OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A man accused of trying to abduct children in Omaha was arrested after leading police on a chase from Nebraska to Iowa and back. KETV reports that 23-year-old Sean Collins was arrested Thursday in Omaha’s Old Market district. Police say Collins fled from officers after they were called to a report of a motorist who was trying to lure two children, ages 6 and 10, into a van.

Officers say that when they found the van, the driver turned the lights off and a woman appeared to flee from an open door. The driver sped off, crossing into Council Bluffs and then back into Omaha on Interstate 480 before crashing into two vehicles.

Collins is charged with attempted abduction, attempted robbery, flight to avoid arrest and theft by receiving.

Young Professionals of Atlantic and the Chamber Board of Directors partnered up recently to help with Spring Planting in downtown Atlantic. YPA President Kevin Wiser said  “We appreciate the board of directors coming out to help us plant the bed we adopt.”

Pictured: LaVon Elben, Lora Kanning, Dawn Marnin, Hannah Beaman

The Young Professionals have made the commitment to adopt a bed to help with downtown beautification. Wieser said “The group is big and we will rotate to keep the bed weed free.”

Pictured: Jenny Williams, Hans Krengel.

Pictured: Kevin Wieser, Hans Krengel, Stephanie Krengel, Hannah Beaman, Lora Kanning, Ouida, Wymer, Jessica Nichols, Tara Jennerjohn

Senator Chuck Grassley will hold six town meetings in Iowa during the week of May 26 as part of his annual 99-county tour. Grassley has held a meeting in each of Iowa’s 99 counties at least once every year since he was first elected to the U.S. Senate.

On May 28th, 29th and 30th, Grassley will be in Greenfield, Atlantic, Mount Ayr, Chariton, Pella, and Bloomfield. On Wednesday, May 28th, Grassley will hold Town Hall meetings:

• In Greenfield from 9:45-to 10:45-a.m., in the courtroom at the Adair County Courthouse.
• In Atlantic, from Noon-to 1 p.m. at Iowa Western Community College
• And in Mount Ayr, from 5-to 6-pm, in the Assembly Room at the Ringgold County Courthouse.

The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) board today (Friday), awarded direct financial assistance and tax benefits to nine companies for job creation and expansion projects. The awards will assist in the creation/retention of 484 jobs and will result in nearly $105 million in new capital investment for the state. The board also took action to support three innovation projects.

The board approved assistance for planned or proposed projects located in Burlington, Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, Council Bluffs, Milford, Sioux City, Story City, Swisher, Tipton and West Des Moines. In Council Bluffs, the Echo Group, Incorporated, a holding company that operates 18 electrical product sales subsidiary locations in Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota and South Dakota, is proposing a $11 million capital investment project to relocate the company’s wholesale division to a 13-acre site in Council Bluffs.

The project would include warehouse space, a large equipment/product storage area and a training center and administrative support services building in a campus setting. The IEDA board awarded the company tax benefits to create and retain 117 jobs. Currently the company employes about 400 people in four states.