The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, Tuesday, released a report on arrests over the past couple of weeks.

Authorities say on Dec. 27^th, 63-year-old William Allen Yoder, of Elk Horn, was arrested for Driving While Revoked. He was released the next day on his Own Recognizance and given a future court date. Yesterday (Tuesday, Jan. 5^th), Yoder was arrested again for Driving While Revoked. He was being held in the Shelby County Jail on a $1,000 cash or surety bond, pending appearance before a magistrate.

Last Sunday, 37-year-old Wayne Earl Johnson, of Dow City, was arrested following a traffic stop along Highway 59 at around 2am. He was charged with driving under suspension, possession of controlled substance (methamphetamine), possession of drug paraphernalia, and prohibited acts.   Johnson was taken to the Shelby County Jail and released a short time later after posting the required $3,200 surety bond.

Last Saturday, Shelby County Deputies arrested 59-year-old Lee Jung Hoon Hansen, of Avoca, following a traffic stop at the intersection of Highways 59 & 44.  Hansen was charged with Driving While Barred and released from the Shelby County Jail the following morning on his own recognizance after appearing before the magistrate.

And, on Dec. 23rd, 29-year-old Timothy Steven McFarland was arrested following a traffic stop speeding violation along Highway 37.  Upon further investigation, McFarland was arrested for OWI/1^st offense. He was also cited for failure to yield half the roadway, windshield obstruction, and speeding. McFarland was transported to the Shelby County Jail and released the next day on his own recognizance.

MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa woman who defrauded charities by pretending to have cancer was spared from prison Monday after receiving a suspended sentence of up to 25 years. The Globe Bazette reports that 44-year-old Jennifer Hope Mikesell of Northwood was also ordered to pay restitution and continue to seek treatment from a mental health professional.

She pleaded guilty in November to a felony charge of ongoing criminal conduct. Mikesell was arrested in December 2019 after being accused of pretending to have cancer and reaching out to local charities and individuals for donations of money, goods and services.

The Nishna Valley YMCA in Atlantic has received a Strengthening Communities grant in the amount of $33,000, for renovation of the racquetball court.  The project will transform underutilized areas of the building into useful program space that would fulfill two community needs: childcare space and expansion of its Healthy Living area, which helps current and future members live healthier and more productive lives.

Atlantic was among nine communities from across Iowa that were awarded a share of $1.25 million in creative placemaking grants to build projects and strengthen communities, the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs. The funding comes from two creative placemaking programs – Iowa Great Places and Strengthening Communities – which are made possible by the Iowa Legislature’s Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund.

Through the Iowa Great Places program, the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs recognizes communities that have developed bold visions for the future and formed the plans, partnerships and projects to make those visions a reality. With the commitment of the Iowa Legislature, the State of Iowa has invested nearly $21 million in a total of 44 designated Iowa Great Places over the past 15 years, leveraging millions more in local and private investment.

Atlantic, IA — Following the Emergency Use Authorization of both the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) is partnering with county public health departments to begin vaccinating Iowans. Both vaccines are currently being administered in Iowa to the Phase 1A priority populations of health care personnel and long-term care residents and staff.

Cass County Public Health Director Beth Olsen says “It’s exciting to see that residents and staff of local long-term care facilities have already received their first doses of the vaccinations. Of the 500 doses that we received for healthcare personnel, we’ve already given about 70%. We still have a quite a few within the Phase 1A group that are going to be vaccinated later this week, so we anticipate that by Friday we’ll have used 85 to 90% of this first allocation.”

As more vaccines become available, Iowa’s Infectious Disease Advisory Council (IDAC), will review guidance issued by the CDC’s advisory group the Advisory Council on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to further prioritize populations to receive the vaccine in Iowa. IDAC is currently reviewing ACIP recommendations for Phase 1B and 1C priority populations.

According to Olsen, “What this means is that we expect to hear in the next few weeks about who will be eligible next. We think it could include groups like law enforcement, adults over 75, and essential workers; however, we simply don’t know yet. While certain groups will be prioritized in the coming weeks and months, the national media has stated that it will likely be mid-2021 before the vaccine is available to anyone who wants it.”

While waiting on information from the state about who will be eligible for the next allocation of vaccines, Cass County Public Health has been working on their mass vaccination plans. “We’ve been working on all of the logistics of our vaccination plan so we can act quickly when it’s time. Until we have the state’s guidance and the vaccines in hand, we are in a holding patten. We will continue to provide updates to the community as we know more. It’s also important for people to know that there is no waiting list for the vaccine. I know people are anxious, and I hope to have it here soon, but there is no special waiting list or anything else that the public needs to do at this time,” said Olsen.

A clinic will be held later this week for those in the Phase 1A priority group. This includes, but is not limited to, people working in:
• Critical care
• Emergency Department
• Infectious Disease
• Hospitalists
• Primary Care
• Anesthesia
• Respiratory Therapy
• Emergency Medical Services
• Phlebotomy
• Pharmacy
• Radiology
• Federally Qualified Health Center
• COVID-19 Vaccinators of Essential Populations
• COVID-19 Specimen collectors
• Staff/physicians of urgent care centers
• Acute care clinic
• Clinical laboratory
• Hospice
• Home health
• Physical Therapy
• Rehabilitation

“If there are Cass County residents who work in these areas, and they want to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, they should complete the survey on casshealth.org/covid-19 now so that we can administer their first dose as soon as possible,” said Olsen. Once Cass County Public Health has completed vaccinating all Phase 1A individuals in the county, any remaining vaccine would go to another county who needs it to finish their phase 1A.

Until vaccine is widely available to all, which as stated above may be sometime around mid-2021, it is crucial that Iowans continue to practice the mitigation measures that can slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
• Wearing a mask or face covering
• Practice social distancing with those outside your household
• Clean your hands frequently with soap and water
• Stay home if you feel sick
For information and updates related to COVID-19, visit https://idph.iowa.gov/Emerging-Health-Issues/Novel-Coronavirus/Vaccine and follow IDPH on Facebook (@IowaDepartmentofPublicHealth) and Twitter (@IAPublicHealth).

The Atlantic City Council has a busy agenda for their first meeting of the new year, Wednesday. First-up, the Council will hold a Public Hearing on the status of the City’s Facade Improvement Project. City Administrator John Lund notes a municipality “Cannot accept $411,110 in money from the Federal Government and not expect red tape to be a part of the bargain.” The hearing will satisfy the CDBG (Grant) requirements. Afterward, the Council will receive a presentation from CADCO Executive Director Jenn McEntaffer and Atlantic Area Executive Chamber Director Bailey Smith, with regard to a marketing video commissioned for the City, entitled “What you see is what you get.”

A report will also be received from Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department Director Bryant Rasmussen, highlighting some of the key department accomplishments over the past year, and goals for 2021. The Council will then act on approving/renewing Mutual Aid agreements for fire protection services with the Cities of Marne and Lewis. The specific agreement is renewed every five years, and ensures that if either department is in need, the other department will aid with the equipment and personnel.

In other business, the Council is expected to:

• Act on passing a Resolution approving the transfer of funds for the second quarter of the Fiscal year 2020-2021. The City routinely transfers money between its 67 separate funds, as a budget component. It reconciles accurate cost-accounting with the desire to create transparency on what is being spent in each of the fund line items.
• The Atlantic City Council is also expected to act on approving an order making First Whitney Bank as the City’s official Bank, and act on the approval of designating the Atlantic News Telegraph as the legal publication for 2021.

The meeting in the Council’s Chambers at City Hall, begins 5:30 p.m., Wednesday.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A 19-year-old Sioux City man has been charged in a shooting that killed one woman and injured three other people at a New Year’s party. Sioux City police said Tuesday that Christopher Morales was charged with intimidation with a dangerous weapon and going armed with intent. Police say Morales forced a person to go into the home where the party was being held. He and others then fired several shots into the house.

Eighteen-year-old Mia Kristis was killed and three juveniles were wounded. Police say Morales could face additional charges after forensic examinations are concluded on evidence found at the scene.