ELLSTON, Iowa (AP) — A Minnesota man has snapped up a free farmhouse in southern Iowa after the offer was publicized, so he can move the home to his grandfather’s farm. Roger and Linda Dolecheck offered their former family home free in a Craigslist ad so they could get it off their Ringgold County land. The family already built a new home seven years ago. The Dolechecks said the home would be torn down this winter if they couldn’t find a taker.

But Jeff Dooley of Anoka, Minnesota, jumped at the chance to claim the farmhouse. Dooley told the Des Moines Register that the home will replace a run-down manufactured home on his family’s land. He hopes to one day retire there.

The Atlantic City Council will hold its final meeting of 2017 this evening, beginning at 5:30. As he’s done in past sessions, Mayor Dave Jones will pay recognition to Atlantic Athletes. This evening, he’ll pay tribute to the Cross Country team, which is comprised of 18 girls and 18 boys. At the State Cross County meet this year, Taylor McCreedy placed 20th and Jalen Petersen placed 67th.

Afterward, the council will discuss with Snyder Engineers and Associates’ Engineer Tim Teig, the Community Beautification Project. During the last Council meeting, there was concern over the costs and scope of a proposed agreement with Snyder’s, with regard to management of the project. Teig was selected by the Community Development Committee to manage the cost estimate and technical aspects of executing the project that began with conceptual plans created by ISU intern Matt Iekel, and were examined by a committee. Teig’s background in Landscape Architecture, according to the Community Development Committee, is a valuable resources for the City, and they recommend approval of an agreement for his services.  After hearing from Teig, the Council will act on approve the Engineering Agreement.

The next order of business pertains to an Order awarding a contract to Howrey Construction in the amount of $98,350, for the AMU (Atlantic Municipal Utilities) Wellfield Trail Head Project. The City is partnering with AMU for the latest phase of the trail system in town. Using Iowa’s TAP (Transportation Alternatives Program) Grant program, AMU will be creating a new trail system over their well heads located near the Sports Complex on the northeast side of town. The project was approved by Regional Planning Affiliations (RPA) 13, last year. AMU will manage the project. The City is expected to serve as the technical sponsor.

Afterward, a Public Hearing will be held with regard to an amendment and extension of the City’s Urban Revitalization Plan, which renews the City’s current tax abatement policy for three-years. The policy would otherwise expire on Dec. 31st. The Personnel and Finance Committee recommends the Council approve a Resolution to renew the URP. City Administrator John Lund will answer any questions the Council may have on the matter, followed by action on the Resolution.

The Council will also hold the second reading of an Ordinance with regard to parking, as it affects 13th Street from Locust to Birch. Parking along that section of street is currently allowed on both sides of the street because it was overlooked somehow. Making the street in compliance with no parking on one side-only, would make the City’s street system more consistent. And, the final order of business for the Council, will be Administering the Oath of Office to Mayor Dave Jones and the rest of the Council who were re-elected during the Nov. 7th City Elections.

A proposed state policy on guns in Iowa child care centers has been put on hold, while the Reynolds Administration reconsiders the issue. The proposed rules would have discouraged, but allowed weapons in licensed child care centers and home day cares under certain circumstances. The rules were to be reviewed by a legislative committee last week, but were pulled from the agenda. Governor Kim Reynolds says that allows time to decide whether the executive branch or the legislature should draft the policy on guns.

“That’s the conversation that we are going to have,” Reynolds told reporters. “And it’s my understanding that hadn’t happened.” The proposed rules that have been tabled would have allowed weapons in licensed child care centers if parents were notified and the guns were unloaded and kept under lock and key.

(Radio Iowa)

More homes were sold in Iowa last month compared to the same period last year. A total of 3,320 homes were sold across the state in November, up from 3,103 during November of 2016. Mark Kamps, president of the Iowa Association of Realtors, is excited about the seven-percent increase. “November was a great month…I always consider anything above three or four percent to be substantial,” Kamps said.

The latest Housing Trends Report from the Iowa Association of Realtors also shows prices went up. The median sale price of an Iowa home last month was $153,250 — a 3.6-percent increase ($147,900) compared to November of 2016.

(Radio Iowa)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:45 a.m. CST

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio told a crowd in Iowa that Democrats must push a progressive agenda to win elections in 2018. De Blasio told a group of progressives Tuesday night in downtown Des Moines that the party “cannot be timid” in addressing such issues as income inequality. De Blasio’s visit to Iowa raised speculation about the mayor’s presidential aspirations in 2020. But de Blasio told a group of reporters he’s not running for president.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa Supreme Court justice has lifted an order that temporarily blocked the state’s largest newspaper from reporting the contents of records legally obtained from a public court file. Critics had denounced the Dec. 11 order by Justice David Wiggins as an impermissible prior restraint in violation of the First Amendment. Wiggins removed the stay Tuesday after the court declined to consider attorney Jaysen McCleary’s request for an injunction blocking publication.

WINTERSET, Iowa (AP) — The state has agreed to contribute more than $250,000 to rebuild a Madison County covered bridge featured on the cover of the novel “The Bridges of Madison County.” The Des Moines Register reports the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs announced Tuesday it would provide $275,770 to the Madison County Chamber of Commerce to help pay to rebuild the bridge, which was destroyed in an April arson fire. The total cost to rebuild the bridge is estimated at nearly $600,000.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A driver has been charged in connection with a Des Moines collision that killed two people and injured two others. Des Moines police say Ryan Rench faces charges of unsafe passing with enhancements for an offense causing two deaths and an offense causing serious injury. Court records don’t list the name of an attorney who could comment for him.

The head of the Iowa Department of Human Services says the state has the ability to fund the federal Children’s Health Insurance Program, also known as CHIP, into April. DHS Director Jerry Foxhoven says he thinks CHIP will be reauthorized, but also notes Congress has been unpredictable. “We have to hope for the best but prepare for the worst, and so we’re trying to develop some contingency plans just in case,” Foxhoven said.

Congress has yet to renew federal funding for the program, which in Iowa, is called “hawk-i.” That stands for Healthly and Well Kids in Iowa. It provides health insurance for about 60-thousand (60,000) kids from low and moderate income families in the state. Foxhoven admits his agency is “not far along” in developing a plan should funding not be restored. “There’s no question it’ll be a challenge to deal with that if that’s not reauthorized – it’s a lot of kids,” Foxhoven said.

Federal funding for CHIP expired at the end of September. Some states are warning families they may have to end the program soon.

(Radio Iowa, w/Thanks to Katarina Sostaric, Iowa Public Radio)

Audubon School District Superintendent Brett Gibbs is pleased to report he’s received word about their Football and Cross Country team earning Distinguished in Academic Achievement Awards from the IHSAA.

The Cross Country team had a 3.51 GPA and Football had a 3.30 GPA. Their Football Cheerleaders earned an Excellence in Academic Achievement with a 3.06.

Distinguished Academic Achievement – Volleyball  – 3.709

Distinguished Academic Achievement – Girls CC – 3.945

Gibbs says this is a “Pretty big deal…this is the “Wheeler Way” !!”

Officials with the Glenwood Police Department are reporting four recent arrests. On Saturday, 30-year old Nicole Spracklin, of Plattsmouth, NE., was arrested for Driving While Barred, and on a Council Bluffs Police Dept. warrant for Probation Violation. Her bond amounted to $4,000. That same day, 26-year old Corbin Wells, of Council Bluffs, was arrested for Violation of a No Contact Order. His bond was set at $300.

Last Friday, Glenwood Police arrested 22-year old David Barrett, of Glenwood, for Interference with Official Acts, and on a Mills County warrant for Probation Violation. His bond amounted to $2,300 altogether. Also on Friday, 44-year old Kimberly Streit, of Glenwood, was arrested for being a Fugitive from Justice. She was being held without bond and transported to Omaha.

The Iowa Department of Transportation reports traffic delays are occurring on Interstate 80 (especially westbound) in Adair County due to a large grass fire. The delay is between Exit 97 (Redfield) and Exit 93 (The Stuart Road). Proceed with caution.

(Photo’s courtesy Bob Simon)

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A 29-year-old driver has been charged in connection with a Des Moines collision that killed two people and injured two others. Des Moines police say Ryan Rench faces charges of unsafe passing with enhancements for an offense causing two deaths and an offense causing serious injury. He’s due in court Jan. 16.

Investigators say the crash happened Oct. 21 when Rench’s pickup truck entered oncoming traffic in an attempt to pass another vehicle. Rench’s pickup struck an oncoming sport utility vehicle. Its driver, 56-year-old Kathryn Kinley, and a passenger, 13-year-old Nariyo Lee, were killed. Both lived in Des Moines. Kinley’s other passenger, 12-year-old Kaden Kinley, and Rench were injured.