A little more than six-years after a crash claimed the life of a female Tri-Center teenager and injured three others, tragedy has once again struck the school district. Crisis response and grief counselors will be available for students of the Tri-Center School District, Tuesday, as they process the death of a classmate and the injury of three others in a crash that happened Monday evening. According to KETV in Omaha, a pickup truck carrying four male high school students crashed and rolled over at around 5:45-p.m. near Neola.

Two of the teens suffered serious injuries in the crash when the truck rolled off the highway northeast of Neola, on Railroad Highway. All four were taken to hospitals in Council Bluffs, where one of the teens died from his injuries. No names have been released.

Pottawattamie County Sheriff Jeff Danker said the teens had just left track practice at Tri-Center High School when the single-vehicle crash happened. Additional details were not available as of 10:45-p.m. (Check back later for updates)

A message posted on the Tri-Center Trojans Facebook page late Monday evening said:

“Dear Trojan family, Tonight our family has suffered a terrible tragedy. 4 students have been involved in a tragic crash. It’s heartbreaking as one didn’t survive. These kids are great students, friends, brothers, sons of great families and we send these families our most deepest, sincere, whole-hearted condolences, sympathies, and prayers to the families involved. As well as to the students, the teachers, and the whole TC community as we mourn this awful tragedy. We pray for healing for one another during this time of hardship. God Bless these students, the families, and this great community.”

Some patrons of the district may remember a crash a few miles north of the Tri-Center/Neola High School campus on March 17^th, 2010 that claimed the life of 14-year old Katie Dyer, of Honey Creek. That accident, which involved a car that rolled over numerous times, also resulted in injuries to the driver, 15-year old Samantha Reid, who was from Honey Creek, and her 16-year old passengers Cari Wilson and Chelsea Birtwell, both of whom at the time, were from Persia. In that crash, two of the girls, including Dyer, were wearing seat belts, the other two were not. All four were ejected from the vehicle. Reid was driving with a school license, which allowed students who are 14 ½ years of age or older, to drive to-and-from school.

Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department Assistant Director Seth Stasshelm, Monday, said work is continuing on renovations for the Kiddie Korral Shelter house at Sunnyside Park. Staashelm said so far this Spring, grass seed has been placed on the ground, and brick has been ordered from Sioux City Brick for placement around the roof support columns. What’s still left to do is install the water fountain, and work on the fire pit. The Atlantic Kiwanis will come out and help clean-up the playground equipment. Some of the toys are also being replace. Until then, that area will be cordoned-off.  He says they will hopefully have it open by mid-May.

A date for the newly renovated facility has not yet been set, but it’s hoped that will be sometime in May. Reservations will not be accepted for use of the shelter until the end of May. Staashelm said also, work on the East Shelter renovation at Sunnyside Park is their next objective. The roof, he said, needs to be replaced, and the skirting is twisted, something that’s out of the scope of his and Parks Director Roger Herring’s area of expertise. To that end, they contracted with Iron Specialties for the installation of a new, red, tin roof. Their bid amounted to $7,700.

A separate local contractor will handle painting of the columns and rafters, for a total project price of just under $12,000, which is what had been budgeted for using the Local Option Sales Tax Funds. The Parks and Rec Board approved the contracts for work on the Kiddie Korral. Other activities taking place at parks in Atlantic, includes the grading of land near the Dog Park at the Schildberg Recreation Area. The land will be used for a one-way entry/exit, 20 stall parking spaces for the Dog Park. Currently, there are flags in-place, marking where the grading will take place by a tiling company.

And, the East Nishnabotna River Boat Ramp near the Wastewater Treatment Plant is almost finished. Roger Herring said they need to removal piles of rip-rap and dirt for the building of a berm. The earthen berm will be covered with grass cloth and river rock, to dress it up. A drive will pass by the Waterworks berm, and a parking area near the upper end of the boat ramp.

In other business, Herring and Staashelm are awaiting Wednesday morning’s meeting of the Cass County Board of Supervisors, to determine if their request for $40,000 in support of a Vision Iowa CAT grant application, will be approved. If it isn’t, or if the amount requested is less than received, Herring said that would have a big impact on the application. The Atlantic City Council has committed $100,000 in support of the $360,000 grant request for improvements to the Schildberg Rec Area campground site, and there is $40,000 for in-kind services that have been pledged. The grant requires a 50-percent local match (including 25% for in-kind services), or $180,000 altogether.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — An Iowa man who was previously sentenced to life in prison for a murder committed in Nebraska when he was teenager has been resentenced. The Omaha World-Herald reports that Douglas County District Judge Mark Ashford on Monday sentenced 53-year-old Kelvin Anderson, of Waterloo, Iowa, to 82 to 100 years in prison for the 1977 killing of Robert McGinnis. Anderson will be eligible for parole in three years.

Anderson, who was 15 at the time, shot and killed McGinnis during a robbery in Omaha. The new sentence was prompted by a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that says judges must have the ability to sentence juveniles to something other than an automatic life term.

Police in Council Bluffs said late Monday evening that a woman wanted for questioning in connection with a March 7^th murder and attempted murder investigation, has been interviewed by detectives, and released. 22-year old Rachel Lewis, of Council Bluffs, turned herself into detectives at the Criminal Investigation Division on Monday, in association with a Material Witness warrant that had been issued.

Once Lewis was interviewed by detectives, she was released. Authorities say they do not expect any additional arrests in the connection with the murder of Anthony J. Walker and the shooting of another man at an apartment complex in Council Bluffs that took place just before 6:30-p.m., March 7^th.

Based on the completion of their investigation, officials say they believe that they have substantial evidence that has led to the arrest of three suspects in this murder investigation. Those suspects include 30-year old Markis Moses Davis, 19-year old Ben Lein, and 22-year old Wesley W. Correa-Carmenaty, all of Council Bluffs.

Officials with the National Weather Service in Des Moines have confirmed the Statewide Tornado Drill Scheduled for Wednesday, March 23rd, has been postponed until Thursday, due to the possibility of severe weather across the state, on Wednesday. The Test Tornado Watch will now be issued at 10-a.m. Thursday, with a Test Tornado Warning issued at 10:20-a.m. Thursday, and the all-clear between 10:30 and 10:30-a.m. The Test Tornado Watch will expire at 11-a.m. Thursday. Again, the Statewide Tornado Drill has been postponed until Thursday.

Police in Red Oak, assisted by deputies with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office arrested a woman today (Monday) on a charge of Aggravated Assault while displaying a weapon, following an incident at a residence in the 400 block of E. Oak Street, in Red Oak. Authorities say 19-year old Cara Belle Hale, of Red Oak, was taken into custody for without incident at around Noon, after allegedly attempting to assault a male with a knife. Hale was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $2,000 cash bond.

Red Oak Rescue assisted in handling the incident. No injuries were reported.

The Sac County Sheriff’s Office said Monday (Today) an Odebolt couple wanted on child endangerment charges have been located. Jennifer Kuhl and Justin Siegner, and their small child were believed to have been in the Denison area, but the Sheriff’s Office did not say in its social media post where the couple were found. Authorities credited more than 72,400 shares on its social media page, and media coverage, with the apprehension of the suspects.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Gov. Terry Branstad says he will work with legislative leaders in response to lower-than-expected revenue for the upcoming budget, but he didn’t specify what cuts are possible. Branstad said Monday he wants to work with lawmakers to address “the financial realities” of the budget that goes into effect in July.

State budget experts released data recently that determined Iowa is taking in less revenue than expected. A new calculation means there is about $7.3 billion available to spend next fiscal year. Branstad had budgeted for more available funds. He said the new budget would be “extremely tight,” but he did not provide details on potential cuts. Branstad also did not specify whether the new figure would lower how much he recommends the state spend on basic aid for K-12 education.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports three arrests. On Sunday, deputies arrested 20-year old Maxwell Douglas Manley, of Glenwood, for Driving Under Suspension. His bond was set at $300. On Saturday, 25-year old Calle Vivian Mace, of Emerson, was arrested for Disorderly Conduct, and 23-year old Breeanna Serena Sarratt, of Creston, was arrested for Driving Under Suspension and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. The women were being held in the Mills County Jail on bond amounting to $300 and $600, respectively.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports one person was injured during an accident Friday evening, southeast of Glenwood. Officials say Annette Harris, a passenger in a 2003 Ford was transported to Jennie Edmundson Hospital by Glenwood Rescue following a collision that happened at around 6:10-p.m. at the intersection of Highway 34 and Kidd Road.

The accident occurred when a 2003 Mazda driven by Micah Brauch, of Glenwood, attempted to cross Highway 34 from northbound Kidd Road, and field to yield to the Ford, which was traveling west on Highway 34. The vehicles collided, causing the Mazda to spin around and stop on the shoulder. The Ford, driven by John Harris, of Red Oak, rolled onto its top and landed back on its wheels in the ditch. Brauch was cited by deputies for Failure to Yield.

And, no serious injuries were reported following an accident that happened at around 6-p.m. Sunday, near 180th and Ingrum Avenue, in Mills County. Authorities say William Tattersall, of Glenwood, was attempted to do a burn out, when his 1978 Ford went out of control and entered the east ditch, where it hit an embankment and rolled onto its top. Tattersall and his passenger suffered minor injuries, but did not require transport to the hospital. Tattersall was cited for Careless Driving and Failure to Maintain Control.