The Harlan Police Department has issued a report on recent arrests. Officials say on Wednesday, 19-year old Gage Johnston, of Harlan, was taken into custody when officers were dispatched to the Casey’s parking lot for subjects using drugs. Johnston was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

On Oct. 6th, 24-year old Michael Tremayne, of Harlan, was arrested when officers were called to the 700 block of 9th Street for a family disturbance. Tremayne was taken to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with trespass, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of contraband inside a secured facility.

The following day (Oct. 7th), three subjects were charged in the theft of a cell phone and protective case from the Abundant Life Fellowship. 19-year old Cassie Swensen and 18-year old Joshua Hytrek, both of Harlan, were arrested and taken to the Shelby County Jail where they were both charged with aiding and abetting to theft in the 3rd degree. 16-year old Becca Dirks was referred to juvenile court for the same charge.

On Oct. 10th, 22-year old Samuel Schwery, of Harlan, was taken into custody following a traffic stop. Schwery was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. He was also cited for failure to obey stop or yield sign.

On Oct. 12th, 38-year old Clinton Gardner, of Oakland, was arrested following a traffic stop. Gardner was taken to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with driving under suspension. And, on Oct. 13th, 41-year old Darline Bothwell, of Portsmouth, was arrested following a traffic stop. Bothwell was cited for driving under suspension, given a court date and released.

Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce officials met recently with Cass Atlantic Economic Development Corporation and the City of Atlantic, to discuss next steps for overall business development in Atlantic. Mayor Dave Jones said at the meeting, “We have had several stores close on Main Street over the past six months and the community and businesses are concerned. We need a retail recruitment committee in place, to fill the needs.”

The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce says it is working to coordinate efforts to create an economic restructuring/business development committee. The group’s focus will be assessments of the current community and downtown district. It’s hoped this will help Atlantic know and better understand the community and downtown district’s needs. The group will also focus on business retention, expansion, property development within the business district and recruitment.

Dawn Marnin, Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce President, said “We are a business based organization and we want to work together to be a resource to our current businesses. Also, we need to have the right tools and implementation steps for existing and potential new businesses to be successful. “We are all sitting at the table for the same reason, to grow Atlantic.”

Officials say Atlantic continues to move forward and grow. Within the last 18 months five new businesses – just within the Chamber Membership – have been established in Atlantic. They include: The Bike Farm, Eastside Salon, Megan Roberts – State Farm, Robinson Landscaping & Patio Design LLC, and TS Bank.  Several other businesses have made Atlantic home as well, including: Atlantic Lock Smith, Simply Skin Care, 712 Lounge, A-Town Smoke Shake and mostly recently, Picker’s Parlor.

Officials say the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, Cass Atlantic Economic Development Corporation (CADCO) and City of Atlantic, will continue to work together to grow Atlantic and have agreed that their next action will be to meet with Jim Thompson, Business Consultant, Iowa Economic Development Authority, to discuss the best next steps.  The goal of a Market Analysis Study is to create implementation steps to improve the current economic and business climate through redevelopment and revitalization.

The Atlantic School District is looking to team-up with local businesses involved in the trade industry, to offer a Construction Technology class for the 2016-17 School Year. Derek Bair, Industrial Technology Instructor with the Atlantic High School, made a special presentation about the program during Wednesday evening’s meeting of the Atlantic School Board. Superintendent Dr. Michael Amstein said the program is in the formulative stages right now. Amstein says they’re working with local experts to establish an advisory committee to guide the program.

Amstein said the Construction Tech program will be different than an trades program that was offered a few years ago. The previous course offered concurrent college credits students who had a hands-on work experience building homes in Atlantic. The Construction Tech class would be for High School credit, only. There will also be a math component so students can earn math credit, as well. Amstein says the Construction Tech program will involve much more than focusing on the carpentry aspect of construction. He says they will also look at having hands-on experience with electrical, plumbing, HVAC and Masonry work, to provide a wider variety of experience.

In other business, Dr. Amstein said the Board discussed the District’s Athletic facilities, after receiving a brief overview on the condition of those facilities from Matt Alexander, Assistant High School Principal and Activities Director. He said “There’s not been very much work done on any of them in a long time, and he [Alexander] wanted to bring to the board’s attention that we really need to address that. Hopefully, we’ll put together an RFP [Request for Proposal] for the board to consider, to have somebody do a study on our athletic facilities.” He said one of the areas that need attention is the Trojan Bowl.

And, Amstein told the Board, Wednesday the Districts Certified Annual Enrollment is down this year by about 52 students this year. He says the decline was not unexpected. That’s because this year’s Senior Class is small, only 90, as compared to 127 last Fall. He said also, there were 14 Fourth grade students who either left the district after the numbers were compiled last year, or who left over the summer, which was kind of unusual. Amstein said “If our numbers hold pretty steady in kindergarten for the upcoming year, or at least pretty close to what they’ve done, we’ll make up the lion’s share of those kids, coming into next year.”

A tire blowout was the apparent cause of a single-vehicle rollover accident Wednesday afternoon in Page County, that resulted in one person being injured. The Sheriff’s Office says the crash happened at around 1:15-p.m. on Highway 2, just west of the intersection with A Avenue.

An investigation revealed 66-year old Steven Max Petty, of Clarinda, was driving a 1993 Ford straight truck owned by Brad Thomas of Coin, westbound on Highway 2. Witness said that the truck appeared to blow a front driver’s side tire which caused it to lose control. The vehicle then swerved to the left, then right, then left again. The action caused the truck to reverse ends and roll at least one time before coming to rest on its wheels in the south ditch facing east.

Petty was extricated from the vehicle by Shenandoah Fire Department personnel and the Shenandoah Ambulance service. He was then transported to Shenandoah Memorial Hospital for treatment of unknown injuries. The straight truck was hauling grain, which spilled over the highway and into a ditch. The grain was later removed from the traveled portion of the road. The highway was closed for about three-hours and traffic re-routed while the accident scene was being investigated and cleaned-up.

The straight truck is considered a total loss. Damage estimates are near $20,000.00 for the truck and grain. Assisting the Page County Sheriff’s Office at the scene were the Shenandoah Police Department, Shenandoah Fire Department, and the Shenandoah Ambulance service. No charges were issued in connection with the investigation.