(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department reports two recent arrests. Just before 1-p.m. Friday, 25-year-old Cassandra Dawn Allen, of Tingley, was arrested at the Creston Wal-Mart store, for Theft in the 5th Degree, Concealing/destroying security property under $300. Allen was released on a Promise to Appear in court.

And, at around 2:52-a.m. Sunday, 33-year-old Andrew Wayne Long, of Creston, was arrested at the Creston/Union County Law Enforcement Center. He was charged with OWI/2nd offense and transported to the Union County Jail, where Long was being held on a $2,000 cash or surety bond.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic City Council will meet in a regular session beginning at 5:30-p.m. Wednesday, in their Chambers at City Hall. The Council is expected to act on an Order to appoint former Fire Chief Mark McNees to the City’s Planning and Zoning Commission, as a replacement for Roger Herring. The Commission serves as an advisory board to the City Council. Its seven members meet as needed, on the second Tuesday of the month at 5:30-p.m., in the Council’s Chambers at City Hall.

The Council will receive a report Wednesday, from Code Enforcement Officer Kris Erickson, and a request for funding from SHIFT ATL, for housing redevelopment. City Administrator John Lund says the non-profit organization is in the process of buying another house to “flip,” and the funds they have requested, if approved, would be used for rehabilitating the home. A similar agreement was reached with SHIFT ATL previously, and according to Lund, “went smoothly.” The withdrawal and repayment would all occur within FY Transfer 2024, and as such, would not negatively impact the City’s fund balances. After SHIFT’s presentation, the Council has the option to approve the request, or refer it to the Personnel & Finance Committee for recommendation.

The Council will also act on approving an Order for a Professional Services Agreement with the “Retail Coach.” The extension of the current agreement which is set to expire in August, is $22,500. That’s $10,000 less than the original contract price. During their last meeting, the City Council heard an update from Retail Coach President/Consultant Austin Farmer, and concluded that the extension is worth the additional expense, but also that results need to be made in 2023. To date,John Lund said the City has been provided with extensive cellular data in our trade area, and the company has executed the terms of the original contract to the City’s satisfaction.

In other business, of note, the Atlantic City Council will act to pass a Resolution “Creating the Position of Public Works Director,” approving the job description and setting of the salary. City Administrator John Lund says the Personnel & Finance Committee met last Fall to review a proposal to revamp the Street Superintendent position and create a position for Director of Public Works. That person would have authority over departments that the City Administrator oversees, and still report to John Lund. The individual would oversee/Supervise the Street Dept. (Which will become the Public Works Dept.), Parks and Rec Dept., and Code Enforcement/Animal Shelter.

Kirk Knudsen, who began working with the City of Atlantic’s Street Dept. on Dec. 19, 1985, is recommend for the promotion, which would pay an annual salary of $92,500, and would be effective the next payroll period. John Lund notes Knudsen has the experience, and has served as a critical asset to the City, controlling costs, boosting revenues, and is loved for his attention to details. Lund said “This promotion has been earned many times over,” and is recommending the Council approve the change in title and salary. In his report to the Council, John Lund will provide an update on a Wastewater Utility Rate proposal.

(Radio Iowa) – A coalition of Iowa health care providers, researchers, cancer survivors and others is releasing its five-year Iowa Cancer Plan. Rachel Schramm, program manager of the Iowa Cancer Consortium, says behind heart disease, cancer is the number-two cause of death in Iowa, so people need to take an active role in their health, and get regular screenings to stay healthy. “Whether that’s just an individual who’s scheduling that colonoscopy, or someone that hears this report and is like, ‘Oh, I should really ask my parents about our family’s health history,’ we really want just the everyday Iowan to take those steps to reduce the burden of cancer in their community,” Schramm says.

It’s projected 22-thousand Iowans will be diagnosed with cancer this year, while 63-hundred Iowans will die from it. The report says the pandemic continues to disrupt the diagnosis and treatment of cancer by closing health care facilities, disrupting employment and health insurance, and the fear of COVID-19 exposure. “Our health care systems are doing everything that they can to keep their environment safe,” Schramm says. “We know that cancer is most treatable when it is found and diagnosed early, so we really want to make sure that if people have put off a mammogram or a colonoscopy or a lung cancer screening, that they call their provider and make arrangements to do it.”

It’s estimated more than nine-million people missed cancer screenings nationwide because of the pandemic. Colonoscopies had traditionally been done starting at age 50, but in recent years, it was pushed back to age 45 — or younger if there’s a family history of colon cancer. Schramm says early detection and screening helps to ensure an early diagnosis and much greater odds of survival. “Lung cancer screening is kind of new for people,” Schramm says, “so definitely, if folks have a history of tobacco use, they should talk to their doctor about the screening that’s available for them.”

She says one goal of the Iowa Cancer Plan is to address the unique needs of communities including providing education, funding, and support for local cancer control projects. See the full report at: www.canceriowa.org.

(Cumberland, Iowa) – Firefighters from Cumberland and Massena, along with Cass EMS personnel, responded to a residential fire southeast of Cumberland, Sunday evening. The fire at 70324 Richland Road was reported at around 6:09-p.m.  According to dispatch reports, the home’s owners were attempting to douse the flames in the ceiling, prior to firefighters’ arrival.

Cumberland Assistant Fire Chief Sean South tells KJAN News that the homeowner discovered smoke near an electrical box on the porch, and called 9-1-1. Upon arrival, fire crews found flames in the wall and attic of the residence. Crews cut access holes and were able to extinguish the flames.

Everyone got out of the home safely, and there were no injuries, but the house has extensive damage, according to South.