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Atlantic City Council to consider AMU budget & hold public hearing on sale of land

News

December 6th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic City Council is set to consider a resolution during their meeting Wednesday evening, to approve the 2012 Budget for Atlantic Municipal Utilities. The proposed budget for the Electric and Water Departments for Calendar Year 2012 totals nearly $10.8-million, which is an increase of nearly $665,000 or 6.6% over the current year re-estimate.

The increased cost is being offset with increases in AMU’s electric rates of 10-14% that went into effect last month. City Administrator Doug Harris says AMU’s proposed budget calls for a $360,000 transfer to the City, in lieu of paying property taxes…something Harris says is a common practice, as a private utility would pay property taxes, and be subject to a franchise fee of up to 5%. AMU’s contribution amounts to about 3.3% of their revenues, which is designed to offset AMU’s utility charges to the City. 

In other business, the City Council in Atlantic will act on a motion to direct staff to advertise the sale of nearly 13-acres of City-owned land adjacent to the old Delong Building, by means of a public auction. The Council Finance Committee is recommending a public hearing be held and consideration be given to selling the two parcels, which total 12.93-acres. The City has advertised for bids on the agricultural lease of the two parcels, and may act Wednesday on awarding the three-year agricultural lease, during their meeting. 

And, the Council will act on a Resolution amending City policy, for the expenditure of public funds for observances which include events such as the Christmas Party for City Employees. Monies for the event have come, in the past, from pop machine profits and donations. Under State Code, those types of expenditures should be included in the City’s policy that authorizes those types of observances. Harris will recommend to the Council expenditures be allowed for the Christmas Party, with a limit not to exceed $400.

The City Council meeting begins at 5:30-p.m. Wednesday, December 7th.

JOHN JOSEPH FINKEN, 85, of Defiance (12-9-11)

Obituaries

December 6th, 2011 by Jim Field

John Joseph Finken, 85, of Defiance died Monday, December 5th at his home.  Mass of Christian Burial for John Joseph Finken will be held on Friday, December 9th at 11:00 am at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Earling.  Pauley-Jones Funeral Home in Harlan has the arrangements.

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Visitation will be held on Thursday at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Earling from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm with the family present from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.  A wake service will be held at 7:00 pm.

Burial in the St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Earling.

John Joseph Finken is survived by:

Brother: Robert (Mary) Finken of Earling

 

RODNEY CARLSON, 55, of Atlantic (12-9-11)

Obituaries

December 6th, 2011 by Jim Field

Rodney Carlson, 55, of Atlantic died Monday, December 5th at the Atlantic Nursing & Rehab Center.  Services for Rodney Carlson will be held on Friday, December 9th at 11:00 am in the Hockenberry Family Care Funeral Home in Atlantic.

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Memorials may be directed to the family

Rodney Carlson is survived by:

Wife: Marcia

Sons: Brian (Jeanette Carr) Carlson of Elk Horn

Adam (Nicole Clark) Carlson of Atlantic

Sister: Marion (Bruce) Bailey of Lake Panorama

2 Grandchildren

2 Great-Grandchildren

2012 IA Hunting, Fishing Licenses on Sale Dec. 15th

Ag/Outdoor, Sports

December 6th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa DNR says hunting and fishing licenses in the State for 2012 will go on sale Dec. 15th.  The 2011 licenses are valid through Jan. 10th, 2012. Nonresident hunting and fishing licenses go on sale Jan. 1, 2012.  Nonresident 2011 licenses are valid through Dec. 31st, 2011.

Second Shotgun Deer Season Opens December 10th

Ag/Outdoor, Sports

December 6th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says hunters have reported harvesting nearly 61,000 deer so far this fall which is about 10 percent fewer than last year. Fewer deer were taken during the opening weekend of the first shotgun season due partly to less than ideal hunting conditions, but concerned hunters are commenting that they are seeing fewer deer across much of the state.

Iowa’s first shotgun season closes tomorrow (Dec. 7th). The DNR expects that 50,000 hunters will take the field for the second shotgun season which runs from December 10th – 18th. Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.

In areas where deer numbers are down, hunters should work with the landowner to see if the deer population is at a desirable level. Hunters should refrain from taking extra does if deer numbers are reduced. In some areas deer numbers are still strong and can take the extra pressure. The DNR says Hunters are the key to a properly managed Iowa’s deer herd.

Safety First

Blaze orange is required for hunters participating in the shotgun hunts and party hunting is legal. Hunters who hunt in a party should plan their hunt and hunt their plan. They should never shoot if they are unsure of what is beyond the animal they are harvesting. Hunters using blinds during the shotgun seasons are reminded that they are required to display at least 144 square inches of blaze orange that is visible from all directions (see p. 23 of the 2011 Hunting Regulations for more information).

Report Your Harvest

All deer taken must be reported using the harvest reporting system by midnight the day after the deer is recovered.  Accurately reporting the harvest is an important part of Iowa’s deer management program and plays a vital role in managing deer populations and future hunting opportunities. It is also required by law and officers will be checking to see if all deer have been reported.

For hunters with Internet access, the online harvest reporting is the easiest way to register the deer. Hunters can report their deer online at www.iowadnr.gov, by calling the toll free reporting number 1-800-771-4692, or at any license vendor.  

Tagging Antlered Deer

Hunters are reminded that antlered deer must have the transportation tag attached to the antler’s main beam, either at the base or between two points. 

Youth Season Tags

Youth season hunters with an unfilled “any-deer” license from the youth deer season who did not harvest a deer are eligible to hunt during one of the two shotgun seasons. However, the youth hunter must follow the weapons restrictions that are in place during the season and be under the direct supervision of a licensed adult. A youth must harvest and tag their own deer.

Across Oceans Across Time 12-06-2011

Across Oceans Across Time, Podcasts

December 6th, 2011 by admin

John Mark Nielsen talks about some Christmas related things to see and do at the Danish Immigrant Museum.

Play

CAM School Board discusses Online Charter School

News

December 6th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Members of the CAM Community School District’s Board of Education met Monday night in Anita, to hear a report from Superintendent Steve Pelzer about an opportunity to become involved with a company which provides students a free, online learning experience. Pelzer told KJAN News the district has been involved in discussions over the past week or so, with a national, full-time online K-12 learning company, talking about a possible partnership that would create a free, online K-12 full-time learning school in Iowa.

Pelzer says Monday night’s meeting was an opportunity to share with the board what he’s learned about the company, Connections Education, based in Baltimore, Maryland. He says a representative from Connections is scheduled to appear before the board during another special meeting Thursday, Dec. 8th, at the High School Media Center in Anita. During the 6:30-p.m. session , the Connections Rep will present additional information on their program. Pelzer says the board was interested enough during the previous meeting to hear more about the school. He says Connections Education is part of Pearson Learning. The company has already partnered with Departments of Education or Schools in more than 20 states.

He says an online K-12 School is a brand new, and interesting concept in Iowa, and something that may be worth pursuing in the future. A school district in eastern Iowa is exploring a similar online program, but with a different company. Pelzer says if CAM went with Connections Education, it would likely result in a completely new school in the district, and it would benefit CAM students, by allowing them access to certain classes online that they would otherwise not be able to take. Students would take the classes from home. Pelzer says the company wants to involve parents in the process.

The reason the full-time program would be free, according to Pelzer, is that it would follow the state’s Open Enrollment laws, in that students from across the State would have the opportunity to meet all the timelines and qualifications for Open Enrollment to open enroll into an online academy. The fees would be funded by the respective resident school district.

Pelzer says no decisions have been made with regard to the program. He says the CAM District is only “Looking to explore possibilities that would benefit our district and benefit our kids.” Learn more about Connections Education at http://www.connectionseducation.com/connections-education/home.aspx

Backyard and Beyond 12-06-2011

Backyard and Beyond, Podcasts

December 6th, 2011 by admin

Lavon Eblen talks about Buy Iowa.

Play

Drake receives “Friend of the Family Farmer” legislator award

Ag/Outdoor, News

December 6th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa Farmers Union says Representative Jack Drake, from Griswold, was awarded the 2011 “Friend of the Family Farmer Legislator Award,” during the organization’s AnnualRep. Jack Drake, from Griswold Convention held over the weekend, in Ames. Drake, who represents House District 57, serves as chair of the House Agriculture Committee. He’s served in the Iowa House of Representatives since 1992. 

As the chair of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Appropriation Subcommittee, the IFU says he was instrumental in ensuring the structure and funding was present for the Local Food and Farm Plan.  The groups says Drake’s knowledge of the need for expanded agricultural markets in Iowa aided tremendously in the passage of the bill’s language. Iowa Farmers Union President Chris Petersen said at the convention “The Iowa Farmers Union is proud to honor Representative Jack Drake’s contribution to Iowa’s rural communities and promotion of a healthier local food system this year.”

Nearly 100 Iowans gathered for the event, which was co-sponsored by Iowa State University’s Sustainable Agriculture Student Association. They discussed the state and federal policies that affect farm operations and rural communities.  The awards ceremony recognized nine individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary efforts in support of family farms, local food and the growth of sustainable agriculture in Iowa over the past year.

Cass County Board to act on livestock facility construction resolution

News

December 6th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

The Cass County Board of Supervisors will act Wednesday morning, on an annual Resolution pertaining to Livestock Facility Construction Evaluations. The Resolution needs to be approved in order for the County to submit to the DNR, its recommendations, if any, with regard to the approval or disapproval of a confinement feeding operation, based on the scoring that facility has received using the Master Matrix.

The Supervisors will also discuss maintenance and operation of the Southlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery, and possibly act on revisions to the County’s Indigent Burial and Cell Phone Policies. The Board is also scheduled to receive a report and Fiscal Year 2013 Funding Agreement from the Cass County Library Association.

Their meeting begins at 9-a.m Wednesday, in the Supervisor’s Board Room at the Courthouse in Atlantic.