Today is Veterans Day where Americans honor our Veterans for helping to keep us free.

Some events scheduled for today include: The Griswold Community School District Veteran’s Day Program which will be held at 7:00 pm in the school auditorium.  The guest speaker is World War II Navy Veteran Clarence Pfundheller if Greenfield who will share his experience of being on the USS Maryland when Japanese planes attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.  Fellowship time will follow the presentation in the cafeteria with a dessert bar.  The program is open to the public.

This past weekend, several activities took place including a breakfast in Harlan and Brayton. This morning, the Harlan Community Middle School will present their annual Veteran’s Day program inside the Harlan Community High School Gym. Bob Cook, American Legion Post 150 Commander, says the events and day mean a lot to Veterans everywhere. “People in southwest Iowa do a magnificent job. Speaking of all Veterans, we really do appreciate that. The sense of patriotism and those who served is extremely positive. The day means a lot and the events touch all our hearts.”

Veterans can start filing in to the gym at 9am with a pre-show at 9:30 and the program at 10-a.m. The theme this year is “With Them We Stand” and a reception will follow. Harlan Community isn’t the only one with a Veteran’s program as Tri-Center School District and Boyer Valley also have a tribute to the Veterans today. This evening, Veterans can get a soup supper at the Shelby Community Building. A choice of chicken noodle or vegetable beef soup with a salad, dessert and beverage will be served from 5 to 7:30pm with carry outs available. Veterans can eat free and proceeds from the event go to the Shelby County American Legion.

Cook says the Harlan Community School has another event on Tuesday evening to finish the local Veterans activities.  “From 6 to 7 at the high school cafeteria a sort of a new thing where the Legion provides cookies and coffee to serve those who are participating in the sing-a-long. And that is magnificent; they all are by the way. The 4^th grade music class will sing to the Veterans that evening. I tell you what the guys are escorted in and you get to see one another. The numbers are incredibly high for an area this size. I don’t think I have ever been moved that much to see that.”

(Ric Hanson-KJAN/Joel McCall-KNOD)

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – A 28-year-old man sought in an Omaha assault case has been arrested after a two-state chase.  Omaha police say Allen Williams was spotted late Saturday night in a pickup that soon halted after officers deployed stop strips that flattened the truck tires. But police say Williams then threatened a woman at a gas station nearby, stole her car and then took off on a chase that crossed the Missouri River into Iowa and then back into Nebraska.

Police say Williams was arrested after the vehicle he was driving plowed through some backyards in western Omaha. Police say an officer fired his gun but didn’t hit anyone.  Williams faces robbery, drug, assault and other charges. He’s previously served prison time.

A chase in Montgomery County early this (Monday) morning that began with a traffic stop, ended with the suspect vehicle getting away, and Sheriff’s vehicle going up in flames. No injuries were reported. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports Red Oak Police attempted to stop a vehicle at around 1:03-a.m., but the car took off. Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputy’s Buttercase and Anderson engaged in the pursuit just southeast of Red Oak.

As the suspect vehicle continued westbound from J Avenue on 215th Street and was able to maneuver around a deputy’s vehicle that had approached eastbound on 215th from Hickory. Officials say Deputy Buttercase was behind the offender and continued past Deputy Anderson’s patrol vehicle, attempting to maintain a visual on the suspect’s vehicle. During the chase, Buttercase attempted to slow down as he approached a the t-intersection after topping a hill, but his patrol car skidded past the turn and went into the west ditch off Hickory. The car sustained minimal damage at the time. The deputy secured his cruiser and was picked up by another officer as they continued to pursue the suspect.

The chase was called-off after authorities lost sight of the vehicle. When deputies returned to the ditched patrol vehicle, they found it to be fully engulfed in flames. Red Oak Fire was called and extinguished the fire. The 2011 Dodge Charger owned by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and its contents, were a total loss.

An investigation into the offender’s identity continues.

The Atlantic School District’s Board of Education will meet tonight at the High School during a regularly scheduled session in the Media Center. During the 7:30-p.m. meeting, the Board will hear Special Presentations from the Student Council, Ag Instructor/FFA Advisor Eric Miller – with regard to the National FFA Convention, and Jerry Purdy with Design Alliance Engineers – with regard to the Middle School renovation project.

The Board will also act on approving: Volunteer Coaches positions; Resignations and the receipt of gifts, grants and bequests. Other action items include approval of an increase in substitute nurse pay, the District Affirmative Action Plan, an additional Para-Educator for the K-8 Link Center, and a bid for Middle School weight equipment.

The Board will also discuss, but take no action on the District’s 5-year Capital Needs Plan, and Long-term Board goals.