(Atlantic, Iowa) – Listed as Travel Iowa’s number one Christmas destination, downtown Atlantic lights up six blocks with nearly 200,000 lights for the holiday season. Bailey Smith, Executive Director at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce says “It’s a big tourist season for Atlantic with people from all over the state, and outside Iowa, coming to see our downtown. It also provides the community with free family activities the entire months of November and December, while encouraging holiday shopping at our incredible locally owned businesses.”

Christmas in Atlantic kicks off Saturday, November 12th with the Holiday Open House. Visit local retailers to get a holiday sneak peek and enjoy treats, giveaways and special promotions. For a list of participating businesses, visit www.atlanticiowa.com. For the sixth year in a row, the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce will be offering AtlantiCash at a discounted price as part of their Holiday Promotion, sponsored by First Whitney Bank & Trust. According to Smith, “Last year we sold $35,000 in about an hour, our highest dollar amount yet. The goal this year is to sell another $35,000, all of which goes back into Atlantic businesses.” For one day only, community members can come to the Chamber on Saturday, November 12th and buy a pack of $100 in AtlantiCash for $80, a 20% discount. Up to three packs, totaling $300, may be purchased. The discounted AtlantiCash will be available from 9 AM – 12 PM, or till supplies last.

The Annual Grand Lighting Ceremony, sponsored by Atlantic Municipal Utilities and TS Bank, will be Thursday, November 17th at 5 PM at the Historic Rock Island Depot in downtown Atlantic. There will be free hot chocolate and Atlantic Hy-Vee will be serving a free hot dog meal for spectators to enjoy. Santa will have a special arrival at 5:30 PM to turn on the lights and see children in his cabin from 6 – 7:30 PM at City Park. 

The Lighted Parade and Fireworks will be December 3rd, starting at 6 PM. Please submit Lighted Parade entries to the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce by calling 712.243.3017 or emailing chamber@atlanticiowa.com. Pre-registration is not required, but is encouraged. The Lighted Parade and Fireworks is sponsored by A.M. Cohron & Son and McDermott & Son Roofing. Prior to the Lighted Parade on December 3rd, visit Santa in his cabin where you can enjoy hot chocolate and treats, as well as horse-drawn carriage rides, sponsored by Lloyd & Meredith, from 3-5:30 PM. Visit www.atlanticiowa.com for Santa’s full holiday schedule. Santa’s Cabin is sponsored by the Atlantic Rotary Club and Farmhouse & Flowers.

Join us for the Holiday Concert and Angel of Christmas on December 4th at the First United Church of Christ, starting at 3 PM. Submit your nominations for Angel of Christmas to the Atlantic Area Chamber by November 23rd. The Angel of Christmas is sponsored by Cass Health.

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.atlanticiowa.com. Capture the Christmas magic with #MyAtlanticIA and post to the Atlantic Area Chamber’s Facebook page or Instagram (AtlanticIowaFan). Contact the Atlantic Area Chamber with any questions at chamber@atlanticiowa.com or call 712.243.3017.

Police in Red Oak say one person suffered possible injuries but refused medical treatment, Tuesday evening, after the SUV she was driving was struck and the air bags deployed. The accident happened at around 5:47-p.m., as a 2009 Honda Pilot driven by 23-year-old Brenna Kaye Rivers, of Shenandoah, was turning into the Red Oak Hy-Vee parking lot. A 2022 Nissan Altima rental car driven by 31-year-old Crystal Karen Durbin, of Red Oak, was preparing to turn out of the lot onto southbound Broadway Street, with a few cars stopped at the traffic light.

Another driver waiting for the light to turn green, waved Durbin out. In exiting, she didn’t see Rivers’ SUV, possibly because of the blinding sun or headlights. The car struck the SUV on the rear, passenger side, causing a total of $9,500 damage. Both drivers were examined for possible injuries. No citations were issued.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Red Oak Fire Department was paged-out to a residential structure fire at 1500 Miller Avenue, a little after 11-a.m., Tuesday. Red Oak Fire Chief John Bruce says an off-duty firefighter reported the incident. When crews arrived, they found the rear of the house was engulfed in fire and the fire had breached the sliding deck doors, as well as, the kitchen window and had begun to spread into the interior of the structure. Firefighters confirmed no one was home and exterior/interior fire ground operations were conducted.

Fire was brought under control at 11:49 a.m. There were no injuries reported, but three dogs were unable to escape in the home, and died. The Chief says it appears the fire originated under the deck from a heat lamp being used for a chicken coop. The home sustained a significant amount of damage, but no dollar amount was readily available. The home’s residents obtained an alternative source of arrangements, and were working with their insurance carrier.

photo submitted to the media

Red Oak Fire was assisted by fire departments, from Stanton and Elliott, along with the Red Oak Police Department, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Montgomery County Communications, MidAmerican Utilities, and the Red Oak Water Department.

(Shenandoah, Iowa) – Police in Shenandoah report two arrests. A little after 12-a.m. today (Wednesday), Shenandoah Police and the Shenandoah K9 Unit conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle with an equipment violation, in the 1000 block of S. Maple Street. Upon further investigation, 43-year-old Jennifer Marie Ray, of Columbia, MO., was arrested for: Possession of a Controlled Substance (PCS) with the Intent to Deliver/Methamphetamine (Class B Felony); PCS/Marijuana – 3rd offense (Class D Felony), and two counts of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Jennifer Ray was being held in the Page County Jail on bond amounting to $30,600.

And, at around 10:05-p.m., Tuesday, Shenandoah Police arrested 46-year-old Derek Eugene Wallace, of Shenandoah, on a valid Page County warrant for Theft in the 3rd Degree. Wallace was able to post a $300 bond before being released from custody.

Two people were arrested on drug charges, following a traffic stop at around 11:50-p.m. Tuesday, in Montgomery County. The Sheriff’s Office reports Deputies stopped a vehicle at Highway 34 and A Avenue. The Montgomery County K9 “Bane” alerted on the vehicle, and upon further investigation, 42-year-old Angela Kay Rolling, of Glenwood, and 47-year-old Brent William Michael, of Malvern, were taken into custody.

Rolling was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine/1st offense. Brent Michael was charged with Poss. of Marijuana/1st offense. Both were being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $1,000 bond, each.