(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Chamber Ambassadors were hosted by Southwest Iowa Planning Council (SWIPCO) on Thursday, October 13th, 2022, to welcome new staff. The Ambassadors were introduced to three new staff members who have joined SWIPCO in recent months. Ashley Hayes is serving as a Community Development Specialist, helping communities improve through economic development activities and planning. Mindy Jensen joined SWIPCO in September and has been increasing awareness of public transit services as the Communications Coordinator. Aaron Koontz recently came on board as a Grant Specialist helping agencies and communities navigate applications and procedures for various housing programs.

Southwest Iowa Planning Council serves all of Cass County, along with Fremont, Harrison, Montgomery, Mills, Page, Pottawattamie, and Shelby County. SWIPCO promotes regional cooperation in Southwest Iowa by improving community assets and infrastructure, promoting and enhancing economic and business development, and maintaining and improving the quality of life for all residents.

Front Row: Pictured left to right: Leslie Wright, Ashley Hayes, John McCurdy, Mindy Jensen, Aaron Kootz, Tori Gibson, Dee Holtz, Kelsey Beschorner,
Back Row: Pictured left to right: Elaine Otte, Jennifer McEntaffer, Dolly Bergmann, Kathie Hockenberry, Jim Kickland, Julie Waters, Lana Westphalen, Alex McAfee, Abby Becker, Adriana Mendez, Steve Tjepkes, Graydon Schmidt, Dr. Keith Leonard, Krysta Hanson, Tim Marcsisak, Leah Muhlbaur, Bill Saluk, and Darrell Hockenberry (Photo/story submitted by Kelsey Beschorner)

For more information about Southwest Iowa Planning Council, contact 712-243-4196 or visit https://www.swipco.org/. SWIPCO is located at 1501 SW 7th Street, Atlantic.

Atlantic, IA — Officials at Cass Health, today (Friday), announced that the emergency driveway is now open to all traffic. The drive had been closed for several months as crews worked to completely replace the drive.

The Emergency Department entrance remains closed due to ongoing construction; all emergency patients should continue to use the Rehabilitation Services entrance. The entrance is expected to reopen later this year.

AMC Rapid Care is still temporarily located in Atlantic Medical Center also due to construction. All AMC Rapid Care patients should park in Lot A and use the Main Entrance. The completed AMC Rapid Care clinic is expected to open in early 2023.

(Stuart, Iowa) – The Stuart Police Department’s Community Programs (SPDCP) division will host its 1st Annual “Shop with a Cop” program, on Saturday, December 10th. “Shop with a Cop” is an event that allows children to have a positive interaction with law enforcement while also allowing officers to assist children and their families in having a fun holiday season.

As part of the Shop with the Cop program, the Stuart Police Department Community Programs will sponsor local children in the WCV district and take them holiday shopping in the metro for themselves and their immediate household members. We will also be taking the children out to lunch afterwards and then returning to Stuart to wrap their presents and enjoy some sweet treats.

The Stuart Police Department Community Programs is a nonprofit 501(c)3 and relies on donations, fundraisers and grants to provide programs like this to the community.
Any business, organization or individual can donate by dropping off or mailing a donation (to the following address).

Checks can be made out to Stuart Police Department Community Programs or SPDCP.
Stuart Police Department
121 E Front Street
PO Box 370
Stuart, IA 50250

Please contact Sergeant Katie Guisinger with any questions.
kguisinger@stuart911.com

(Radio Iowa) – A man who authorities say is a member of a Waterloo gang has been sentenced to over three years in federal prison on a gun charge. Twenty-seven year old Sir Frank Nelson the third of Waterloo was arrested after a traffic stop in mid-2020. According to court records, police found marijuana and a stolen semi-automatic pistol in the vehicle. Nelson pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm in May.

Prosecutors in northern Iowa have also announced a 29-year-old man from Hawarden has pleaded guilty to two federal drug charges after he was caught in a group selling meth in the Sioux City area. A news release from the U-S Attorney’s Office indicates an undercover buyer paid five-thousand dollars for the meth. Court records indicate Jose Duenas-Topete admits he received pounds of meth for distribution in Woodbury and Plymouth Counties. He’ll be sentenced later.

(Atlantic, Iowa) -You may not realize it, but Atlantic is home to a squadron of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP). In fact, there are nine CAP units in Iowa. The Southwest Iowa Composite Squadron is headquartered in the American Legion Building (The Armory), at 201 Poplar Street. You can meet some of the leaders, both adult and youth on Sunday, October 16, beginning at 2-p.m. Learn about services citizens in the county receive from the national and local, CAP. Stacy Condie, 1st Lieutenant Unit Commander, other adults and Cadets will present the program sponsored by ARISE, and you’re invited to meet these present and future leaders.

The Civil Air Patrol is a congressionally chartered organization related to the United States Air Force. It was organized in 1941 just before WWII and served many purposes during the War. CAP remains active carrying out three mandated program areas: aerospace education, cadet programs and emergency services.

The program this Sunday, is sponsored by ARISE, and supported by the Atlantic Community Promotion Commission. Everyone is welcome to the handicapped accessible American Legion Memorial Building. There is no fee to attend.