The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce reports it is now accepting nominations for the “Angels of Christmas” award, sponsored by Stifel Nicolaus. Nominations should detail the individual or couples’ contributions and qualities and be received at the Chamber by Nov. 8th. The mailing address is 102 Chestnut Street, Atlantic, IA 50022 or chamber@atlanticiowa.com.

A surprise honor bestowed upon two community members who symbolize the true meaning of the holidays, the “angels” are nominated via written letters of recommendation to the Chamber. The presentation of the awards will be on Dec. 14th, at the end of the annual free holiday concert at the First United Methodist Church.

The free Holiday Concert, sponsored by Aunt B’s, Bonnesen’s, J&R Tax Service, and Unique Salon & Spa and coordinated by Guy Somers, is scheduled for December 14th, at 7 p.m.

The holidays are just around the corner and the Guthrie County Extension & Outreach Office is accepting donations of non-perishable goods for the local food pantry. A box has been set up in the Extension office for those, which will be taken throughout both the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.

Once the box is full, Extension staff will deliver it to the food pantry, and begin filling additional boxes.

The Harlan Police Department reports a local teen was arrested last week on drug charges. 16-year old Dustin Dirks,of Harlan, was arrested Oct. 22nd following an investigation.  Officials say after a search warrant was executed at his home in the 800 block of 12^th St,  Dirks was taken into custody and transported to the Shelby County jail where he was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and prohibited acts penalties.

The following day (Oct. 23rd) 32-year old Juan Romero, of Harlan, was taken into custody following a traffic stop.  Romero was taken to the Shelby County jail where he was charged with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, speed and failure to have a valid driver’s license.  A hold was placed on Romero by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

And, on Friday (Oct. 25th), two persons were arrested when officers with the Harlan Police Department were called to investigate a suspicious male outside a residence in the 300 block of Court Street.  Taken into custody was 19-Lacey Jae Bird, and 24-year old Kyle Tearney, both of Harlan.  Both subjects were transported to the Shelby County Jail where they were  each charged with violation of a no contact order.

The Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education held a work session Monday evening at the High School, during which there was discussion on a couple of matters, but no action was taken. Atlantic Superintendent Dr. Michael Amstein said Design Alliance Architect’s Jerry Purdy presented the Board with five different concepts for the remodeling and/or expansion of the district’s facilities, based on input from teachers, staff and the public.

Amstein said Dena Goplerud also spoke to the about what she could do as far as providing facilitator services to district for further meetings with the public and others with regard to the expansion and/or remodeling options.

The Board tabled a Technology Update from District Technology Coordinator Roger Warne until their next meeting in November, due to Warne having a family emergency. They did however, hear a presentation from the Model Employment Team (MET) who reported on a grant the district received from the State of Iowa. He says Atlantic was one of just four such districts in the State to receive the grant. The grant focuses on employment skills for Special Needs students within the community. The presenters spoke about the possibility of expanding the program this year into the following school year.

And, Dr. Amstein said their certified enrollment this year shows 1,431 students, which he says doesn’t reflect students who are open-enrolled or home schooled. That number is what they are required to provide to the State as far as resident students are concerned. Amstein said when you look at actual enrollment numbers, including those that are “tuitioned-in,” the count shows about 1,643 students, which includes preschoolers. That includes about 140 kindergarteners. He said they are down a little bit in the 4-year old preschool program, and 6 or 7 students in the Special Education preschool program. Amstein says those numbers typically go up before the Spring count.

In the Fall of 2012, there were 1,611 students.

Sheriff’s officials in Shelby County say two people were hurt when the ATV they were riding went out of control, traveled up an embankment and hit a utility pole in the Elk Horn City Park. The accident happened at around 6:30-p.m, Monday.  The ATV’s driver, 19-year old Maisie Williams, of Atlantic, and her passenger, 18-year old Angel Knowles, of Elk Horn, were ejected from the machine. Both women were transported by Elk Horn Rescue to the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic.

Williams was later flown by helicopter to the University of Nebraska Medical Center for treatment of serious injuries. Knowles suffered minor injuries, was treated and released. The accident remains under investigation.

(8-a.m. News)