The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday, authorized Mayor Dave Jones to enter into a Marketing Agreement with Utility Service Partners, Inc., for a Service Line Warranty Program. City Administrator John Lund checked into the program since it was introduced to the Council on May 6th. Lund has contacted three other communities in Iowa to get their opinion on the value of the service USP provides. He found no complaints have been received from the citizens of those communities, but two of the three Public Works officials contacted strongly suggested an informational media campaign be conducted to make the public aware of the optional warranty service.

Jones said the City Council has stipulated the company should use local contractors for any repairs or warrant work, as much as possible. USP he says, have strict requirements of their own when it comes to contractors contacting the customer and performing the work in a timely manner.

The warranty program, which is completely optional and voluntary, is endorsed by the City, gives residents an affordable utility line repair solution, while at the same time educating homeowners about their water/sewer line responsibilities. Jones said newer houses aren’t as likely to be at risk for water or sewer line failure, but houses that are more than 40-years old, are at risk, and the warranty program he says, would be greatly beneficial to those property owners.

The company will be sending out letters to residents of Atlantic on stationary with the City logo, explaining the program, which would cost a property owner $7.75 per month for the sewer line leading up to the home, $6.75 per month for the water line leading to the home, and $6.99 per month for in-home plumbing coverage. A property owner may elect to pay for all three warranties, or they can choose from any of the three warranties for service and repairs.

The agreement would pay the City an annual royalty of 50-cents per month, per paid warranty contract with residential customers.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a man suspected of making a bomb threat at Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids has been taken to a hospital for evaluation and will be charged. A police spokesman says the OnStar vehicle communication service contacted police about 3 a.m. Wednesday to report that a man had just called, saying he was on an airport road and intended to blow up the airport. The man was seen driving away from the airport and soon was pulled over. No explosives were found in the car or on airport property.

BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) — Senator Chuck Grassley says a federal prosecutor should consider whether to investigate a shooting in which an Iowa officer accidentally killed a woman. Grassley has forwarded to U.S. Attorney Nick Klinefeldt a complaint by Gina Colbert, the mother of Autumn Steele.

SHERRILL, Iowa (AP) — An eastern Iowa camp for those with special needs has opened despite a fire last month that caused extensive damage to a main building. The Telegraph Herald reports that 55 campers spent Tuesday participating in a variety of activities, including swimming and playing volleyball, at Camp Albrecht Acres in Sherrill.

JESUP, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say the carcass of a young black bear that was struck by a vehicle has been found in northeast Iowa. The Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office was notified about the animal carcass around 10:15 p.m. Sunday. It was found alongside U.S. Highway 20, near Jesup.

A Pottawattamie County man was arrested Wednesday in Montgomery County, on a warrant dating back to 2013. 33-year old Benjamin Alan Franks,  of Council Bluffs, was arrested by Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputies for failure to appear on an original, OWI charge. Franks was being held in the Montgomery County jail on $5,000 bond, while awaiting an appearance in front of the magistrate.

Atlantic Mayor Dave Jones and the City Council, Wednesday evening, paid tribute to a Wastewater Treatment plant employee who’s served the City for 25-years. Ron’s mom Cheri said he actually started working for the wastewater plant through various school programs since 7th Grade, so it’s more like he’s been a public servant for 32-years.

Ron Flory (Left) jokes around as his accepts an award from Atlantic Mayor Dave Jones.

Jones presented Ron Flory with the award, which came as a complete surprise. Jones said “The City of Atlantic would like to deeply thank Ron Flory for his positive attitude, boundless energy and incredible work ethic during 25 years of dedicated to our community.”

The Mayor also recognized former 5th Ward Councilperson Lori Stuart, who was not present at the proceedings because she and her family have moved to Cedar Rapids. Stuart served on the Council for two-years. Her vacant position was filled by the appointment of Dick Casady, at least until the November General Elections. Jones displayed a plaque Stuart will receive, along with the City’s thanks for her service, as well.

And Jones proclaimed June 15th thru the 19th “Ride SWITA Transit” Week. The official proclamation stated that “Whereas Southwest Iowa Transit Agency [SWITA] is the public transportation system for Atlantic, and the surrounding region, and provides rides to school, work, shopping and medical appointments for the citizens of Atlantic…Whereas SWITA provided over 40-thousand rides last year to the citizens of Atlantic….[and] whereas SWITA employes 26 staff members and drivers in the Atlantic Community providing economic stimulus…[and since] June 15th to 19th is National Ride Transit Week…therefore let it be resolved that…June 15th through the 19th, 2015 [is] Ride SWITA Transit Week.”

SWITA Transit Director Mark Lander shakes the Mayor’s hand after he reads the proclamation.

SWITA Transit Director Mark Lander, who joined the organization in August, 2014, was present for the proclamation and recognition.

Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee — the former governor of Arkansas — is standing by his defense of an Arkansas family after revelations the family’s teenage son molested underage girls. Last month Josh Duggar — one of the stars of a cable T-V reality show called “19 Kids and Counting” — confessed to molesting four of his underage sisters and a babysitter when he was a teenager after a magazine published police records of the case. In late May, Huckabee called Duggar’s behavior “inexcusable” but not “unforgivable.” Today (Wednesday), Huckabee stood by those remarks.

“I never regret standing with friends of mine, in this case someone that I knew since serving in the legislature,” Huckabee said. “You know, I just feel for his sisters who have been unfairly been paraded through a living hell because the media’s not interested in truth. They’re interested in exploiting a very unfortunate situation.”
Huckabee is campaigning in southwest Iowa today (Wednesday). Huckabee says the country “is in more trouble now than it was eight years ago” when he won the Iowa Caucuses and is “hurting” for new leadership.

“In the history of the Caucus no one has ever received more votes in a Republican Caucus win that we did in 2008,” Huckabee said. “But I’m mindful of the fact that we can’t count on any of that being automatic. We have to go back and win it and earn it just like we did eight years ago and that’s why I am, will be and can be depended upon to spend a lot of time in Iowa between now and February.” Huckabee met with about 50 people at a cafe in Clarinda this morning (Wednesday) for nearly 90 minutes, with a stop this afternoon in Red Oak and early this evening in Creston — the same type of retail campaigning he engaged in during his 2008 run.

“Not everybody will come out of Iowa alive,” Huckabee said. “…We need to come out of here like a rocket and that’s our goal, to win the Caucus.” Reporters asked Huckabee for his thoughts on Donald Trump’s entry into the Republican race. Huckabee noted Trump has indicated he’ll use his own wealth to finance his campaign. Huckabee joked that anyone who had thought about contributing to Trump’s campaign now is more than welcome to donate to the “Huckabee for President” effort.

(Radio Iowa)