(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic City Council was shocked to learn during their meeting this (Wednesday) evening, that our new Parks and Recreation Department Director has submitted his resignation, effective May 26, 2023. City Administrator informed the Council about the news Wyatt Adderton, is resigning. Adderton told Lund about his decision following Monday’s meeting of the Parks and Rec Board. Lund says the news came like a “shot in the stomach.”

John Lund said Wyatt is an exceptional worker and offered to talk through Adderton’s issues with the Personnel and Finance Committee.

Adderton said he would wants to the discuss his reasons for feeling disparaged. One is the management of the Sunnyside Pool. Lund says compensation isn’t an issue for Adderton, “it’s the work environment,” and issues of harassment.

Wyatt will talk with his spouse and see if they can “Make this work.”  Lund made it clear though, that “effectively, the Parks Department is a joke,” and a symptom of a dysfunctional organization that we have.”

The City Council will meet 1-p.m. Monday with Wyatt and the Personnel and Finance Committee to discuss the issues at hand, and ask if he will reconsider his resignation.

(Edna, Iowa) – An accident late Wednesday morning near the northwest Iowa community of Edna, claimed the life of a 77-year-old man from Rock Rapids. The Iowa State Patrol reports Myron Krull was driving a 1963 International tractor that was pulling a spraying implement, when a 2007 International tanker truck attempted to pass on the left. The truck struck the left rear corner of the sprayer, which became detached from the tractor, causing the tractor to roll over into the north ditch.

Myron Krull died at the scene. The truck, driven by 52-year-old Dennis Hayenga, of Little Rock, IA, came to rest on the road. Hayenga was not injured.

The crash happened at around 11:15-a.m. in the 3600 block of 180th Street, in Lyon County.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowans who are 65 or older and own the home they live in have about six weeks to apply for a new property tax exemption.

The tax plan Governor Reynolds signed into law earlier this month includes a new property tax exemption for Iowa seniors. It will reduce the taxable value of a home by $3250 for property taxes due this September and next spring. For the next assessment year, the exemption doubles to $6500.

Iowans who were at least 65 years old by January 1st of this year have until July 1st to file a form with their local county assessor to claim this exemption. Once the exemption’s granted, there’s no need to reapply in future years. The Legislative Services Agency estimates it will be worth $50 million annually to Iowa seniors.

Iowans who are receiving or are eligible for the military service property tax exemption will see it increase to $4000. Veterans who were on active duty during a war or served 18 months during peacetime may claim the exemption on the home they live in.

(Radio Iowa) – Upper Iowa University in Fayette is closing seven of its regional education centers in neighboring states and laying off more than three dozen people.

According to the Cedar Rapids Gazette, 22 people who work on Upper Iowa’s campus in Fayette are losing their jobs. Upper Iowa is closing its only regional center in Illinois along with all six of Upper Iowa’s regional centers in Wisconsin. Fifteen employees who work at those sites will be laid off.

The newspaper reports the university is refocusing on areas with the highest enrollment. That includes its Fayette campus and online courses as well as regional education centers in Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Waterloo and the Quad Cities, plus four remote learning sites in Louisiana. Upper Iowa will continue to operate programs at four U.S. military bases, too.

Earlier this month, Upper Iowa’s board of trustees announced leadership changes at the school. Upper Iowa’s president will retire in mid-2024 and will spend the next year fundraising. The university’s VP for finance and enrollment will serve as interim president during the search for a new Upper Iowa president.

Upper Iowa was founded 166 years ago. It was originally affiliated with the Methodist Church, but became independent in 1928. Its first regional education center opened in Madison, Wisconsin in 1981. That center is among the seven that are being closed.