The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce says the annual Coca-Cola Days parade, a popular finale for Coca-Cola Days festivities, is on track and accepting entries for a 4 p.m. start on Saturday, Sept. 22nd.  Formerly for ages 12 and under only, the parade is now open to all wanting to participate. Entries from area clubs, businesses, and individuals are accepted, although only the children’s Coca-Cola themed costume contest for 12 and under will be judged and awarded AtlantiCash prizes.

Incorporating the theme of Mixing up Happiness for 20 years is the only requirement. Parade entry forms will be available at 6^th and Chestnut in City Park the day of the parade for late entries. The parade is sponsored in part by the Iowa Chapter of Coca-Cola Collectors Club.

Other Coca-Cola Days activities include the Show, Swap & Sell and Collectors Showcase from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Herring Building located at 2^nd & Poplar Streets. Merchandise including a Coca-Cola Days ornament will be for purchase with the 2012 shirts. For more information regarding the weekend activities visit CocaColaDays.org or call the Atlantic  Area Chamber of Commerce at 712.243.3017.

The owner of a bed and breakfast business in Atlantic who is in violation of the City’s Minimum Maintenance Code, has been given a little more time to complete the exterior portion of his project. City Code Enforcement Officer John Lund said the decision was reached during a meeting this (Thursday) morning with S.F. Martin House owner, Roger Steffens. He says Steffens has been given a 30-day extension, but no more. After that, he will face fines for violating the City’s Code. Lund says the City understands the scope of the project, but at the same time, Steffens has been as much, if not more time than other residents to get their properties into shape, when given a compliance notice.

He says November 1^st is the final deadline. Lund says they tried to make it as fair as possible. Regardless of what the National Register of Historic Places guidelines are, he says the City’s “Minimum Maintenance Code is called that for a reason. He says it’s “Not the Historical Victorian Standards Maintenance Code,” and the City is only asking Steffens to get the front entrance way taken care of, siding in-place and for the structure to be painted. Lund says six-months was an unreasonable amount of time for that to take place, to begin with.

Prior to his meeting with Lund, Steffens had faced an October 1^st deadline to complete repairs on the exterior of his business, which is on the National Register of Historic places. The building has been what several people have described as an “eye sore” in Atlantic, especially on the east side. Work on the exterior of the house has been underway for at least 15-years, while the inside is pristine. When confronted with the earlier deadline, Steffens said during Wednesday night’s Council meeting that he needed more time to “Do the work the right way,” and that he’s already spent “Tens of thousands of dollars” on the on-going project, but he’s not willing to do the job hap-hazardly.

Atlantic City Councilman Shawn Shouse says it not the type of work being done that is the problem, it is all about the amount of time it is taking to get it done. Shouse said by Steffens’ own admission, he is taking too long. He says that’s what the council feels, as well. Steffens thought he was being singled-out by the City, but Shouse said that’s not the case. Shouse said the City has sent out notices to other property owner’s who are not in compliance with the Code.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports two men were arrested on OWI charges, Wednesday. 34-year old Christopher Anthony Morresi, of Underwood, was taken into custody on charges of OWI 1^st, Driving While Barred, and Driving Under Suspension. Morresi was brought to the Cass County Jail and later released on $2,000 bond.

And, 52-year old Mark David Carroll, of Griswold, was arrested Wednesday, on a charge of OWI 2^nd Offense. Carroll was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was being held, pending a court appearance.

Authorities in Union County say the Afton Police Department received a report Wednesday afternoon from two, 10-year old girls, who claim they were confronted by a 50- to 60-year old white male. The incident took place on East Grand Street just west of the East Union School Campus and near the City of Afton REC Fields.  Several East Union After School Daycare staff members observed the confrontation and helped to get the girls to safety on the school campus.

Authorities say the person of interest connection with the incident, had brown eyes, and some brown hair, but was mostly bald on top. He was driving a Green Jeep or Chevy Blazer type 4×4 vehicle with a spare tire on the back. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact Afton Police Chief John Coulter at 641-347-5255, or local law enforcement. The Afton Police Department is following up on other leads.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Strong farm income helped Nebraska and Iowa record an increase in median income last year while nationally median income declined 1.3 percent and most states saw their median income shrink. A new Census report released today (Thursday), said Nebraska’s median income grew 1.1 percent to $50,296 in 2011. Iowa’s median income grew 0.1 percent to $49,427.

Only 13 states and the District of Columbia recorded an increase in median income between 2010 and 2011. Vermont led the nation with a 4.1 percent increase. The University of Nebraska at Omaha’s David Drozd says the strength of agriculture has helped Nebraska and Iowa withstand the economic uncertainty of the past few years, and it’s a factor in these income figures.  The relatively low unemployment rate in both states also helped boost income.