Police in Council Bluffs say a three-year old was taken into protective custody early this (Wednesday) morning, after the boy was found alone, walking near the Burger King restaurant at 3209 W. Broadway Street. The incident was reported at around 5:45-a.m.  When officers arrived on the scene, the child was able to provide his first name, but not any information regarding where he had come from or why he was alone.

The boy was then taken into protective custody until a parent could be located. At approximately 8:30-a.m., the Pottawattamie County 911 Communications Center received a call from a woman who said her three-year old son was missing. Officers met with the mother and interviewed her. Police say she told them she left the child in the care of a relative in the area of 35th and 11th Avenue in Council Bluffs, at approximately 5-a.m., and went to work.

The woman received a frantic call from her relative saying that the child was missing shortly, before 8:30-a.m. A preliminary investigation indicates that the child was able to exit out of the locked residence, while other family members slept. The incident is being reviewed by the Council Bluffs Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division and DHS. Due to the ongoing investigation and the age of the minor child, no names are being released at this time.

The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors paid a visit to a new business, recently. Steve and Sue Andersen are the owners of the Bike Farm, which Steve operates out of a garage on his property just outside of Atlantic. Andersen handles  bike repairs, sells some bike equipment and accessories, and looks forward to one day selling both bikes and bike apparel.

Ambassadors Pictured: Darryl Hockenberry, Sue Muri, JoAnn Runyan, Dr. James Kickland, Donnie Drennan, Crystal Christensen, Debbie Leistad, Russ Joyce, Lana Westphalen, Pat McCurdy, Kerry Jepsen, Sara Nelson, Diane Gipple, Rich Perry, Carole Schuler, Dolly Bergmann, Kathy Sweeny, Rollie Landsness, Dr. Keith Leonard D.V.M., Carol Seddon, Gerald Brink, Nedra Perry, Dr. Hailey Kickland.

Officials with the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce said today (Wednesday), that last weekend’s “AtlanticFest” celebration was a big success,” with “An overwhelming amount of positive comments from business owners, volunteers, participants and vendors,” according to Chamber Executive Director Quida Wymer. .

AtlanticFest Committee Chair Randy Sandage, of West Central, said the event started off slow with a rainy forecast, but quickly developed into a perfect summer day. The annual Road Race kicked off AtlanticFest with over130 racers. The overall winners included Marc Bierbaum for the 5 mile race, David Thomsen for the 2 mile race, and Guy Somers for the 2 mile walk.

The annual Tractor Ride started at the Cass County Fairgrounds and ended at AtlanticFest, where the tractors were on display for everyone to check out. Officials say the craft fair was well attended with a good variety of vendors. Baxter Cycle and Steffens Cycle worked together to host the Motorcycle Show. The new location on Chestnut was a welcome change for the motorcyclists and observers, according to the Chamber. Registration has increased every year, with over 80 bikes this year.

The 17th annual Car Show, sponsored by Atlantic Motor Supply, NAPA and coordinated by Steve and Angie Butcher of the Butcher Shop, had 128 registered cars.
Kelly Schlake, Atlantic Motor Supply, NAPA helped award all the winners with 75 trophies. The Best of Show Award went to Keith Cooper for his 1937 Ford H Custom.

The Bags Tournament, sponsored by Megan Roberts, State Farm, and Fajen Lumber, had over 64 teams registered. The 50/50 raffle was won by local resident Heidi Hinman, with $781 in AtlantiCash.

You can find all the results from AtlanticFest on www.AtlanticIowa.com. AtlanticFest 2016 will be held Saturday, August 13th, 2016. If you have questions, comments or want to be a part of the planning in 2016, contact the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce at 712-243-3017 or e-mail: chamber@atlanticiowa.com.

The Cass County Conservation Board is considering a resolution to open the east half of the Turkey Creek Wildlife Area to public hunting. The Turkey Creek Wildlife Area is located between Atlantic and Lewis, just off Highway 6. The area is currently not open to public hunting, and the Conservation Board feels the area is underutilized.

A public hearing will be held August 27th beginning at 5-p.m. to address the matter. The hearing takes place at the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Office at Cold Springs State Park, at Lewis. Input will be taken at that time with regard to a proposal to open the area to public hunting.

If you have any questions, please call Micah Lee with the Cass County Conservation Board, at 712-769-2372.

Officials with ISU Extension in Shelby County say a networking program that empowers women in agriculture to become better business partners and owners is being offered to area women, beginning Aug. 25th, in Harlan. “Annie’s Project” is a six-week course designed especially to help farm women develop their management and decision-making skills. Online registration is available at http://www.aep.iastate.edu or at the Shelby County office.

Farm women participating in Annie’s Project courses become better business partners and owners by learning to manage and organize critical information for their own farms, while establishing networks with other farm women and agriculture business professionals.  According to ISU Extension and Outreach farm specialist, Shane Ellis, Annie’s Project covers five areas of agricultural risk management: financial, human resources, legal, marketing and production.

According to a 2012 survey conducted by Iowa State Extension and Outreach, 47 percent of Iowa’s farmland is owned by women. Annie’s Project supports these women by providing an agricultural business education program that empowers farm women who want to be more knowledgeable about their agricultural enterprises.

The program will be held at the Shelby County Extension Office: August 25th, Sept. 1st, Sept. 8th, Sept. 15th, Sept. 22nd and Sept. 29th. They begin with a light supper at 5:45 p.m., followed by the program from 6-until 9-pm.

More than 33 states have implemented Annie’s Project sites since its inception in 2002. For more information, contact Amanda at 712-755-3104. Annie’s Project in Iowa is supported by Farm Credit Services of America and the USDA Risk Management Agency.

EMMETSBURG, Iowa (AP) – Authorities have filed terrorism and other charges against a 55-year-old man accused of firing a bullet that struck a crop-dusting plane in northern Iowa. Online court records say John Metzger, of Whittemore, also is charged with stalking with a weapon, intimidation with a dangerous weapon and going armed with intent.

The Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office says the plane owned by Steier AG Aviation was hit in a wing flap while spraying a field in Fairfield Township on July 31. The plane landed safely at Steier’s landing strip in Whittemore. The pilot, whose name hasn’t been released, wasn’t injured.

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (3.5MB)

Subscribe: RSS

A Union County man wanted on a warrant for failure to appear in court on original charges of Domestic Abuse Assault by impeding Air/Blood Flow causing serious injury, and False Imprisonment, was arrested Tuesday night, in Creston. Creston Police say 55-year old Michael A. Fry, of Creston, was taken into custody at around 9:15-p.m. and brought to the jail in Creston, where he was being held while awaiting a bond hearing.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A man has been placed on three years of probation and ordered to spend 15 weekends in jail for helping his son avoid getting arrested after shooting a Sioux City officer. 55-year old Levon Dean Sr. and several others were sentenced Tuesday for their roles in aiding Jamal Dean avoid arrest. Levon Dean had pleaded guilty as part of a plea deal to conspiracy to defraud the U.S. by obstruction or interfering with governmental functions. Several others, who are family members and friends of Jamal Dean, were sentenced as well.

According to prosecutors, Jamal Dean shot Sioux City police officer Kevin McCormick during a traffic stop on April 29, 2013. Prosecutors say his father picked him up near the scene of the shooting. Jamal Dean was sentenced 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to attempted murder for the police shooting.

The 7:06-a.m. report w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (4.3MB)

Subscribe: RSS