(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Chamber Ambassadors were hosted by Hy-Vee on Thursday, November 17th, 2022. The Ambassadors welcomed Store Manager Jon Johnson back to the store, while also being introduced to other new staff. Jon Johnson was the Hy-Vee store manager for four years until 2018. During his time away, Johnson worked in other grocery stores in Webster City, Lincoln, and Omaha. After a few years away, he approached Hy-Vee about getting back into Atlantic. He says his favorite part about working in a small-town Hy-Vee, is being involved in community partnerships and events.

The Ambassadors were also introduced to Crystal Parker as the Food Service Manager, Kimberly McDonald as the Assistant Manager of Perishables/ Marketing Coordinator, and Michael Coffman as the Produce Manager. Johnson helped initiate some of the renovations to the store before he left and helped wrap up the final touches as he has returned. Hy-Vee has re-vamped the “hot case”, developed recipes for the cook-to-order menu, and added new “grab-n-go” items. The final step of the renovation was replacing the 21-year-old produce case with a new system featuring the new misting units, lighting, and racks to keep the produce at its best.

Ambassadors and Hy-Vee Staff (Left to Right): Kelsey Beschorner, Colt Doherty, Jason Truckenbrod, Krysta Hanson, Sue Liston, Ray Paullin, Victoria Gibson, Julie Waters, Rick Mericle, Dolly Bergmann, Christy Rauch, Elaine Otte, Jeremy Butler, Jon Johnson, Graydon Schmidt, Anne Quist, Lana Westphalen, Scott Bennett, Bill Saluk, Michael Coffman, Beth Spieker, Crystal Parker, Kate Olson, Kimberly McDonald (Photo & story provided by the Chamber)

Hy-Vee is located at 1630 E 7th Street in Atlantic. For more information, call 712-243-1277, or follow them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AtlanticHV/

Des Moines, Iowa – The U-S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa, Monday (today), said two Polk County men were sentenced Friday (Nov. 18th), for their roles in the distribution of a controlled substance that resulted in death. Authorities say 39-year-old Michael Allen James  was sentenced to 20-years in prison. 38-year-old Gregory Michael Williams was sentenced to 14-years in prison. Both Des Moines men were sentenced after pleading guilty.

On November 8, 2020, Williams purchased two Oxycodone pills from James. Williams then distributed the pills to C.C.. Later, C.C. and his fiancée, K.F., ingested the pills, and both overdosed. C.C. was revived on scene and survived. K.F. was brought to the hospital and later pronounced dead. The Oxycodone pills were counterfeit and contained fentanyl.

Investigators with the Des Moines Police Department Vice-Narcotics Unit reviewed phone records and conducted interviews, including of the victims’ friends and family, which led officers to identify Williams and James. In November 2020, Williams was arrested in possession of a firearm after he held his children at gunpoint. In December 2020, officers executed a search warrant at James’ house and located marijuana, cash, and 100 rounds of ammunition. James was prohibited for possessing ammunition because he is a felon.

U.S. Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The investigation was conducted by the Des Moines Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mallory E. Weiser, with assistance from Victim Witness Specialist Charlotte Kovacs.

(Radio Iowa) – The chairman of the Iowa Republican Party says two well-known Iowans in the DEMOCRATIC Party need to speak out to help keep their party’s Caucuses first-in-the-nation. Iowa G-O-P chairman Jeff Kaufmann says former U.S. Senator Tom Harkin and former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack need to use their clout. “Stand up and help,” Kaufmann says. “Where in the world is Vilsack? Where in the world is Harkin?” The REPUBLICAN National Committee has voted to have the Iowa Caucuses kick off the G-O-P’s presidential nominating process in 2024, but a group of national DEMOCRATS will meet next week to consider other state’s vying to go first in their party’s process.

“This is ridiculous that we don’t have a current secretary of ag advocating for us in the most vociferous way,” Kaufmann says. A former Iowa Democratic Party chairman says Vilsack’s role as U.S. Ag Secretary restricts his political activities and Harkin doesn’t want to detract from his bipartisan work through the Harkin Institute. Iowa Democrats face what appears to be an uphill battle to keep their caucuses first in the nation and Kaufmann says he’s willing to do what he can to change those odds.  “Maybe my head’s in the clouds here, but I’m not ready to give up on it yet,” Kaufmann says. If the Democratic National Committee decides to schedule presidential primaries in another state before Iowa’s Democratic Party Caucuses, Kaufmann vows to do whatever it takes to ensure both parties’ caucuses are held on the same day — and are first.

“We will back the Iowa Caucuses up as far as we need to back them up in order to be first,” Kaufmann says. “By golly, we’ll have our Caucuses on Halloween if we have to.” In 2008 and 2012, other states rescheduled their primaries to try to leapfrog the Iowa Caucuses and New Hampshire’s first-in-the-nation Primary — so Iowa Republicans and Democrats held their Caucuses on January 3rd.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Police Department reports two people were arrested in connection with the theft of packages from a residence in town. The Police Department received a report on November 18th, of packages that had been stolen. The reporting party also provided officers with video footage of the incident. While on patrol later in the day, officers located a vehicle that matched what they had seen in the video. Officers subsequently made contact with the vehicle and its occupants. Through the investigation that followed, officers were able to recover the stolen items.

The occupants of the vehicle, 35-year-old Casey Kirchner, of Rockwell City, and 56-year-old Melissa Beyerink, of Sac City, were arrested and charged with Theft in the 4th degree. Both individuals were brought to the Cass County Jail where they were booked and held. If you have information regarding the incident, please call the Atlantic Police Department at 712-243-3512.

Note: A criminal charge is merely an accusation and defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.