(Atlantic, Iowa) – An Atlantic City Councilman is offering citizens in the Ward he represents, to meet him and discuss issues of concern to them. 4th Ward Councilman Sean Sarsfield said at Wednesday’s Atlantic City Council meeting, he wants to meet with his constituents on June 4^th, from 6-until 7:30-p.m., at The Venue, in downtown Atlantic.

Councilperson Elaine Otte added…

Atlantic Councilman Dana Halder reported Wednesday, the Community Protection Committee met Wednesday afternoon, prior to the Council meeting, and will forward a recommendation to the Council, with regard to citizen use of fireworks in July.

On a similar note, the Atlantic City Council, Wednesday, passed an order for a Special Fireworks display on private property at 1303 Maple Street on July 16^th, should the Atlantic Trojan Softball Team host the regional Softball Final, and win the game. The request was made by local fireworks specialist Dan Vargason.

And, with regard to a City-sponsored fireworks display, Councilperson Emily McDermott said those plans are still being finalized, with the idea to hold them around Labor Day once again. Last year’s 4^th of July fireworks program was reschedule to Sept. 2^nd, due to inclement weather. The Council last year had discussed moving the event to later in the Summer, so as to not draw attention away from popular events, such as those held in Exira, which also offers a parade.

Councilman Halder said the Community Protection Committee reviewed and discussed allowing side-by-side (off-road/Utility) vehicles on City streets in Atlantic.

In other business, the Council approved a recommendation from the Planning & Zoning Commission, to vacate a Phantom Right-Of-Way (ROW) that begins at the corner of W. 4^th and Laurel Streets, going westbound and terminating at the Phantom Railroad ROW. The Council ordered City Administrator John Lund to proceed with having the City Attorney prepare a public notice with regard to vacating the alley, turning it over to Rob Stamp, who would like to have access to his property to the north, and would do so by cutting the curb in the vacated area, pouring a driveway, and maintaining it as another entrance.

The Atlantic City Council then passed the 3^rd and final reading of an amended ordinance that changes vendor fees and dates, as they pertain to the July 23 RAGBRAI®  event in Atlantic.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – Officials with the Mills County Sheriff’s Office report two recent arrests. 26-year-old Ryan Paul Escareno, of Deridder, LA, was arrested at around 2:15-p.m., Tuesday, following on I-29 at mile marker 39, in Mills County. Escareno was charged with Possession of Controlled Substance, Possession of Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. His bond was set at $2,300.

And, 18-year-old Gavin Lee Burch, of Omaha, was arrested at around 9:35-a.m. Wednesday, on a Mills County warrant for Eluding, and Theft in the 2nd Degree. His arrest took place at the Douglas County, NE, Jail. Bond was set at $5,000.

Sheriff’s officials said also, ABC Electric, of Council Bluffs, reported Wednesday morning, an incident of Burglary in the 3rd Degree. The incident occurred at the company’s location on Bunge Avenue in Mills County.  A Glenwood resident reported an incident of Theft in the 5th Degree, Wednesday afternoon. The incident occurred at a location on Gingry Lane.

(Radio Iowa) – The 83rd Annual Orange City Tulip Festival begins today and it will have something unique this year. A brand-new tulip has been developed, and although it is not in bloom, the bulbs are available for sale.

Tulip Town Bulb Company owner Keri Drescher says the Dutch Heritage Boosters asked if they could partner with her for the new tulip. “I didn’t know a lot about it, but basically it’s new to the U-S, and it’s exclusive to Orange City,” she says. Heritage Booster member Jodi Vander Zwaag says they got the idea when the Consulate General from the Netherlands visited Orange City last year and told them something surprising.

“When we’re in the park he mentioned that we should baptize a tulip and we’re like oh,” Vander Zwaag explained. After figuring out what this meant, they got in contact with a bulb company in the Netherlands that develops exclusive bulbs. They found out the process takes between seven to ten years, but there was a bulb available with orange in it if they wanted it. “So the process went really fast for us and we you know figured out how you baptize a tulip we were able to name it so the Oranjestad DHB,” she says. The name means Orange City, Dutch Heritage Boosters; to honor the Dutch heritage and the Dutch Heritage Boosters.

Oranjestad DHB tulip

Vander Zwaag says that the final act is to baptize the tulip. Not knowing how that’s done, she learned one was just baptized this spring in Chicago. She says it involved the consulate pouring champagne on the tulips. The Oranjestad DHB tulip, is bright yellow with orange to apricot tips, and can be purchased at the festival which runs through May 17th.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Police in Red Oak report three people were arrested on drug charges Wednesday afternoon. At around 3:30-p.m., Officers with the Red Oak Police Department conducted a search warrant on a residence in the 400 block of N. 4th Street. As a result of the warrant and investigation, Police arrested 54-year-old Kenneth Gerald Owens, 47-year-old Chrystal Rush Stewart, and 60-year-old Robert Wade Abraham, of Red Oak.

Owens was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance/Methamphetamine, Gathering where marijuana is used, and Possession of Paraphernalia. His bond was set at $1,000. Stewart was arrested for Gathering where marijuana is used. Her bond was also set at $1,000. And, Robert Abraham was charged with PCS/Marijuana – 2nd or subsequent offense, Gathering where marijuana is used, and Poss. of paraphernalia. His bond was set at $2000. Abraham was also taken into custody on a valid warrant for Failure To Appear on an original charge of Domestic Abuse Assault/2nd offense. Bond on that was charge was $2,000, cash-only.