The City of Atlantic’s Parks and Recreation Department Board has a regular meeting set to take place 5:15-p.m. Monday (Dec. 16), in the Council’s Chambers, at City Hall. Among the Action items and/or New business on their agenda is: An update on the Schildberg Rec Area; Park signs and Kiosks, and Raised vegetable garden beds at Mollett Park on the east end of E. 3rd Street Place.

In his report to the Board, Parks Director Bryant Rasmussen is expected to talk about: The Festival of Trees; Trail Crossing Signs; Donations of Hockey gear, and a New Year’s Resolution Park Challenge.

BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) — Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders is aggressively opposing a Major League Baseball plan to cut 42 minor league teams across the country after 2020. Among the targeted are the Vermont Lake Monsters, the Single-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics in his hometown, Burlington.

Sanders is defending low-profile ball clubs in far-flung places more fervently than anyone in the crowded Democratic presidential field. And that may allow him to win over baseball fans, who are a largely untapped 2020 constituency. Sanders plans to take batting practice indoors with minor league players Sunday in Burlington, Iowa. He says baseball “is not an institution that is hurting financially.”

KNOXVILLE, Iowa (AP) – An Iowa man who was found responsible for his mother’s death at a civil trial but acquitted at a murder trial is now suing criminal investigators and his father. Forty-seven-year-old Jason Carter filed a federal lawsuit Thursday accusing investigators of conducting a biased and incomplete investigation into his mother’s death.

Carter’s father, Bill Carter, won a wrongful-death lawsuit against his son in 2017. The suit alleged that Jason fatally shot 68-year-old Shirley Carter in June 2015 to gain access to his parents’ assets. Jason Carter was ordered to pay $10 million to his mother’s estate. In March, a jury acquitted him of murder.

Police in Red Oak report a woman was arrested following a traffic stop at around 12:03-a.m., Sunday. 25-year old Lisa Ann Blake, of New Market, was taken into custody in the 900 block of N. 1st Street, for Driving While Suspended, a simple misdemeanor. She was transported to the Montgomery County Jail, and held on slightly more than $566 bond.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 5:00 a.m. CST

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Nebraska man who thought he was meeting a 15-year-old girl at an Iowa motel for sex has been sentenced to three years in prison. The Des Moines Register reports a federal judge sentenced John Daniel Nielsen for travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. The 40-year-old Omaha, Nebraska, man was swept up in a law enforcement operation targeting sex-trafficking after exchanging text messages with an undercover officer posing as the teen. Nielsen arranged a Feb. 15 meeting at a Council Bluffs, Iowa, motel and agreed to pay for the sex. He was arrested when he arrived at the motel room.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — In Iowa, where nearly 17,000 residents work in the health insurance industry, candidates are facing questions about how their health care plans could affect jobs in the state. Des Moines is home to Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield’s health insurance headquarters. Some candidates have already faced questions about the issue on the campaign trail. This week, South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg went on the offensive. Referencing Sen. Bernie Sanders’ and Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s “Medicare for All” plans, he argued that some candidates’ health care plans would “eliminate the job of every single American working at every single insurance company in the country.”

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The director of the Iowa Department of Transportation has announced his resignation after the governor asked him to step down. The Des Moines Register reports Mark Lowe will leave his position effective Jan. 10. Gov. Kim Reynolds’ office confirmed that she requested the resignation. The governor’s office says Reynolds appreciates his years of service and has decided to seek a change in leadership as she continues to build her administration. Reynolds appointed him director in 2017.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — One of the world’s largest banks will reap a windfall from the University of Iowa’s multi-billion-dollar plan to outsource its utility operations before students or faculty see any benefit from the deal. Wells Fargo is expected to get nearly 1% of the nearly $1.2 billion payment that the university has negotiated for leasing its utility system to a private operator. A university spokeswoman estimates Wells Fargo will receive about $10.45 million. The university hired the bank as its strategic advisor on the transaction. The Iowa Board of Regents on Tuesday awarded a 50-year contract to a private company to operate its steam, cooling, water, and electricity infrastructure.

Officials with the Joe Biden for President campaign said today (Saturday), that on Saturday, December 21 to Sunday, December 22, Joe Biden will travel to Iowa, with stops planned for Atlantic and Creston. He also will be in Ottumwa and Perry that weekend.

Biden will lay out his vision for America and listen to voters’ concerns and ideas around restoring the soul of the nation, rebuilding the middle class, and unifying the country.

His tentative schedule is as follows:

Saturday, Dec. 21st: Creston Town Hall. (Site to be determined). Doors will open at 4:45-p.m. with the event at 5:15-p.m. Members of the public can RSVP here

Sunday, Dec. 22nd: Atlantic Town Hall. (Site TBD). Doors open at 1:30-p.m., with the event starting at 2-p.m.  RSVP here.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A Nebraska man who thought he was meeting a 15-year-old girl at an Iowa motel for sex has been sentenced to three years in prison. The Des Moines Register reports a federal judge sentenced John Daniel Nielsen for travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. The 40-year-old Omaha, Nebraska, man was swept up in a law enforcement operation targeting sex-trafficking after exchanging text messages with an undercover officer posing as the teen. Nielsen arranged a Feb. 15 meeting at a Council Bluffs, Iowa, motel and agreed to pay for the sex. He was arrested when he arrived at the motel room.

More State and area news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:05-a.m. From KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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A traffic stop on a vehicle in Red Oak for a minor traffic infraction, Friday, morning, resulted in the arrest of a person on drug and other charges. Red Oak Police say the unidentified individual was arrested for Driving While Barred, Manner of Conveyance (unloaded firearm), Possession of a Controlled Substance Methamphetamine, and Possession of a Controlled Substance Marijuana.

The defendant, was taken to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $2,000 cash bond. Red Oak Police were assisted by Montgomery County Sheriff Deputies.