Ann Pross, Center Director for Iowa Western Community College in Atlantic, has issued a reminder to students in the Atlantic area, that this Friday, July 6^th, is the deadline to apply for a locally endowed scholarship for those considering a career in nursing, especially those who desire to serve patients with cancer. Pross said the Don & Lois Sonntag Endowment Fund opportunity will provide much-needed financial assistance to those enrolled in nursing prerequisites or the nursing program.

Iowa Western Community College will make decisions on all applications according to need and scholarship criteria.  The amount awarded to each student will depend on the number of qualified applicants.  The scholarships will be for classes starting August 20th, 2012, and students from Atlantic and surrounding area eligible to apply.  All funds from the effort will be used only for students enrolled in nursing prerequisite courses or the nursing program.

For additional information, contact:  Don Sonntag at 712-249-1906 or Ann Pross, Iowa Western Cass County Center Director at 712-243-5527.

Pilot error may have contributed to the crash of an airplane Friday evening northwest of Griswold.

1976 Cessna 172 registered to Elimar Sudmann

Pottawattamie County Sheriff Jeff Danker says witnessed described the actions of the planes pilot, 76-year old Elimar Sudmann, of Atlantic. Witnesses told investigators Sudmann may have been coming around too fast, tried to pull up and make another pass. The witnesses thought he was going too slow. The plane basically dropped from the sky and hit the ground. Danker says that’s indicative of an engine stall. After the nose of the plane dug into the soybean field, the aircraft flipped over, landing on its top facing north. 

The accident happened at around 8:30-p.m., Friday. Danker says Sudmann, and a passenger in the 1976 Cessna 172-M, 59-year old Delbert Thurman, of rural Atlantic, were transported by Griswold Rescue to the Cass County Memorial Hospital for treatment.

A medical helicopter later transported Sudmann to the Nebraska Medical Center, where he remained in serious condition, Monday, suffering from a fractured leg and forearm and back injuries. Thurman suffered minor injuries in the crash.

A reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest in connection with a fire May 18th, that destroyed a home at 602 Oak Street in Atlantic.

The aftermath of a fire May 18th at 602 Oak Street in Atlantic

The Blaze erupted at the structure owned by Hockenberry Family Care Funeral Home, at around 3-a.m. on that date. Atlantic Fire Chief Mark McNees says the investigation has been going on since the day of the fire, and has included tests conducted by the Atlantic Fire Department, testing by an agent with the property owners’ insurance company, McNees says by digging through the debris, they saw a definite burn pattern and what was used to start the blaze. He says “It’s definitely a case of arson.”

McNees says they’ve taken witness interviews about as far as they can, and are looking for anyone with any new information to step-forward, to move the investigation along. 

John Ticer, Special Agent with the Iowa Fire Marshal’s Office, told KJAN News there are tell-tale signs that often present themselves as clues that a fire is suspicious. He said “burn patterns” are one of those signs.  Ticer says he can’t reveal additional details about how the fire started, such as the type of material used to ignite the blaze.He said they basically just acknowledge it was a set fire. Ticer asked anyone who may have seen anything unusual between the hours of 1-a.m. and 3-a.m. on May 18^th, to contact his office or the Atlantic Police Department

A reward of up to $10,000, available through the Arson Hotline, is being offered for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible. Call the Arson Hotline at 1-800-532-1459 if you have any information or the Atlantic Police Department, at 712-243-3512. You can remain anonymous.

Firefighters in Atlantic were on the scene for nearly six-hours. Witnesses told KJAN News the flames started on the upper floor on the east side of the home, in an area that served as an apartment, above the garage. McNees said young people had often used the vacant house as a “hang out.” No one was injured fighting the blaze.

(8-a.m. News)