The Iowa Department of Public Safety reports some changes have been made regarding Fireworks, including information related to Consumer Fireworks Annual Retail Seller Licensing and Wholesaler Registration. For more information, see the following link: http://www.dps.state.ia.us/fm/building/licensing/consumerfireworksindex.shtml?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

The State of Iowa does not regulate display fireworks.   Please check with the local jurisdiction(s) regarding any permit requirements or to determine if the use of display fireworks is restricted or prohibited.

The Annual Grand Lighting Ceremony, sponsored by CornerStone Landscaping and Precision Concrete Services, will be tomorrow, (Thursday) November 16th at 5 PM at the Historic Rock Island Depot, in Downtown Atlantic. More than 200,000 lights are strung throughout the trees on Chestnut Street and in the City Park, to create a magical scene.

Grand Lighting kicks off at 5 PM with a free hot dog meal, provided by Hy-Vee and complimentary water, provided by Atlantic Bottling Company. There will be free hot cocoa as well. Santa will make his special helicopter arrival, weather pending, at 5:30 PM to turn on the lights and see children in his cabin from 6 – 7:30 PM.

Shop before and after Grand Lighting and earn double stamps on your Shop Local Passport card, presented by First Whitney Bank. Find a list of participating locations at www.atlanticiowa.com. Pick up your Christmas Brochure from area retail businesses, “like” the Chamber on Facebook, or follow on Twitter to find dates and details to celebrate Christmas in Atlantic. You can find a complete list of activities at www.christmasinatlantic.com.

MILFORD, Iowa (AP) — Police have identified the man whose body was discovered in a burned down northern Iowa storage unit. Milford police tell television station KTIV that the victim was 53-year old Francis Petska, of Spirit Lake, Iowa. Petska’s body was found Nov. 7 after firefighters put out a blaze at the unit. No other details of the investigation have been released.

Clarinda Police Chief Keith Brothers reports a Missouri man was arrested following an investigation into a personal injury, hit-and-run accident, late Tuesday morning. 40-year old Warren Frank Davis, Jr., of Grant City, MO., was arrested after he fled the scene of the accident at the intersection of 16th and Garfield Streets, in Clarinda. Brothers says at around 11:30-a.m. Tuesday, Davis’ vehicle struck a Chevrolet Sonic driven by 39-year old Renee Dawn Pulliam, of Clarinda.

Pulliam was traveling north into the intersection of 16th and Garfield, when Davis Jr., who was traveling west on East Garfield Street, ran a red light, causing the Pulliam vehicle to broadside the Davis Jr. vehicle. Pulliam’s Chevrolet Sonic sustained significant front-end damage and is believed to be a total loss. Davis Jr. was apprehended after his 1993 Honda Civic broke down due to mechanical failure at the intersection of U.S. Highway 71 and 230th St. approximately two miles south of Clarinda. Davis was taken into custody without incident by members of the Clarinda Police Department and Iowa State Patrol. The Patrol is in charge of the accident investigation.

A motorist who had been following Davis Jr. after he fled the accident scene alerted law enforcement to Davis Jr’s. location. Davis is charged with leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, fail to obey a solid red traffic signal and possession of drug paraphernalia. Davis is currently being held in the Page County Jail on $1,562 bail.

Police reports have been submitted to the offices of Page County Attorney Carl M. Sonksen for review regarding the filing of formal charges.

The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office K9 unit stopped a vehicle at around 11-p.m. Tuesday, and arrested a Missouri man on weapon and drug charges. 29-year old Jordan Michael Nielsen, of Rockport, MO., was pulled over outside of Hamburg, near Highway 275 and 310th Street. During the investigation, Nielsen was found to be in possession of two pistols, meth, marijuana, brass knuckles and drug paraphernalia. He was charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance, carrying weapons, and possession of paraphernalia. His bond at the Fremont County Jail was set at $4,300.

Jordan Nielsen

Fremont County Deputies were assisted by the Atchison County, MO., Sheriff’s Office.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Cedar Rapids officials have taken the first steps to make it tougher for fireworks vendors to set up for sales. Television station KCRG reports that the Cedar Rapids City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to advance an ordinance that would restrict fireworks sales to industrial zoning areas.

The vote to pass the first reading of the ordinance was 8-0. It must pass two more readings to take effect. Cedar Rapids City Council members also are set to vote Nov. 28 on a proposal to completely ban on the use of fireworks anywhere in the city.