Atlantic is celebrating its 150th year of being a city, and there are many events going on throughout the year, as evidenced by the continually updated list on the City’s Website, but many have questioned when a “big event” to commemorate the celebration will be held. Today (Tuesday), it was determined that all the elements will come together October 13th, in conjunction with the Atlantic Fireman’s Parade. PLEASE NOTE, this is a change from what was first announced on KJAN and posted on our social media pages. The change came late Tuesday evening. What happens in between, is up to YOU.

During a press briefing Tuesday afternoon, at City Hall, Mayor Dave Jones, City Clerk Barb Barrick and Steve Livengood (The latter two form the Sesquicentennial Committee), stressed this is YOUR celebration, Atlantic, and it’s up to your group, organization or committee, to come up with a plan on what you want to see happen, and then make it happen through volunteers. Livengood says nothing is off the table.

He said people can organize a quilting bee, a thresher’s show, a baseball game or anything you want, and the Committee will help to coordinate those events to the benefit of the visitors and citizens. There’s no shortage of ideas, according to Barrick, Livengood and Mayor Jones, just the means to pull off the event with volunteers.

Mayor Jones said there’s a lot of talk, a lot of chatter, about the Sesquicentennial Celebration what’s not happening, what’s going to happen. And for those things, groups of people can get together…and make it happen. It’s YOUR Sesquicentennial. Jones was asked why the Chamber isn’t involved in the Sesquicentennial. Their Board, he said, told him they have too much going on, with AtlanticFest. They said “We’ll support you all you want, but we’re going to do AtlanticFest. You do what you want.” He asked the Board if they can’t tie in the Sesquicentennial…the short answer was “no.”

A meeting of the Sesquicentennial Committee will take place 5:30-p.m. Tuesday, May 22nd, in the Council’s Chambers at City Hall. Bring your PLAN…not your idea…and how you or your group will pull it off. No matter how big or small your plan is. And that doesn’t mean that if your group or organization has something planned for later in the year, that it can’t be done. The main focus now, is having events going on all day, or at least most of the day, on OCTOBER 13th.

For a list of current events taking place this year, go to the following website: http://www.atlanticiowa.com/atlantic/ and look for the Sesquicentennial Celebration link on the front page, which will take you to a PDF calendar that is updated as events or activities are made known. There’s also information on the Atlantic Sesquicentennial Facebook page.

This Friday, Governor Kim K. Reynolds and the State of Iowa will honor six officers killed in the line of duty, including two from Pottawattamie County.  Each of the men died while serving to protect and keep Iowa communities safe.  You’re invited to attend the ceremony on Friday, May 11th, to honor the fallen peace officers, as well as the many other Iowa officers who have given their lives in the line of duty over the years.

Those set to be honored 10-a.m. Friday at the Peace Officer Memorial located near the Oran State Office Building in Des Moines (215 E. 7th St.), include:

• Special Officer Timothy O’Brien – Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, E.O.W. (End Of Watch) October 2, 1893
• Special Officer Charles E. Crill – Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, E.O.W. March 17, 1917
• Deputy William A. Maxwell – Plymouth Co. Sheriff’s Office, E.O.W. November 16, 1919
• Deputy Robert McKinley – Pottawattamie Co. Sheriff’s Office, E.O.W. March 13, 1947
• Officer William E. Hickman – Indianola Police Department, E.O.W. December 6, 1957
• Deputy Mark Burbridge – Pottawattamie Co. Sheriff’s Office, E.O.W. May 1, 2017

In the event of rain, the ceremony will take place in the State Capital Rotunda. If you are unable to attend this year’s ceremony, there are many ways you can observe National Police Week, during May 13-19, 2018. Please take time and thank current and retired peace officers for protecting and serving your community and the great State of Iowa.

OSKALOOSA, Iowa (AP) — A police officer in southeastern Iowa has been charged with domestic abuse assault after being accused of attacking her girlfriend with a knife. The Des Moines Register reports that that 25-year-old Oskaloosa Officer Janay Pritchett was charged last week. Officials say police were called to her home the night of May 3.

Pritchett’s girlfriend told police that they had been arguing when Pritchett kicked her in the chest, pulled a small pocketknife and cut her on the left side of her neck. The girlfriend said Pritchett then threatened to shoot her with a shotgun.

Pritchett declined to comment when reached by the newspaper. Oskaloosa Police Chief Jake McGee says Pritchett has been placed on paid administrative leave.
Pritchett’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, Tuesday evening, released information about a pursuit that took place Friday. Authorities say at around 3:34-p.m., a Shelby County Deputy was on general patrol in Panama, and had attempted to stop a small white sports car with New York plates traveling south bound on Highway 191 near Elmwood Road.

When the vehicle’s driver refused to yield, a pursuit began south bound on highway 191. The Shelby County Deputy advised speeds reached near 150-mph. The suspect vehicle eventually slid off the road at Highway 191 and Tamarack Road. Two men fled on foot from the vehicle, but were apprehended.

The Red Oak Police Department reports the arrest of two women after an altercation on Tuesday morning in Red Oak. 42-year-old Dawn Aleene Anderson and 47-year-old Shelby Joann Olivares, both of Red Oak, were arrested for Simple Assault. The altercation occurred at 11:02am in the 100 block of West Nuckolls Street in Red Oak. Both were taken to the Montgomery County Jail and booked in on $300 bond.