The area’s top news at 7:06-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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The Atlantic Area Chamber’s 15th Annual Scrooge Contest, sponsored by Hockenberry Family Care and Longaberger Consultant – Dolly Bergmann, gets underway during the month of November. Eleanor Hoover organized the contest back in 2002 just one year after the inaugural Lighted Parade.

Hoover said the Scrooge title is used because, “Contestants find the meaning of Christmas, by giving to others. That is the real honor of being named Scrooge. Therefore, I am hoping that together as a community we will assist the contestants to provide many neighbors and friends the same joy of having a meal to celebrate the holidays.”

Scrooge contestants raise money and collect non-perishable food items for the Atlantic Food Pantry. The 2015 candidates include: Tony Schimdtki, Fareway; Alli Bruckner, Cass County Health Systems; Rich & Nedra Perry, Geis Perry Jewelry; and Ted Robinson, First Whitney Bank. Hoover says “Candidates can choose any method they want in collecting their points. In the past, candidates have hosted soup suppers, and put pictures and boxes in local businesses to collect food donations.”

According to Hoover, contestants are responsible for collecting and submitting their points to the Chamber by December 2nd at Noon. The contestant with the most points will be named Scrooge, and all proceeds will benefit the Atlantic Food Pantry. Winner of the Scrooge Contest serves as the Grand Marshal in the Lighted Parade on Dec. 5th at 6 p.m. in Downtown Atlantic. Cash donations are worth one point on the dollar and two non-perishable items earn the contestants one point.

Past Scrooge titles have been awarded to: Mary Ann Moorman 2007, Dana Halder 2008, Tammy Wise & Janet Huey 2009, Ritchie Anderson 2010, Janet Cappel 2011, Melanie Petty 2012, David Miller 2013 and Mark McNees 2014.

The contest will run from November 1st to December 2nd. Donations to a contestant can be made by delivering food or funds to their drop off locations or the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce. For more information call the Chamber at 712-243-3017 or email chamber@atlanticiowa.com.

(Updated 4:45-a.m.) – Kayla was found in the area of her home and was returned safely to her family, unharmed.

Police in Council Bluffs are asking for your help in finding a missing girl. 11-year old Kayla M. Skipton, of Council Bluffs, was last seen by her parents leaving for the Kirn Junior High School in Council Bluffs, Wednesday morning. Kayla was last seen by the public Wednesday, evening between 7- and 7:30, in the area of Benton Street and McGee, walking east up a hill. She’s described as being 5-feet tall, about 80 pounds with brown hair and hazel eyes.

Kayla Skipton

Kayla was wearing blue jeans and a black shiny jacket with pink on the inside. Anyone who has seen Kayla Skipton or knows of her whereabouts, is asked to call 712‐328‐5737 (the Pottawattamie County 911 Center) or 712‐328‐STOP (Crime Stoppers).

Authorities say since Kayla’s disappearance does not currently meet Amber Alert standards, no Amber Alert can be issued.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

FARRAGUT, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Department of Education has announced it will recommend dissolving the Farragut Community School District. The Daily Nonpareil reports primary concerns appear to be declining enrollment in the Fremont County district as well as another year of exceeding a state spending limit. The state has also told school officials to address shortcomings of accessibility to students.

CLARION, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say they’re investigating reports of hazing at a high school in northern Iowa. Clarion Police Chief Steve TerHark says at least six people have reported being victims of some type of incident at Clarion-Goldfield-Dows High School. Officers received an initial report alleging three football players assaulted a younger player. He says the players called it an initiation. The report led to other people contacting authorities. TerHark says the football players, two seniors and one junior were involved in the alleged incidents.

SHELLSBURG, Iowa (AP) — The death of a woman whose body was found near a stolen truck in eastern Iowa has been ruled a homicide. The body of Sabrina Hustad was found with multiple stab wounds Sunday near a stolen truck in Benton County.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture says it is spending $100 million to help install nearly 5,000 additional ethanol fuel pumps in 21 states. The agency said Wednesday that matching grants bring the total public-private investment to $210 million to increase the availability of the corn-based fuel. The USDA says a typical gas pump delivers 10 percent ethanol, but the grants will help install pumps that offer higher blends of ethanol for more recently made vehicles.

FARRAGUT, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Department of Education has announced it will recommend dissolving the Farragut Community School District. The Daily Nonpareil reports primary concerns appear to be declining enrollment in the Fremont County district as well as another year of exceeding a state spending limit. The state has also told school officials to address shortcomings of accessibility to students.

Department spokeswoman Staci Hupp said in an email that the recommendation has not been made officially, but that she expects it to be on the State Board of Education’s meeting agenda on Nov. 18. The decision will ultimately be made by the board.

The Farragut school board announced Monday that it will hold a community meeting next Wednesday to give an overview of the situation and allow Farragut and Hamburg residents to ask questions.

Iowa Republican Party Chairman Jeffrey Kauffman has called for a Special Nominating Convention, with the intention of nominating a Republican candidate to run in the Iowa House District 21 Special Election. The convention will take place 6:30-p.m. Tuesday, November 10th, at the Corning Opera House (800 Davis Ave., in Corning).

On Oct. 16th, Governor Terry Branstad called for a Special Election to be held December 8th, for Iowa House District 21,which is comprised of Adams and Union counties and parts of Cass and Pottawattamie counties. The election is needed to fill the seat held held by Representative Jack Drake, of Griswold. Drake died in Atlantic from natural causes, on Oct. 11th.

Police in Council Bluffs have arrested a woman suspected of being involved in numerous arson fires. 25-year old Rebecca Myers, of Council Bluffs, was arrested this (Wednesday) morning on four counts of 3rd degree arson, two counts of 1st degree arson, and two counts of child endangerment. Myers was being held in the Pottawattamie County Jail on $75,000 bond.

Rebecca Myers

A warrant was issued for her arrested following an investigation into six different fires that authorities said were intentionally set in the 1000 block of 3rd Avenue in Council Bluffs, from October 4th through the 20th.

Among the fires she is suspected of starting, is:

• A dumpster fire at 1010 3rd Avenue on Oct. 4th
• A dumpster fire behind 1012 3rd Avenue on Oct. 11th (1010 and 1012 3rd Avenue are part of the same structure.)
• A dumpster fire on Oct. 19th at 1010 3rd Avenue.
• A garbage can fire at 204 S. 10th Street on Oct. 20th. The garbage can was next to an exterior wall of the home at 204 So. 10th Street and pulled away, before the house caught on fire.
• And, a dumpster fire at 1010 3rd Avenue, on Oct. 20th.

Atlantic Police Chief Steve Green says the public shouldn’t be alarmed if they see local police officers deviate from their normally clean-shaven look. During the month of November, A-PD officers are taking advantage of “No Shave November” in a competition to raise funds to help with the annual “Shop with a Cop” and “Family Dreams Christmas” Programs.

Officer and Reserve Officers will be allowed to grow the beard of their choice in November. The idea is that those officers must raise a minimum of $100 each in donations during November, to be put towards the kids’ programs. Any officer who does not raise the required amount minimum will be making up the difference out of his own pocket. A number of officers have already begun seeking donations and have exceed their minimum…before the month has even begun.

While the Atlantic Police Dept. takes donations toward their youth programs throughout the year, and will continue to accept donations at the P-D as usual, the officers felt the “No Shave” idea would be a great way to kick-off the seasonal fundraising efforts this year.

Anyone wishing to donate can contact the officers in person, or drop off your donation in the name of a specific officer or reserve officer at the Police Department. General donations are also accepted. Chief Green says it has been a tough year for a number of families in the Cass County area, and the needs of the kids are expected to be numerous.

Checks should be made to the “Atlantic Police Reserves,” with an indication for the Christmas or Youth programs, in the memo line.

Iowa Senator Joni Ernst says she has some concerns over the budget deal that was announced in the early morning hours Monday. The Republican from Red Oak says the bill could hurt farmers. “What I have looked at so far I am extremely disappointed in. The first is the crop insurance issue, which hits hard at rural America. Not just Iowa, but others that come from farming communities and farming states,” Ernst says. She says it would hit the program again.

“We just went through this several years ago with the federal Farm Bill, and cuts were made to crop insurance at that time. Now we are facing three billion dollars in cuts,” Ernst says. “The very concerning issue is that the Agricultural Committee — those who serve on the committee — were not even consulted about this particular cut.” Ernst says she doesn’t like plans for the money cut out of crop insurance and other programs.

“Instead of applying those cuts, those savings to our deficit and our debt, we use it on additional spending. I don’t think this is what Iowans want. I don’t think this is what Americans want,” according to Ernst. Ernst says she wants to see spending cut. “I am very disappointed in this deal, I probably will not be supporting this budget deal,” Ernst says. With the timing of the release of the bill, Ernst isn’t sure yet what other senators are thinking about it and whether there will be enough votes to move it ahead.

Ernst says it may move ahead, but she isn’t sure yet without hearing other feedback from those who might be undecided. “Especially when we take into consideration the crop insurance and that we are spending much more in this bill than what was laid out in our original budget earlier this year,” Ernst says. Ernst made her comments during her weekly call with reporters.

(Radio Iowa)

Police in Glenwood report just one recent arrest. On Tuesday, 21-year old Lucas Bird,  of Glenwood, was arrested for OWI 1st offense. His bond was set at $1000 cash.