The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce will host its Annual Dinner Saturday, January 14th, 2017 at the Cass County Community Center. Chamber Executive Director Ouida Hargens says she “Always look forward to the Annual Dinner. It’s a great opportunity for us to reflect on what we’ve accomplished, look forward to what we will accomplish and most of all, highlight all of our volunteers and Chamber Members that have invested their time and money back into our organization and our community.”

The Chamber will recognize businesses, organizations and individual leaders in the community. Two people will be recognized and given awards including: ATHENA Award and Distinguished Service Award. The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce is currently seeking nominations for the Distinguished Service Award.

The Distinguished Service Award recognizes an individual, business or organization who has made the community a better place to live. They have rendered special services for the benefit of the community and have demonstrated an active leadership role for the betterment of the community through their involvement in business, civic and social service organizations.

Last year, the Distinguished Service Award was given to Geis Perry Jewelry for over 40 years of commitment, generosity and support of local businesses and events.
Please contact the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce to nominate someone for the Distinguished Service Award. The deadline for nominations is January 6th, 2017.

Governor Terry Branstad says with lower-than-expected state tax revenue, the current state budget must be reduced by nearly 100 million dollars. “This year we’re going to have to do some ‘deappropriation’ in order to meet the fiscal challenge we’re facing,” Branstad says. “We have a requirement that the budget be balanced.” A state panel met last week and lowered the “official” estimate of state tax collections for the current budgeting year. Branstad hopes to shield a few major budget items from cuts.

“I’m going to work with the legislature and make recommendations,” Branstad says. “I want to protect K-12 school aid from reductions and property tax credits. I don’t want to see those reduced.” With those spending areas OFF the cutting table, state agencies are likely targets for cuts, but Branstad says he does not anticipate state employee layoffs.

During the depths of the farm crisis when he was governor in the 1980s, Branstad ordered mandatory, unpaid furloughts for state workers, as well as an across-the-board cut in state government. When he ran for governor again in 2010, Branstad was a critic of then-Governor Chet Culver’s decision to cut the state budget across the board rather than make targeted cuts. Today (Monday), Branstad again indicated strategic reductions are his goal for dealing with this latest budget dilemma.

The governor and his staff are in the process of crafting a state budget plan for NEXT year that will be submitted to legislators in January. “We’re going to have to make some difficult decisions on the budget,” Branstad says. Branstad has met publicly with state agency directors over the past few weeks to discuss budget priorities. At some point next year, Branstad will resign as governor to become President-elect Trump’s ambassador to China, but Branstad intends to deliver the annual “Condition of the State” speech to legislators on January 10th and make a formal budget recommendation as well.

Branstad’s not commenting on the latest diplomatic skirmish between China and the U.S. — about that drone Chinese military seized and will now return. “First of all, I have not been confirmed yet and I’ve been advised it’s not wise for me to comment on foreign policy at this point in time,” Branstad said. “So I’m focusing on my responsibility as governor.” Branstad made his comments during his weekly news conference at the capitol in Des Moines.

(Radio Iowa)

he state Department of Public Health reports a woman who is 81 years old or older from central Iowa has died from the flu. Department Medical Director Patricia Quinlisk says its the first death in this flu season and an important reminder to get vaccinated. “We just felt like we wanted to remind people in Iowa that flu is a serious disease — and at times it can kill you,” Quinlisk says. Doctor Quinlisk says the number of flu cases thus far has been pretty low, which she says is typical of the season.

“It’s not uncommon that we don’t see much activity until the holidays when people really are around each other and travel,” Quinlisk says, “and then we see it really starting to climb in January, and then by the end of January we are starting to peak.” She says the shot will provide you protection fairly quickly.

“If you’ve not already gotten your flu shot, it’s a really good time to go in and get it and you will have protection over the holidays,” Quinlisk says. Quinlisk says the flu vaccine prepared for this year appears to be dialed in to handle the strains that are out there. “So far the primary strain seems to be what we call the typical seasonal flu strain — which is the A-H-3-N-2. We’ve seen a little bit of the 2009 pandemic strain which hits kids pretty hard. It’s called A-H-1-N-1…,” Quinlisk says. “The good news is that so far the vaccine is matching up really, really well with the strains that we are seeing in Iowa and across the United States, which means that the vaccine this year should give you protection against any flu strain that you come across.”

Doctor Quinlisk says the flu vaccine is readily available this year. She says getting a flu shot is important and you should also remember the three Cs: Cover your coughs and sneezes; Clean your hands frequently; and Contain germs by staying home when ill. Quinlisk says besides a flu shot, handwashing is the single best way to prevent the spread of illness.

(Radio Iowa)

The Union County Sheriff’s Office say a man from Lorimor reported Friday afternoon, that his black, 2006 Hyundai Sonata had been stolen from 307 Kansas Avenue, in Lorimor. The theft happened at around 11:55-a.m.  The estimated value of the vehicle is $9,500.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office says Deputies arrested two people on drug charges last week. Taken into custody on December 13th, 2016, was 33-year old Aaron Wayne Watson and 22-year old Maisie Sheryl Williams, both of Atlantic. Watson faces a felony Sponsoring a Gathering charge, in addition to Prohibited Acts, Possession of Meth 1^st Offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Williams was charged with Possession of Meth 1^st Offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Both were taken to the Cass County Jail. Williams was released the following day on her own recognizance. Watson remains held in the jail on $8,000 bond.

Last Friday, the Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 39-year old Eric Allen Smith,  of Council Bluffs, on a District Court warrant for Probation Violation. Smith was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held on $10,000 bond.

And on Saturday, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office charged 26-year old Devin Sparks Register and 61-year old Ricky Lee Roby, both of Atlantic, with Assault Causing Bodily Injury. The men were inmates at the Cass County Jail when the incident occurred. Roby remains held at the Cass County Jail on prior bond of $55,300. Register was released on his own recognizance.

(12-p.m. News)

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office says no injuries were reported following two separate accidents, Saturday. Just after Noon, Saturday, a 2000 GMC owned and driven by 47-year old Craig Bruce Woodard, of Atlantic, was westbound on Galveston Road about one-third of a mile east of 640th Street, when the vehicle lost traction on the slick roadway, entered the south ditch and struck an embankment before overturning. Damage to the vehicle was estimated at $3,500.

And, at around 1:30 p.m. Saturday, a 2008 Chevy HHR owned and driven by 28-year old Amanda Lee Marholz, of Lewis, was eastbound on White Pole Road when the vehicle slid on the slippery roadway and entered the ditch near the intersection with Lansing Road. Damage to the vehicle is estimated at $1,500.

(12-p.m. News)

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The insurance industry and its regulators are asking a judge to allow documents detailing “shadow insurance” subsidiaries created by life insurers to remain secret. The Iowa Insurance Division and the Federation of Iowa Insurers are opposing a lawsuit filed by Indiana University professor emeritus Joseph Belth, who’s seeking the documents under Iowa’s open records law.

Belth believes that the “shadow insurance” instruments threaten the solvency of insurers, and the public has a right to know. Companies such as TransAmerica have transferred hundreds of millions of dollars in liabilities to subsidiaries to loosen the amount of capital they need in reserves. An assistant attorney general argued last week that regulators properly denied Belth’s request and the documents should be kept confidential.

The insurance federation says the practice is well-regulated and justified.

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office reports a man was arrested Saturday night on drug and alcohol charges, following an investigation into an incident that occurred at the intersection of Highways 71 & 44. 57-year old Charles Frederick Fancher, of Audubon, was charged with two counts of Possession of Contraband, OWI/1st offense, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Meth, two counts of Unlawful Possession of Prescription Pills, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Fancher was booked into the Audubon County Jail and later released after appearance before a magistrate.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) – The popular mayor of Iowa’s second largest city says he will not run for re-election as he explores whether to run for governor as a Republican.
Cedar Rapids Mayor Ron Corbett announced Monday that he will not seek a third four-year term in November. Instead, he says he’ll spend the next several months traveling the state discussing issues and weighing a bid for governor.

If he runs, Corbett would likely face Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds in a Republican primary ahead of the 2018 election. Reynolds is set to become governor in coming weeks, when Gov. Terry Branstad resigns to begin his appointment as President-Elect Donald Trump’s ambassador to China.

Corbett is a former speaker of the Iowa House. He helped Cedar Rapids through a major recent flood that required evacuations.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office say a man was arrested early Sunday morning following a hit-and-run accident, in Avoca. 26-year old Skylar Matthew Ryan, of Avoca, was charged with OWI/1st offense, and cited for leaving the scene of a property damage accident, as well as failure to maintain control, after the pickup he was driving struck a Mid-American Energy pole at the intersection of East Kearney and North Chestnut Street in Avoca. The accident happened at around 1-a.m., Sunday.