Atlantic, IA – Officials with the Cass County Health System said Thursday, they are indefinitely postponing several upcoming public events. This measure is being taken to help protect the health of our community from the spread of COVID-19. The impacted events include:

· The CCHS Foundation Gala scheduled for March 28, 2020 is postponed until further notice.
· All Healthy U sessions are postponed until further notice.
· All Healthy U & Baby, Too! sessions are postponed until further notice.

As this situation progresses, we will keep the public updated about other postponements or cancellations.

The Atlantic Rotary is asking all parents, students, and community members: do you know a teacher who deserves recognition for going above and beyond the call of duty? The Atlantic Rotary Club is seeking nominations for the 7th Annual Rotary Club of Atlantic Outstanding Teacher Award, and would love to hear from you! The award, designed to recognize excellence in education in the Atlantic Community Schools, can be given to any certified, full-time teacher who spends at least 60% of his/her time instructing students.

The teacher selected will receive recognition at a school employee event, and will also receive a $3000 cash award. The award may be used to enhance the educational resources of the teacher, further the teacher’s education, or for any other purpose which the selected teacher deems appropriate.

The Atlantic Rotary Club has been a dedicated supporter of education in the community for many years through senior scholarships, and annual events such as senior recognition and new teacher welcome. In addition, they are frequent contributors through funding for many school needs such as updating technology in the classroom, supporting curriculum for local preschools, and a number of other school requests. Members of our club have been continually insistent that we also recognize and support the talented educators that are the heart of our schools, and we are very happy we have been able to continue this program.

Justin Williams and Karen Vogl, Atlantic High School CCEOC teachers were the 2020 award winners. They both continue to teach here in Atlantic. The outstanding nominees each year make this process difficult and exciting.

For teachers to be considered for the 2020 award, completed nomination forms, including letters of support, must be received by Monday April 13th. Nominated teachers will be evaluated based on their skill with students, classroom management, parent communication, peer interaction and community involvement. Teachers must be nominated by three individuals- they can be current or former students, parents of students, co-workers, or any combination of these. Forms were sent via email to all current parents through from the Atlantic Community School System in March. Application materials may be found on the Rotary Club of Atlantic website: www.atlanticrotary.com under the Grants and Scholarship tab.

It is the intention of the Atlantic Rotary Club, through this award, to recognize and reward outstanding educators in our public school system who exemplify the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self” through their continuous dedication to students, parents, peers and the larger community, as well as the art and practice of education. This award is funded by proceeds from the Atlantic Rotary Club’s annual auction, which is made possible by the generous donations of local businesses and community members.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum reports that on March 5, 2020, 52-year old Gregory Herbert Markham, of Carter Lake, was sentenced to 151 months (nearly 12 1/2 years ) in prison, after he plead guilty to Transportation with Intent to Engage in Sexual Activity, and Distribution of Child Pornography, and 120 months for the Distribution of Marijuana and Cocaine to a Person Under the Age of Twenty-One. The sentences will run concurrently (at the same time).

Markham’s term of imprisonment is to be followed by supervised release for seven years. Markham was ordered to pay $1,500 in restitution. The investigation into his activities began in March 2019, when a Douglas County (Nebraska) Sheriff’s Department Deputy encountered a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot of the Travel Inn. The driver was subsequently arrested and the two females involved in this matter were left at the motel.

One of the females contacted the Defendant Markham for a ride. Markham picked up the two females, ages seventeen and eighteen from the Omaha motel and drove them to his home. Markham had previously transported one of the females from Omaha across the state line to his home for prostitution. Markham allowed the females to stay at his home and set up prostitution dates for sex. He also provided them with cocaine and marijuana. Markham took pictures of the seventeen year old on his cell phone and distributed the child pornography to a friend.

The case was investigated by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department, Omaha FBI Child Exploitation Task Force, Carter Lake Police Department, Council Bluffs Police Department, and Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Department. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A large community college system in eastern Iowa says that most, but not all, of its classes will be temporary held online to try to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Kirkwood College said that all classes with a lecture format will not meet in person beginning March 23 through at least April 10.The college is based in Cedar Rapids but has a secondary campus in Iowa City and several centers throughout the region. Its announcement comes one day after Iowa’s three public universities said they would suspend in-person instruction through at least April 3.

Representative Tom Moore, from Griswold, reports Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds today (Thursday) approved the State Supplemental Aid for the the 2020-2021 school year. Moore says this will appropriate an additional $99.2 million to the state’s education budget for the upcoming school year. The increase will address important issues such as transportation inequity for rural schools, and reduce the per pupil cost (breakdown of spending below).

Moore said he had the honor of joining the governor, as well as other legislators for the signing of the legislation into law.

• Supplemental State Aid $85.57 million
• Rural Transportation $7.65 million
• Per Pupil Equity $5.8 million

TOTAL $99.02 million

A Cass County man was sentenced last week to 25-years in prison in association with his plea of guilty to one Class-B Felony count of Sexual Abuse in the 2nd Degree, in Guthrie County. Court records show a second count of sexual abuse in the 2nd was dismissed against 22-year old Matthew David Ross, of Marne. As part of his plea deal, Judge Randy Hefner ordered Ross to serve up to 25 years in prison with a required 50% minimum, but the sentence was suspended and he was instead given five years probation.

Matthew David Ross

Ross was also ordered to remain under supervised parole for the rest of his life. He must also register as a sex offender, pay a $100 sexual abuse victim surcharge, victim restitution, and up to $500 for category two restitution. The case against him stems from a January 31st, 2019 arrest into his activities with a person under the age of 12. The investigation was conducted by the Stuart Police Department.

(Submitted by an Atlantic FFA Reporter) — On Saturday, March 7th, 2020, 10 members of the Atlantic FFA chapter competed in the District Career Development Events with one advancing to the State FFA Convention in Ames. Southwest State Vice President Tyler Comes lead the District Business session.

Corri and Tyler

Atlantic FFA member Corri Pelzer retired as the District Sentinel position. Aspen Niklasen and Malena Woodward were the chapter delegates for Atlantic FFA at Convention.

Carli H.

FFA member Carli Henderson competed in the Extemporaneous Speaking category placing 1st earning a Gold and advancing to State. Craig Alan Becker competed in Ag Sales earning a Gold placing 3rd and will be the alternate to State. Andrew Engler completed in Ag Broadcasting placing 4th earning a Silver. Gunner Kirchhoff competed in Ag Welding placing 4th earning a Silver. Finally Tate DenBetse, Dylan Comes and Wyatt Redinbaugh competed in the Chapter Website CDE placing 4th earning a Gold rating.

In the Farm Business Management Test Atlantic FFA had 4 members compete this year. Drey Newell earned a Gold and placed 2nd, Hannah Carlson earned a Gold and placed 17th, Caroline Pellett earned a Gold and placed 23rd and Garrett Reyonds earned a Silver and placed 34th out of 87 individuals.

Craig Becker

District Group

In the FFA Freshman Greenhand Quiz, Atlantic FFA had 4 members participate all earning Silver ratings. Sofia Mendez placed 55th, Dylan Comes placed 59th, Dan Freund placed 81st and Jackson McLaren placed 84th.

HARLAN, Iowa (The Des Moines Register) — An Iowa judge has ordered a psychological evaluation of a Kansas man who asked the judge to let him engage in a sword fight with his ex-wife and her attorney so that he can “rend their souls” from their bodies. David Ostrom, of Paola, Kansas, said in a Jan. 3 court filing that his former wife in Harlan, Iowa, and her attorney had destroyed him legally. She subsequently asked the judge to suspend Ostrom’s visitation rights and order an evaluation. The judge granted both requests last week. Ostrom told The Des Moines Register that he has an appointment scheduled with a psychologist.

(Atlantic, Iowa) — The non-profit organization “Atlantic Rising” will host the 7th Annual Awards Luncheon and Dessert Gala on April 24th, 2020, and are asking for your community-wide nominations for the awards. The awards are designed to recognize the achievements of young professionals who demonstrate a commitment to excellence and innovation in their profession and within the community. The awards are open to any Young Professional that meets the following criteria:

• The professional is between the age of 21-45 years old as of January 1, 2020, and.
• The professional either works or resides within Cass County.

Young Professionals will be nominated for their excellence in four different categories: YP Newcomer, YP Entrepreneur, YP Business Leader and YP Public Servant. There will also be one YP Choice Workplace Award given. The YP Choice Workplace Award recognizes a company who effectively attracts, retains and develops young professionals. Individuals can either nominate their company or another company. Companies must be Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce members. You can check the membership directory at www.atlanticiowa.com for eligibility. Nominees for Newcomer, Entrepreneur, Business Leader, and Public Servant do not need to be members of Atlantic Rising to be eligible for nomination.

The winners for the Young Professional Awards in 2019 included: Alexis Fleener – Public Servant of the Year, Dr. Edna Becht Newcomer of the Year, Rachel Johnson – Entrepreneur of the Year, John McCurdy – Business Leader of the Year, and Atlantic Specialty Care – Choice Workplace of the Year.

To submit a nomination, go to www.atlanticiowa.com for a nomination form or pick one up at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Office (102 Chestnut, Atlantic, IA 50022). All nomination forms must be submitted by Thursday, April 2nd, 2020 by 5 PM. The Atlantic Rising nominations will be reviewed by a selection committee including: an AR Representative, an Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Board Representative, a member of CADCO, an Atlantic City Official and an out of town guest.

Atlantic Rising is a social group who meets throughout the year for networking and social events, as well as civic projects to help the community. Their mission is to connect, engage and attract young leaders into the community while promoting the greater Atlantic area.  Members are young professionals between the ages of 21-45. Any interested individuals can contact the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce at 712-243-3017 for more information on joining.

Atlantic Rising is sponsored by Cass County Health System.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office today (Thursday), said 24-year old Brendyn O’Dell Rutherford Malone, of Council Bluffs, was arrested following a traffic stop at around 4:20-a.m. today (Thursday), in Council Bluffs. He was taken into custody for Theft in the 2nd Degree-Motor Vehicle, as the vehicle he was driving was reported stolen out of Neola on Wednesday. Rutherford Malone was also charged with Violation of Probation. He was being held in the Pott. County Jail on a $5,000 bond.

Wednesday night, 44-year old Kathleen Marie Gerhardt, of Carson, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault/2nd offense – following an investigation into a possible disturbance in Oakland. Wednesday afternoon, 50-year old Scott Thomas Appleton was arrested on a warrant for Burglary in the 3rd Degree/1st offense -Vehicle related, after he turned himself-in the the Sheriff’s Office. Appleton was later booked into the Pott. County Jail. And, a man wanted on a warrant for Sexual Abuse in the 2nd Degree, was arrested Wednesday afternoon, also after turning himself-in to authorities. 31-year old Darrell Jacob Kackley, of Council Bluffs, was being held in the Pott. County Jail on the Felony warrant.