The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), Safe Kids Greater Des Moines, Altoona Aquatic Park, Algona Family YMCA, and the Norman D. Stamp Aquatic Center in Harlan, are joining top water safety and training organizations around the U.S. and world on Thursday, June 14^th, for the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson^TM (WLSL).  On that day, waterparks, pools and other aquatic facilities around the globe will host WLSL lessons simultaneously at 10-a.m Central Time, in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record ^TM. The event is designed to build awareness about the importance of teaching young children to swim to help prevent drowning.   

Swimming is a life-saving skill for children and a vital tool to prevent drowning, the leading cause of unintended, injury-related death for children between the ages of 1 and 5. A study published by the Archive of Pediatric Adolescent Medicine showed participation in formal swimming lessons was associated with an 88 percent reduction in the risk of drowning in children aged 1 to 4 years. IDPH Environmental Specialist Debbi Cooper says “Research shows if a child doesn’t learn to swim by the third grade, they likely never will.” 

The event on June 14th will feature a 30 minute swimming lesson, occurring simultaneously at pre-registered locations around the world. In 2011, the Guinness World Record ^TM for the largest swimming lesson ever occurred on June 14th, when more than 20,000 people representing 45 states and 14 countries on five continents participated. This year, there are more than 500 official WLSL host locations around the world, representing 24 countries on five continents and 46 states in the U.S. 

For more information on WLSL, visit www.worldslargestswimminglesson.org/.

The Atlantic City Council Wednesday adopted on the third and final readings, ordinances pertaining to a reduction of the speed limit on East 22^nd Street from Highway 71 to Olive Street, and, Urban Deer Control. Approval of the speed limit ordinance means the speed limit on the affected portion of East 22^nd Street will be reduced from 45-to 35-miles per hour, and comes after discussions between the Community Protection Committee, Police Chief Steve Green, and residents in the area. 

Atlantic Mayor Dave Jones warned citizens that speeding is still a problem on other portions of 22^nd Street, and the Police Department will be stepping-up patrols and issuing tickets for those who try to skirt the law. Jones saod the speed limit on 22^nd Street between Chestnut and Olive is 25-miles per hour, and he’s received calls about problems with persons traveling in excess of the posted speed limit, especially certain persons on motorcycles. 

The Deer Control Ordinance will allow for bow hunting of antlerless deer within the City limits of Atlantic, but there are certain restrictions and conditions associated with the ordinance, which is designed to reduce the deer population officials say poses a threat to property and public safety.

A District Court Judge in Page County has sentenced the former Mayor of Essex to 35-years in prison on child sex abuse charges. According to the Omaha World-Herald, Judge Richard Davidson, who presided over the trial of 65-year old Charles White, handed down the sentence Tuesday. White was found guilty in April, on three-counts of second-degree sexual abuse and one-count of lascivious acts, in association with incidents involving his 7-year old grandchild. He was taken into custody in April 2011, following a investigation by the Essex Police Department and Iowa DCI.

Once released from prison or paroled, White will be required to register as a sex offender. He will remain on the registry for the rest of his life.

The Harlan City Council Tuesday afternoon approved an amendment to the 2011-2012 budget.  The amendments were made primarily to the expenditures and other financing uses in the budget. The Council also held a public hearing on the amendments to Chapter 155 to update building, mechanical and plumbing codes. Hearing no objections or other comments from the public, the Council closed the hearing and approved the ordinance. The Harlan City Council also approved a  resolution authorizing the issuance of the $2.455 million in  General Obligation (G.O.) bonds, series 2012 and the levying of a tax to pay for the bonds, which will be used to help pay for the renovation of the City’s wastewater treatment plant, which is 34-years old. The improvement and renovation project is expected to take about one-year.