Atlantic firefighters were called to the parking lot of Mahle Engine Components early this morning, for a car fire. Fire Chief Mark McNees told KJAN News the 2002 Chevy Impala was completely engulfed in flames when they arrived shortly after 5:15-a.m.  McNees said a Mahle employee had gone inside to work. Another employee apparently noticed the fire and called 911. The fire began in the engine compartment, near the battery, according to McNees. The car was a total loss. No injuries were reported. Firefighters remained on the scene for about 45-minutes.

PERRY, Iowa (AP) – City officials in the Dallas County city of Perry are considering a growth incentive: No property taxes for 10 years on new homes. The Des Moines Register reports city leaders hope the plan will lure builders and potential residents to Perry, which sits within commuting distance of the Des Moines metropolitan area.

City Administrator Sven Peterson says Perry hasn’t fully recovered from the recession and is losing residents to Adel, Waukee and other cities. City leaders are expected to approve the plan Tuesday. Another Dallas County town, Adel, implemented its tax abatement program in 2011. It has seen 327 new homes built since then, compared with 82 homes in the six years prior to the program.

The City Council in Atlantic will meet during a regular session Wednesday, beginning at 5:30-p.m. in their chambers at City Hall.

On the agenda is an order to appoint Gerald Brink to a vacant, At-Large City Council seat. Public notice was filed earlier with regard to the the City’s intention to fill the seat left vacant by the resignation of former Councilman Bob Cord, who has moved from the area. And, the City’s Personnel and Finance Committee has recommended Brink be appointed to the seat. If the Council approves the appointment, Wednesday, the public may file a petition to hold a special election, but that action must be taken within 14-days of the Council’s decision.

The Council, Wednesday, will also hold a Public Hearing on the plans, specifications and Form of Contract for the Bull Creek culvert replacement project, followed by a resolution approving the project, which will serve to replace the collapsed portion of the culvert located just southeast of the 8th & Walnut Street intersection. Cost estimates for the project exceed $200,000, and will be funded from bond monies issued for the Bull Creek project.

“Pumba,” the pot bellied pig.

In other business, the Atlantic City Council will hear a request from resident Darci Coatney, with regard to her being allowed to keep a pot bellied pig at 805 Chesnut Street. During their meeting Aug. 17th, the City’s Community Protection Committee met and heard from Coatney’s neighbor, who complained of the smell and issues with flies at her home, which she said she could not sell, because of the odor coming from the home where the pig is located. Following the Aug. 17th hearing, the CPC determined the current ordinance was sufficient to deal with the issue, and referred the matter back to the Council.

Coatney has written a letter to the City, stating Police came to her home twice since they got the pig named “Pumba,” at around this same time last year. The visits were with regard to complaints about the animal. The first time was in Oct. 2015, the second on Aug. 10th, 2016. She questions why she wasn’t told she wasn’t allowed to have a pot bellied pig at her residence (in accordance with City Code), during the first visit by Police. Her records show the animal has been neutered, and is current on its vaccinations.

And finally, the Council, Wednesday, will act on an order to temporarily close designated City streets this Friday, Sept. 9th, for the purpose of holding a Homecoming Parade. The route is from 10th & Linn west on 10th & Chestnut, north on Chestnut to 2nd Street, east on 2nd to Walnut, and then south on Walnut to 6th Street. The streets will be closed beginning at 2:30-p.m.

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports several people were arrested Sunday evening on Burglary and other charges. At around 7:15-p.m., deputies noticed two vehicles parked at Blacktop Services, in Mt. Etna. Six people were inside the building. Inside the vehicles, authorities found political signs taken from yards in Corning, and a marijuana pipe with a marijuana grinder.

25-year old Michael Sickels, 22-year old Blade Fox, 19-year old Kendra Wilkinson, and 18-year old’s Sydney Dimmler, Cheyenne Goodnight and Aaron Comstock, were all arrested on Burglary charges. Wilkinson and Goodnight face additional charges of Theft, while Fox was also charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. The suspects live in Adams, Taylor and Union Counties.

They were booked into the Adams County Jail and held on $5,000 bond, each. (updated bond amount 11-a.m. 9/6/16)