Monica Vernon, candidate for Lieutenant Governor, will be in Atlantic at the Cass County Democratic Headquarters at 511 Chestnut, on Friday, October 10, 2014, at 1 PM to meet with the public. Vernon, a City Councilwoman in Cedar Rapids, was named as running mate in mid-June to Jack Hatch, who is the Democratic candidate for Governor of Iowa.

Monica Vernon

She has served on the Cedar Rapids City Council since 2007, and earlier this year was a candidate for Congress in Iowa’s 1st District. Vernon was the founder of Vernon Research Group, and served as president of the market research firm from its inception in 1987 until it was sold in 2013.

The public is invited to attend the event, with snacks provided.

The Fireside Lounge in Atlantic, is celebrating a birthday. The business has been in operation for 30 years, Mark Foegen has been the owner for the last 15 years. “We take 3 days every summer to expand or remodel the lounge to keep the lounge current and a nice place to relax,” Foegen said.

Fireside Lounge Owner, Mark Foegen.
Ambassadors Pictured: Kathie Hockenberry, Dolly Bergmann, Lauren Coder,
Jolene Roecker, Joanne Mueller, Connie Wailes, Tammy Waters, Melanie Petty, Julie May, Tara Jennerjohn, Dr. Jim Kickland, Bill Saluk, Debbie Leistad, Rich Perry, Ed Leistad, JoAnn Runyan, Sara Nelson, Don Johnson, Carole Schuler, Sue Muri, Gerald Brink, Arlene Drennan, Lana Westphalen, Doug Harris, Dr. Mitch Peerbolte.

The Fireside recently remodeled the bar with new coolers, allowing the employees more room and a better work environment. Fireside Lounge hosts several fundraising event each year to help benefit the community.

“Every year we donate to the local food pantry, we donated a turkey dinner for over 20 families in 2014,” Foegen said. Fireside Lounge is a great place to relax and enjoy time with friends, stop in and see the new improvements.

The Board of Supervisors in Adair County are set to meet Wednesday morning at the courthouse in Greenfield. During their 9-a.m. session, the Board will receive an update from County Conservation Director Kevin Blazek, with regard to the Safe Room/Shower & Restroom Project at the Lake Orient Park Campgrounds.

They’ll also hear from County Engineer Nick Kaufmann, with regard to the signing of an agreement for a Secondary Roads Construction Program, along with building discussion and his regular report.

Other topics to be covered include: a Child Abuse Prevention Grant draw-down; Longevity increase; Manure Management Plan updates; Homestead and Military Allowances and Disallowances, and a Southern Iowa Council Of Governments (SICOG) Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy.

Officials with the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Council Bluffs office are reporting good news for those planning on traveling southbound on Interstate 29 in Council Bluffs in the coming months. According to the DOT, the new southbound I-29 bridge is scheduled to open the morning of Friday, Oct. 10, weather permitting. Traffic will use this new southbound I-29 bridge to merge with eastbound I-80 on the right when traveling through the area.

The DOT says reconstruction of the section of the interstate system will provide for efficient and safe vehicle movement on both I-29 and I-80. The improvements are located approximately one-half mile east of the Missouri River where I-80 intersects I-29 near the Western Historic Trails Center in Council Bluffs.

Once the new southbound I-29 bridge opens, eastbound I-80 traffic destined for 24th Street will exit earlier on the system just east of the Missouri River bridge. New lighting and signs in Nebraska and Iowa will inform travelers of the shift in traffic flow, so keep an eye out for these changes.

Iowa DOT is in the process of reconstructing I-80, I-29, and I-480 in the Council Bluffs metropolitan area. This comprehensive interstate redesign will modernize the highway system and improve mobility and safety of approximately 18 miles of interstate. If you would like more information about detours and traffic impacts visit the program’s website: www.councilbluffsinterstate.iowadot.gov.

Authorities in Pottawattamie County say a man was accidentally shot in the thigh when he went to retrieve a weapon from a gun safe. Council Bluffs Police Sgt. Chad Meyers said 46-year old Michael Heywood, of Council Bluffs, was transported to Creighton University Medical Center following the incident, which occurred at around 8:45-p.m., Monday. His injury was believed to be non-life threatening.

Meyers said officers were dispatched to 1729 6th Avenue, and when they arrived, found Heywood and three family members at the scene. The family had applied a tourniquet to Heywood’s left thigh prior to the arrival of Police.

An investigation revealed Heywood had retrieved a 9-millimeter semi-automatic handgun from a safe and was showing it to family members when it discharged. The round entered his left thigh in a downward trajectory and did not exit his leg/thigh. Alcohol was not a factor in the incident. The shooting was determined to be accidental, and no charges will be filed.

A trio of separate meetings are scheduled to take place Wednesday, in Atlantic. The Cass County Board of Supervisors are set to hold their regular weekly meeting at 8:30-a.m.  On their agenda is: the approval of a person as the County Recorder’s assistant; the Conservation Dept. quarterly report, and information with regard to the Dept. of Human Services telephone system replacement.

The Atlantic Airport Commission will hold its regular meeting at 9-a.m., Wednesday. On their agenda under New Business, is discussion with regard to future projects and priority, pertaining to the Federal Fiscal Year 2015 Airport Improvement Pre-Application. Old business includes an update on the Parallel Taxiway Paving Project and discussion with regard to the State FY 2015 Aviation Program and Block Hangar engineering agreement.

And, the City of Atlantic’s Personnel and Finance Committee will meet in the Council’s Chambers at 5:15-p.m. Wednesday, to discuss a contract for Interim City Administrator John Lund.

With KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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A Union County man was arrested Monday afternoon on theft and other charges. 33-year old Jeremy Joseph Seddon, of Creston, was arrested at around 4:30-p.m. for Theft in the 3rd degree, Trespass, and Possession of Prescription Medication. He was later released from the Union County Jail on $2,000 bond.

And, the Creston Police Department reports Agrivision in Creston had a lawn mower stolen over an undetermined amount of time. The loss was estimated at $2,000.

With KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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A routine traffic stop early this (Tuesday) morning in Montgomery County resulted in a pursuit that finally ended about 20-miles away, in Mills County, and the arrest of a Nebraska man. Sheriff’s officials say a deputy tried to stop a 2008 Toyota Corolla at around 1-a.m., near the intersection of Highway 34 and Boxelder (or 3 miles east of Emerson), when the vehicle turned north onto Boxelder and continued for about three-quarters of a mile to a residential driveway.

As deputies approached the vehicle, it made a sharp u-turn and pulled back out onto Boxelder headed southbound. Deputies activate their lights and siren and initiated a pursuit, during which the Corolla failed to yield for the stop sign at the intersection of Highway 34. The car continued westbound on  Highway 34 at speeds of up to 112-mph, into Mills County.

Officers with the Glenwood Police Department successfully deployed stop-sticks at the intersection of Highways 34 and 275. The sticks punctured the car’s passenger side tires, resulting in the vehicle slowing to 40-mph. Deputies then used a “Rolling Road Block” to ease the car to a halt at Highway 34 and Kidd Road, in Mills County.

The driver, identified as 29-year old Ryan J. Lamere, of Omaha, and two passengers, were detained without further incident. Upon investigation, deputies learned the Lamere was knowingly in possession of a stolen vehicle, that he did not have a valid driver’s license, and he was in possession of drug paraphernalia. He faces felony charges of eluding and Theft in the 2nd Degree (for Possessing a stolen vehicle), and Simple misdemeanor charges of Reckless driving and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Lamere was also cited for speeding 110-mph in a 55 zone, failure to have insurance, failure to have a valid driver’s license and failure to obey a traffic control device.

Lamere was arrested and brought to the Montgomery County LEC (Law Enforcement Center), where he was being held in $5,000 bond. The passengers were released without charges. Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputies were assisted in handling incident, by officers with the Red Oak and Glenwood Police Departments, troopers with Iowa State Patrol and deputies from the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office.