The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday, voted 4-to 2, with Councilperson Ashley Hayes abstaining, to authorize the sale of and solicitation of bids for, the Atlantic Senior Center, with a minimum bid of $40,000 and a deadline for bid submission as 4:30-p.m. May 30th.

Councilpersons Kathy Somers and Gerald Brink were opposed to the move. Somers said she’s ok with selling the building, but not okay with putting it up for bid, especially with a minimum bid of $40,000. She said “I think we ought to just take the highest bid or say we will maintain the right not to award it to the highest bidder, and I also think it would just be better, in general, if we would just put it up for sale even if we (The City) sell it “By Owner,” without a real estate agent involved. That way we could negotiate with individual parties that are interested, rather than just saying “We’ll take the highest bidder or we won’t take the highest bidder. Because all of that I don’t think is very fair.”

City Clerk Barb Barrick said they can make the ad say “They City…has the right to reject any and all bids.” In other business, the Atlantic City Council awarded the lowest bid contract for construction of an addition to the Street Department building, to Iron Specialties, in the amount of $116, 926. The Engineer’s estimates put the cost at $119, 500. The two other bids, from Henningsen Contruction and Jensen Builders, came in considerably higher than the lowest bid, at $137, 924 and $159,900, respectively.

Ashley Hayes reads from her letter of resignation.

The Council also accepted the resignation of Ashley Hayes, effective the end of Wednesday night’s meeting. Hayes, who moved out of the 3rd Ward into the 1st Ward, creating a vacancy, was emotional in making her final statement as a Councilperson. She said “When I agreed to run for office nearly eight-years ago, I was so excited improving our Parks Department and being a living example of how younger people in the community can get involved, be heard and create change.” She went on to say how proud she is of the Parks system, and how proud she is to see more young people sitting on various local boards and committees who will shape the future of Atlantic. She said “Thank you for allowing me to serve throughout these two terms….I look forward to serving through other roles in the community.”

Anyone from the 3rd Ward interested in filling the vacant seat, has until 4-p.m. May 29th to submit their resume’ listing their qualifications to the City Clerk’s Office. The person who is appointed by the Council, will hold the seat until the November, unless there is a petition within 20-days calling for a Special Election. The Special Election would take place 60-days afterward. The filled position will be on the ballot during the November General Election, so the person appointed would have the chance to run for the seat full-time.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A South Dakota man accused of robbing a northwest Iowa bank has been sentenced to more than eight years in federal prison. Federal prosecutors for Iowa said Wednesday in a news release that 43-year-old Brendon Reed, of North Sioux City, South Dakota, was sentenced Tuesday to 105 months in prison and ordered to pay nearly $14,000 in restitution to the United Bank of Moville.

Reed pleaded guilty in December to a bank robbery count. Authorities say he robbed the Moville bank on March 30, 2018, and was caught later that day after crashing a stolen car as he was being chased by officers near Salix.

He previously pleaded guilty in state court to stealing the car and was sentenced to 10 years in an Iowa prison for that crime.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has been dropped from a lawsuit that could cost the state millions of dollars in a case alleging former Gov. Terry Branstad and others singled out a former state official for a pay cut because of his political party or sexual orientation.

The lawsuit filed by former Workers’ Compensation Commissioner Chris Godfrey in 2012 is set for a June 3 trial in Des Moines. The lawsuit names Branstad, members of his 2010-2011 staff and former Iowa Workforce Development Director Teresa Wahlert.

Godfrey, who is gay and a Democrat, says he was discriminated and retaliated against, and his constitutional rights to due process and equal protection were violated in 2011 when Branstad slashed Godfrey’s pay after he wouldn’t resign.

Documents filed Wednesday by Godfrey’s attorney, Roxanne Conlin, indicate the state could be on the hook for millions of dollars in damages and attorney fees but the final amount will be up to jurors to decide. Conlin says Reynolds had little to do with the issues of the case, and dismissing her was a strategic decision.

Red Oak Police report a 17-year old male was arrested at around 3-p.m. Wednesday, for Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana. The teen, who was arrested in the 2000 block of N. 4th Street, was subsequently released to his mother from the Montgomery County Jail.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Another one of the dozens of levee repair contracts expected along the Missouri River has been awarded to an Iowa company. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says the $8.5 million contract to repair a levee in Mills County, Iowa, has been awarded to Newt Marine Service of Dubuque, Iowa.

The initial repairs to the breach in the levee northwest of Bartlett, Iowa, should be completed over the next 30 to 80 days. This contract is one of the first handful of repair projects approved. The Corps is reviewing damage as floodwaters subside and making plans to repair 50 breaches that occurred during the March flooding.

HAMBURG, Iowa (AP) — The southwest Iowa town of Hamburg is facing a long list of challenges as it works to recover from this spring’s flooding, and the lack of federal disaster aid is making everything harder.

Mayor Cathy Crain says Hamburg had to take out a $2 million emergency loan to help pay expenses while it works to fix its water treatment plant and waits for Congress to approve an aid package.

Before the flooding in March, Hamburg owed only $56,000 and had $560,000 in savings, but almost all of that has been spent. Crain says Hamburg has begun asking for donations online to help the town recover.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A lawsuit challenging a new Iowa law that prohibits federal funding to be used by Planned Parenthood to teach sex education has been filed against Gov. Kim Reynolds and the state.

On the last day of the legislative session, Republican legislators pushed through language in a budget bill that banned Planned Parenthood of the Heartland from receiving money from two federal grants that have been paying for youth sex education programs.

It was the latest effort by conservative lawmakers to end all streams of government funding for the organization, which as part of its family planning efforts also performs abortions. They said other organizations could provide the information.

Gov. Kim Reynolds signed the measure into law May 3. The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa filed the lawsuit Wednesday in state court in Des Moines for Planned Parenthood. It seeks to block the law temporarily until a court can consider whether it’s constitutional.

The lawsuit argues the law violates the organization’s free speech, due process and equal protection rights. Reynolds spokesman Pat Garrett says, “Governor Reynolds is 100% pro-life and believes taxpayer dollars shouldn’t fund an organization that provides abortion.”

For the past six-years, the Atlantic Rotary has presented their Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award to one person each year. This year was different. Last year’s winner Gini Jordan announced today (Wednesday) that the winners this year were Justin Williams, CCEOC 9-12 Teacher, and CCEOC/Special Education Teacher Karen Vogl.

Atlantic Rotary 2019 Teachers of the Year/Atlantic Community School District (Justin Williams & Karen Vogl)

Vogl said she was “Extremely happy, appreciative and pleased” to receive the award. She credited her success to her team, which includes Justin Williams. Williams also recognized the team, and said he was humble to receive the award.

Rotary Teacher of the Year Chair Becky Schroeder said there were an outstanding pool of nominees this year. The winners she said will receive a check for $5,000 to be used however the teacher sees fit. Both also received a plaque.

Other awards were presented for years of service and to those who are retiring. The retirees honored include:

• Christi Garrett and Deb Nelson, from Washington Elementary.
• Melia Clark, from Schuler Elementary.
• Sheryl Dusenberry, Atlantic Middle School.
• Craig Fredin, Maryle Hopper-Henningsen, Pat Wiederin and Michele Lane, from the Atlantic High School.
• Maintenance retiree, Arnie Lamp.
• Transportation retirees Dave Eckles, Sam Hoover and Jan Imhoff.

Other staff received certificates for serving anywhere from 5-to 35-years with the district.

The Atlantic Police Department reports the arrest on May 7th,  of 24-year-old Aaron Cole, of Atlantic. Cole was arrested for Theft  in the 1^{st degree,}  Burglary in the 2^nd Degree, three counts of Burglary 3^rd Degree – Motor Vehicle, two counts of Unauthorized use of a Credit Card under $1,000, Criminal Mischief 4^th Degree, Interference with Official Acts, and Ongoing Criminal Conduct – Unlawful Activity.

27-year old Kaytie Beschorner, of Atlantic, was arrested May 9^th on Cass County warrants charging her with four counts of Forgery, two counts of Theft 3^rd Degree, fourteen counts of Unauthorized use of a Credit Card under $1,000, Theft 4^th and Ongoing Criminal Conduct – Unlawful Activity in Montgomery County.

Col and Beschorner were transported to the Cass County Jail and booked-in.

Atlantic Police also arrested 46-year-old Joseph King, of Atlantic, on May 12^th, on two Cass County warrants for Violation of Probation. 27-year old Stephanie Stuart,  of Sedalia, Missouri, was arrested May 13^th for Operating While Intoxicated.

19-year old Zachary Butler, of Atlantic, was arrested May 14^th on a Cass County warrant for Interference with Official Acts. And 57-year old Charles Burns, of Atlantic, was arrested that same day, on a Cass County warrant for Violation of a No Contact Order.

All individuals were taken to the Cass County Jail and booked in.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports numerous drug-related arrests have occurred recently. On Tuesday (May 14), 27-year old Stephen Edward Ross, of Atlantic, was arrested for: OWI 1st Offense; Possession of Meth 1st Offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Ross was taken to the Cass County Jail and released later that day on his own recognizance. And, 27-year old Jade Michael Nicholson, of Atlantic, was arrested on a Sheriff’s Office felony warrant for Possession with Intent to Deliver Meth. Upon arrest, Nicholson was additionally charged with felony Possession of Oxycodone 3rd/Subsequent Offense. He remains in the Cass County Jail on $55,000 bond.

Last Friday (May 10), Cass County Sheriff’s deputies arrested 60-year old Robert John Rasmussen, of Massena, on felony charges of Possession with Intent to Deliver Methamphetamine, Possession Marijuana 3rd or Subsequent offense, and a Drug Tax Stamp Violation. He was also charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. On Tuesday, deputies served Rasmussen at the Jail with a District Court warrant for Probation Violation. He remains at the Cass County Jail on $120,000 bond. Also arrested May 10th, was 33-year old Cody Michael Johnson, of Adair, and 35-year old Lisa Marie King, of Cumberland. The pair were taken into custody after deputies responded to a report of an attempted burglary in progress at 64666 Tucson Road. Johnson and King, were each arrested on a felony charge of Burglary in the 3rd Degree, as well as Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. King was additionally charged with Possession of Meth 1st Offense, while Johnson was additionally charged with Possession of Marijuana 1st Offense. Both were being held in the Cass County Jail on $6,000 bond each.

May 5th, Cass County deputies arrested 47-year old Jack Lee Carson, Jr., of Elk Horn, for felony Possession with Intent to Deliver Meth, felony Possession of Meth 3rd/Subsequent Offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Carson was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held on $55,300 bond.

On May 9th, 28-year old Karen Dawn Hernandez, of Atlantic, was arrested on a charge of Driving While Revoked. Hernandez was taken to the Cass County Jail and released the following day on her own recognizance. On May 8th, 35-year old Ryan Mark Biensen, of Fort Dodge, was arrested in Cass County on a District Court warrant for Probation of Violation. Biensen was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held on $20,000 bond.

On May 4th, 48-year old Vicente Gomez, of Texas, was arrested on a charge of Interference with Official Acts. Gomez was taken to the Cass County Jail and released the following day on his own recognizance.