A private effort is underway to try and save a 125-foot water tower in Stanton, painted to look like a Swedish coffeepot. Since 1971, a 50,000-gallon water tower in the town of Stanton has featured a giant handle, spout and knob. A sign on the edge of town says, “home of the world’s largest coffeepot.”

Stanton Coffee Pot water tower

Last month, the Des Moines Register reports a $1.2 million revamp of the town’s central water system will cease use of the tower. At minimum, an estimated $250,000 would be needed to safely preserve the tower as an empty landmark. Maintenance issues include no cover on the spout to protect it from rain and moisture. Repainting the structure would require costly sandblasting. There are also out-of-date ladders on the side of the tower.

Kate Peterson Sloop is spear-heading a fundraising effort to save the structure that has been bringing tourists to Stanton for decades. To date, only $100 has been raised toward the $250,000 goal of restoring the tower for the City. Organizers will be accepting donations for almost the next year and a half at a dedicated page on youcaring.com. (www.youcaring.com/other/save-the-world-s-largest-coffee-pot/109697)

Donations can also be mailed to:

Save Our Coffee Pot Fund
C/O Great Western Bank
PO Box 9
Stanton, IA 51573

Police in Atlantic say no injuries were reported following an accident Thursday morning on east 4th Street. Officials say a vehicle driven by Donald Prall, of Atlantic, hit a vehicle driven by Cory Feltner, of Griswold, causing $3,200 damage. According to the report, Prall’s vehicle was sitting in a parking spot facing west in the 10 block of east 4th, waiting for a vehicle that was turning around. Feltner’s vehicle was traveling west on 4th Street when Prall started to turn left from the parking spot and his  vehicle hit Feltner’s on the right side. The accident happened at around 11:35-a.m. No citations were issued.

Police in Red Oak arrested 29-year old Kyle William Chase, of Red Oak, Thursday evening. Chase was taken into custody at around 7:50-p.m. in the 1400 block of N. 1st Street, on charges of 5th degree theft, criminal mischief in the 5th degree, and trespassing. He was brought to the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center and held on $900 bond.