An Atlantic business says it will donate 100-percent of the proceeds from the sale of watch batteries toward Oklahoma tornado relief efforts. Rich and Nedra Perry, owners of Geis-Perry Jewelry, say proceeds from the sales of watch batteries that take place between now and July 4th, will be made available to the United Church of Christ in Atlantic, and are destined for relief efforts underway following the May 20th tornado that hit Moore, OK.

Church member April Thielen is in Oklahoma helping with disaster relief, along with most of her family. She is coordinating the donations and distributing them to persons in need. April’s husband Nathan took a second shipment of relief supplies to the area last Sunday, in his semi. Sales of the watch batteries and related relief efforts began May 20th.

Citizens of Woodbine, in Harrison County, came out in full force Wednesday evening, to learn more about a proposed Wellness Center. About 75 residents attending the meeting held in the Woodbine High School gymnasium, heard from JEO Engineering, with regard to determining the next steps needed for the proposed $8.2 million project. 

Plans for the Woodbine Wellness Center began two years ago with listening sessions from volunteers and supporters followed by a feasibility study, site tours and gathering data. Deb Sprecker, program director for Woodbine Main Street, said the next steps for the project involve gaining community awareness, along with applying for grants, and fundraising. JEO Engineering consultant Lucas Billesbach said the firm took a look at several wellness centers in the area, including Red Oak and Ida Grove, to get an idea of what the community the size of Woodbine would need. He estimated the square footage needed for the center would be 40,000. 

The feasibility study estimated the Woodbine Wellness Center could grab members from the city of Woodbine and within a seven-mile radius of the city limits. The conceptual design shown at the meeting Wednesday night included a gymnasium, community center, lockers, and indoor pool, along with a workout center on the 2^nd floor. Billesbach said in the first year the wellness center would see close to 330 members. He said the expected revenue from yearly memberships would be approximately $210,000. Other revenue streams would bring in another $155,000, with a total expected revenue of approximately $364,000. 

Along with the fundraising of $8.4 million for the actual building, Billesbach said the community would need another $4 million for the endowment fund. He said the fund “Is not a game changer, but it is a critical avenue,” that would allow for the maintenance of the building so taxpayers don’t have that added burden. The Woodbine Wellness Center Community has already had $1.2 million donated for the project, along with the land for the facility, from a private donor.

(Joel McCall/KNOD)

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest early this (Thursday) morning, of a Glenwood woman. 34-year old Amanda Marie Kennicott-Regone was arrested at around 2:10-a.m., near 245th and Gaston, in Mills County. The woman was brought to the Mills County Jail and charged with OWI/1st offense. She was being held in the jail, pending an initial court appearance.