The Atlantic Police Department reports a man from Pottawattamie County was arrested today (Thursday), on alcohol and drug charges. 27-year old Benjamin Grulke, of Council Bluffs, was arrested on a warrant for Possession of Controlled Substances, and for Public Intoxication. Grulke was booked into the Cass County Jail.

The Iowa State Patrol has released the name of a woman who was injured during a single vehicle crash early this (Thursday) morning, on Interstate 80 in Cass County. 19-year old Rachael Annette Johnson, of Omaha, NE, was transported by LifeNet helicopter to Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha, after she was extricated from her 1997 Chrysler LHS.

The accident happened at around 4-a.m. on I-80 eastbound, just east of the Anita exit. The Patrol says Johnson fell asleep at the wheel, causing the vehicle to leave the road to the left and enter the median. The car then crashed through tension cables rolled into the south ditch before coming to rest on its wheels facing northbound in the ditch. The accident wasn’t discovered until about 6:35-a.m.

Anita Fire and Rescue worked to extricate the woman from her car. Medivac Ambulance assisted Anita Fire at the scene.

An Atlantic business says it will donate 100-percent of the proceeds from the sale of watch batteries toward Oklahoma tornado relief efforts. Rich and Nedra Perry, owners of Geis-Perry Jewelry, say proceeds from the sales of watch batteries that take place between now and July 4th, will be made available to the United Church of Christ in Atlantic, and are destined for relief efforts underway following the May 20th tornado that hit Moore, OK.

Church member April Thielen is in Oklahoma helping with disaster relief, along with most of her family. She is coordinating the donations and distributing them to persons in need. April’s husband Nathan took a second shipment of relief supplies to the area last Sunday, in his semi. Sales of the watch batteries and related relief efforts began May 20th.

Citizens of Woodbine, in Harrison County, came out in full force Wednesday evening, to learn more about a proposed Wellness Center. About 75 residents attending the meeting held in the Woodbine High School gymnasium, heard from JEO Engineering, with regard to determining the next steps needed for the proposed $8.2 million project. 

Plans for the Woodbine Wellness Center began two years ago with listening sessions from volunteers and supporters followed by a feasibility study, site tours and gathering data. Deb Sprecker, program director for Woodbine Main Street, said the next steps for the project involve gaining community awareness, along with applying for grants, and fundraising. JEO Engineering consultant Lucas Billesbach said the firm took a look at several wellness centers in the area, including Red Oak and Ida Grove, to get an idea of what the community the size of Woodbine would need. He estimated the square footage needed for the center would be 40,000. 

The feasibility study estimated the Woodbine Wellness Center could grab members from the city of Woodbine and within a seven-mile radius of the city limits. The conceptual design shown at the meeting Wednesday night included a gymnasium, community center, lockers, and indoor pool, along with a workout center on the 2^nd floor. Billesbach said in the first year the wellness center would see close to 330 members. He said the expected revenue from yearly memberships would be approximately $210,000. Other revenue streams would bring in another $155,000, with a total expected revenue of approximately $364,000. 

Along with the fundraising of $8.4 million for the actual building, Billesbach said the community would need another $4 million for the endowment fund. He said the fund “Is not a game changer, but it is a critical avenue,” that would allow for the maintenance of the building so taxpayers don’t have that added burden. The Woodbine Wellness Center Community has already had $1.2 million donated for the project, along with the land for the facility, from a private donor.

(Joel McCall/KNOD)

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The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest early this (Thursday) morning, of a Glenwood woman. 34-year old Amanda Marie Kennicott-Regone was arrested at around 2:10-a.m., near 245th and Gaston, in Mills County. The woman was brought to the Mills County Jail and charged with OWI/1st offense. She was being held in the jail, pending an initial court appearance.

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Cass County Extension and the Cass County Conservation Board say they have once again teamed-up to offer their annual summer day camp programs to local youth. Officials say there is still time to get registered for several upcoming camps, but registration deadlines are approaching fast, so you shouldn’t delay signing-up.

The “To Earth and Beyond” camp at the Anita Community Center, is for those who have completed 3rd through 5th grade. It will be held on Friday, June 28^th, from 8-a.m. to 5-p.m. The camp will explore all of the solar system, landing at Earth at the end of the day to learn about rocks, plates, earthquakes and volcanoes. Participants will learn through hands-on activities, interactive games and creating projects to take home. Registration deadline is Tuesday June 18th.

For older youth interested in fishing, archery, hiking and Dutch oven cookery, the “Outdoor Adventure Camp” is the place to learn. The camp will be held on Tuesday, July 11 from 8-a.m. to 5-p.m., at Cold Springs State Park in Lewis. Outdoor Adventure Camp is for those who have completed 6th, 7th or 8th grades. Registrations for the camp are due by Monday, June 24th.

The cost for either camp is $10 per child. To sign up for a camp, stop by the Cass County Extension Office in Atlantic to fill out a registration and health form, along with a $10 payment, by the deadlines listed. More information and registration forms are also available online at www.extension.iastate.edu/cass to print and return. If you have any questions, please check the Cass County Extension website, call the Cass County Extension Office at 712-243-1132, or stop by the Extension Office at 805 W. 10^th St in Atlantic.

Sheriff’s officials in Cass County report a Lewis woman died from injuries she suffered during a shooting Wednesday evening. Authortities says deputies responded to 503 Minnesota Street in Lewis just after 7-p.m., following a report of a gunshot victim. Initial dispatch reports indicated the wounds suffered by 56-year old Martha Hardy were self-inflicted. Hardy was transported to the Cass County Memorial Hospital by Griswold Rescue before being flown by LifeNet helicopter to Creighton Medical Center in Omaha, where she later died. An autopsy is scheduled for later today with the State Medical Examiner’s office.

The incident is not believed to be a public safety concern. Details will be provided as they become available. The Department of Criminal Investigation is assisting the Cass County Sheriff’s Office in the investigation.

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