(corrects timeline to 8:10-p.m. NOT a.m.)

Atlantic Police, Atlantic Fire and Rescue, Medivac Ambulance, Cass County Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Kennon, and Cass County Sheriff’s Deputy Josh McLaren all responded to an incident at the Atlantic Wal-Mart Store, Tuesday evening. Atlantic Police Lt. Paul Wood told KJAN News a written bomb threat forced the evacuation of the store. The threat was received at around 8:10-p.m.

A thorough search of the store netted no suspicious devices. By 8:45-p.m., the store was cleared and all units except the Atlantic Police had been released from the scene. The incident remains under investigation. Authorities will review video footage of the area inside the store where the threat was believed to be, along with other evidence.

The Atlantic School Board has their regular monthly meeting set to take place 5:30-p.m. Wednesday, at the High School Media Center. During their session, the Board will act on approving various contracts and/or Letters of Assignment, and some resignations.

Resignations to come before the Board include: Washington Elementary Clerical Para-Educator, Denise Finnell; High School Cheer Leading Coach, Julie Hansen, and Link Center Para, Dawn Walton.

Contracts and/or Letters of Assignment to be approved include those for:

• Liz Reid, Middle School Extended Year
• Alan Jenkins, Head 7th Grade Football Coach
• Joe Brummer, Head Freshman Football Coach
• Faith McCunn, 8th Grade Volleyball Coach
• Michelle McLaren, Amber Knudsen, Lindsey Benning – TLC Model Educators
• Ashley Mosier and Jarrod O’Donnell – TLC Mentor
• Kelly Simonton – Daytime High School Custodian
• Eric Miller – from BA, Step 13 to BA+15, Step 13.

In other business, the Atlantic School Board will act on recommendations from former Superintendent Michael Amstein, for 2017-18 salary increases.

Prior to his departing the District, Amstein recommended that the central office clerical staff and other district staff that are NOT included in either the certified or non-certified bargaining groups, receive a 2% salary increase for the upcoming school year, the cost of which was calculated at $5,386 altogether, including IPERS and FICA. The change would affect four clerical positions, two tech-support positions, two At-Risk Advocates, and one Grounds Maintenance position. The 2% increase is the same as the total package increase negotiated with the non-certified employees association.

Amstein also recommended a 2% salary increase for Supervisors and Administrators for 2017-18, which amounts to $10,255, includes IPERS and FICA, and is in line with what was recommended or negotiated for all other groups within the District. And, the Atlantic School Board will act on approving a recommendation from Food Services Director DeeAnn Schreiner for a 10-cent increase in lunch for 2017-18 at the High School and Middle School /Schuler (currently $2.70 & $2.65 respectively), and 15-cents for the Washington School (from $2.40 to $2.55). Adults would pay $3.65 for lunch, instead of the current $3.50.

Breakfast at all schools in the District would increase from $1.70 to $1.80, if approved. The increase is necessary to bring the District more in-line with the USDA’s minimum Weighted Average Price for lunch (currently $2.86). The District is serving breakfast and lunch during the summer until August 4th. Breakfast is served from 9-until 10-a.m., and lunch from 11-until 12:30-p.m.

Republican Governor Kim Reynolds says the state tax code “does not align with today’s economy,” and she’s “open to all aspects” of tax reform in 2018. State tax revenues currently are running far below expectations, however, prompting plans for extraordinary measures to ensure the current year’s state budget doesn’t slip into a deficit.

“We’re going to put everything on the table and that means we take a look at holistically how we can do comprehensive tax reform,” Reynolds says. “…That is a priority. I believe that’s the next thing we need to do to make sure Iowa is competitive, so that we can encourage business and industry to expand and grow and locate in the state of Iowa.”  But Reynolds says any tax reforms must be “sustainable” and cannot endanger previous state funding promises to schools.

House Democratic Leader Mark Smith says the state’s in a financial quandary now because of “corporate tax giveaways” that have “slowed the state’s economy” rather than stimulate it. He says university students are being forced, instead to pay higher tuition and property owners are paying higher taxes.

(Radio Iowa)

Officials with the Iowa Department of Transportation’s District 4 Construction Office in Atlantic, report the northbound Interstate 29 exit ramp (exit 4) to westbound I-80 near Council Bluffs, will be closed from 8-p.m. Wednesday, June 14th, until 5 a.m. Thursday, June 15th, for road construction work…weather permitting.

Motorists will be detoured around the closure by taking U.S. 275/Iowa 92 (exit 48) to the South Expressway.

Construction during the 2017 season is part of the Iowa DOT’s Council Bluffs Interstate System Improvement Program.

Officials with the Harlan Police Department report five recent arrests or officer interventions. On Monday, 22-year old Anthony Michael McCoy, of Avoca, was cited for Driving While Suspended, and Failure to Maintain Safety Belt. He was cited following a traffic stop in the 800 block of Chatburn Avenue.

On Sunday, Harlan Police arrested 53-year old George Otis Brittain, of Harlan, for Driving While Suspended. That same day, 20-year old Elizabeth Marie Bailey, of Harlan, was cited for Driving While Suspended.

Last Saturday, 66-year old Larry Douglas Billings, of Hancock, was arrested for OWI/1st offense. He was also cited for Speeding. And, on Friday, 55-year old Curt Grant Whitely, of Harlan, was arrested for Public Intoxication, after officers in Harlan responded to a call about a person needing assistance in the 1200 block of Baldwin.

A woman who was arrested June 4th in Cass County on Forgery and Unauthorized Use of a Credit Card charges, faces a separate charge in Adair County. Sheriff Jeff Vandewater reports 25-year old Chanel Quintana, of Northlake, IL, was arrested that same day for possession of marijuana, and she was cited for speeding (87 in a 70 mph zone). Quintana posted a $1,000 bond but remained in the Cass County Jail on a $7,000 bond (with 10% acceptable for posting), in connection with the Cass County charges. Her arraignment hearing takes place June 26th.

Sheriff Vandewater said also, 54-year old Tina Darlene Sigler, of Plattsmouth, NE, was arrested June 7th in Adair County, following a traffic stop on I-80 by an Iowa State Patrol. She was taken into custody for OWI/1st offense, Possession of Marijuana/3rd offense, Possession of a controlled substance/3rd offense and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. She was later released on $5,000 bond.

Her arrest occurred after the Trooper, who was initially off-duty, and in his personal vehicle, observed Sigler’s vehicle swerving from lane to lane and almost hitting a bridge guard rail as she passed over the bridge. She also nearly hit his personal vehicle when he was driving beside her in the other lane of I-80 westbound.

The Trooper switched to his marked vehicle in Stuart and caught up with the woman and pulled her over near the Greenfield exit. A check of records indicated Sigler was driving on a suspended Nebraska license. A probable cause search of her vehicle resulted in the recovery of a partially smoked marijuana cigarette, drug paraphernalia, and a substance Sigler confirmed was meth.

Licensed fireworks sales in temporary structures began today (Tuesday), under the new Iowa law.  Sales from permanent structures have been allowed since June 1st. All sales end on July 8th. The State Fire Marshal reports that hundreds of fireworks licenses have been issued, and more applications are being processed.  The current numbers include 274 licenses that have been issued for the sale of consumer fireworks, and 14 wholesalers that have registered.

Locally, three vendors have received permits to sell fireworks from temporary structures in Atlantic. They include: Bellino Fireworks, located in the Atlantic Shopping Plaza, near Hy-Vee; Wal-Mart, and Wild Willy’s Fireworks, LLC, located at 700 Park Drive.

There are currently four locations to buy fireworks in Carroll, one in Clarinda, 13 sites in Council Bluffs, two in Creston, one in Denison, two in Glenwood, and two in Shenandoah.

The list of available vendors and locations can be found here: http://www.dps.state.ia.us/fm/building/licensing/Fireworks/CF-Licensed-Sites.pdf

Check back daily to get the last list as permits are grants.

No injuries were reported following a boating incident at Lake Anita late this (Tuesday) Morning. Anita Fire Chief Josh Peach, who also manages Lake Anita State Park, told KJAN News that two men were out on the lake in an aluminum V-bottom style boat, that was apparently overloaded. With the high winds, the boat began taking on water, and capsized. The incident happened just before 12-p.m.

As the men clung to the boat one of them, who is a good swimmer, tossed the other a life jacket. The men, who were not immediately identified, and their boat, eventually drifted to shore and were checked out by EMS but did not require treatment. The boat was recovered at around 12:35-p.m. and all crews were heading back to the station a few minutes later.

Fresh on the heels of last week’s Atlantic City Council meeting, the City of Atlantic’s Community Protection Committee, Wednesday evening, will discuss the likelihood of grandfathering-in, the allowance of chickens within the City Limits. Last month, the City Council refused to change the Ordinance that would allow caged or other chickens to be owned within the City limits.

Last week, Atlantic resident Paul Fischer approached the Council during their meeting, to advise he had spoken with City Administrator John Lund last year at about this same time, requesting permission to have caged chickens, and was given verbal permission to do so. Fischer, who moved to Atlantic from Florida a little more than three-years ago, has three chickens in pen that’s about a year old. He lives at 1008 Birch Street.

During the Council meeting, Fischer asked for the Council to make an exception to the Ordinance since he already had permission to own them. The Council passed the matter onto the CPC. The issue will be discussed during their session at City Hall that begins at 5:30-p.m., Wednesday.