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Authorities ID man whose body was found after house fire

News

March 21st, 2019 by Ric Hanson

BOONE, Iowa (AP) — Authorities have released the name of a 70-year-old man whose body was found inside the charred remains of a house in central Iowa. The Des Moines Register reports that the body’s been identified as that of Santos Guadalupe Calderon-Alvarado. Firefighters found his body Jan. 24 following an overnight fire in his home northwest of Boone.

Boone County Sheriff’s Deputy Andy Godzicki says Calderon-Alvarado likely died of carbon monoxide poisoning in his sleep the night of the fire. He says investigators think the fire was started after something went wrong with the handmade wood-burning stove that Calderon-Alvarado was using to heat the house.

Godzicki says four or five dogs also died in the fire. Others escaped.

Audubon County added to disaster proclamation

News

March 21st, 2019 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES – Two more counties were added to Gov. Kim Reynolds’ disaster proclamation Wednesday. Audubon and Marshall Counties are the latest to be include as parts of a response to flooding and flash flooding that began March 13th. The governor’s proclamation allows state resources to be utilized to respond to and recover from the effects of this severe weather and activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program for qualifying residents, along with the Disaster Case Management Program. The addition of the two latest counties brings the total number of counties included in the proclamation to 43 that have been impacted by the recent flooding. Other (area) counties previously announced, include: Adair,Crawford, Dallas, Fremont, Guthrie, Harrison, Mills, Monona, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie and Shelby.

The Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program provides grants of up to $5,000 for households with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level or a maximum annual income of $41,560 for a family of three. Grants are available for home or car repairs, replacement of clothing or food and temporary housing expenses. Original receipts are required for those seeking reimbursement for actual expenses related to storm recovery. The grant application and instructions are available on the Iowa Department of Human Services website. Potential applicants have 45 days from the date of the proclamation to submit a claim (May 4, 2019).

Disaster Case Management is a program to address serious needs to overcome a disaster-related hardship, injury or adverse condition. Disaster case managers work with clients to create a disaster recovery plan and provide guidance, advice and referral to obtain a service or resource. There are no income eligibility requirements for this program; it closes 180 days from the date of the governor’s proclamation. For information on the Disaster Case Management Program, contact your local community action association or visit www.iowacommunityaction.org.

Residents of counties impacted by the recent severe weather are asked to report damage to help local and state officials better understand the damage sustained. Damage to property, roads, utilities and other storm-related information may be reported. This information will be collected by the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and shared with local emergency management agencies.

Woman arrested on drug charges in Adams County Wed. night

News

March 21st, 2019 by Ric Hanson

A traffic stop in Adams County at around 10:40-p.m. Wednesday, resulted in the arrest of a passenger in the vehicle. 38-year old Angela Meese, of Bedford, was arrested for Possession of a controlled substance and Possession of paraphernalia, following a search of the vehicle. Meese’ bond was set at $1,300.

Skyscan forecast for Atlantic & the area, Thursday 3/21/2019

Weather

March 21st, 2019 by Ric Hanson

Today: Partly cloudy. High 58. NW @ 10-15.

Tonight: P/Cldy. Low 30.

Tomorrow: P/Cldy. High 56. NE @ 10.

Saturday: P/Cldy to Cloudy. High near 60.

Sunday: Mostly cloudy w/rain. High 53.

Yesterday’s High in Atlantic was 57. Our Low was 29. Last year on this date our High was 52 and the Low was 32. The record High in Atlantic on this date was 88 in 1907. The Record Low was -7 in 1960.

Midwest Sports Headlines: 3/21/19

Sports

March 21st, 2019 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Isaiah Roby had a career-high 28 points as Nebraska edged past Butler 80-76 in the NIT first round. James Palmer Jr. added 23 points for the Cornhuskers.

UNDATED (AP) — Reigning national champion Villanova will be in action along with Michigan, the runner-up from last year, while Belmont and Murray State open the NCAA Tournament as trendy upset picks as things get going with a full slate of games. Also in action are perennial powers Kansas and Michigan, along with Ja Morant and Murray State.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Kentucky heads into the NCAA Tournament with its usual high expectations but some questions about its top player. Sophomore PJ Washington is hobbled by a sore foot and didn’t take part in the team’s final shoot-around before the Midwest Region opener against Abilene Christian. Coach John Calipari says it’s nothing serious and Washington is expected to play Thursday.

GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) — Markis McDuffie had 20 points as Wichita State topped Furman 76-70 in the first round of the NIT. Jaime Echenique had 16 points and 10 rebounds for Wichita State (20-14).

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Nick Collison’s No. 4 jersey has been retired by the Oklahoma City Thunder during a ceremony before their game against the Toronto Raptors. It’s the first number the Thunder have retired since the franchise moved to Oklahoma City in 2008.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Penn State is poised to send out another senior class as four-time national champions and cement its status as the college powerhouse of the past decade. The Nittany Lions (14-0) are the prohibitive favorites to claim the team title at the NCAA Championships for the eighth time in nine years and for the fourth straight year. They might also be the most talented team that coach Cael Sanderson has assembled.

Iowa early News Headlines: Thursday, March 21, 2019

News

March 21st, 2019 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:45 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES – Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation Wednesday, in response to flooding and flash flooding beginning March 13 and continuing. The governor’s proclamation allows state resources to be utilized to respond to and recover from the effects of this severe weather and activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program for qualifying residents, along with the Disaster Case Management Program, for these two counties: Audubon and Marshall. With the addition of these two counties, the governor has issued proclamations for 43 counties impacted by the recent flooding. Other (area) counties include: Adair,Crawford, Dallas, Fremont, Guthrie, Harrison, Mills, Monona, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie and Shelby.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Police in eastern Iowa have identified a man whose body was found this week in a burning car. Iowa City police say 72-year-old Donald Lee Schrader, of Iowa City, was found Monday night after firefighters extinguished the flames engulfing his car. Investigators say the fire started in the passenger compartment of the car and that no criminal activity is suspected in the blaze, although the investigation remains open.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — Democratic presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke has been working to boost his liberal credentials while also offering a centrist approach. He’s vowing to work with Republicans and woo voters who backed Donald Trump. O’Rourke insists he’s not interested in adhering to a particular ideology. But trying to have it both ways can sometimes come across as a split political personality _ one that may weigh on potential supporters after the initial buzz of O’Rourke’s campaign launch has worn off.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa group is hoping to get permission to build a sculpture commemorating women’s voting rights in honor of the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that members of the Cedar Falls/Waterloo 19th Amendment Centennial Committee asked the Black Hawk County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday to authorize the monument. The group hopes to install the sculpture in front of the county courthouse. Board members are expected to vote on the proposal next week.

Thurman man arrested on Criminal Mischief warrant

News

March 21st, 2019 by Ric Hanson

Deputies with the Fremont County K9 Unit, Tuesday, arrested 32-year old Michael Charon, of Thurman.  Charon was taken into custody on a Fremont County Warrant for Criminal Mischief.

Deputies allege that on March 16th, Charon had kicked in a door at a residence he was staying at in Thurman, causing damage. Deputies located Charon hiding inside of a camper located on a vacant property in Thurman.

He was later released on his own recognizance by the Magistrate.

Atlantic City Council recognizes AHS Wrestling Team

News

March 20th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic City Council held a brief meeting Wednesday evening, during which they paid special recognition to the Atlantic High School State Wrestling Team and Coaches. Atlantic Mayor Dave Jones said “You guys do a lot of good jobs and a lot of good things and hopefully can [pass that along] to your classmates – Be involved, Get things Done and then become better citizens when you get up the road that way.” The 2019-20 squad finished with a perfect 20-dual record, a Hawakeye 10 Conference Dual and Tournament title and a John J. Harris Wrestling Tournament Championship.

AHS Wrestlers, from Left to right: Garrett McLaren; Joe Weaver; Chase McLaren; Conner Pellett and Cale Roller.

Their Coaches include: Chase Roller, Head Junior High Wrestling Coach and volunteer High School Assistant Coach; Tucker Weber, Asst. H.S. Coach; Don Killian, Volunteer Asst.; Matthew Williamson, H.S. Volunteer Asst.

The Council approved an Order accepting an amendment for the Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) Grant between the State of Iowa’s Enhance Iowa Board and City Council. The Grant for $175,000 is for ongoing park development at the Schildberg Recreation Area and Campground.

Following a Public Hearing, the Council tabled the first reading of an Ordinance “Vacating and conveying a portion of an alley in the City of Atlantic.” The reading will take place during the Council’s next regular meeting, while an easement is prepared for Atlantic Municipal Utilities, as they requested.

In his report, City Administrator John Lund said the draft of both Union agreements are done and the International Operators (Public Works Union) “appear to be happy” with the language in the agreement. He said also, he’s still negotiating on the deductible language with AFSCME (Police Union), with the assumption there will be a compromise and ready for approval by the Council’s meeting on April 3rd.

In addition, Lund said he’s working on the City’s land sale and housing incentive policy, and he clarified some misconceptions with regard to the airport. Lund said the $2.19-million being committed for the Atlantic Municipal Airport runway and taxiway is 100-percent paid for by the FAA’s supplemental appropriations for engineering and construction. “Property taxpayers in Atlantic not on the hook for a dime of that.” The FAA, he says, encouraged the City to apply for the grant. If it does not happen, the project will be terminated.

In other business, the Council approved the re-appointment of Joyce Jensen to the Board of Adjustment, and Judd Meneely to the AMU Board. The Mayor, however is still looking for two women to gender balance the Planning and Zoning Commission since Jennifer Miller has opted not to take the job once her term expires on April 1st. Originally,she had expressed interest in continuing to serve on the Commission.

Updated flood resources info. for Mills County residents

News

March 20th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

Iowa City police ID man whose body was found in burning car

News

March 20th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Police in eastern Iowa have identified a man whose body was found this week in a burning car. Iowa City police say 72-year-old Donald Lee Schrader, of Iowa City, was found Monday night after firefighters extinguished the flames engulfing his car. Investigators say the fire started in the passenger compartment of the car and that no criminal activity is suspected in the blaze, although the investigation remains open.

Police say results from an autopsy to determine the cause of death many not be available for weeks. Officers and firefighters found Schrader’s body around 11 p.m. Monday after receiving reports of a car on fire in an Iowa City parking lot.