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LEROY MAAS, 90, of Atlantic (Celebration of Life Svcs. 8/9/24

Obituaries

July 21st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

LEROY MAAS, 90, of Atlantic, died Friday, July 19, 2024 at Caring Acres in Anita. A Celebration of Life Memorial service for LEROY MAAS will be held at Caring Acres Nursing & Rehab on August 9th beginning at 2-p.m. Roland Funeral Service in Atlantic has the arrangements.

The service will be recorded and available on the funeral home website by noon on August 10th.

Burial will be held at the Massena Center Cemetery north of Massena, at 1-p.m. on August 9th (prior to the Celebration of Life).

LEROY MAAS is survived by:

His wife – Virginia.

His sisters – Geneve (Virgil) Houk, Linda (Jessie) Rumly, and Mary Blake.

Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.

Atlantic Parks & Rec Commission to discuss swing sets & fall protection for Harl Holt Park

Ag/Outdoor, News

July 21st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City of Atlantic’s Parks Advisory Commission are set to hold their regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, beginning at 3:30-p.m. The meeting takes place in the Parks and Rec Office located just off Sunnyside Lane (1200 Sunnyside Lane).

Old business for the Commission includes updates on:

  1. A model solar system project for the Schildberg Recreation Area: In March (2024), the Parks Advisory Commission received a request from Carrol Garrett, for a model solar system to be installed at the Schildberg Recreation Area, dedicated to memory of her husband John. During their meeting last month (June, 2024), Parks Coordinator Jeff Christensen said he was still working on finding different-size spheres for the project, and Chair Kevin Ferguson said he would inquire with Red Oak Fabrication and Curtis Welding, to see if they can help in any way.
  2. Splash Pad Update: Jeff Christensen is expected to report on progress with the concrete pad for the project, which includes the framing and pouring of the pad, which was underway last week (July 18th).
  3. The Bull Creek Park entrance sign: Last month, Kevin Ferguson obtained a conceptual “draft” for a sign from J.J. Design. The local Junior Federated organization is working with the Ferguson and the Commission on a possible replacement for the current worn, damaged entrance sign.

Under New Business, the Parks Commission will discuss costs associated with a swing set at Harl Holt Park, and foam safety (Fall) padding for the swing set base.

Atlantic City Council to act: on request for special fireworks; 2nd reading of rezoning ordinance; Splashpad matters

News

July 21st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City Council in Atlantic will meet in a regular session beginning at 5:30-p.m., on Wednesday, July 24th, in the Chambers at City Hall. On their agenda, is a request from Wild Wayne’s, for a Special Fireworks Display on Sept 14th at dusk, with regard to Duke Aerial’s Employee Appreciation event (on private property at 103 W. 29th St.). The request was submitted by Mark O’Brien. The show (if approved) would last about 20-minutes.

Next, the Council will receive a presentation from Cass County/United 1st Aid Program Coordinator Erik Johnson, who will have address the Council on activities related to emergency services in Atlantic and Cass County.

The Atlantic City Council will hold the second reading of an ordinance pertaining to the rezoning of the Camblin Hills Subdivision in Atlantic, from R-2 (Low Density/Single-Family residential) to R-4 (Multifamily residential) housing. The Council, on July 10th, passed the first reading of the ordinance, which would allow for the development of duplex and town-home housing, and a child development center. An R-4 zone specifically allows for the construction of: Single family dwellings; 2-, 3- and/or 4-family dwellings; apartment buildings, and Town Houses. City Administrator John Lund (Who is also the Zoning Administrator), says the request conforms to the map, language and intent of the City’s Comprehensive Plan.

In other business, the Atlantic City Council, Wednesday, will act on approving a Change Order for the Sunnyside Park Splashpad Project, in the amount of $27,150. The extra cost is for a 30-by-30-foot shade structure, including the footings and installation for $15,000. Additionally, 162-square yards of pavement, 5-inch (deep) Portland Cement Concrete (P.C.C) sidewalks and shade pad have been added. City Administrator John Lund notes “With so much money saved by the Henley Group’s unexpected [low] bid, the project can afford amendments that round-out and complete this project, making it a more attractive amenity to those who wishes [sic] to enjoy it.”

The Council’s final order of regular business, is to approve a Pay Application in the amount of $316,087.41 to the Henley Group, LLC, for the Sunnyside Park Splashpad Project. John Lund says the bill is high, because the company that supplies the water play structures for the Splashpad requires complete, up-front  payment, which is not something the City’s Engineering firm (Snyder & Assoc.) typically sees. He says in today’s world, “you pay first, then things ship. Not the reverse.” Lund says in the event the play structures are not received, or the City is dissatisfied, [it] can always resort to legal action,” but he thinks everything will be fine, and it will help “Move the project along.”

2 men & 1 woman arrested Saturday night in Red Oak

News

July 21st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Red Oak Police, responding to an incident Saturday night in the 1800 block of N. 4th Street, arrested two men and a woman, following an investigation. Authorities say 35-year-old Micaela Moralaes Gonzales and 35-year-old Douglas Walter Penry, both of Stanton, were arrested at around 10-p.m., for Assault causing bodily injury (Serious misdemeanor). They were being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $1,000 bond, each.

And, 40-year-old Arthur Finton McCarthy, of Ankeny, was charged with Simple Assault (Simple Misdemeanor). His bond was set at $300.

1 dead, 4 hurt in a Saturday night crash in Des Moines

News

July 21st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

One person is dead and four are injured after a crash Saturday night in Des Moines. The accident happened a little after 8-p.m., at the intersection of 2nd and Holcomb Avenues on the city’s north side.

Des Moines Police say woman was pronounced dead on the scene and four others — two adults and two minors — were taken to local hospitals with serious injuries. No names were immediately released.

The crash remains under investigation.

Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the Nishna Valley: Sunday, July 21, 2024

Weather

July 21st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Today: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 10am. Areas of fog before 9am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 78. Light east northeast wind.
Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. Light and variable wind. Areas of fog with visibilities around or under a mile and localized patchy dense fog with visibilities under 1/4 mile at times this morning.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Light west wind. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. Calm wind.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 83. Calm wind becoming west southwest around 6 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 62.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 83.

Saturday’s High in Atlantic was 75. Our Low this morning, 57. We received .01″ rain yesterday after 7-a.m.  Last year on this date, the High in Atlantic was 82, & the Low was 55. The All-time Record High here, on July 21st, was 107 in 1934, & the Record Low was 44, in 1894. Sunrise: 6:03. Sunset: 8:48.

Work release escape of Aaron Darnell Triplett

News

July 21st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Davenport, Iowa – Officials with the Iowa Department of Corrections, late Saturday night,  said a man convicted of 2nd Degree Robbery in Clinton County, failed to report back as required, to the Davenport Residential Correctional Facility, Friday.

36-year-old Aaron Darnell Triplett is a black male, 5-feet 8-inches tall. He was admitted to the Davenport work release facility April 1st, 2024

Persons with information on Triplett’s whereabouts should contact local police.

Tripplett (I-DOC photo)

Fatal motorcycle-truck collision in Council Bluffs Saturday afternoon

News

July 21st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – Officials with the Council Bluffs Police Department say a man on a motorcycle died Saturday, after their motorcycle collided with the passenger side of  a truck a little after 3-p.m. at the intersection of S. 17th and 2nd Avenue, in Council Bluffs.

Council Bluffs Fire and Rescue along with Council Bluffs Police arrived on location. The operator of the motorcycle was to transported to UNMC where he died from the injuries he sustained from the accident.

This collision remained under investigation by the Council Bluffs Police Traffic Unit. As of the latest police report, it was unknown if drugs or alcohol were a factor to this incident.The name of the motorcyclist was not immediately released.

Missing woman found in rural Clarinda bean field

News

July 20th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Clarinda, Iowa) – The Page County Sheriff’s Office reports authorities took a call at around 8:20-p.m. Friday, with regard to a missing person. Deputies from the Page County Sheriff’s Office responded to 2074 Juniper in rural Clarinda, where they took a report of a missing 73-year old woman with health issues. Just before 1-a.m. today (Saturday), the woman was located in a bean field east of the reporting address. Her name was not released.

The Page County Sheriff’s Office wants to thank the following agencies for their assistance:

  • The Braddyville, Clarinda and Coin Fire Departments
  • Page County Communications
  • Clarinda and Shenandoah Police Departments
  • The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office
  • Montgomery and Page County Emergency Management Agencies
  • Clarinda Regional Health Center EMS

And area Residents.

Herky on Parade 20th Anniversary Bobblehead Series Unveiled

Sports

July 20th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Milwaukee, WI) – The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum, Friday, in conjunction with the University of Iowa and Think Iowa City, unveiled 25 officially licensed, limited-edition bobbleheads commemorating the 20th anniversary of Herky on Parade. The bobbleheads are replicas of the statues that are currently on display throughout the Iowa City area featuring University of Iowa’s beloved mascot Herky the Hawk, who celebrated his 75th birthday on September 1st, 2023. The special edition bobbleheads are being produced by the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum, an official licensee of the University of Iowa.

The series includes 25 bobbleheads that are replicas of the Herky on Parade statues as well as a Paint Your Own Herky Bobblehead that gives people the opportunity to create their own unique Herky on Parade Bobblehead. The bobbleheads included in the series are: 25 Years of Captain Kirk, Alumni Band Herky, Can’t Believe it’s Butter Herky, Cartoon Herky, Color Me Herky, Construction Herky, Dr. Grant Herky, Farm Strong Herky, From the Logo Herky, Game Day Herky, Golden Herky, Handcrafted Herky, Hayden Herky, Herk’s Anatomy, Herky in the Wildflowers, Herky’s Salute to Service, Iowa Prairie Proud, Just Herky, Lunch Lady Herky, Old Gold Herky, Paint Your Own Herky, Perspectives, Scout Herky, We Can Do It Iowa, Wrestler Herky, and Yoda.

Standing on a rectangular, gray, stone-like base, the Herky the Hawk bobblehead has his right fist up high “ready to charge.” Each bobblehead is individually numbered to only 2,024 and they are only available through the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum’s Online Store. The bobbleheads, which are expected to ship in November, are $40 each plus a flat-rate shipping charge of $8 per order. A set of all 26 is available for $1,000. A portion of the proceeds benefit the University of Iowa and Think Iowa City. Twenty years after the original parade, the third edition of Herky on Parade returned in May 2024. The wildly popular cooperative effort between the University of Iowa Department of Athletics, the Cities of Iowa City, Coralville, North Liberty, Solon, and Tiffin, Think Iowa City, and Iowa City Area Sports Commission debuted in 2004 and was re-introduced in 2014. In honor of his 75th birthday, Herky made his appearance across Johnson County with 100 new 6-foot-tall statues for all to enjoy. The number of statues was boosted from the originally planned 75 due to an influx of designs and a demand for statues from sponsors.

In the largest public art project Iowa has ever produced, the Herky statues were painted by local and regional artists. They hit the streets for public display on Wednesday, May 1st. The statues will be taken down during the last week of August before FRYfest. Anyone can buy a Herky for $5,000 – although over 50 percent have already been spoken for. Statues not sold will go to auction with proceeds going to the Iowa City and Clear Creek Amana community school districts, in support of art education programs and camp costs for low-income students.

“It’s hard to believe that it has been 20 years since we first ‘took to the streets’ with Herky on Parade in 2004,” Think Iowa City president Josh Schamberger said in a statement. “In 2014, Herky the mascot got a new makeover which we celebrated with the rollout of Herky on Parade 2.0. I recall several of us joking about how we’d be too old to do this again on a 20th anniversary. Well, here it is 10 years later, and we’re energized and excited to do it all over again. It coincides perfectly with Herky’s 75th birthday celebration.”

Created by journalism instructor Dick Spencer and first drawn as a cartoon in 1948, Herky made his mascot debut at an Iowa football game in 1959. An immediate hit, Herky acquired his name in a statewide contest. John Franklin came up with the winning suggestion as a reference to Hercules. Since his first appearance, Herky has become a familiar figure at University of Iowa athletic events – home and away. He can also be seen at events throughout the Hawkeye State during the year, including the Iowa State Fair, parades, grand openings, charity events, and weddings. Herky has become a regular representative of Iowa athletics in national mascot competitions, advancing to the national finals in 2006 and 2008.

“We are excited to release these very special Herky on Parade bobbleheads that are replicas of the awesome statues that can be found throughout the Iowa City area,” National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum co-founder and CEO Phil Sklar said. “Herky has been a staple at University of Iowa for generations and is loved by Hawkeye fans young and old. We know these bobbleheads will become collectibles that are passed down to future generations of Hawkeyes fans through the state of Iowa and beyond.”