A veteran from Indiana is walking through Iowa now to raise awareness for soldiers suffering from post traumatic stress disorder.  “We lose 22 brothers and sisters a day to suicide and I think the public is unaware of that issue and we’re just trying to band together all veterans, to raise that awareness and be there for each other in times of struggle.” That’s Jack McIlwain, an Iraq war veteran. He left Indiana October 29th and walked over Burlington’s Great River Bridge to cross into Iowa on Veteran’s Day. McIlwain is the Indiana State Commander for Warrior Pointe. It’s a nationwide, non-profit organization focused on helping fellow veterans in the communities they call home.

“Sometimes all it takes is someone to talk to, just pick up the phone and that can save someone’s life,” he says. McIlwain says local Warrior Pointe chapters provide a safe place for veterans to meet, connect, network and help other veterans. “Just knowing that I have those brothers and sisters there to lean on in times of need, to talk to,” McIlwain says. McIlwain and another Iraq war veteran who’s a member of Warrior Pointe (http://www.warriorpointe.org/) walked the state of Indiana this summer. McIlwain’s Facebook page says he crossed the 770 mile mark in his current walk on Veteran’s Day.

You can chart his journey on Facebook by searching for Support Jack McIlwain on his Walk for Warrior Pointe www.facebook.com/Aaronswalk?fref=ts

(Radio Iowa)

A Red Oak man informed police this (Thursday) morning, that someone had stolen items from his SUV. Items taken from the 1993 Jeep Wrangler included a Nebo Redline Flashlight, 12×40 Bushnell pocket binoculars, and about $13 in coins and cash. The incident remains under investigation.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office today (Thursday) said three people were arrested over the past week. 22-year old Shawna Marie Watson, of Glenwood, was arrested late Sunday morning on an Assault charge. Her bond was set at $300. Saturday afternoon, deputies arrested 44-year old Matthew Christopher Heisler, of Council Bluffs, on an OWI/2nd offense, charge. His bond was set at $2,300. And, last Friday, Mills County Deputies arrested 32-year old Vicente Torales Bautista, of Red Oak, on a charge of Driving Under Suspension. His bond was set at $300.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office today (Thursday) reports one person was injured during an accident Tuesday morning. Officials say Michelle Kalkus, of Imogene, was driving a 2003 Chevy northbound on 370th Street at around 8:10-a.m., when her brakes failed as she approached the T-intersection with Paddock Avenue and attempted to turn left. Her car continued straight and struck the embankment on the north side of Paddock before coming to rest. Kalkus was transported by LifeNet helicopter to Creighton Medical Center in Omaha.

Two other accidents were reported last Friday, in Mills County, neither of which resulted in injuries. One occurred at around 12:15-a.m. on 221st Street, just south of Goode Avenue. Officials say Andrea Valle, of Council Bluffs, was traveling south on 221st Street and coming out of an S curve, when her 2003 Honda entered the east ditch, went airborne, and rolled over before hitting an embankment in the ditch. Valle, who left the scene before deputies arrived, told authorities later that she had swerved to miss a deer and lost control of her car.

The other accident happened just before 11-p.m., Friday, when Monica Nicholas, of Farragut, swerved to miss a coyote that ran out in front of her on southbound Highway 275, north of Oman Avenue. Her 2005 Chrysler hit the animal, causing extensive front end damage to the vehicle.

Clarinda Police Chief Keith Brothers says the Clarinda P-D has received several calls  from local businesses stating that an individual identifying himself as a customer service agent with MidAmerican Energy, is telling the business that their utility bill is delinquent and that immediate arrangements must be made or the utility service will be shut off. The call does show up on caller id as being placed from MidAmerican Energy.

THIS IS A SCAM. Brothers reminds business owners “MidAmerican Energy does not deal with delinquent utility accounts in this manner. If you receive a similar call, immediately hang up and do not provide any personal or financial account information.”

The Atlantic School Board met during a regular session Wednesday evening. Superintendent Mike Amstein says the Board heard from Travis Squires from Piper Jaffray, with regard to sales tax bond refinancing. Amstein says Squires proposed two options for refinancing the District’s Revenue Bonds, which are basically paid through the sales tax. One was the standard type of refinancing, which would save the District about $175,000. The other option was through Private Sale.

Squires told the Board a lot more school districts are taking advantage of that option. Amstein said based on calculations of current market rates, the district could save more than $341,000, and cut a year off of the bond payments. Amstein says the Board also discussed an Early Retirement plan. He told the Board he wasn’t optimistic about any increase next year in State Supplemental Aid, and that one of the major ways to cuts costs, is by offering an early retirement incentive.

He says they’re considering offering the same package as last year: $25,000 over three-years, paid through a third-party vendor to alleviate the tax liability for those who participate. The offer would be limited to 10, or no more than 12 teachers. The matter will be discussed further at the Board’s Work Session, later this month. Amstein says several teachers have already contacted him expressing interest. The Board Attorney suggested they adopt a Resolution stating the option would not be considered again for another three-years, if they recommend the package this year.

And, the Atlantic School Board followed-up on a previous work session, whereby talks were held about a facilities study, as it relates to the District’s instructional and athletic facilities. During their meeting Wednesday evening, the Board determined it wanted to proceed with acquiring RFP’s (Requests for Proposals), specifically with regard to the athletic facilities. He says it doesn’t commit the Board to anything. It simply gives them an idea of what a proposed study might entail, as well as the costs.

The outdoor athletic facilities being considered in the study would include the Trojan Bowl, soccer field, track and baseball/softball fields, and possibly the practice facilities.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – An old tool plant in Sioux City is being transformed for use in processing organic ingredients. The Sioux City Journal reports that American Natural Processors Inc. wants to expand its contract manufacturing business at the former Sioux Tools plant. Company owner Mark Schuett says the century-old structure would be used to process specialty organic and nongenetically modified proteins as well as for packaging, warehousing and distribution.

Schuett told the newspaper he didn’t have an estimate on the total cost of the project, which is expected to be finished by next fall. The project is expected to create 20 to 25 jobs.

As winter weather approaches, one of the last things Iowa motorists want to hear is the whup-whup-whup of a flat tire on their vehicle. A new study finds more than a third of all new cars being sold don’t come equipped with spare tires. Gail Weinholzer, spokeswoman for Triple-A-Iowa, says if you’ve bought a new car in the past few years, you’d better pop the trunk and see what you have.

“The first thing drivers need to do is determine what type of situation they have with a new vehicle,” Weinholzer says. “Do they have a spare tire and if so, is it properly inflated? Do they have a run-flat tire which will allow them to drive up to 50 miles before they need to address the situation. Or, do they have a tire inflator kit which is very effective but is for very limited uses.”

In 2006, only five-percent of new cars did -not- come equipped with a spare tire, but in the 2015 models, 36-percent are now only equipped with run-flat tires or inflator kits — no spares. Automakers are likely trying to save on expenses, cut weight, add trunk space and boost fuel economy with the move, but Weinholzer says eliminating spare tires could leave Iowans stuck on the roadside.

“It’s important that drivers know the situation with their vehicle and understand that they may need a tow, and that they may not be able to change the tire, obviously, if they don’t have a spare,” Weinholzer says. “One other thing to keep in mind, some of these tire inflator kits can cost up to $300 per use and only have a shelf life of four to eight years.” A Triple-A survey finds many young people may have to call up a YouTube video on their smartphones if they end up with a flat.

“The older the driver, the more likely they are to know how to change a tire,” Weinholzer says. “Ninety percent of drivers between the ages of 35 and 54 know how to change a tire, however, only one in five of the millennials, people aged 18 to 34, actually know how to change the tire.” The study also found 97-percent of men claim they know how to do the job versus 68-percent of women.

(Radio Iowa)

A woman from Minden was transported to the Cass County Memorial Hospital Wednesday evening, following an accident just off Exit 57 from Interstate 80. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office was notified about a vehicle in the east ditch off the I-80 exit ramp, at around 6:25-p.m.  A 2008 Nissan Sentra owned and driven by 51-year old Mary Kathleen Waltz, of Minden,  was southbound on Olive Street when Waltz lost control of the car, which struck a sign and came to rest in the ditch.

Waltz was transported to CCMH by Medivac ambulance. Scanner reports at the time indicated a medical issue may have contributed to the accident. Damage to the vehicle was estimated at $3,500.

More area and State news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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