The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports five recent arrests. On Thursday, 23-year old Alfred James Hutchings, of Omaha, NE, was arrested for Possession of Controlled Substance-Marijuana 1^st and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. His bond was set at $1,900. And, 39-year old Jacquelyn Renee Pratt, of Glenwood, was arrested for Possession of Controlled Substance-2^nd Offense and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. her bond was set at $2,300.

30-year old Aaron Wade Opdyke, of Malvern, was arrested Thursday at the Mills County Jail for Violation of Probation, with bond set at $2,000. And, 41-year old Sean Joseph Cecil, of Leavenworth, KS, was arrested on a Pottawattamie County warrant for Assault on Persons in Certain Occupations. He was also arrested at the Mills County Jail, where bond was set at $1,000.

On Wednesday, 55-year old Timothy John Digiacomo, of Malvern, was arrested for OWI 1^st Offense, with bond set at $1,000.

The Atlantic Area ATHENA award recipients have announced a scholarship to the Iowa Women Lead Change (IWLC) Conference in Des Moines in November. The scholarship will be given to a woman who is interested in improving her leadership skills while in college or in her career. The Iowa Women Lead Change conference will be held November 6th & 7th in Des Moines. It will include speakers Cy Wakeman, Elias Johnson, Gale V. King, Geena Davis, Jeannette Walls, Jeffery Tobis Halter, Joanne Lipman, Sabrina Ahmed and Stedman Graham. Past conferences have included introductions by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds.

Interested applicants, or those interested in nominating an individual, can pick up a nomination form at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, 102 Chestnut Street, or visit www.atlanticiowa.com. Nominations are due Friday, September 28th to Dolly Bergmann at bsktcola@gmail.com or the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce.

The ATHENA Leadership Award identifies eight distinct attributes that are reflective of women’s contributions to leadership: living authentically, learning constantly, advocating fiercely, acting courageously, fostering collaboration, building relationships, giving back and celebrating. Over 7,000 recipients around the world have been honored with the ATHENA Leadership Award since its inception in 1982. Presented to leaders, woman and men, in the professional sector, the ATHENA Leadership Award is on of the most prestigious leadership awards one can receive – and Atlantic is one of the few communities in Iowa with an active ATHENA Leadership group.

Local winners include: LaVon Eblen, Judy Marnin, Leanne Pellett, Denise O’Brien, Margaret Slepsky, Glenda Farrier, Carole Schuler, Jan Kinnison, Janelle Hansen, Ann Pross, Wendy Richter, Dolly Bergmann, Pat Markham, Lanette Plambeck, Kathie Hockenberry, Dr. Tressa Wilcox and Heather McKay.

During Childhood Cancer Awareness Month this September, the American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to give blood to support kids, teens and young adults battling cancer, as well as others in need of transfusions. According to the National Cancer Institute, more than 15,000 children and adolescents in the U.S. are diagnosed with cancer each year. Childhood cancer patients may need blood products on a regular basis during chemotherapy, surgery or treatment for complications.

Blood and platelet donors of all blood types, especially type O negative and O positive, are urgently needed to replenish the blood supply following a critical summer blood shortage. Make an appointment to donate by downloading the free American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Atlantic

9/13/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Atlantic YMCA, 1100 Maple Street

Council Bluffs

9/13/2018: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Mercy Hospital, 800 Mercy Drive

Mount Ayr

9/11/2018: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., First Christian Church, 201 W Monroe

How to donate blood

A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass^® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.