OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Omaha, Nebraska, and Council Bluffs, Iowa, are separated by the Missouri River, but officials say a recent food festival suggests that the water isn’t a barrier to collaboration between them for events. The Omaha World-Herald reports that the Council Bluffs parks director says the river “can pull us together.” The two cities are tied by a pedestrian bridge.

The Taste of Omaha this past weekend spilled over into Iowa for the first time, and an event organizer says attendance might have reached more than 125,000 during the three-day festival. The Loessfest last month in Council Bluffs had sponsorships from Omaha, enabling the festival to stage free concerts, movies and other entertainment.

A consulting team last year suggested cooperation on the riverfront could benefit both communities.

The Atlantic Police Department reports several arrests over the past week and a half. On May 23rd, 29-year old Jeremy Crecelius, of Atlantic, was arrested on two counts of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of a Controlled Substance/Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana, and four counts of Unlawful Possession of a Prescription Drug. That same day, 55-year old Kurt Crecelius, of Atlantic, was arrested for Possession of Meth. Both men were booked into the Cass County Jail.

On May 31st, 45-year old Carl Kemp, of Atlantic, was arrested for Violation of a No Contact Order. That same day, 19-year old Tyler Osborn, and 18-year old Kayla Holste, both of Atlantic, were arrested for 5th degree Theft (Shoplifting). Osborn was booked into the Cass County Jail, while Holste was cited into court and released.

On May 22nd, 22-year old Naser Jamal, of Atlantic, was arrested for Theft in the 5th degree. He was booked into the Cass County Jail. On May 27th, 41-year old Williams Dunlap, of Stanton, was also arrested in Atlantic for 5th degree Theft. He was also booked into the jail.

(12:40-pm News)

The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors recently paid a visit to Baxter Cycle, in Marne. Baxter is known world-wide for their British motorcycles, selling bikes to customers in several countries including France, New Zealand and Switzerland. Randy Baxter, owner of Baxter Cycle, shares his hobby that turned into a blooming business. Baxter Cycle feature’s new, vintage and pre-owned Triumph and Royal Enfield bikes, drawing customers to Marne from all over the world.

Pictured: Randy & Kenner Baxter, Jeremy Pendergast, Jennie Schwartz, Dolly Bergmann, Lana Westphalen, Ed Leistad, Carole Schuler, JoAnn Runyan, Sara Nelson, Sue Muri, Dianne Gipple, Debbie Leistad, Ouida Wymer, Arlene Drennan, Bill Saluk, Dan Rossell, Dan Mehmen, Donnie Drennan, Russ Joyce, Tyler Mosier, Nick Harris and Dr. Mitch Peerbolte.

Two people were arrested on drug charges over the weekend, in Mills County. The Sheriff’s Office reports 21-year old Benjamin Lee McGhee, of Glenwood, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. His bond was set at $1,300.  And, 46-year old Duncan Lee Evans, of Malvern, was arrested for OWI/2nd offense, and Possession of a Controlled Substance. His bond was set at $3,000.

A record number of applicants were designated as recipients of the Iowa Registered Nurse and Nurse Educator Loan Forgiveness Program, according to numbers released today (Monday), by Iowa College Student Aid Commission. The program, started in 2007 to offer loan repayment assistance to registered nurses employed in Iowa and nurse educators teaching at eligible colleges and universities in Iowa, received 309 applicants in the 2014-15 school year, an increase of 18.8 percent from the 260 applications received for the 2013-14 award. The designated recipients could qualify for an average loan repayment award of $1,850 (based on full-time employment).

The number of nurse educators, who are given priority to the program’s fund, almost doubled in 2014-15, attracting 56 applicants to the program. To be eligible for the Iowa Registered Nurse and Nurse Educator Loan Forgiveness Program, applicants must be a licensed nurse educator employed in Iowa by eligible Iowa colleges or universities; or a licensed registered nurse employed as a nurse in Iowa.

Cumulatively, the 56 recipients of the Iowa Registered Nurse and Nurse Educator Loan Forgiveness Program have $2,275,261 in outstanding federal student loans with an average debt of $40,630 per person

For more information on the Iowa Registered Nurse and Nurse Educator Loan Forgiveness Program, visit https://www.iowacollegeaid.gov/content/iowa-registered-nurse-nurse-educator-loan-forgiveness-program.

In an update to our story Sunday morning on KJAN, the Iowa State Patrol says a 16-year old male from Atlantic was taken into custody following a high-speed pursuit that began about 5-miles south of Atlantic during a traffic stop on northbound Highway 71, at Newport Road. The incident began at around 11:40-p.m. Saturday.
Sgt. Bryan Michelson, with the Patrol’s District 3 office in Council Bluffs, told KJAN News the pickup the unidentified teen was driving, was clocked at 95-miles per hour in a 55 zone.

The chase went through Atlantic at a high rate of speed. The teen ran multiple stop signs and one stop light. The pursuit continued onto a gravel road north of Atlantic. A couple of times during the chase, the suspect drove into and out of fields. When the vehicle became stuck, a Cass County Deputy relayed the vehicles’ locations to other officers, who together went out into the field on foot and approached the vehicle before taking the suspect into custody without incident.

The pursuit ended at around 12:45-a.m. Sgt. Michelson says initial reports indicated the suspect may have had a weapon in the vehicle, but no weapon was found. The teen faces numerous charges related to traffic offenses, with criminal charges being handled through the Juvenile Court system.

A Mills County man was arrested Sunday for Public Intoxication, Assault displaying a weapon, disorderly conduct and willful injury causing bodily injury. The Glenwood Police Department says 33-year old Caleb Wear, of Silver City, was being held in the Mills County Jail on $7,600 bond. And, on Friday, 38-year old Aimee Fritz, of Glenwood, was arrested on a Mills County warrant for violation of compulsory education. Her bond was set at $300.

The Glenwood P-D says also, officials with the Glenwood School reported on Thursday, an incident of attempted burglary. No other details were released.

The City of Atlantic’s Board of Adjustment will conduct a Public Hearing at 7:30 a.m., next Monday, June 8th,  in the Council Chambers at City Hall. During the hearing, the Board will consider a variance application by Lyle Brown, at 802 Spruce Street, in Atlantic, that would allow for the construction of a residential storage shed not conforming to accessory setback requirements as stated in the Zoning Ordinance.

The Public may comment in person at the hearing or may submit written comments in advance to the City Clerk’s Office, 23 East 4th Street, Atlantic, Iowa 50022. Questions may be addressed to the Zoning Administrator, John Lund at johnlund@cityofatlantic.com or you may call 712-243-4810.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – A report on a May survey says slower economic growth likely is ahead for nine Midwestern and Plains states. The survey report issued Monday says the overall Mid-America Business Conditions Index dropped to 50.4 last month from 52.7 April. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey, and he highlighted drops in economic activity for companies linked to energy production and agriculture.

The survey results from supply managers are compiled into a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Survey organizers say any score above 50 suggests economic growth, while a score below that suggests decline. The survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.