(Atlantic, Iowa) –  AtlanticFest, presented by First Whitney Bank & Trust, will be held this Saturday, August 14th rain or shine. AtlanticFest is an annual festival that serves as a fundraiser for the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce. Bailey Smith, Executive Director at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce says “After having to cancel our annual celebration last year, we are so thankful to have so many generous sponsors and community members to help make this event possible this year.”

She adds, “AtlanticFest is the largest fundraiser of the year for the Chamber. Our sponsors help cover a lot of the costs of the event, allowing us to raise funds through registration fees, pop stand sales and the 50/50 raffle. We use the funds from AtlanticFest to continue to grow community events while also supporting business-based programs. We’re really pleased to bring it back this year and offer the community a day of fun activities while supporting local businesses, civic organizations and the Chamber.”

Downtown Atlantic will be filled with fun activities for the whole family to enjoy. Come early and start the day off with a run or walk in the Annual Road Race. Registration is from 7 AM – 7:45 AM at 6th and Chestnut Street with the race beginning at 8 AM. A new route will be utilized this year with a map available at www.atlanticiowa.com. There will be crafters from all over Southwest Iowa, information booths from area organizations, Bingo, provided by Atlantic Business & Professional Women, as well as some of the best food vendors to help satisfy any appetite. Kids can enjoy numerous activities in the park including carnival games, sponsored by United Church of Christ, and there’s free entertainment on the entertainment stage.

New this year, the Atlantic Hawks RC/Club will be set up in front of the Rock Island Depot, displaying numerous remote control model airplanes. They’ll also host flight demonstrations at 11-a.m., 1-p.m. and 3-p.m. for spectators to enjoy. The Rock Island Depot is located at 102 Chestnut Street. The Annual Car Show will honor Kelly Schlake, previous owner of Atlantic Motor Supply (NAPA), with the Kelly Schlake Memorial Car Show, filling Chestnut Street with new and vintage cars. Registration begins at 7:30 AM – 11 AM at 3rd and Poplar Street, with awards beginning at 3 PM.

Bailey says “Kelly was not only a huge supporter of Atlantic, but the Annual Car Show was always his favorite event of the year, which he was also a big sponsor of. When he passed away last winter, his family wanted to do something to honor his memory and we felt hosting the Car Show in his honor was the perfect fit. We’re anticipating one of our largest Car Show’s to date.” A full schedule of events can be found at www.atlanticiowa.com as well as the Chamber’s Facebook Page. Volunteer slots are still available as well. Contact the Chamber at 712-243-3017 to learn more.

Smith extended her thanks to the following Chamber partners in making the event possible: First Whitney Bank & Trust, A.M. Cohron & Son, Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Atlantic Motor Supply (NAPA), Rolling Hills Bank & Trust, Lindeman Tractor, Inc., Armour Insurance, Atlantic Business & Professional Women, Atlantic Home Realty, Atlantic Municipal Utilities, Brocker, Karns & Karns, Brown Electric, Brown’s Shoe Fit, Camblin Plumbing & Heating, Cook Sanitation, Diamond Detailing, Downtowner Café & Catering, Granny’s Kettle Korn, Hepler Curbside Recycling & Sanitation, McAtee Tire, McDermott & Son Roofing, Nishna Valley Family YMCA, R/T Motors, Rush, CPA & Associates, Salute Gymnastics, SeedPro North, TW Auto Sales and Wiota Steakhouse.

(Greenfield) – The Adair County Board of Supervisors, Wednesday morning, voted to approve a Fiscal Year 2022 Budget Amendment as published on July 28^th. There were no comments or objections, written or otherwise. As Adair County Auditor Mandy Berg explained last month, the amendment was necessary because money had that been bonded for the Sheriff’s and Recorder’s Office, was not spent in FY2021.

(She said it was for the Sheriff’s radio, 10-year capital improvement project.)

The funds are carry-over. Because the money was not spent and needed to be returned to the budget, a Public Hearing was necessary to formally make the adjustment. The Board also passed a FY22 Appropriations Resolution. Board Chair Steve Shelley.

They also heard from representatives with from Infomax and Avatara, as it pertains to Adair County Information Technology.

Fort Dodge – The Iowa Department of Corrections reports William Eldridge, who was convicted of Domestic Abuse Assault-3rd or Subsequent Offense and other charges in Cerro Gordo County, failed to report to the Fort Dodge Work Release as required, yesterday (Tuesday).

Eldridge is a 31-year-old white male, height 6′ 0″, and weighs 237 pounds. He was admitted to the work release facility on 05/28/2021. Persons with information on Eldridge’s whereabouts should contact local police.

William Alan Eldridge

(Radio Iowa) – Republican Governor Kim Reynolds says the bipartisan infrastructure spending plan that just cleared the U-S Senate is well-intentioned, but Reynolds says an extra one trillion dollars for infrastructure nationwide is a concern.  “We’re trying to take the money that we’re getting and really plug it into infrastructure — into water and sewer and bridges, so we have that opportunity to do that already with a lot of the money that’s coming in,” Reynolds says, “so I’m just concerned that this is another layer.”

Iowa’s two Republican U-S Senators split their votes on the plan. Chuck Grassley voted yes and Joni Ernst voted no. Reynolds made her comments Tuesday during a visit to Sioux Center, on the one-year anniversary of the derecho that swept through central and eastern Iowa. “I’m telling you that it’s hard to believe it’s been a year, but I can tell you without hesitation that I saw the goodness and just the tenacity and kindness of Iowans shine through in the middle of another disaster — in the middle of Covid-19,” Reynolds said, “and so Iowans have had quite a year and we’ve come through it in a really good position.”

Reynolds also made stops in Cherokee, Sheldon and Sibley yesterday (Tuesday).

Officials with the Pottawattamie County Department of Public Health report this week, they are seeing an increase in COVID-19 cases and local hospitalizations due to the emergent COVID-19 variant. As of Tuesday, August 10th, the 14-day positivity rate in Pott. County was 17.2%, which officials say is a significant jump from weeks prior.  Vaccines have shown to be one of the best methods of slowing the spread and severity of COVID-19. Vaccine clinics are available in Pottawattamie County every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 4-to7-pm, and on Saturday from 8-am too Noon. Vaccinations will be administered at the Veterans Affair Building in Council Bluffs (623 6th Ave.).

In addition, IDPH asks that residents limit activities that can potentially expose you or your family. If you are unvaccinated and are exposed to COVID-19, please follow standard guidance: quarantine at home, monitor your symptoms, and get tested if you notice a change in your health. Isolate if necessary. PCPH has home test kits available for pick up. Please call 712-242-1155 for an appointment.

PCPH recommends residents remain vigilant with mitigation methods. Continue to wear a mask and socially distance indoors, regardless of vaccination status, practice good hand washing, and stay at home if you are sick.