The Atlantic City Council this week is set to hold the 1^st reading of an ordinance dealing with the establishment of a Minimum Maintenance Code. If it’s eventually approved, Chapter 144, which would be added to the City’s Code of Ordinances, would require property owners to keep structures in reasonable good repair. It’s designed to keep properties from deteriorating to the point that they are dilapidated and dangerous.

City Administrator Doug Harris says the City is facing a proliferation of dilapidated structures, which are not only dangerous, but have an adverse affect on surrounding property values, which tends to further the spread of urban-style blight. Harris said often times the cost to abate those properties exceeds the value of the property, resulting in it becoming tax acquired City property. That means an added expense to demolish the structure and clear the grounds. The cost for those services fall on the taxpayers of the City. Harris said the Community Development Committee has held three meetings on the matter, and arrived at the proposal which will be presented to the Council during their meeting Wednesday evening, at 5:30.

The Council will also hear a report from Dave Chase, with Nishna Valley Trails, Incorporated, with regard to a proposed agreement with property owner Ted Wickman. Chase received approval for a resolution regarding the arrangement, from the City of Atlantic’s Park and Recreation Department, during their meeting Monday evening. The resolution stipulates that the land Wickman currently uses for farming continue to be used for that purpose until such time as the Schildberg Quarry Recreation Area project advances to the stage where the trail is expanded to Olive Street. It also calls for the City to give adequate notice to Wickman as to when he should withhold his usage of the land.

And, the Atlantic City Council will hold a public hearing Wednesday, with regard to the disposition of 706 Walnut Street. The hearing offers an opportunity for the public to comment on what the City should do with the 50-by 140-foot parcel, which was put out for bid last year, after it was determined it did not serve a public purpose. The property became available to the City again, after Atlantic resident Ed Leistad paid $1,000 to terminate a $5,000 purchase agreement he made with the City for the property, earlier this year.

The Glenwood Police Department reports one person was arrested, and arrest warrants have been issued for two other people, in connection with a string of vehicle burglaries which occurred over the summer. An investigation led by Glenwood Police Officer Anthony Trejo resulted in the arrest of 19-year old William Lewis, Jr., of Glenwood.

Warrants have also been issued for the arrest of 23-year old Justin Chamley, of Omaha, and 20-year old Cody Blystone, of Red Oak. The trio are charged with two counts of Theft in the 2nd Degree, Ongoing Criminal Conduct, and Conspiracy to Commit a felony.

As the the investigation continues, authorities ask anyone with information pertaining to the thefts and subsequent investigation, to contact the Glenwood Police Department at 712-527-4844.

Two Elk Horn teens were injured during a single-vehicle accident Monday afternoon, in Shelby County. Sheriff’s officials say the driver of the car, 19-year old Preston Waymire, and his passenger, 17-year old Preston Juelsgaard, were hurt after the car they were in went off the road and hit a field driveway. The accident happened on Highway 173, about 5-miles south of Elk Horn, at around 2:20-p.m. 

Officials say the pair were traveling north on 173 when the 2005 Chevy Malibu they were in left the road and traveled some distance in the ditch before hitting the field drive. The impact caused both of the car’s airbags to deploy. 

Juelsgaard suffered minor head injuries and was transported to the Cass County Memorial Hospital for treatment. Waymire sought private medical assistance. Damage to the car was estimated at $6,000.

Officials with the Council Bluffs Police Department say several agencies have banded together to sponsor a prescription drug take back program on October 29^th. The program provides an opportunity for the public to dispose of potentially dangerous, expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs. The drop off location for those medications will be at the Walgreen’s store at 2508 West Broadway Street, in Council Bluffs, from 10-a.m. until 2-p.m., on October 29^th. Other disposal sites include the Hy-Vee Pharmacy in Red Oak, and the Carter Lake City Hall.

Officials say disposing of meds by flushing them down the toilet or throwing them into the trash pose potential safety and health hazards. Medicines that are left in the home are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Studies show the majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.

Last April, Americans turned in more than 376,590 pounds — or, 188 tons — of prescription drugs at nearly 5,400 sites operated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, and more than 3,000 state and local law enforcement partners.

The Council Bluffs P-D has participated in three National Take Back Day events since the program’s inception in 2010. Those efforts have yielded an average of 176 pounds of surrendered prescription drugs in the City. For additional sites accepting prescription meds on October 29^th, check out the DEA’s website at http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/