COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa — Nov. 3, 2021 – To begin the next phase of interstate reconstruction in Council Bluffs, northbound Interstate 29 between 9th Avenue and Avenue G is expected to be closed to traffic on Monday, Nov. 15, weather permitting. Beginning on Nov. 8, weather permitting, the new Northbound Frontage Road will be opened to traffic ahead of the interstate closure. Several closures and detours will be in place to prepare for this traffic shift.

Expected Daytime Changes – Monday, Nov. 8:

• Northbound Frontage Road will open to traffic on Monday morning between Avenue A and I-29 northbound, north of Avenue G.

Expected Nighttime Closures – Monday, Nov. 8:

• West Broadway will be closed between 35th Street and I-480 from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. to allow workers to restripe pavement to open at full capacity.

Expected Daytime Changes/Closures – Tuesday, Nov. 9:

• The Northbound Frontage Road will be gradually opened throughout the day starting near West Broadway. By the end of the day, it will be fully open from 9th Avenue to northbound I-29.
• The ramp from 9th Avenue to I-29 northbound will be permanently closed.

Expected nighttime closures – Tuesday, Nov. 9:

• The eastbound I-480 ramp to northbound I-29 and the northbound I-29 ramp to westbound I-480 ramp will close until I-29 is reopened in Summer 2023.

Beginning Sunday night, Nov. 14, construction crews will begin work to close northbound I-29 between 9th Avenue and Avenue G. This closure will be in place for approximately 21 months (Summer 2023). Traffic not destined for Council Bluffs should use detour routes. Local traffic will be detoured at 9th Avenue to the Northbound Frontage Road.

Iowa DOT encourages motorists to follow signs and use caution while becoming accustomed to new traffic patterns. A short video is available at www.CouncilBluffsInterstate.IowaDOT.gov to further demonstrate upcoming changes and impacts to travelers and local businesses in the area.

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports an armed robbery occurred at the Corning Hy-Vee store on Saturday, October 31st. Deputies responded to the call at 8:53 p.m. on Halloween night. It was reported that one suspect was able to take an undisclosed amount of money before fleeing the scene prior to Deputies’ arrival. No injuries were reported and the incident remains under investigation.

The Adair County Board of Supervisors is set to meet on Wednesday morning at 9:00 a.m. in the boardroom at the Adair County Courthouse.

On the agenda is discussion on a 28E agreement for county electronic services system with the Recorder’s Association. They will also discuss a manure management plan update, wellness program update, IMWCA site visit, and jail inspection. The board will also discuss any COVID-19 updates and discuss any related issues.

The Atlantic Area Chamber’s Annual Scrooge Contest is underway during the month of November. Eleanor Hoover, who passed away in 2019, organized the contest beginning in 2002 just one year after the inaugural Lighted Parade.

“Eleanor had such a passion for helping others and the food pantry, so we’re thrilled volunteers have stepping up to keep her tradition alive,” Bailey Smith, Executive Director at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce stated.

The Scrooge contestants raise money and collect non-perishable food items for the Atlantic Food Pantry. The 2021 candidates include: Ray Paulin, Atlantic Bottling; Tom Cappel, Deter Motor Company & Atlantic Fire Department; and Kelli Anstey, Fareway.

According to Smith, contestants are responsible for collecting and submitting their points to the Chamber by November 23^rd at noon. The contestant with the most points will be named Scrooge and all proceeds will benefit the Atlantic Food Pantry. Winner of the Scrooge Contest serves as the Grand Marshal in the Lighted Parade on December 4^th at 6 PM in Downtown Atlantic. Cash donations are worth 5 points on the dollar and one non-perishable item earns the contestants one point.

This year, the Atlantic Food Pantry is asking for a specific list of food items, with a focus on monetary donations due to limited storage space. The money will help them purchase food items as needed, including meat and refrigerated items. The list of needed food items includes:

• Cream of Chicken/Mushroom Soup
• Tomato/Chicken Noodle Soup
• Ramen Noodles
• Hamburger Helper
• Canned Beef Ravioli/Spaghetti O’s
• Instant Sides (Packages) – Pasta, Sauce or Potato
• Boxed Cereal
• Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix
• Saltine Crackers
• Canned Fruit
• Bar Soap
• Canned Tuna/Chicken
• Macaroni & Cheese
• Canned Vegetables
• Toilet Paper
• 18 oz. Creamy Peanut Butter
• Quick Oats (no milk needed)
• Pancake/Waffle Mix (no milk needed)
• Pancake/Waffle Syrup
• Boxed Noodles
• Pasta Sauce
• Chili Beans
• Diced Tomatoes
• Canned Manwich or Sloppy Joe

“Our food pantry continues to see an increase of individuals and families in need of food assistance since the pandemic began last year. We have such a great group of candidates this year. They’re all very determined people who already do a lot for our community. I have no doubt this will be a successful outcome for the food pantry,” mentioned Smith.

Past Scrooge titles have been awarded to: Mary Ann Moorman 2007, Dana Halder 2008, Tammy Wise & Janet Huey 2009, Ritchie Anderson 2010, Janet Cappel 2011, Melanie Petty 2012, David Miller 2013, Mark McNees 2014, Ted Robinson 2015, Jon Johnson 2016, Rob Stamp 2017, Rob & Sonya Clausen 2018 and Billie Hoover, Jackie Sampson & Lori Christianson 2019 and Brain Ruge 2020.

The contest will run now through November 23rd. Donations to a contestant can be made by delivering food or funds to their drop off locations. For more information please call the Chamber at 712.243.3017 or email chamber@atlanticiowa.com.

The winner of the Mayor’s seat in Atlantic won’t be known until after November 30th. That’ when a run-off election will be held between the candidates with the two top votes, Grace Garret and Tim Teig. Both received less than 50% plus 1 of the votes in order to claim a complete victory. Teig garnered the most votes in Tuesday’s election, with 523. Teig said the competition was certainly not surprised by the outcome.

He says he’ll continue to push his message heading into the run-off….

Teig says that includes his level of experience he brings to the job.

He says he appreciates the support he’s received so far, and asks for those who voted for someone else, to reconsider him for Mayor.

Grace Garrett received 463 votes, Tuesday. She said she feels great about the results and feels she is still the best choice for Mayor.

Garrett, a relative newcomer to the City, said she started getting involved in the community when she and her husband moved here in 2017.

She says she wants to lead and see what every generation can bring to the table.

She asks voters for one thing when it comes to the upcoming election: “You can trust me to do what I say I will do.”

City of Avoca

City Council (Vote for 3) –

Drew Becker 181

Deb Calhoon 269*

William F Dea 241*

Carol E Kyle 68

Jeffery A Sage 44

Diane Stamp 324*

City of Carson

City Council (Vote for 3)- Adam Houser, 62; Kelly Pilling, 79; No candidate.

City of Macedonia

Mayor (Vote for 1) – No Candidate

City of Oakland

City Council (Vote for 3) –

Collin Applegate, 119*

Coralee Bernard 112*

Darin Ford 72

Cindy Kenealy 63

Phil Reed 134*

Kelly D Towne 96

City of Treynor

City Council (Vote for 3) – Kyle Plumb, 63; David Waymire, 62; No candidate.

City of Walnut

Mayor (Vote for 1) – Michael Chapman, 37; Wm. Brett Simpson, 126*

City Council (Vote for 3) –

Gaylean Bauerkemper, 106*

Linda Booth, 106*

Brett J Gaskill, 34

Michael Gettler, 57

Adrian J Griffith, 78

Dennis Hullinger,102

Justen Tooley, 107*

School District Elections/Public Measures:

AHSTW School District

District 1 (Vote for 1) –

Angie Grote, 466*

Dana Joseph Tuma, 239

School Board Director (Vote for 1) –

Josh Guyer, 287*

Adam C Long, 271

Rebecka Rosmann, 215

Public Measure RZ =YES 552 (68.74% Passes); NO 251   Public Measure SA = 444 YES (55.29% FAILS); 359 NO

* “Shall the Board of Directors of the AHSTW Community School District in the Counties of Cass, Harrison, Pottawattamie, and Shelby be authorized to contract indebtedness and issue General Obligation Bonds in an amount not to exceed $12,900,000 to provide funds to remodel, repair, and improve the existing K-12 facilities; and to build, furnish, and equip additions to and renovations of learning environments, including related site improvements?”

*“Shall the Board of Directors of AHSTW Community School District in the Counties of Cass, Harrison, Pottawattamie, and Shelby be authorized to contract indebtedness and issue General Obligation Bonds in an amount not to exceed $6,750,000 to provide funds to build, furnish, and equip a new Auditorium at the existing K-12 facilities?”

Riverside School District

School Board District 5 (Vote for 1) – No Candidate

Tri-Center School District

School Board (Vote for 3) At Large–

Jeremy Garrison, 95

Mike Olsen, 153*

Amanda Scherer, 117*

Jeremy VanArsdol, 174*

Underwood School District

School Board (Vote for 2) –

Anna Baxter, 57

Jeff Bonsall, 214*

Jane Hall, 110

Erin Johnsen, 201*

Luke Stamp, 133