(Des Moines, Iowa) – Iowa state parks and forest staff are busy preparing for the summer camping season, turning on water, sprucing up campgrounds and freshening up bathroom, cabin, lodge and shelter facilities. With more than 864,000 campers and almost 14 million visitor days last year, state parks are anticipating another busy season. For park visitors, there will be some new things to see.

Recently renovated and 100 percent reservable sites

Pikes Peak and Lake Ahquabi state parks, two of Iowa’s most popular campgrounds, reopened in July 2023 after undergoing extensive renovations. Both campgrounds feature electrical upgrades, pull-through driveways and a reduction in the number of campsites to create more space for large vehicles.

Both the Pikes Peak (Dickinson County) and Lake Ahquabi (Warren County) campgrounds also switched to 100 percent reservable sites, allowing for campers to see availability in real time. The change has been popular with campers who enjoy the increased convenience and peace of mind for trip planning. Additional campgrounds switching to 100 percent reservable in 2024 include Ambrose A. Call (Kossuth County), Ledges (Boone County), Lewis and Clark (Monona County), Pleasant Creek (Linn County), Wilson Island (Pottawattamie County) and Clear Lake (Cerro Gordo County).

Other new or renovated amenities in the state park system:

• George Wyth State Park – Cedar Valley Trail 1.3 miles reconstruction
• Twin Lakes – new boat ramp
• Lake Macbride – new boat ramp, parking lot resurfacing and new fishing dock
• Rock Creek State Park – new water lines and sewer repairs
• Green Valley State Park (Union County)– renovated fishing pier, spillway repair and sewer repairs
• Beeds Lake – new dump station at the campground

Current construction and renovation projects

State parks are also busy with several new construction projects. Some of these projects will temporarily close parts or all of the listed parks in the 2024 season. Park visitors can go to www.iowadnr.gov/parkclosures for latest information on any closures.

2024 projects include:

• Clear Lake campground – renovations will start around August 1 to update electrical facilities, campsite design and roadways
• Red Haw – campground renovations and shelter construction have begun after major damage caused by a tornado in March 2022
• Lake Ahquabi – lodge and shelter renovations
• Fort Atkinson – restoration of historic buildings, closing the park to visitors until mid-July
• Brushy Creek – campground renovations starting around August 1
• Pleasant Creek – campground renovations starting around October 1
• Lake Manawa – concession building remodel
• Ledges – new shower building and shelter renovation
• McIntosh Woods – shelter renovation
• Wapsipinicon – flood repairs, renovating river wing dams
• Big Creek – fishing pier renovations
• Road resurfacing in Palisades-Kepler, Wildcat Den, Pleasant Creek, Elk Rock and Lake Manawa

To learn more about Iowa state parks, go to iowadnr.gov/stateparks or make a reservation at https://iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com/

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Kyle Cofer, Project Director with The Retail Coach, was in Atlantic Thursday, April 25th to meet with officials and discuss positive updates related to development projects.

Cofer said “Atlantic is a great town with a ton of opportunity. It was great to see that up close and in person. The Mayor, council and city staff are great assets to the City and have helped tremendously throughout the retail recruitment process. There is a lot of interest in Atlantic right now, and we’re looking forward to an announcement in the near future.”

The City of Atlantic hired The Retail Coach in August 2021 to help provide necessary data to help officials better understand Atlantic’s retail market and needs. The Retail Coach has been actively working with the City, Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce and Cass/Atlantic Development to solidify property and meet with large retail/restaurant developers to find the perfect fit for Atlantic.

Left to right: Kyle Cofer; Mayor Garrett; Councilwoman Elaine Otte; Chamber Program Director Kelsey Beschorner; Chamber Executive Director Bailey Smith; CADCO Director Jennifer McEntaffer; Councilman Gerald Brink. (Photo supplied)

Mayor Grace Garrett said “Kyle was in town, and visited with the City, Atlantic Area Chamber and CADCO. We are actively working with multiple businesses and locations in town. Doors that have been closed in the past have opened and we’re encouraged by the recent updates.”

The Retail Coach is a national retail consulting, market research and development firm that develops retail recruitment and development strategies for local governments, chambers of commerce and economic development organizations. To learn more about The Retail Coach, visit www.retailcoach.net.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports 3 recent arrests, with one individual having been arrested three times. Authorities say on April 22nd, 41-year-old Jeffrey Dale Hankins, of Malvern, was arrested at the Mills County Courthouse, on a warrant for Violation of Probation (Bond: $5,000).

On the 23rd, Mills County Deputies arrested 43-year-old Joseph William Anderson, of Council Bluffs, was arrested on southbound I-29, for Driving While Revoked/Denied (Bond: $1,000).

On April 24th, 37-year-old Christopher Nicholas Smith, of Glenwood, was arrested for Theft in the 1st Degree and Criminal Mischief in the 2nd Degree, with bond set at $10,000. Smith was arrested twice on April 25th: On a warrant for Violation of Probation (No Bond), and Theft in the 2nd Degree (Bond $5,000). The latter two arrests occurred at the Mills County Jail.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa D-O-T’s account on X — formerly known as Twitter — has been hacked.  The D-O-T says social media users may notice a bit of a different spin on the agency’s account this (Monday) morning. It’s been taken over by what appears to be a cryptocurrency outfit. D-O-T officials say they have reached out to X to regain control of the account.

Federal data indicates 353 MILLION Americans had their social media accounts hacked last year.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors, today (Tuesday), passed a Resolution approving an agreement between the County and the City of Grant, to jointly undertake the replacement of the Grant 110^th Street Bridge., and an agreement outlining the responsibilities of each entity. Supervisor Donna Robinson….

The Board also approved a related agreement between the two entities and the Iowa Department of Transportation, for City Bridge Funds of up to $1.5-million awarded to the City of Grant, for the replacement of the bridge over the West Nodaway River. Supervisor Charla Schmidt…

Montgomery County BOS, 4-30-24

Montgomery County Engineer Karen Albert updated the Board on Secondary Roads Department maintenance and activities

Auditor Jill Ozuna then requested two additional hours on Tuesday’s, for the shredding of certain County documents, in order to get caught-up on the process. The extended hours, she said, are likely to last for about 4-weeks.

The Board approved the request as presented. The next regular meeting of the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors is 8:30-a.m. May 7^th.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – A Malvern, IA woman was sentenced on April 25, 2024, to 6 months in federal prison for Embezzlement by a Bank Employee.

According to public court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, Mackenzie Ann Meggison, 37, was employed as a mortgage loan officer at Malvern Bank and was also the treasurer for the Malvern Area Betterment Association (MABA) who maintained their accounts at Malvern Bank. Using her position at the bank, from July – October, 2020, Meggison conducted 57 unauthorized transactions on four separate MABA accounts totaling at least $66,175.42.

After completing her term of imprisonment, Meggison will be required to serve 3 years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Meggison was also ordered to pay $66,175.42 in restitution.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA, April 30, 2024 – The Alzheimer’s Association Iowa Chapter has announced JoDee Junkman, of Neola, is the organization’s 2024 New Volunteer of the Year award for her positive impact on the Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Council Bluffs, last year. Officials said also, Leslie Bielenberg, from the Harlan area, is the 2024 Volunteer of the Year Walk to to End Alzheimer’s award winner, for her leadership and impact on the Walk in Harlan.

Junkman, officials say, “Went above and beyond for the 2023 Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Council Bluffs as a new committee member. She has carried the yellow caregiver flower in honor of multiple family members, but most recently in honor of her husband Tim. Sadly, Tim passed away shortly after the Walk, and this year JoDee will carry a purple flower in his memory. Her drive to be a support for others and raise funds to end this disease is unwavering. JoDee’s fundraising efforts for the Walk helped Council Bluffs blow its fundraising goal out of the water last year.”

Bielenberg, the organization says “Goes above and beyond every year to help the Walk in Harlan, IA grow. She became the Chair for the Walk in 2023 and helped double the amount of registered walkers and exceed the very high fundraising goal.

The Alzheimer’s Association Iowa Chapter thanks Leslie Bielenberg and JoDee Junkman for their service, passion, and dedication as volunteers. All Alzheimer’s Association volunteers are passionate, inspired and want to make a difference in the fight to end Alzheimer’s. Visit alz.org/iowa/volunteer to learn about volunteer opportunities and how to become a volunteer.

There are nearly 7 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease – a leading cause of death in the United States. Additionally, more than 11 million family members and friends provide care to people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. In Iowa alone, there are over 62,000 people living with the disease and nearly 100,000 caregivers.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – A woman from Red Oak complained of chest pain, following an accident Monday afternoon, in Red Oak. According to Red Oak Police, Red Oak rescue medics checked 39-year-old Katie Confer for injuries, and then released her from the scene. Authorities say Confer was driving a 2008 GMC Yukon SUV eastbound on E. Oak Street, at the same time a 2019 Ford F-250 pickup driven by 20-year-old Carston Johnson, of Stanton, was traveling eastbound.

When Johnson slowed and then stopped for a non-contact vehicle turning south onto N. 5th Street, his pickup was struck from behind by Confer’s SUV. Katie Confer told Police she looked down at her vehicle’s radio, and when she looked up, was unable to stop in time before her SUV hit the pickup.

Damage from the collision amounted to $14,000. Red Oak Police cited Confer for Following Too Close.

(Creston, Iowa) – Police in Creston say three people were arrested on separate charges, Monday. At around 8:17-a.m., Monday, 39-year-old Valerie Ann Cross, of Creston, was arrested at the Creston/Union County LEC (Law Enforcement Center), on a Union County Warrant for Criminal Mischief in the 3rd Degree, for damage amounting to anywhere from $750-$1,500. Cross was taken to the Union County Jail and released on a $2,000 cash or surety bond.

Monday afternoon, Creston Police arrested 21-year-old Garrett Neal Thomson, of Creston, at the Creston/Union County LEC. Thomson was charged on a Union County Warrant, with Unlawful Possession of Prescription Drug/FTA for Pretrial on a Serious Misdemeanor. He was taken to the Union County Jail and later released on a $1,000 cash only bond.

And, Monday late Monday evening, 24-year-old Sydney Arlinda Martin, of Creston, was arrested at the Creston/Union County LEC, an a charge of Disorderly Conduct-Abusive Epithets/Threatening Gesture. Martin was cited and released.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City Council in Atlantic has a full agenda for their meeting 5:30-p.m. Wednesday, at City Hall. First-up: Mayor Grace Garrett will administer the Oath of Office to Atlantic Police Officer Adam Roberts, who was hired in April 2024, and is a graduate of the Clarinda High School. Roberts will complete his field training at the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy at the end of August.

The Council will act on an Order to close 6th Street, between Poplar and Chestnut, every Thursday from 3-until 7-p.m., effective June 1st through Oct. 10th, for Produce In the Park, and during that same period on Thursdays, from 4-until 6-p.m., for other events, and, to allow a Produce In the Park banner to cross Chestnut Street, from late May though mid-October. The Council is also expected to approve a Collective Bargaining Agreement with the International Union of Operating Engineers, representing the City’s Public Works Department (Street Dept. & Wastewater Dept.). The agreement was ratified by Union membership on April 17th, and is in effect from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027.

In other business, the Atlantic City Council will hold the second reading of an Ordinance amending the City’s Code of Ordinances, with regard to RAGBRAI ®, to help the locate RAGRAI Committee deal with the public health and safety issues that can be created by an influx into the City of a large number of people. RAGBRAI arrives in Atlantic on July 22nd. Riders will depart the following day. The Council will also act on an Order to approve an update to the City’s Comprehensive Plan, as unanimously recommended by the Personnel & Finance Committee, and is recommended for updates every five-years.

They’ll also act on an Order to refer a request for vacating a “Phantom” right-of-way (ROW) to the Planning and Zoning Commission.The request is for an area that begins at the corner of W. 4th and Laurel Streets, terminating westward, at a phantom railroad ROW. The City Council will then review and act on approving the Contract and Bonds for the Sunnyside Park Splashpad project. The Council previously passed a resolution awarding the project to the Hensley Group, LLC, out of Muscatine, in the amount of $552,084.