DES MOINES – Gov. Kim Reynolds has issued an extension of a proclamation to ease restrictions for transportation of and access to fuel used for heat. The proclamation is effective immediately and continues through 11:59 p.m. on February 8, 2024.

The proclamation suspends the regulatory provisions of Iowa Code pertaining to hours of service for crews and drivers delivering propane, diesel, natural gas, and other fuels used for residential, agricultural, and commercial heating purposes.

(Corning, Iowa) – The Adams County Sheriff’s Office, today (Wednesday), released a report on arrests that took place since the beginning of the month.

Most recently, on January 12th, Adams County Deputies arrested 57-year-old Kelley Malone, of Corning, for Driving While Suspended. Authorities issued Malone a summons to appear.

On the 5th of January, 36-year-old Daniel Reyes, of Lenox, was arrested in Adams County for Driving While Barred (Habitual Offender), and for having no SR-22 on file. Reyes’ bond was set at $2,000.

And, on New Year’s Day (January 1st), Sheriff’s Deputies in Adams County arrested 42-year-old Ross Mendenhall, of Corning, for OWI and Interference with Official Acts. He was later released from the Adams County Jail, after posting a $1,300 cash-only bond.

(Creston, Iowa) – A car in the blind spot of a semi tractor-trailer was struck early this (Wednesday) afternoon in Creston, but there were no injuries. Creston Police say a 2022 Mack semi driven by 51-year-old Damon Terrell White, of Ottumwa, and a 2010 Lexus IS 250 driven by 35-year-old  Vidal Octavio Hernandez-Ortiz, of Leon, were traveling east on Highway 34 in Creston, near the intersection of Laurel Street, when White attempted to merge from the inside lane to the outside lane.

He didn’t see the car in his blind spot. The semi’s right front bumper clipped the rear driver’s side quarter panel of the Lexus, causing a total of $3,000 damage. Both vehicles were driven from the scene. The accident happened at around 1-p.m., Wednesday.

No citations were issued.

(Radio Iowa) – Waverly is dissolving its Economic Development Commission after 15 years, and officials in the northeast Iowa city of ten-thousand are looking to residents for solutions. City Administrator James Bronner says most of the commission’s duties are already being done by existing city staff, but citizen input remains important. Bronner says the key to Waverly’s future growth will come from meeting directly with residents to hear voices that haven’t had representation on the eight-member panel.

Bronner says they need to talk with new segments of the population, because if everyone is of like mind, there will be poor representation. The city council is expected to dissolve the commission early next month.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Atlantic Police Chief Devin Hogue, Wednesday afternoon (today), updated an earlier statement issued by Atlantic School District Superintendent Dr. Beth Johnsen, with regard to a threat to the High School in Atlantic. In his report, Chief Hogue said “On the 24th day of January, 2024, the Atlantic Police Department received a report of a threat being made at the Atlantic High School.

“After investigating the incident, it was found that the threat was not credible and students and staff were not in immediate danger to attend school the following day. However, due to the seriousness of the threat and the disruption to the school and learning environment, a 14 -year-old juvenile was taken into custody and has been charged with Threats of Terrorism and transported to a juvenile detention center.

“The Atlantic Police Department worked alongside the Atlantic Community School District during the investigation and has made contact with the Iowa Governors School Safety Bureau in regards to the incident.

“No other details are being released at this time. If you have information regarding the incident, please call the Atlantic Police Department at 712-243-3512.”

Note: A criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City of Atlantic’s Parks Advisory Commission held its first meeting this (Wednesday) afternoon, in the City Council’s Chambers at City Hall. The Commission was established by the Atlantic City Council, in October, 2023. It replaces the former Parks and Recreation Board, and consists of three people living within Atlantic City limits, two Cass County residents, and one non-voting high school student. Those appointed include Kevin Ferguson (2-year term), Dolly Bergmann (2-year term), Shirley Jensen (1-year term), Ali Pieken (1-year term), and Mary Strong (1-year term). A youth representative has not yet been chosen.

Parks & Rec Advisory Commission (1-24-2024)

During the Commission’s meeting, they introduced themselves and discussed the “Purpose of a Park Advisory Commission,” which the City Council has stated is “to ensure that a formal public feedback and input system was in place regarding the operations and capital planning for the city’s park and recreation system.”

The members present decided their next meeting, during which they will elect officers and hold related parks business, is the fourth Wednesday of each month at 3:30-p.m. Therefore the next meeting is on Feb. 28th. The Commission heard an update on efforts to bring a Splashpad to Atlantic.

Ali Pieken

Splashpad Committee spokesperson Ali Pieken said “To date, we’ve raised $415,000 for it, which is super exciting. We are in the process of starting the public bid preparation, with Snyder and Associates.” Pieken and another Committee member sat down with Snyder’s Mike Jorgensen  a few weeks ago to start the process of getting him all the information he needs to prepare the bid packet. She said “It’s very lengthy.” Jorgensen gave group a tentative timeline for the project, which includes hopes for the Splashpad to be open “At least a few days in August,” 2024.

The project was estimated to cost between $600,000 and $650,000, but the costs of materials and other factors are likely to push the price-tag higher. Pieken said “We hope to stay around that, but obviously [with] inflation and….that was last fall, so….”  The City of Atlantic has chipped-in a total of $95,000 towards the project. The engineering fee of $4,000 was deducted from the Splashpark fund by the City, leaving $91,000 still in the pot for the fund.

SWIPCO is working to acquire grants to get the project fund closer to the original goal.