The Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department received a $150 donation during their meeting, Monday evening. The funds were presented by Brad Rasmussen, the father of Parks and Rec Director Bryant Rasmussen. Brad Rasmussen said he’s a member of a local “Birthday Club,” and when it came time to direct the funds he received, he said “Sometimes I send it to the Alzheimers Association, because my mom died from that. This time I chose the Atlantic Parks and Recreation.”

He said if possible, he would like to see the money used for two swings at Mollet Park on the east side of East 3rd Street Place, in Atlantic, where there are two baby swings, but none for the older kids. Any leftover funds could be used to purchase native plants. The Board was grateful for his donation.

In his report to the Board, Bryant Rasmussen said an engineer from the playground equipment manufacturer will be in town July 31st to oversee the construction of the west playground equipment at the Schildberg Recreation Area (SRA). It’s hoped volunteers will assemble the equipment August 1st, weather permitting. The construction was put-off earlier this year due to the wet weather.

Rasmussen said construction of the bathhouse at the SRA was also delayed by the wet weather, but now that it’s being more cooperative, the walls and other features have been erected or installed, but there’s still some work to be completed. Work on the dock at SRA is being discussed to make the best possible, cost-effect plan. The dock was ripped up from its mooring during the flood earlier this year.

As for the East Ridge Park washout, a bridge constructed by Rasmussen has been installed over the culvert, and accessible to pedestrian traffic. With regard to the Bull Creek Pathway, the parks department has been working with the Street Department, to address a washout just north of 14th Street, but that likely won’t take place until after RAGBRAI. Rasmussen said they’ve planted native plants along a portion of the creek to help prevent erosion and look more attractive. Rip-rap has also been installed to prevent washouts. And, artwork has been added as a feature along the pathway, thanks to Brad Rasmussen. At Nishna Park, crews have been working on the wetlands area for bioswells, thanks to a Water Quality Grant. The goal is to control the flow of water turning periods of heavy rain.

In other business, Bryant Rasmussen said numerous incidents of vandalism at the City Park restroom in downtown Atlantic have him considering closing the restrooms at night. The incidents include an adult diaper being set on fire in the restroom, feces smeared on the walls, and more. The Board suggested Rasmussen speak with Police Chief Dave Erickson about having officers lock the doors at night.

And, Sunnyside Pool in Atlantic will be closing August 10th, due to a lack of available life guards. Rasmussen said memberships and passes to the pool will be honored at the Nishna Valley YMCA.

Firefighters from Lewis and Atlantic have been called to a residential fire northwest of Lewis. The call about smoke coming from the roof at 60766 555th Lane came in at around 6:24-p.m. All the residents were out of the home. The fire was apparently electrical in nature.

No other details are currently available.

(Radio Iowa) — A spokesman for the U-S Army Corps of Engineers say runoff into the upper Missouri River basin for 2019 is nearly double its average. The latest data from the Corps says 38-point-three million acre feet of runoff has been recorded in the basin above Sioux City as of July 1st, contributing to continued flooding downstream.

The chief of the Corps Missouri River Basin Water Management Division, John Remus,says current projections call for the second-highest yearly runoff total in the history of Missouri River recordkeeping. “The July 1st forecast for runoff in the basin above Sioux City is 49-point-nine million acre feet,” Remus says. “This is slightly lower than our June 1st forecast of 50 million acre feet. If realized, this runoff will be the second-largest runoff in the 120 years of records.”

The forecast amount would be second only to 2011, when 61 million acre feet of runoff was recorded. Remus says the reservoirs in the upper basin designed for flood control storage are nearly full. “Reservoir system storage is currently 68-point-four million acre feet,” according to Remus. “This is just above the base of the system’s exclusive flood control zone and 12-point-three million acre feet and of the 16-point-three million acre feet of total flood control storage is currently occupied.”

Remus says the Corps is anticipating getting some additional flood control storage back in Montana and Wyoming in the near future, which will bring additional water to dams in North Dakota and South Dakota. “The Bureau of Reclamation has been storing runoff in the flood control zones on some of their projects in the upper basin,” Remus says. “They are beginning to release water now. We should be seeing that water from the bureau projects at Fort Peck and Garrison in the next week or so.”

Releases from Gavins Point Dam in Yankton, South Dakota — the lowest dam on the system — remain at nearly twice their normal levels due to the increased runoff.

HUDSON, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say two people were killed when the vehicle they were in crashed off a Black Hawk County road. The crash occurred a little before 9:30 a.m. Sunday just southwest of Hudson. Deputies sent to the scene found the vehicle in a field and noted that it appeared to have rolled several times.

The driver of the vehicle and a passenger, both of Reinbeck, were pronounced dead at the scene. The driver was identified as 33-year-old Kimberly Hoskins, and the passenger was identified as 32-year-old Tobi Vanhauen.

The Cass County and Audubon County Community Foundations have announced that applications are now being accepted from organizations providing charitable services separately, in Cass County and Audubon Counties. As part of this fall grant cycle, $27,230 is available to support Cass County nonprofit organizations and community projects, and $41,515 is available for Audubon County nonprofits. The deadline to apply for funds through the online application process is September 1.

Of the total allocated Cass County funds, $1,000 is restricted to the community of Griswold, and $26,230 is available to support projects throughout the county. In Audubon County, $2,350 is restricted to the Exira area, $2,015 is designated for the community of Audubon, and $37,150 is available to support projects throughout the county.

Beginning July 15, application details, a fact sheet, and a link to the application form can be found online by selecting Cass County, or Audubon County respectively, under County Listing at www.swiowafoundations.org. Applications will only be accepted through the online system.

Only those organizations providing services in Cass or Audubon Counties are eligible to apply in their respective counties. They must be able to demonstrate broad community/county support and be an IRS-approved 501(c)(3) Public Charity or a fiscally sponsored project. Requests for general operating support will not be considered.

The Cass and Audubon County Community Foundations aim to improve the quality of life in their counties by supporting community needs in the areas of civic engagement, culture, health, education, and social services. The objective of the grant program is to fund projects that will have a permanent impact on, and in, Cass and Audubon Counties. Those grant funds are made possible by the generosity of Cass and Audubon County Community Foundation donors.

To inquire about donating to the Cass County Community Foundation, contact the Community Foundations of Southwest Iowa staff or any county board member. Gifts to permanently endowed funds through the Foundations may be eligible to receive a 25% Endow Iowa Tax Credit.

Contact Stacey Goodman at 800-794-3458 or stacey@omahafoundation.org or Tess Houser at tess@omahafoundation.org with application-related questions. All completed grant applications will be considered at the October Board meeting, with applicants being notified of funding decisions by the end of October.

Audubon Police Chief Matt Starmer today (Monday) released a report on arrests and incidents dating back to mid-June.

Today (Monday), 28-year old Bobby Lee Stevens, of Harlan, was arrested on an Audubon warrant for Violation of a No Contact Order.  Stevens was booked into the Audubon County Jail awaiting to see a magistrate. On Sunday, two 17 year old juveniles and a 16 year old juvenile were arrested and charged with trespassing.  All were released to their parents/guardians and referred to the Juvenile Court System.

Last Thursday, 24 year old Corey Randall Dickson, of Audubon, was arrested on a Guthrie County Warrant.  Dickson was arrested and transferred to the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Department. On July 6th, 46 year old Danielle Delroy Frasier, of Audubon, was arrested on Audubon warrants for Violation of Probation and Contempt.  Frasier was transported to the Audubon County Jail.

On July 3rd, 31 year old Allison Marie Martin, of Audubon, was arrested on a warrant and transported to the Audubon County Jail. And, 29 year old Levi Alroy Kluver, of Audubon, was arrested on a Carroll County warrant and transferred to the Carroll County Sheriff’s Department.

On June 29th, Audubon Police arrested 35 year Laura Lynn Madden, of Audubon, on a charge of with Driving Under Suspension.  Madden was issued a citation and released on promise to appear. And, 33 year old Skielynn Laverne Stephens, of Audubon, was arrested on a warrant and transported to the Audubon County Jail.

On June 12th, 27 year old Tyler Lee Carter, of Audubon, was arrested on an active Audubon Police Department warrant for (2) charges of Theft-5th.  Carter was transported to the  Audubon County Jail where he later appeared before a magistrate and pled guilty.

And, on June 10th, 33 year old Eric Lopez of Audubon was charged with Animal at Large.  He was issued a citation and released on promise to appear.

Fourth District Judge Kathleen Kilnoski today (Monday), sentenced former Harlan City Administrator Terry Cox to two years of probation.

Terry Cox

In addition, Cox was ordered to pay fines amounting to $1,624, and restitution in the amount of $7,500 to the city of Harlan. In April Cox plead guilty to charges of 2nd Degree Theft and Tampering with records. Judge Kilnoski sentenced Cox to up to five years in prison on the Class-D theft charge, and up to two years in prison on the tampering charge, an aggravated misdemeanor, but suspended both sentences.

The Atlantic City Council will meet 5:30-p.m. Wednesday, in their Chambers at City Hall. On their agenda is discussion and action with regard to RAGBRAI preparations, pertaining to street closings and restricted parking for the July 21st-22nd event that will bring perhaps thousands of riders into Atlantic for their first overnight stop.

Atlantic Police Chief Dave Erickson has proposed closing the following streets from 6-a.m. July 21st through 2-a.m. July 22nd:

• Chestnut Street from the Court House Driveway access (in the 700 block) to 2nd Street, to allow set-up of a stage and vendor access).
• 6th Street from Locust to Walnut (The entry point to the entertainment area, bike parking, and vendors)
• Poplar Street from 7th to 5th (for bike parking & portable restrooms)
• 7th Street, from Poplar to Walnut (which will serve as the entertainment area and crowd area, while the bands play).
• 10th St., at the intersection with 7th, for eastbound traffic (only at the peak times for riders getting to, and leaving, Atlantic).
• 14th Street, from Olive to Plum Streets (On Monday, July 22nd, while the riders are leaving town).

The order to temporarily restrict parking those days will affect:

• 10th, from 7th to Olive, on the north side.
• Palm, from 9th to 10th, on the west side.
• E. Mahogany at 9th Street, north & west sides.
• W. Mahogany at 10th St., west side.
• Ed Podolak Drive, from Linn to Olive, north side.
• Linn Street, from 10th to Ed Podolak Drive, east & west sides.
• 14th Street, by the Heritage House, south side.
• Olive Street & Roosevelt Drive, 100-feet north on the east side.
• and, 10th and Olive, one-half block in all directions.

The Council will also act on an Engineering Agreement with Snyder & Associates, for the Atlantic Animal Shelter Building addition. Funds for the addition, which will allow cats to be held in separate quarters from dogs, was made possible through a gift of $135,000 from the estate of Ms. Lorene Eppelsheimer. The addition will be 18-by 36-feet, or 648-square feet in all. Estimates are that the engineering and project management costs will run $120,350. The balance of the funds will be used for additional cat cages and comforts for the cats.

There will also be a public hearing during Wednesday’s meeting, with regard to the sale of 411 Walnut Street (The Atlantic Senior Center). During their meeting June 5th, the Council accepted a bid of $55,445 from the Elks Club for the purchase of the facility. A public hearing must be held in accordance with Iowa Code before the Council can, by Resolution, execute the final sale of the property.

Officials with the Cass County Health System (CCHS) have announced that Dr. Emily Chang, OB/GYN, will join the medical team at CCHS on Monday, November 11, 2019. In a press release, Dr. Chang said “In just a limited time at Atlantic and the hospital, I can tell that there is a strong sense of community, and people are proud to work there. I like to be in a work environment that values open communication, teamwork, and empathy.”

Dr. Emily Chang, OB/GYN

CCHS CEO Brett Altman said, “We believe that Dr. Chang is an excellent fit for our community’s needs. She will provide the full spectrum of obstetric and gynecological care including gynecological surgeries. We are impressed by both her extensive knowledge and compassion for patients, and we are thrilled to bring her onboard full-time to provide women’s health care in our community.”

Dr. Chang has worked in both Illinois and Iowa and brings more than a decade of experience to CCHS, most recently having practiced the past six years at Obstetrical & Gynecological Associates next to Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. Dr. Chang is certified through the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She is a Fellow of the American Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology, as well as a Diplomate of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Dr. Chang received her BA degree from Illinois Wesleyan University in Mathematics and Natural Sciences and a Bachelor of Medical Sciences from Midwestern University in Illinois. She graduated from Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2003.  She completed her residency at Mercy Hospital & Medical Center in Chicago. Dr. Chang will work closely with Dr. James Brown in transitioning his practice before his retirement in May 2020. She will care for patients at Atlantic Medical Center and Cass County Memorial Hospital.

The Iowa DNR is offering an opportunity to complete the required Hunter Education Course right here is Cass County this August. The course will be held August 6th, 8th, and 10th at the DNR Environmental Service Division Field Office #4 at 1401 Sunnyside Lane in Atlantic. Students must attend all classroom and range sessions to become certified. This is a free course with all materials supplied to the students on the first evening class.

Iowa law requires that anyone born after January 1, 1972 must be certified in hunter education before they are eligible to purchase an Iowa hunting license. Any child under 11 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian during every session.

The class times will be Tuesday, August 6th from 6:00pm-9:00pm. Thursday, August 8th from 6:00pm-9:00pm. Saturday, August 10th from 8:00am-2:00pm. To register for the course you can go to www.iowadnr.gov and follow the proper links under hunter education and find the Cass County course.