The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce has announced that Atlantic has been recognized as a Neighborhood Champion for the sixth year in a row by American Express. Atlantic will participate in the 10th Annual Small Business Saturday to support small businesses. Chamber Executive Director Bailey Smith said “We’re excited to partner with all of the Atlantic Area businesses to create shopping incentives and activities to celebrate Small Business Saturday.”

Founded by American Express in 2010, Small Business Saturday® is a day to celebrate the small businesses that help support our community. American Express created the Neighborhood Champion Program to help rally communities around Small Business Saturday and is working alongside numerous business organizations to support local Small Business Saturday celebrations throughout the country. Participating organizations include: the American Chamber of Commerce Executives, the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA), the International Downtown Association, the Latino Coalition, the National Main Street Center, the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

American Express recognizes communities that have strong participation. The on-going Shop Local Initiative, presented by First Whitney Bank & Trust, and overall community support has helped Atlantic achieve this national recognition. Smith says “It’s a great opportunity for Atlantic to receive positive, national exposure. Atlantic has everything you need and this day is just an added reminder for the community how important their support and participation in shopping local is to keeping Atlantic a vibrant place to live.”

November 30th marks the 10th annual Small Business Saturday, a day dedicated to supporting the local businesses that create jobs, boost the economy and preserve neighborhoods around the country. Small business owners can learn more about taking part in Small Business Saturday and download free marketing materials on www.shopsmall.com. Consumers can visit www.atlanticiowa.com to find merchants to shop at on Small Business Saturday.

A man from Oklahoma was arrested this (Tuesday) morning, on drug charges. Creston Police say 22-year old Dale Hammer, of Westville, OK., was arrested at around 5:04-a.m., with assistance from the Creston P-D K9 “Jax,” on charges of Possession of Paraphernalia and two counts Possession of a Controlled Substance/1st offense. He was being held in the Union County Jail on a $2,300 bond. Also arrested at the same time and place, was 24-year old Dalton Wallis, of Stilwell, OK. Wallis was charged with Public Intoxication and was being held on a $300 bond, as well as on a hold for a warrant from Adair County, OK, for Failure to Appear.

Creston Police said also, a man residing in the 200 block of S. Pine Street, reported Monday night his wallet had been stolen from his vehicle parked outside his home. The wallet contained miscellaneous ID cards, permits, credit cards and cash. The loss was estimated at $225.

FORT MADISON, Iowa (AP) — A monument marking a battlefield where 23 soldiers died has been installed in Fort Madison. The granite monument put in place last week includes a history of the military post on one side and the soldiers’ names on another side. Andy Andrews of the North Lee County Historical Society and Friends of the Old Fort says the $14,000 cost was underwritten by donations through Friends of Old Fort Madison. A flagpole will be installed nearby.

The Fort Madison Daily Democrat reports that Fort Madison originally was known as Fort Bellevue, was built by the U.S. Army in 1808 and abandoned in 1813. It was the location of the only War of 1812 battle west of the Mississippi.

The Cass County Board of Supervisors will meet 9-a.m. today (Tuesday), in their Boardroom at the Courthouse. On their agenda, is the appointment of a member to the Cass County Local Foods Policy Council (If an appointee is available), and regular reports (as available) from the Cass County Attorney and Engineer. The Board will also canvass the results of the Nov. 5th City/School Elections.

On Wednesday, Nov. 13th, the Board will meet at 8-a.m. to perform a post-election audit of ballots tallied at the Cumberland/Union Township precinct, and votes cast for Mayor/City of Cumberland on Nov. 5th. Cass County Auditor Dale Sunderman says this is not a recount, but a hand-count audit of ballots tallied by optical scan equipment, to verify that the election vote tabulation equipment functioned as designed and programmed. It will include a hand-count of the votes cast for a designated position on the first ballot style of the selected precinct.