Officials with Scooter’s Coffee say concerns of the Atlantic Planning and Zoning Commission, with regard to a drive through/coffee kiosk site on east 7th Street, are without merit. In a letter to the Commission last week, Mike Michaelis, Scooter’s Vice President of Development, asks the Commission to unanimously approve a previously discussed site plan, which calls for the triangular entrance/exit to the U-S Cellar/Verizon & McDonald’s entrance, to be the access and exit routes for motor vehicle traffic. The P&Z will further review the site plan during their meeting 5:30-p.m. Tuesday (Aug. 27), in the Council’s Chambers at City Hall.

During their meeting August 13th, the Commission expressed concerns about traffic congestion to the access drive, as well as vehicle “queuing” (backup), in the drive. At that time, Scooter’s Construction Manager Dan Forsland said he would contact the Iowa DOT about having the turning lane be both east and westbound from the site, instead of the current westbound only.

Michaelis said in his letter, that the site, as proposed, is similar to their coffee kiosk site in Holdredge, Nebraska, and that vehicle stacking at that location averages 3-to 4 vehicles during peak traffic conditions. They estimate the peak traffic times for the Atlantic Scooter’s (If approved), would be between 7:45-to 8-a.m.

Michaelis said their landlord (East Atlantic Holdings, LLC., based in Urbandale), was not able to reach an agreement with neighboring property owners Oinker’s Lounge and Noddles Development Co., with regard to access from those properties.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — A Dubuque man has pleaded guilty to taking estate money without permission and giving it to charities. The Telegraph Herald reports that 45-year-old Robert Young Jr. is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 21. He’d pleaded guilty after making a deal with prosecutors. Court documents say Young had been appointed personal administrator of the estate of Thomas Palmer, who died March 3, 2017, at the age of 58. The documents say Young paid off Palmer’s bills and then donated more than $31,500 to charities without a court’s permission.

Both the defense and prosecutors recommend in the plea agreement that Young be put on probation for two to five years and be given a deferred judgment. Under a deferred judgment, the theft conviction can be removed from his record if he successfully completes probation.

A traffic stop at around 3:19-a.m. today (Monday), on Highway 34 in Adams County, resulted in two people being arrested on drug charges. Adams County Deputies pulled over a vehicle for having a defective headlight, near Fig Avenue and Highway 34. Upon making contact with the driver, 34-year old Waymond Lee Foster, SR., of Creston, a small baggie of marijuana was observed in plain view. A probable cause search was conducted, during which more than 18 ounces (504 grams) of marijuana and THC products were found. The items had recently been purchased in Colorado.

Foster was arrested for Possession with the intent to deliver, Failure to affix a drug tax stamp, possession of drug paraphernalia, and Violation of a No Contact Order. His passenger, Ashley Nicole Foster, was arrested on the same charges. Ashley Foster was also charged with three counts of Unlawful Possession of prescription drugs.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A Sioux City man accused of killing a Nebraska man in Sioux City has pleaded guilty. Woodbury County District Court records say a judge accepted the plea Friday from 31-year-old Daniel Levering. The charge was second-degree murder. Prosecutors had lowered it from first-degree murder after making a deal with Levering.
Prosecutors say Levering stabbed to death 36-year-old Vincent Walker on July 23, 2017. Walker lived in Winnebago, Nebraska.

The plea agreement says Levering will be sentenced to 50 years in prison and must serve 35 years before he can become eligible for parole. He also agreed to pay $150,000 in restitution to Walker’s heirs. The judge ruled in July that Levering was competent to stand trial.