and allows the district to pay the bill for the upcoming year.

Police in Clarinda are investigating incidents of vandalism and theft which occurred over the weekend. On Saturday, Frank Tomkinson, of Clarinda, reported that sometime during the late evening hours of July 20^th or the early morning hours of July 21^st, his 2012 Pilot trailer had been vandalized with spray paint while the trailer was parked in the 200 block of West Clark Street. Damage to the trailer is estimated at $100.00. There are no suspects and the incident remains under investigation.

And, on Friday, Devon Wallace, of Clarinda reported that his apartment at 800 West Tarkio Street in Clarinda, had been burglarized sometime between July 17^th & 19^th. Wallace said an X-box 360, Play Station 3 controllers, foot pedal sound board and some clothing had been removed from his apartment. The estimated value of the stolen property is $550.00. The incident remains under investigation and several leads are being followed.

Clarinda Police Chief Keith Brothers reports two men were arrested over the weekend on separate charges. On Sunday, officers arrested 30-year old Armando Rojas-Meno, of Lincoln, Nebraska, on a charge of OWI/1^st Offense. Rojas-Meno was taken into custody just before 10:30-p.m. at the intersection of Shenck Road & the Highway 71/Highway 2 bypass. He was being held in the Page County Jail on $1, 00.00 bail pending an initial appearance before at Page County Magistrate.

And, on Saturday, officers arrested 45-year old Elton Ray Provo, of Clarinda, on an outstanding arrest warrant from Taylor County, charging him with a probation violation. Provo was arrested at around 11:40-p.m. in the 200 block of south 15^th Street and turned over to the Taylor County, Iowa Sheriff’s Department.