Authorities say a man wanted in southwest Iowa on felony kidnapping and attempted murder charges, turned himself in at around 10:19-a.m., Wednesday. 57-year-old William Wayne Elliott, of Red Oak, is accused of forcing 22-year old Shelby Mae Schmitz, of Red Oak, into the basement of his home on November 11th, after she stopped by for a visit.

He then allegedly doused her with gasoline and threatening to set Schmitz on fire.  Schmitz escaped and reported the incident to Red Oak Police. The woman was hospitalized for evaluation and treatment as authorities got a search warrant for Elliott’s home. He was not there but authorities say they located evidence in the home, including narcotics.

Elliott was being held in the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center on $100,300 bond. The Red Oak Police Department was assisted in its investigation by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Marshal’s Service.

The Iowa State Patrol says a central Iowa man was injured during an accident Wednesday morning on Interstate 80, in Cass County. 56-year old Bradley Alan Katzenberger, of Des Moines, was transported from the Cass County Memorial Hospital by LifeNet helicopter to the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, where he was reported to be in “Fair” condition, Wednesday night.

Officials say Katzenberger was traveling west on I-80 at around 5-a.m., when the 2000 Workhorse delivery truck he was driving was hit from behind by a westbound 2006 International semi, driven by 23-year old Daniel L. Hart, of Omaha. Following the impact, the Katzenberger vehicle left the road to the right and rolled several times into the ditch. Katzenberger, who was wearing his seat belt, was ejected from the truck.

Hart left the scene of the accident near the 55-mile marker, and was involved in a separate crash at the 49-mile marker of I-80 westbound, a short time later. He was placed under arrest and charged with Leaving the Scene of an Accident.

(Updated 4-a.m. Thu., 11/21/13)

The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce reports Santa’s Cabin will be open this Thursday in the downtown City Park, with a fresh smell of new cedar after the Atlantic Rotary Club repaired the roof and damaged logs last spring. Santa will be in his cabin to see children following the Grand Lighting ceremony at 5:30-p.m. (sponsored by MAHLE Engine Components and Corner Stone Landscaping), when more than 200,000 light bulbs are turned on to signal the start of the holidays.

Prior to Santa’s arrival, Chamber Director Megan Roberts said a sparkling cider toast will be given from the Grand Lighting Stage to celebrate the holiday kick off. In addition to a photo booth, free horse-drawn carriage rides, hot cocoa and visits at Santa’s Cabin, the Chamber’s Holiday Recipe Walk will also be happening for attendees to enjoy from 5-7 p.m.

Roberts says “Many merchants will be open later on Thursday night, and we have nine stops on the Holiday Recipe Walk where attendees can sample holiday favorites and take home a recipe card for their own collection,” Roberts said. “This is all a part of our efforts at the Chamber to create activities on the Third Thursday of each month.”

A list of participating businesses will be handed out at the Grand Lighting Stage near the city park and include: The Atlantic Coca-Cola Center & Museum; Aunt B’s; Bonnesen’s; Camblin Plumbing & Heating; Cappel’s Ace Hardware; Downtowner Cafe & Catering; Cullen & Associates; Longaberger Consultant Dolly Bergmann, and Rex Pharmacy.

The Third Thursday in November is only the beginning of the Chamber sponsored holiday events, followed by the Lighted Parade on Dec. 7th. Roberts said parade entries are welcome by contacting the Atlantic Area Chamber at 712.243.3017 or emailing chamber@atlanticiowa.com for a registration form. Pre-registration is not required but is encouraged.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – Woodbury County officials agreed to spend more money to restore a levee along the Little Sioux River in western Iowa.  The Sioux City Journal reports the county board Tuesday approved a $128,000 bid for work on the levee near Smithland.  Landowners will be billed for the work, which includes placing 3,600 tons of concrete and quartzite along 1,800 feet of riverbank.

The project follows a $232,000-taxpayer funded effort to add a berm and boulders to retain soil. Those fixes didn’t work and the riverbank continued to wash away.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built the original flood-control device in 1964.

Board member Larry Clausen voted against the winning bid because he favored a different contractor, but he says the county has no choice but to repair the levee.

The head Librarians from each of the libraries in Cass County appeared before the Board of Supervisors Wednesday morning to present their annual report and request for Fiscal Year 2014 funding. Vicki Christensen, Librarian/Director at the Anita Public Library, represented the Cass County Library Association (CCLA).

She said “Changing times call for flexibility and adaptability….”and the directors feel that’s what their facilities practice on a daily basis, with the goal of “Enriching everyone’s daily lives and enhance their personal and intellectual life-long development.” Christensen said “Without the financial support of the cities, county, state and local entities, none of [their] endeavors would be possible.” To that end, the CCLA requested Fiscal Year 2014 funding as follows…the Anita Public Library, $10,900; Atlantic, $13,000; Cumberland, $8,700; Griswold, $10,400; Lewis, $8,700, and Massena, $8,900. That is the same amount they requested for FY 2013. The Board will consider the request when it comes time to prepare for the budgeting process.

Christensen said also, libraries in the County are providing more and more free databases for the general public to access anytime, anywhere, by mobile device or personal computer. Information provided during the meeting indicates a total of 426 programs were provided by libraries in the County to patrons, including those related to wellness.

Kristen Templeton

In other business, the Board of Supervisors heard from Kristen Templeton with Unity Point at Home &Cass County Public Health, with regard to an effort by the Cass County Child Abuse Prevention Council, to bring the “Scary Guy” program to each school district in the County, next fall. She says the Council is ready to declare the 2014-2015 school year as “Violence Prevention.” Templeton says The Scary Guy (his legal name), is from the U-K, but he is originally from Minnesota. He would be in the County for about 10 days. His mission is “The total elimination of Hate, Violence and Prejudice Worldwide.” That includes bullying.

He began his effort in 1998 and since then, has worked with over 10-million people around the world, promoting peace through the teaching of his core theories on “Awareness, Understanding, Acceptance and Love” of all people. He will travel to the U-S along with his wife, once there is enough money to retain his services. The total cost of his visit is $26,300. Templeton says they’ve received several donations so far this year to help bring The Scary Guy to Cass County. That includes funds from the Lion’s Club. The Rotary also donated funds from its auction/raffle. The Crisis Support Network/Salvation Army, Zion Recovery and the Schools have also pledged their support.

$12,000 has been raised so far. The Council needs $13, 150 as a retainer by the end of December, in order to bring The Scary Guy to the area. Templeton didn’t make a request for funding from the Board during her presentation. Instead, it was intended to be informational only at this point.