Officials with the Atlantic Fire Department, guests and the public got to welcome home an old friend, Sunday afternoon. A 1936 Mack Fire Truck was given a “wetting ceremony,” and an official pushing-in ceremony, whereby members of the department soaked the front of the truck with a hose and then pushed it in to an open bay at the station.

The truck was a gift to the department from New Hope, MN., resident Leon Brewer, who has held onto the vehicle for more than 21-years. Atlantic Fire Chief Mark McNees said of the welcoming home, “This is happening only as the incredible result of the generosity from Leon.” The truck, affectionately dubbed by Brewer as “Grandpa Mack,” was the second motorized vehicle purchased by the dept. in 1936 from a dealer in Omaha. It was shipped by rail and placed into service for many years.

Leon Brewer talks about “Grandpa Mack,” w/Atlantic Fire Chief Mark McNees looking on.

Former Chief Steve Curtis performed many repairs and serviced the vehicle over the years it remained in Atlantic before it was sold in Sept. 1994 for $6,800, along with two other vehicles. Leon Brewer eventually acquired the truck and maintained it all the while. McNees said Brewer accompanied the truck back to Atlantic and brought with him stacks of papers featuring hand-drawn diagrams on parts,directions on how to repair it, and articles about the truck. Meticulous records were kept on the vehicle.

Wetting ceremony for an old friend. (Click on any image and it will become larger for you)

Atlantic Firefighters push the 1936 Mack into a bay at the fire station.

A Vintage firefighting vehicle comes home.

McNees said also, the AFD is celebrating 100 years of unified service this year. The dept. has been in existence since 1868, but didn’t become unified until 1917. The Mack will be used later this fall in the Fireman’s Parade, along with a 1963 American LaFrance that is stabled at the station.   

Mayor Dave Jones presented Leon Brewer with a certificate of appreciation during the event, and McNees presented him with a plaque. Brewer said of the truck, he will miss it, but he’s been assured he has “visitation rights” anytime he wishes. You can hear more from Leon Brewer during the “Heartbeat Today” program Monday morning at 7:30 with Jim Field, on KJAN AM 1220 and FM 101.1, along with our mobile apps. It will also be archived on the Heartbeat today podcast page and under the “Programs” tab at kjan.com.

The Page County Sheriff’s Office reports a Fremont County man was arrested at around 8-p.m. Saturday, for felony Possession of Stolen Property. 28-year old Jonathan Lee Million, of Farragut, was taken into custody and was being held in the Page County Jail on a $5,000 bond, pending further court proceedings.

Johathan Lee Million

And, 19-year old Makayla Gene Maxwell, of Clarinda, turned herself into the Page County Sheriff’s Office Saturday evening, on a Page County Warrant for Accessory after the fact, an Aggravated Misdemeanor.  Maxwell posted a $2000 bond and was released pending future court proceedings.

A single vehicle accident Saturday afternoon on a gravel road in Decatur County left one person dead and two others injured. The Iowa State Patrol says the driver of a 2006 Chevy Silverado pickup, 69-year old James Edgar Young, of Lamoni, died on the way to the hospital. Two passengers in the pickup, 13-year old Ethan Cullen, of Champaign, IL., and 10-year old Audbrey Cullen, also of Champaign, were transported to the Leon Hospital.

The accident happened at around 2:45-p.m., Saturday, as the pickup, which was traveling eastbound on River Road. The truck began to slide sideways and entered the east ditch,  where it struck a telephone pole. James Young — who was wearing his seat belt — was ejected from the pickup, which came to rest on its side.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 4:45 a.m. CDT

CHEROKEE, Iowa (AP) — After nearly three years of sitting vacant, a Tyson Foods plant in the northwestern Iowa community of Cherokee could be showing signs of life. The Des Moines Register reports that the property owner recently listed the site with Chicago-based Global Food Properties. Local leaders hope that means a new occupant for the 250,000 square-foot plant will be found.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Des Moines police say a 4-year-old girl was shot in one of her legs after she found a handgun under her parents’ bed. The girl was hospitalized but expected to recover after the Thursday night shooting. Investigators say the parents told police the girl had been playing in the house, found the case that holds the gun and took it to her room. She then apparently opened the case and accidentally shot herself in the thigh.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Police in Des Moines say the body of a 13-year-old boy has been pulled from the Birdland Marina off the Des Moines River. Police say officers and Des Moines rescue crews were called to the marina just before 7 p.m. Friday for a report of a body in the water. Workers found the boy’s body minutes later. Police said in a news release Saturday that the death does not appear to be the result of a crime.

WAVERLY, Iowa (AP) — Leaders of the northeastern Iowa city of Waverly are considering replacing an historic bridge with a pedestrian bridge. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier report that the City Council recently heard from city engineer Mike Cherry about two basic pedestrian bridge options. The council agreed to add a resolution at its Monday meeting to begin a feasibility study comparing bridge options.

Two separate accidents in Montgomery County have resulted in two arrests. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports Adam C. Woods, of Carson, was arrested at around 8:20-a.m. Saturday, following an investigation into a vehicle in the ditch at N. Avenue and 110th Street. Deputies located Woods on the road in the westbound lane of 110th.

Officials say there was a moderate odor of alcohol emanating from the man, he was swaying at he stood up, and slurred his words while trying to explain what happened. Woods refused to take a breath test and was taken into custody. He was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $300 bond.

And, at around 9:50-p.m. Friday, Montgomery County Deputies investigated a two vehicle accident at N. 2nd and Oak Streets in Red Oak. Officials say a 2011 Jeep SUV driven by Juan Carlos Garnica, of Red Oak, was traveling north on N. 2nd Street, when he suddenly stopped and put the vehicle into reverse. The SUV collided with a marked Red Oak Police Patrol car, operated by Officer Zach Ward. Garnica was taken into custody for OWI/1st offense and held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $1,000 cash bond.

Damage from the collision amounted to $4,000, with the Red Oak P-D cruiser sustained the brunt of the damage, at $3,500.