The Mills County Sheriff’s Office, Wednesday, said two men were arrested recently, on separate charges. On Wednesday (5/27), 25-year old Dylan Ging Fleuren, of Council Bluffs, was arrested at around 1:33-a.m., following a traffic stop on I-29. Fleuren was charged with two-counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance. His bond was set at $2,000.

And, at around 10:20-a.m. May 23rd, 34-year old Shane Scott Oliver, of Omaha, was arrested for Providing false information, Interference with Official Acts, and Failure to Provide Financial Liability [proof of insurance]. His bond was set at $900.

Officials with the Pottawattamie County Public Health Department today (Wednesday), reported nine new COVID-19 cases. All of the affected individuals are from Council Bluffs. Three are persons under the age of 17, one is 18-to 40, three are 41-60 years old, and two are 61-to 80 years old. They were tested between May 10th and 26.

So far, officials say, 2,854 Pott. County residents have been tested for COVID-19, with 252 having tested positive. Six people have recovered from the virus, for a total of 143. Currently, seven persons have been hospitalized, and 89 are self-isolating. Based on PCPH contact tracing investigations, a total of 75 Pott. County COVID-19 cases are the result of community spread.

A reminder, that a Test Iowa site will open in Council Bluffs at the Western Historic Trailer Center on Friday, May 29th. Anyone wanting to get tested must first complete the health assessment at www.testiowa.com.  After completing the assessment, you will receive a time and date for your test.

Officials with Marne Elk Horn Telephone Company (METC) recently announced that Rachel Hamilton, currently the office manager of the Walnut and Avoca offices of Marne Elk Horn, has been selected by the company’s Board of Directors to be the next CEO. According to Janell Hansen, Marne Elk Horn’s retiring CEO, Hamilton will start her new duties officially July 1^st. Marne Elk Horn is a provider of telephone, Internet, and Cable TV serving thousands of customers in communities along the I-80 corridor from Exira to Underwood.

Rachel Hamilton

Hansen says with 20 years of service to the communications industry, Hamilton brings a strong understanding of regulatory operations, customer service, billing, and financial matters to her new role. She recently graduated from the Iowa Communications Alliance Leadership program in March. Hansen plans to stay on with the company through the end of 2020 to aid the transition.

Hamilton started in customer service with Walnut Communications in June of 2000. By 2005, as the company began its growth to the west – in Avoca, Neola, Underwood, Persia, and Shelby, she was named office manager. In October of 2016, Marne Elk Horn acquired Walnut Communications.

In the press release, Rachel Hamilton said “I’m very passionate about our company, communities, employees, and customers. The last few months have illustrated the importance of what we do as a company and our employees have demonstrated that commitment repeatedly in their actions as the necessity for internet access accelerated due to the pandemic and work from home situations increased. Providing superior service is what Marne Elk Horn is all about and I am honored to continue what Janell has so successfully grown over the last 22 years.”

The Cass County Health System Specialty Clinic in Atlantic, will close at 2 pm on Friday, May 29. Officials say patients with any questions or concerns are encouraged to call 712-243-7590.

Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater today (Wednesday), said on social media, “It is with a very heavy heart that I share the loss of one of our own. Retired Sheriff Randy H. Marchant passed away Monday May 25, 2020.”  Vandewater said Marchant initially worked at the Stuart Police Department from March 1, 1982 through July 31, 1985, graduating from the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy on July 2, 1982.

GRIMES, Iowa (AP) — The Polk County Sheriff’s Office says a more than month-long investigation has shown that a woman found dead inside her house near Grimes died of natural causes. The sheriff’s office made the pronouncement in news release Wednesday on the death of 35-year-old Melanie Scheuring. Scheuring was found dead in her house on April 19 after deputies, firefighters and medics were called to the home. Scheuring’s 46-year-old fiance was also at the home. Other than to declare her death was from natural causes, officials did not say Wednesday what caused Scheuring’s death.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office today (Wednesday), sent out a message encouraging all residents to stay off any wet dirt roads within our county. When roads are damaged for no reason, Cass County will charge offenders the amount that road repair will cost taxpayers.

The Director of the Atlantic Public Library, Michelle Andersen, reports that in June the library (which is currently open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays) will be open on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays with the following guidelines in-place:

• Stay home if you are sick.
• You must wear a mask or something that covers your nose and mouth when you are in the building.
• No more than 30 people in the library at any given time.
• The library will not be a gathering place for groups or have seating available for more than one person at a table.
• All materials must be returned in a book drop or in the lobby. Returned materials will be quarantined for at least 48 hours and sanitized before available on the shelf.
• Only half of the public computers will be available in order to accommodate social distancing.
• Grab & Go pick-up appointments will be available every Thursday 10 am to 5 pm. Materials requests and appointments must be made by Wednesday of each week to qualify for Thursday pick up.
• The first hour of each day (9-10 am) is designated for patrons who are especially vulnerable to sickness. These individuals are also encouraged to continue to use the Grab & Go service.
• The reading garden will remain closed except for Grab & Go pick-ups.
• No in-person programs. Look for announcements about online programs.
• No in-library activities (puzzles, coloring pages, games, makerspace, etc.).
• No meeting room reservations
• No walk-up copy service downstairs. Staff assisted copier still available upstairs.

Andersen says if the Library is directed by a State or local agency to close again, it will do so. If you have any questions, please call (712)-243-5466 (Or, email atlanticpubliclibrary@gmail.com)