(Bettendorf,Iowa) – The operator of a tow truck who was assisting with a broken down bus, was struck and killed early this (Monday) morning, in far eastern Iowa. The Iowa State Patrols the unidentified accident victim was not in the tow truck when they were hit by a 2015 Jeep Patriot SUV. The accident happened on westbound I-80 at mile marker 302, a little after 2-a.m. The drivers the of Jeep and disabled bus were also not immediately identified.

The accident remains under investigation, and charges are pending.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Splash Pad Committee has officially launched its fundraising efforts, with $66,000 already committed. Fundraising Committee member Ali Pieken reports the Splash Pad committee was formed in late 2022 to spearhead the funding piece of the community-desired Splash Pad. Since then, all involved parties have been working hard to get the project to this point – funding. The Splash Pad will cost roughly $600,000, which will need to be raised through donations and possible grant funding.

Pieken says “There are many moving pieces involved with a project of this size and our committee wanted to ensure the right organizational systems were in place before starting to fundraiser, in an official capacity.” The committee is currently in the process of presenting to local groups, such as the Rotary Club, to make them aware of the project and scale, and also meeting with local businesses including 1St Whitney Bank and Ziegler in hopes to gain early momentum.

Ali said also, “We have had a great response from the public thus far. Many people within the community, including myself, are eager to see progress and this fundraising launch serves as a huge step forward. Any other business, club, or individual interested in a private presentation is encouraged to contact a committee member personally or email the group at atlanticiowasplashpad@gmail.com.”

The fundraising committee of volunteers include John Krogman, Jeremy Butler, Ali Pieken, Mallory Robinson, Bailey Smith, Jen McEntaffer, Jeff Christensen and Wyatt Adderton. Pieken says “We understand this is a busy time of the year as we enter into planting season, graduations and summer activities. Our goal is to have project updates and ways to donate easily accessible through our new website at atlanticiowasplashpad.com.” The Splash Pad fundraising committee has accepted the help of another local volunteer group, SHIFT ATL to aid with administrative duties and lend their 501c3 designation to the efforts. All donations are tax deductible and a tax exempt donation letter will be provided for gifts of $250 or greater.

Computer renditions of the proposed Splash Pad in Atlantic

Ways to donate:

• Checks: Payable to City of Atlantic (Splash Pad on memo) can be dropped off at City Hall during business hours. Payable to SHIFT ATL (Splash Pad on memo) can be dropped off at the Chamber during business hours or left in the outdoor dropbox.
• Venmo @shiftatl – Splash pad in comments with mailing address
• Online: You can donate directly from our website (through SHIFT ATL) by using your credit card or PayPal account. The website is atlanticiowasplashpad.com.

If you or your business are interested in supporting this project at a sponsorship level, donations over $10,000 include the opportunity to purchase a specific water feature on the pad and have your name, family name or business on the feature. “Generosity of business owners and community members are the reason projects like this get done in smaller towns like Atlantic. Our committee aims to be creative with fundraising efforts and we felt this could be a special opportunity for larger donors to be remembered in this way,“ said Pieken.

“The fundraising committee will be looking for support outside of monetary donations as well. We plan to organize a family-friendly fundraising event for early summer and would love the help of volunteers when the time comes to share about that.” shared Mallory Robinson. “You can also join us in being a splash pad advocate by having postcards and flyers at your place of business and by sharing our updates and progress with your friends and family. It will take a community-team effort and we believe Atlantic is up for the challenge!” Robinson added.
The committee encourages anyone wanting to view more rendering photos, read updates, learn about upcoming events, view donation tracker, volunteer or simply ask questions to please contact the committee or the email listed above.

Details will also be posted on the Facebook page @atlanticiowasplashpad.

(Radio Iowa) – A bill that has cleared the Iowa House unanimously may protect officers in Iowa police and sheriff’s departments from faulty products — and it may help an Iowa company that makes body armor. R-M-A in Centerville was formed by a retired police officer who also served as a Marine. Representative Austin Harris of Moulton toured the company about a month ago.

“They were telling us about the challenges they were facing in terms of competition from countries like China and Russia,” Harris says. “….There’s this Chinese company that had stolen their intellectual property, was re-manufacturing their product, even with their logo on it.” Harris says the ballistic plate inside the Chinese imitation is made with cheap, low quality steel that does not adequately protect those who are wearing it. The bill would require Iowa law enforcement agencies using tax dollars to buy body armor, like ballistic vests, to purchase products that meet the standards of the National institute of Justice.

“The National Institute of Justice is a research agency at the Department of Justice,” Harris says, “and this manufacturer (in Centerville) but all the other manufacturers in the United States of this kind of armament do meet that certification standard.” Law enforcement agencies have to replace bullet proof vests periodically, as the gear has an expiration date.

Experts at the National Research Institute of Justice say most standard body armor that’s properly stored and cared for has a five-year life span.

(Audubon, Iowa) -The regular monthly meeting of the Audubon School takes place 7-p.m. Monday, in the High School Boardroom. Some highlighted agenda items include:

• Approving the FY24 School Budget for Certification
• Setting the date and time for a Hearing on Amending the FY 23 Budget
• Approving the official last day of school and list of graduates.
• Approval also, of: A Phone System Upgrade, and, certain Change Orders.

The full agenda can be found in the following link:

1. April Agenda