(A-P) An Iowa construction company says the man suspected of killing two Iowa police officers was hired last month but quit days later. Police say Scott Greene turned himself in just hours after the two officers were fatally shot in separate ambush attacks early Wednesday. Sara Nicklin, the office manager for Central Iowa Fencing in Ankeny, said Greene “was pretty desperate” to find work and told the company he had a teenage daughter to support.

Nicklin says Greene was hired even though he had no experience building fences. She says he was sent home on his third day “because he was not taking directions and wasn’t working,” and when told he could work on a different crew, “he chose not to show up.” Greene posted a cellphone video online last week indicating he was fired after reporting unsafe driving. Nicklin denies Greene was fired and says she hasn’t seen the video.

No formal charges have been filed yet against Greene, but he man remains hospitalized. Des Moines Police Sgt. Paul Parizek says Greene remained in a hospital Thursday morning for treatment of an existing medical condition.

Police in Council Bluffs report two out of four young people who left the Children’s Square shelter in Council Bluffs, Wednesday, have returned to the shelter. 11-year old Kyle Walding and 15-year old Jacob McBride returned voluntarily to the facility. 17-year old Adam Guttau-Ford and 16-year old Kimberly Billick are still missing. It’s believed all four left the facility voluntarily.

Kyle Walding

Kimberly Billick

Adam Guttau-Ford

Jacob McBride

If you have seen the missing juveniles, call 9-1-1 or the Council Bluffs Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division at 712-328-4728.

Plans for the 2016 Christmas in Atlantic events are set. Atlantic Chamber Director Ouida Hargens outlined the plans for the City Council during her 4^th Quarter Chamber report at the Council’s meeting Wednesday evening. Hargens said there are some new events scheduled to take place this year.

She says a Holiday Open House will be held November 12th beginning at 9-a.m. It’s a chance for you to explore what area businesses have to offer for the holiday season, get a jump start on holiday shopping, and more.  Several retail businesses will be use the opportunity for their Christmas Customer Appreciation. Hargens said also, the location of the Grand Lighting Ceremony has been changed to the Historic Rock Island Depot on the north end of Main Street, because [weather permitting], “Santa Claus will be landing in Atlantic in a Helicopter.”The Grand Lighting Ceremony is November 17th, beginning at 5-p.m., with free entertainment and hot dogs.

In addition, Hargens says a Holiday Skating Rink will be available during the Thanksgiving weekend only (Nov. 26th and 27th), from 11-a.m. to 7-p.m. on the 26th, and 11-a.m. to 3-p.m. on the 27th, in front of the Rock Island Depot. The skating rink is actually synthetic, but you will be able to use figure, ice or hockey skates to participate. The cost is $7 for adults, $5 for kids 14 & under, and free for those age 2 and under. The Skating Rink, she said, is made possible thanks to T.S. Bank being a huge sponsor this year, for Christmas in Atlantic.

Hargens also announced Atlantic was featured in the latest Iowa Magazine in their “Small Town Holiday” edition. She says Atlantic was listed as one of the top ten destinations to celebrate Christmas. It’s the second year the City has been recognized in a statewide publication.

Other upcoming holiday events in Atlantic include:

• A Harvest Market Nov. 21^st from 3:30-to 7:30-pm at the Cass County Community Building.
• The Festival of Trees at the SS Peter & Paul Catholic Parish Center, Dec. 1^st through the 4^th.
• Fireworks and a lighted parade, 6-p.m. Dec. 3
• A Holiday Concert at the 1^st United Methodist Church on Dec. 4^th, beginning at 3-p.m.
• Carriage rides and Santa’s Cabin at the Atlantic City Park. And much more.

For more information, go to atlanticiowa.com or call 1-877-283-2124.

Atlantic City Administrator John Lund reported to the City Council Wednesday night the Iowa Department of Revenue has informed him of the property tax rollback figures, which will positively affect the City’s future budget. He says the rollback went up 1.2-percent, which is good for the City’s General Fund, Debt Service and Employee benefits fund.

The bad news is that means an increase in the local residential property taxes of 1.2-percent, assuming the tax levy stays the same. The change also means Commercial property taxes will be coming down. Mayor Dave Jones said “Like it or not, it’s going to even out somewhere down the road. They don’t cut taxes, they just shift them [the burden].”

The Mayor also reminded citizens of Atlantic that political signs cannot be placed in the City right-of-way, which essentially means they cannot be in the area between the sidewalk and the street. The same goes for those “Help Wanted” ads some have placed around the City.

Jones said also, he’s getting mad about illegal parking. He said that’s especially true where people are parking in handicapped spots with out a handicapped sticker, placard or license plate on their vehicle. He suggested if you see a vehicle which is apparently parked illegally, notify the Police Department.

He also was upset about speeding along 22^nd Street in Atlantic. He says it seems every three or four months he has to remind citizens to obey the speed limit on 22^nd Street. Persons caught will receive a ticket. Jones says slow down and use common sense.