The Southwest Iowa Planning Council (SWIPCO) and Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce will be holding an informational meeting this Wednesday, June 27th at 5:30 PM at the Rock Island Depot to discuss the Community Development Betterment Grant (CDBG). According to Bailey Smith, Executive Director at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, “The CDBG is a federal grant that helps communities revitalize their downtowns by rehabbing building facades.

Smith said also, “Atlantic qualifies for an amount up to $500,000 that would cover half the project. The City would cover 25% and the building owners cover the other 25%. This is a great opportunity for businesses and building owners to update their building without going into a large amount of debt.”

The meeting will be lead by SWIPCO and go into detail about the project and how building owners on Chestnut Street can be involved. There are over 30 owners attending and the meeting is open to the public. For more information, contact the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce at 712.243.3017 or chamber@atlanticiowa.com.

VAN HORNE, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say two people have died in a collision on U.S. Highway 30 in eastern Iowa. The collision was reported Monday morning about 3 miles southwest of Van Horne in Benton County. Authorities report that two other people were injured in the crash between a semitrailer and another vehicle. No names or other details have been released yet. Highway traffic is being detoured around the crash site.

Two men were arrested on separate charges over the weekend, in Creston. According to Creston Police, 38-year old Durrell Haynes, of Creston, was arrested at around 4:30-a.m. Sunday for Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana – 1st offense. He was brought to the Union County Jail and later released on a $1,000 bond. And, at around 2:15-p.m. Saturday, 33-year old Boone Hayes, of Creston, was arrested on a Madison County warrant for failure to appear in court, on original charges of Burglary in the 1st Degree, and Domestic Abuse Assault by impeding air and/or blood flow, causing bodily injury. Hayes was transferred to the custody of Madison County Deputies.

And, Creston Police report a juvenile female was injured during a collision Friday morning. Authorities say the accident happened when a 1988 Chevy C15 pickup driven by 41-year old Scott M. Morrison, of Creston, struck a 1990 Dodge Dynasty broadside, at Highway 34 and Wyoming Avenue. The driver of the Dodge was identified as 17-year old Blaine McIntosh, of Creston. Officials say McIntosh was traveling east in the left lane of Highway 34 at around 11:20-a.m., Friday, and waited for a westbound vehicle to pass before turning north onto Wyoming Avenue. The approaching vehicle created a blind spot for McIntosh, who didn’t see the approaching pickup. When he turned in front of Morrison’s  vehicle, Morrison couldn’t stop in-time, and his pickup collided with the Dodge.

A passenger in the Dodge, 12-year old Tiffany Ott, of Orient, suffered unknown, possible injuries, and was transported by ambulance to the Greater Regional Medical Center in Creston. Creston Police cited McIntosh for Failure to Yield Upon Left Turn. Damage from the collision amounted to $4,000.

ROCK VALLEY, Iowa (AP) — Authorities have been evacuating people from floodwaters because more heavy rain has fallen in and around a hard-hit northwest Iowa town. Rock Valley issued a mandatory evacuation order for northern parts of the city Sunday night, where the Rock River had left its banks. A post on the city’s Facebook site says the displaced are encouraged to find shelter at Faith Reformed Church on the south side of the city of about 3,300 residents.
A travel ban was issued because vehicle wakes were causing extra problems. The ban was lifted early this (Monday) morning. Crude oil from derailed railroad tank cars upstream added to the city misery. Officials say 14 of them leaked after Friday’s derailment near Doon, along the bloated Little Rock River, which merges with the Rock River nearby.

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest just before 1-a.m. today (Monday), of Brandon Kammerer of Clarinda, for Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Gathering Where Controlled Substances are Unlawfully Used. Three additional juveniles were cited into juvenile court. The names of the juveniles are being withheld due to their age. At around 2:20-a.m. Saturday, Adams County Deputies cited a 14 year old juvenile into Juvenile Court for Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. The juvenile was also cited for Minor in Possession of Tobacco.

And at around 4:40-a.m. Sunday, Adams County Deputies arrested Michael Archer, of Corning, for Simple Assault.