Atlantic Police report three recent arrests. On Monday, 18-year old Drew Miller, of Atlantic, was arrested for OWI/1st offense, and 19-year old Jordan Ewing, of Atlantic, was arrested for Dissemination of Obscene Materials to Minors.

On Friday, 40-year old Amanda Bashor, of Atlantic, was arrested for Simple Assault. All three subjects were booked into the Cass County Jail.

The Griswold School District’s Facilities Committee met Monday evening in a work session to process their plan of action since their last Board meeting on Oct. 17^th. Superintendent David Henrichs told KJAN News at their last meeting, the Committee asked the School Board if they were planning an architectural firm to put together some firm numbers, because the Committee felt it could not present an accurate total cost analysis without that information. The Board indicated it would pursue that course of action.

(He said the Committee is planning how to move forward. There are two parts to their strategy: Waiting until the firm numbers come in from the architectural firm, and continuing in an effort to break down the Operational cost savings, so if there comes a time when they go before the public, they can better justify those figures.”)

Henrichs says for example, instead of just making a blanket statement such as “We’re going to save $30,000 in transportation, they can see if a bus driver at so many hours per day at this rate, plus FICA and IPERS, plus gas, etc.,” those numbers are firmed-up before they are presented to the public.

The Committee’s next meeting is set for Nov. 15^th.  In the meantime, a draft RFP (Request for Proposal) for the architectural firm will be drawn-up for the Griswold School Board to review, offer thoughts and comments about, and consider approving the following Monday.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – A man who was shot at by a Council Bluffs police officer has been given 25 years in prison. The Daily Nonpareil reports 28-year-old Adam Thomas was sentenced Monday. He’d pleaded guilty in September to a charge of ongoing criminal conduct after making a deal with prosecutors.

Officer Ben Lake had arrested Thomas in October 2015 at a farm supply store. Thomas managed to free himself and then bumped Lake with his truck while trying to flee. Lake fired six shots into the truck, missing Thomas.

Authorities say Thomas will serve his time for Nebraska crimes before being returned to Iowa. Nebraska court records say Thomas was sentenced in May to six years in prison on Douglas County convictions for burglary and two weapons crimes.

The City of Atlantic’s Personnel and Finance Committee will meet Wednesday evening at City Hall, to review applications filed for the City Clerk position. Long-time City Clerk Deb Wheatley Field announced on Sept. 26th she would be retiring after working for the City for 35-years. Her last day on the job will be February 24th, 2017.

In other business, the Personnel and Finance Committee will hold discussion on Centralized Reception, Staffing and Phone Systems, as well as City Employee Compensation for Fiscal Year 2017-18. Other discussion will cover additional findings on Iowa Municipal Drug-testing policies.

And, since officials with FEMA have informed the City the Murphy Lease is unacceptable, the Committee will discuss the matter and action the City can take.

The Committee meeting is scheduled to begin at 5:30-p.m., Wednesday.

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) today (Tuesday) announced the first West Nile virus death in Iowa since 2010, an elderly (81 years of age and older) individual from Northwest Iowa. Testing at the State Hygienic Laboratory (SHL) has confirmed 33 cases of West Nile virus in Iowa, with several more under investigation. This is more than double the number of cases reported last year at this time.

IDPH Medical Director, Dr. Patricia Quinlisk says “Though autumn weather is beginning, this death and continuing reports of West Nile virus cases are reminders that mosquitoes are still biting and Iowans should still be mindful of that when outdoors.”

Iowans should take the following steps to reduce the risk of exposure to West Nile virus:

• Use insect repellent with DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Always read the repellent label and consult with a health care provider if you have questions when using these types of products for children. For example, DEET should not be used on infants less than 2 months old and oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under 3 years old.
• Avoid outdoor activities at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts, pants, shoes, and socks whenever possible outdoors.

Approximately 20 percent of people infected with West Nile virus will have mild to moderate symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches and vomiting. Less than one percent of people infected become seriously ill and rarely, someone dies. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people over 60 years of age are at greatest risk for severe disease.

Since West Nile first appeared in Iowa in 2002, it has been found in every county in Iowa, either in humans, horses, or birds. In 2015, 14 cases of West Nile virus were reported to IDPH. Previous to this year, the last death caused by West Nile virus was in 2010, and there were two deaths that year. For more information about West Nile virus, visit idph.iowa.gov/cade/disease-information/west-nile-virus.

Council Bluffs Police say a Nebraska woman is in critical but stable condition after being struck by a car Monday night, in Council Bluffs. Authorities say 33-year old Sharee Rhoades, of Omaha, was transported to Creighton CHI in Omaha, after she was hit. Authorities said Rhoades was struck by a 2008 Acura as she was walking east on 9th Avenue at around 7:45-p.m.

The driver of the car, 54-year old Tamara Chamberland, of Blue Springs, MO.,  said she noticed Rhoades walking in the roadway, but was unable to take evasive action in time to avoid striking her. Chamberland was not injured in the crash.

Preliminary investigation indicates that neither speed nor driver impairment appear to be factors in the accident. The Council Bluffs Police Department traffic unit is conducting an investigation into the incident. Any witnesses are asked to call 712-328-4948.

(9-a.m. News)

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

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• 1 lb. bratwurst (5 links, boiled)
• 3 tablespoons baking soda
• 1 lb. store bought pizza dough
• 1 packet Hidden Valley Original Ranch Salad Dressing & Seasoning mix
• 1/2 cup Hidden Valley Honey BBQ Ranch Dressing (to serve)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.  Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add bratwurst and cook for 8 to 10 minutes.  Remove and allow to cool.  Bring 12 cups of water to a boil, season with salt and add baking soda.  On a lightly floured surface, roll pizza dough out 1/4 inch think, creating a rectangle.  Cut 5 pieces of dough into 5″ x 3″ rectangles.  Wrap each bratwurst in the pizza dough, pinching edges to seal using a toothpick.  Boil the wrapped bratwurst in the baking soda water for 30 seconds.  Remove to the prepared baking sheet.  Sprinkle with Hidden Valley Original Ranch Salad Dressing & Seasoning mix.  Bake for 10 minutes or until pretzels are cooked through and golden brown.  Serve with Hidden Valley Honey BBQ Ranch Dressing.

Tip:  Perfect dish for parties — cut the bratwurst and pizza dough in half to make bite-sized appetizers.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – A judge has sentenced a Council Bluffs man to 50 years in prison for killing his father. The Daily Nonpareil reports Sean Schendel was sentenced Monday after pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter, first-degree robbery, two counts of second-degree theft, unlawful flight to avoid prosecution and obstruction of justice.

Schendel admitted killing Robert Schendel in August 2015 after his father realized his son had stolen $100 from him. During an altercation, Schendel shot his father with a handgun. He then transferred $15,000 from his father’s bank account to his own and drove his father’s minivan to Colorado, where he was arrested in Sterling. Prosecutors say he went to Colorado to buy marijuana from a dispensary to celebrate his 21st birthday.

County Attorney Matt Wilber called it, “A very sad deal.”