(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce today (Tuesday), announced the Chamber has joined a statewide coalition to end human trafficking in Iowa. The Iowa Businesses Against Trafficking (IBAT) initiative is spearheaded by the Iowa Secretary of State’s Office. The goal is to have Iowa’s business community raise awareness and help prevent human trafficking. Membership in IBAT is open to any business or nonprofit organization that operates in the State of Iowa and shares a commitment to taking steps to promote awareness of human trafficking and the Iowa Safe at Home program. Safe at Home is an address confidentiality program for survivors of human trafficking and other violent crimes.

Businesses that join IBAT are asked to complete two tasks each year: “Learn Something,” and “Do Something.” Businesses will commit to “Learn Something” by educating employees, customers, and industry partners on the signs and impact of human trafficking in Iowa. Businesses can “Do Something” by empowering more people to take action to prevent human trafficking in Iowa.

Pictured Left to Right: Iowa Secretary of State Staff; Bailey Smith, Atlantic Chamber Executive Director; Kent Hanson, Atlantic Chamber Board President; Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate; Kelsey Beschorner, Atlantic Chamber Program Director and Melissa Ihnen, Atlantic Chamber Board of Director. (Photo courtesy of the Chamber)

Bailey Smith, Executive Director at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, says “Human Trafficking is an epidemic that is affecting the entire country, but particularly Iowa. I think a lot of people assume, ‘We’re in a small town, this won’t affect us,’ but it is and will continue to until more education is made available. We’re pleased to partner with the Secretary of State’s office to bring more awareness and help educate businesses and residents in our community ways we can all work together to bring an end to this tragedy.”

IBAT was launched by Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate in January 2022. To learn more about IBAT and ways to get involved, contact Bailey Smith at bailey@atlanticiowa.com or call 712-243-3017.

CRESTON, Iowa – June 7, 2022 – Officials with the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Creston Construction Office report “Bridge deck repair work on the U.S. 59 bridge over Interstate 80 in Pottawattamie County will require reducing the roadway to one lane in each direction at the bridges starting Monday, June 13 at 7 a.m., weather permitting.”

During this project, an 11-foot-6-inch lane width restriction will be in place. The lane closures are expected to be in place until Sept. 1st.

The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Atlantic Police Chief Devin Hogue reports a dozen arrests took place from May 28th through June 5th. On Sunday (June 5th), 40-year-old Cathy Vasser, of Moncks, NC, was arrested for OWI/1st offense, and, 42-year-old Taimichy Ichin, of Atlantic, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault. Four people from Atlantic were arrested last Saturday.

• 28-year-old Benser Mark was arrested for Disorderly Conduct.
• 25-year-old K One Moses was arrested for Simple Assault.
• 24-year-old TK Narios was arrested for Public Intoxication,
• and 38-year-old Daniel Duranceau was arrested for Simple Assault. He was cited into court and released at the scene.

On Friday, Atlantic Police arrested 30-year-old Cody Plies, of Walnut, for Simple Assault. He was also cited and released from the scene. There were three arrests in Atlantic on June 1st:

43-year-old Tina Binkley and 57-year-old Joline Reyes, both of Grand Island, NE, were arrested in Atlantic for Theft in the 5th Degree (Shoplifting), and, 27-year-old Joyus Kosy, of Atlantic, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault/1st offense.

Atlantic Police arrested 35-year-old Jeffrey Knight of Atlantic, on May 29th, for three counts of Harassment in the 2nd Degree. And, on the 28th of May, 23-year-old Logan Russell, of Atlantic, was arrested for OWI/2nd offense.

(Radio Iowa) – The central Iowa community of Stanhope is raising money to move a 140-year-old train depot from a Hamilton County farm back to town. Rick Young is chairman of the Hamilton County Supervisors and says the historic building will soon be returned to its original home. “The depot has been cared for for 40 years by the Carlson family, and we’re so thankful that they did that, otherwise it would have ended up like a lot of train depots that towns had, they’re long gone,” Young says. “Really, they’ve kind of ended their time with it and it’s a good time to move it back.”

Stanhope Depot. (KQWC photo via Radio Iowa)

Young says there are many costs involved with moving the depot, then putting it on a foundation and buying a piece of property — perhaps 122-thousand dollars total. Efforts are being made to make it easy for anyone, anywhere to donate to the effort. “Any gifts of money will be made tax exempt, so they can get a tax credit for their gift,” Young says, “and they’ll also be able to pay online through a link on the Stanhope Depot Facebook page.”

For as old as the structure is, Young says it’s in great shape.  “The depot itself is very well, it’s sturdy, secure,” Young says. “The Carlsons put a new roof on it a few years ago so it’s in very decent condition, very worthy to be saved.” So far, $7,500 in pledges have been made for the project. If everything goes according to plan, the depot will be moved next summer.

(Radio Iowa) – The City of Grinnell issued a boil water order this (Tuesday) morning for all of the community’s nine-thousand-plus residents, according to Water Department director Jordan Altenhofen. “Last night, we had a catastrophic failure, a big main break on a 12-inch pipe,” Altenhofen says. “The water tower is offline for routine maintenance which is why this had a very large impact. In short, we are still working on the repair. We are not done.”

Altenhofen says a city crew is working feverishly to get the break fixed and complete repairs. “I’m hoping to have them wrapped up today but to get this done, there’s one key piece I’m trying to get my hands on,” he says. “Basically, we have one in stock that we use but it’s with a odd manufacturer, so it really didn’t work that well. I’m working on getting my hands on a better repair sleeve to go there.” Once those repairs are complete, Altenhofen says the boil order will still be in effect for a minimum of 48 hours. “Once we’re back up and running safely, I take one round of bacteria samples, I have to do six bacteria tests across our system. I have to send those to a state-certified lab,” he says. “They take 24 hours to essentially process and then, knock on wood, they all clear, I have to do a second round just to be safe, to prove it.”

Water for consumption needs to be boiled for at least one minute, or he suggests using an alternative like bottled water.

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – The Pottawattamie Sheriff’s Office today (Tuesday) issued numerous reports on arrests and prisoner transfers-in to the Pott. County Jail on various warrants.

Yesterday (Monday), 31-year-old Terrance Nathaniel Allen, of Council Bluffs, was arrested in the Pott. County Jail lobby, after he was found smoking inside of a business and/or public building. Allen refused to leave and/or stop smoking. He was arrested for Interference with Official Acts. During an investigation at the time of his arrest, a counterfeit $100 bill was found on Allen. He was subsequently charged with Fraudulent practices in the 5th Degree. Bond was set at $600 altogether.

Authorities say 36-year-old Jayme Antoinette Lauridsen was arrested Sunday in Shelby, for Driving While Barred. She was later released from the jail. 42-year-old Ryan Franklin Holm was arrested Sunday evening in Avoca, on a warrant for extradition to another agency. At around 12:50-a.m., Sunday, Pott. County Deputies arrested 24-year-old Kasey Lee Danielsen, of Council Bluffs, for Driving While Barred/Habitual Offender, with a $2,000 bond. He remains in the Pott. County Jail on on a total of $7,000 bond, $5,000 of which is associated with an OWI/3rd offense charge.

Saturday evening, 27-year-old Dalton Luis-Marciano Rocha was arrested in Council Bluffs, for being a fugitive from justice. Friday afternoon, 36-year-old David Allen Coenen was arrested in Lewis, following a traffic stop. He was charged with Driving While Barred. Friday morning, 33-year-old Paul R. Shaffer was arrested at the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office, on a warrant for Assault.

The following individuals were arrested at other, area jails in Iowa or Nebraska, and brought to the Pottawattamie County Jail based on their warrants:

• 44-year-old Christopher Lee Grinnell was wanted for Credit Card Fraud under $1,500.
• 35-year-old Jessie James Baker was wanted for (Felony) Escape from Custody, Interference with Corrections Officials, and on a “Hold” for another facility.
• 20-year-old Jacorey Nathaniel Battles was wanted for Robbery in the 1st/Armed w/a dangerous weapon, and on a hold for another facility. He was transported to the Pott. Council Jail from the Clarinda Correctional Facility.
• 64-year-old Ricky Ellis Lamb was also transported from Clarinda to Council Bluffs, where he was wanted for Forgery/altering of writing, and on a hold for another facility.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors will hold their regular weekly meeting on Wednesday this week (June 8th), beginning at 9-a.m. in the Boardroom at the Cass County Courthouse. On their agenda are ARPA requests and possible action on funding for the Marne Fire & Rescue Association and Cumberland Fire Department. Other requests are expected for the Cass County EMA/911, Sheriff’s Office, Atlantic Police Dept., Fire Association and a separate request from Cass County EMA Coordinator Mike Kennon.

The Board is also expected to discuss, and possible take action on a new employee and/or employees for the Cass County Treasurer’s Office, as well as a Resolution on Courthouse Hours. Regular reports are expected from County Engineer Trent Wolken and GA/MH Coordinator Deb Schuler.

Additional action may be taken (if applicants are available), for the Massena and Washington Township Trustees, and Washington Township Clerk.

(View the meeting HERE beginning 9-a.m., Wednesday)

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Members of the Atlantic School Board will meet in a regular monthly session beginning at 5:30-p.m., Wednesday, in the Schuler Elementary School Media Center. Among the items on their agenda, is approval of a resignation from Taylor Williams, Middle School Cross County Coach. The Board will discuss Achievement Center roof improvements. On a related note, during their Action items part of the agenda, the Board will act on adopting/passing a Resolution Authorizing Bid Letting & Setting the date for a Public Hearing, on the roof improvements.

Other action items include:

• Approving a June 2023 out-of-state to Washington, D-C, trip for the Middle School students. They’ll see memorials (Lincoln, WWII, Vietnam Vets & more), museums and other historical attractions.
• The Board will act on 2022-23 School District organizational membership renewals (IA Assoc. of School Boards; IA School Finance Info. Svs., & Rural School Advocates of IA)
• A 2022-23 Memorandum of Understanding with regard to iJAG program fundraising. The agreement calls for funding from the District in the amount of $22,500.
• And, the Board will act on approving a 2022-23 contract with Superintendent Steve Barber.

**You can view the meeting here, beginning at 5:30-p.m., Wednesday: https://youtu.be/zPYOt761njw **