(Radio Iowa) – As we move toward spring, a program providing discounted trees is once again available for some state residents. The D-N-R’s Pete Hildreth says it’s designed to help plant more trees in the state. He says the D-N-R and Alliant Energy are partnering to offer landscaped-size trees to private residents at a discount. Hildreth says trees provide a variety of benefits to homeowners.

“Including and reduced home heating and cooling costs, decreased stormwater, shade for outdoor activities, higher home values, and enhance beauty,” Hildreth says. “Alliant Energy customers can place their orders on the D-N-R residential tree distribution program page found on our D-N-R website.” There are a variety of species available, and once you order the trees they will be deliver in several cities.

Here are the tree pick up locations:
Thursday, April 25, 4:30-6:30 p.m., Awaysis Park (1409 E Lakeshore Dr, Storm Lake)
Tuesday, April 30, 4:00-6:00 p.m., Greene County Extension Office (104 W. Washington St, Jefferson)
Thursday, May 2, 4:30-6:30 p.m., Grimes Farm and Conservation Center (2349 233rd St, Marshalltown)
Tuesday, May 27, 4:30-6:30 p.m., Burlington Depot (300 S Main St, Burlington)
Saturday, May 11, 9:00-11:00 a.m., Swiss Valley Park (13069 Swiss Valley Rd, Peosta)

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks says the government-run Veterans Administration hospitals and clinics need to develop a strategy to keep up with what’s happening in the private sector when it comes to artificial intelligence. “While progress tends to be incremental, occasionally a process or technology emerges that pushes our boundaries out significantly,” Miller-Meeks says. “The integration of artificial intelligence or augmented intelligence in health care offers this opportunity.” Miller-Meeks says there appear to be pitfalls in A-I when it comes to data privacy, but A-I could help quickly and accurately diagnose health issues and predict patient risks — and save money.

Miller-Meeks suggests clear guidelines for human input is critical, however. “If the data A.I. learns from is incorrect or biased, it can make incorrect, predictions that result in over or under diagnosis or mistreatment,” Miller-Meeks says. The Veterans Health Administration is the country’s largest health system, with 172 hospitals and over 11-hundred clinics. “While A.I. holds great promise, the reality is it’s a new, developing technology and we’re still figuring out what is possible and practical and ethical,” Miller-Meeks says.

Miller-Meeks, a Republican who represents Iowa’s first congressional district, is an eye doctor and an Army veteran. She made her comments during a hearing hosted by the U-S House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Health.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County (IA) Auditor’s Office reminds persons interested in running for county offices, that the first day for Democratic, Republican and Libertarian candidates to file nomination papers in the office of the county auditor, is Monday, March 4, 2024. Last day to file is Friday, March 22, 2024. Nomination papers may be circulated prior to first date for filing as well as during the filing period. Nomination papers and candidate information are available at the office of the county auditor and from the secretary of state:www.sos.iowa.gov

The county positions to appear on the Cass County ballot for the 2024 PRIMARY ELECTION are:
Sheriff
Auditor
District 1 Supervisor
District 4 Supervisor
District 5 Supervisor

List of current position holders – County Offices:
Sheriff………………….Darby McLaren, Republican
Auditor…………………Kathy Somers, Republican
District 1 Supervisor….Stephen Green, Republican
District 4 Supervisor…..Steven Baier, Republican
District 5 Supervisor…..Bernard Pettinger, Republican

The filing periods for the November 5, 2024, General Election are:
• U.S. Senate, U.S. Representative and State Office: July 29 – August 24, 2024 (5:00 p.m.)
• County Office: August 5 – August 28, 2024 (5:00 p.m.)
• Ag Extension, Soil & Water Conservation District, Hospital Trustee: Anytime up until August 28, 2024
Monday, August 5, 2024 is the first day for candidates nominated by petition to file nomination papers for county-wide or township offices for the General Election with the County Auditor’s office. Last day to file is Friday, August 28, 2024. Nomination papers may be circulated now. Nomination petitions and other election forms (including a Candidate’s Guide to the General Election) are available at the office of the County Auditor, and from the Iowa Secretary of State (sos.iowa.gov) via the internet.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT: The Cass County Auditor, Courthouse 5 W 7th St, Atlantic, IA 50022 Phone: 712-243-4570 and Fax: 712-243-4572. Email: skarns@casscoia.us.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Two local churches are teaming-up to offer those 14-years of age or older, and who have intellectual or physical limitations, a prom-like night of celebration. The honored guests dress up and are treated to an evening of dinner, dancing, flowers, karaoke, photo booth pictures and goody bags filled with fun swag for them to take home. Billie Hoover is part of the group that’s helping to chair the “Shine like Stars” event, in March.

Hoover says they really look forward to the annual event they’ve had since 2018 (with some modification, of course during the COVID years).

She says opportunities and special recognition such as Shine Like Stars for those with physical or intellectual limitations aren’t very prevalent, and it’s a unique demographic in our community. It also offers a chance for the community to volunteer.

Any lady or gentleman who would like to attend the event can come to the First Church of Christ’s “Yes to the Dress-up” in Atlantic, on Feb. 25^th, from 2-until 4-p.m., and see if there is a dress or suit they might like to have for the event – at no charge. The free, Shine Like Stars event takes place March 16^th, from 6-until 8:30-p.m., at the First Church of Christ. Doors open at 6-p.m. Any interested guests or volunteers can sign up at https://www.fccatlantic.com/ministries , or see links on the FCC’s Facebook page.

If you would like to make a tax deductible donation, make your check out to FCC/Shine Like Stars, 1310 SW 7^th Street, Atlantic, Iowa, 50022. If you need more information, contact one of the following committee members:

Monica Sanny Brandt, 515-971-6270 (monicabrandt17@gmail.com)

Emily Clark, 402-980-0934 (eclark811@gmail.com)

Billie Hoover, 712-250-0286 (bhoover265@gmail.com)

Stephanie Kinzie, 712-249-8087 (stephanie.kinzie@mvtransit.com).

(Radio Iowa) – The federal government says Iowa isn’t processing food assistance applications fast enough. U-S Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack sent Governor Kim Reynolds and 43 other states letters urging them to improve the efficiency of their SNAP benefits programs. Luke Elzinga, with the Des Moines Area Religious Council or DMARC, says delays in getting SNAP benefits can be detrimental to those who need them. “For a lot of people, that’s the difference between having funds to feed their families or not,” Elzinga says. “These are people who are waiting for benefits to pay for groceries.”

The letter from U-S-D-A says Iowa has an application processing timeliness rate of just under 83 percent. That’s far below the feds’ acceptable performance rate of 95 percent. Elzinga says he’s concerned the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services doesn’t have sufficient resources to process applications. Elzinga says, “Our HHS, those workers who are processing those applications, they have a lot of work on their hands, especially during the Medicaid unwinding.”

A spokesperson for Iowa H-H-S says the department continues to review and make improvements to the process for reviewing SNAP applications.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – Here’s a reminder: The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is hosting a series of town hall-style meetings where local staff will provide updates on recently completed hunting and trapping seasons, discuss possible changes to hunting and trapping rules and regulations, and address other topics as requested. “We want people to come out to these meetings, listen to the seasons reviews, ask questions and hear directly from our staff,” said Todd Bishop, chief of the Iowa DNR’s Wildlife Bureau. “Part of the meeting will be devoted to discussing potential rule changes and collecting feedback as we work through the rules process.”

The meetings are open to the public. Comments collected from these public meetings will be considered along with other related comments received by the Iowa DNR prior to proposing changes to hunting rules and regulations. Proposed rules will be presented to the Natural Resource Commission during a regular public meeting for consideration and additional public comment.

Meeting date, time and location

• Algona, Feb. 20, 7 p.m., Waters Edge Nature Center, 1010 250th Street
• Bloomfield, Feb. 20, 6 p.m., Wapello County Conservation Board Pioneer Ridge Nature Center, 1339 Hwy. 63
• Boone, Feb. 20, 6:30 p.m., Boone Wildlife Research Station, 1436 255^th Street
• Council Bluffs, Feb. 20, 6 p.m., Bass Pro Shops, Green Room, 2901 Bass Pro Drive
• Des Moines, Feb. 20, 6:45 p.m., Des Moines Izaak Walton League, 4343 George Flagg Parkway
• Maquoketa, Feb. 20, 7 p.m., Hurstville Interpretive Center, 18670 63^rd Street
• Okoboji, Feb. 20, 6:30 p.m., Maser Monarch Lodge, 22785 Nature Center Road
• Wapello, Feb. 20, 6 p.m., Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge Office, 10728 County Road X61
• Chariton, Feb. 21, 6:30 p.m., Chariton Community Center, 502 North Main Street
• Creston, Feb. 21, 6:30 p.m., PAC 124 Multi-Purpose Room, Southern Prairie Family Fitness Center, 1201 West Townline Street
• Iowa City, Feb. 21, 7 p.m., Johnson County ISU Extension Office, 3109 Old Hwy. 218 South
• Lake View, Feb. 21, 6:30 p.m., Speaker Park Shelter House, 418 North Blossom Street
• Perry, Feb. 21, 6:30 p.m., Forest Park Museum, Dallas County Conservation Board, 14581 K Avenue
• Toledo, Feb. 21, 6:30 p.m., Tama County Nature Center, 2283 Park Road
• Waverly, Feb. 21, 6 p.m., Waverly Civic Center/City Hall, 200 1st Street NE
• Decorah, Feb. 22, 7 p.m., Franklin W. Olin Building, Room 102, Luther College, 700 College Drive, next to the Prues Library
• Onawa, Feb. 22, 5 p.m., Onawa Public Library, 707 Iowa Avenue
• Ventura, Feb. 22, 7 p.m., Iowa DNR Wildlife Office, 15326 Balsam Avenue

Any person attending the public meeting that has special requirements, such as those related to mobility or hearing impairments, should contact the Iowa DNR or ADA Coordinator at 515-725-8200, Relay Iowa TTY Service 800-735-7942, or Webmaster@dnr.iowa.gov, and advise of specific needs.

[Updated**] (Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic City Council will hold a regular, scheduled meeting beginning 5:30-p.m., Wednesday (Feb. 21st), in the Council’s Chambers at City Hall. On their agenda is action on passing a Resolution calling for the adoption of a new, personnel handbook for City Employees. City Administrator John Lund notes he and Mayor Grace Garrett worked together throughout the past year, to complete a comprehensive update to sections of the City’s Personnel Policy that had not received a major update since 2017. Lund and Garrett worked closely with the City’s Labor Attorney on the development of specific policies that did not exist in the current document, as well as to establish a legal clarification and approval on a variety of areas in the policy. The City’s Personnel and Finance Committee also reviewed and offered additions/corrections and additional policy work, last month. The Personnel Handbook received a final review February 13th and is ready for adoption by the Council.

The Council will also act on passing a Resolution amending that part of the City Code that pertains to a Purchases and Payables Policy. Those policies were last adopted in Aug., 2027. The updated version (section 203.4) pertains to formal “Requests for proposals,” for services that exceed $10,000 per year.

And, the Atlantic City Council will act on awarding a lease for City-Owned farmland, to Zelmer Farms, in the amount of $151 per acre. The City had sent out bid requests to local farmers for the right to lease City-owned farm ground surrounding the Wastewater Treatment Plant and part of the Schildberg Recreation Area, for the period covering February 1, 2024 and ending Dec. 31, 2017.  John Lund says the City received one sealed bid for the lease, which was opened during the Feb. 8th Personnel and Finance Committee meeting. The bid was from Zellmer Farms for the aforementioned amount. The Committee recommends the Council accept the bid as presented.

[**] In other business, the Council will receive a presentation on the final plans and specifications for the Atlantic Splashpad project from Project Manager, Mike Jorgensen, with Snyder and Associates Engineers. That will be followed by action on passing a Resolution “Authorizing Bid Letting and Setting the Date of the Public Hearing for March 20, 2024.” The bids will be opened on March 20th during the City Council meeting on that date.

Following conclusion of regular business, the Atlantic City Council will enter into an Exempt (Closed) session, for the purpose of Collective Bargaining strategy.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Police in Red Oak report two people were arrested Sunday night. 28-year-old Nikolus Benton Schooling and 37-year-old Katie Marie Pierce, both of Red Oak, were taken into custody at around 10:50-p.m., in the 700 block of E. Market Street, in Red Oak. Schooling was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance/3rd offense-Methamphetamine (A Class-D Felony), and Poss. of Drug Paraphernalia. Pierce was arrested on a valid, outstanding Montgomery County warrant for Violation of Probation.

Pierce and Schooling were being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $5,000 bond, each. Red Oak Police were assisted at the scene by Deputies with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and K9 Unit.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Atlantic Public Library Director Michelle Andersen reports the Library plans to begin the upstairs interior updates project in two weeks. Beginning Monday, March 4th, the Atlantic Public Library will be open with limited or no access to the upstairs for the duration of the project. The public is encouraged to check out more items than normal by March 2nd.

Andersen says the library will be installing flooring and painting throughout the upstairs and stairwells of the library. She says it’s an opportunity to bring the more modern look the library achieved in the 2020 renovation of the downstairs, to the rest of the building.

Atlantic Public Library (Kathy Somers, photo, via www.atlantic.lib.ia.us)

Library staff, Andersen says, should be able to access upstairs shelves on most days but the public will not be allowed upstairs until it is safe to do so. Library card holders may continue to request items from the adult services collection through the online catalog or by contacting the library by phone, e-mail or text. It may take longer than normal to prepare the holds for pick up. Please wait for a notification that your material is ready before coming to pick it up. The library thanks you, in advance, for your understanding and patience.

The project is being funded by private gifts, donations, and grants.

(Radio Iowa) – The latest “Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll” answers the question of what we should call the men and women who grow the crops and livestock in our state.   J. Arbuckle runs the I-S-U Extension poll and says he noticed that people who work with those in agriculture tend to call them growers or producers. He put a question in the poll and the result was pretty clear, with 75 percent preferring the term “farmer.” Ten percent said they want to be called farm operator, eight percent preferred producer, while rancher and grower each received two percent of the vote. Arbuckle says it’s not surprising, as farmer is an all-encompassing term that indicates more of a lifestyle than a profession. But he says he didn’t anticipate that it would be as big percentage. He says everyone should know what farmers think to be able to communicating effectively with them.

“It’s important for people across the private and public sectors, you know stakeholders who work with farmers, to recognize that and to use the kinds of terminologies that farmers prefer,” Arbuckle says. He says no one seemed to ask the question before. “It’s just very interesting to me that the terminology that we at the university and then some of the private sector firms, and even the public sector, like the conservation agencies and stuff, often times use the term grower or producer,” he says. “And these are actually the least popular terms that the farmers think about when they when they think about terms that they would like to when they think about themselves, I guess.”

You can see more about the Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll on the I-S-U Extension website.