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Keep up-to-date with Fox News Radio, Radio Iowa, Brownfield & the Iowa Agribusiness Networks!
Members of the Atlantic City Council, Wednesday, voted to approve a Resolution placing on the Nov. 3rd General Election ballot, a bond measure asking citizens to approve paying for the restoration of the historic ballroom/theater and the creation of a multi-purpose facility on the second and third floors of the City Hall building. The cost of the bond would not exceed $875,000, and would be paid for through Local Option Sales Tax (or, “LOST”) funds.
Design Alliance has placed the cost of work for the project at around $933, 000. The Council approved $100,000 during the last bond issuance, for the installation of an elevator that makes the second floor accessible. About $10,000 of those funds have been reserved to compensate Design Alliance for their services to the City. City officials say the remaining $90,000 can be credited to the project, bringing the needed funds to around $841,097.
City Administrator John Lund says he requested the bond on the ballot measure be increased to $875,000, to cover any contingencies or unanticipated costs associated with work on the project, because contractors have warned him the building’s age may be concealing major problems that won’t be known until after work begins.
Special fixtures for the auditorium, such as a stage curtain, lighting and audio-visual equipment, and any unforeseen circumstances, could be paid for through an extra bond next year, but Mayor Dave Jones said the City needs to stick within its budget. More than a few people, he said, have been interested in offering additional financial support, should it become necessary.
Prior to a vote on approving the Resolution, Design Alliance Architect firm representative Jerry Purdy and his colleague Kristofer Orth made a presentation on the proposed project, which a Taskforce has been reviewing issues pertaining to, for the past six-months. Purdy said the task force and others made it clear, they don’t want any changes in the structure to detract from its historic appearance. Among the top priorities of the Task Force was an elevator to make the second and third floors ADA compliant, along with rest rooms, and possibly a kitchen.
Among the proposed changes to the building is an elevator that would come from the basement, where a machine room would also be located. On the ground level floor above that, a portion of the Mayor’s office and the Police lobby would be used to make room for the elevator. On the second floor, the ballroom space would be renovated and restored for performances. That includes renovating the stage and dressing rooms. A conference room, space for storage of tables and chairs and a serving kitchen for banquet purposes would also be made available. A new restroom has also been designed for the second floor. The floor and facilities would be designed to accommodate up to 300 people. A secondary means of egress would also be necessary to evacuate persons from the building, if necessary.
On the third floor, there would be storage for entertainment props, balcony seating would be restored, and a space on the northeast side could be used for a coffee shop or museum/gallery for local artists, and a restroom.
In other business, the Atlantic City Council held the first readings of Ordinances amending the City’s Code of Ordinances, with regard to “Fiscal Management and Accountability,” and “Provisions pertaining to Mayor and Council Compensation.” Both ordinances requires two more readings before they are passed. John Lund says the last time the Council’s compensation was considered was in 1994, with the Mayor’s salary having been adjusted 18-years ago.
At least two people suffered minor injuries during a three-vehicle collision Wednesday evening, east of Atlantic. According to dispatch reports, the accident happened near where the old State Patrol Headquarters was located (the site of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints), just west of the intersection of Highway 6 and 650th Street (Highway 71). The crash happened at around 5:44-p.m. and involved a Mustang, an SUV and one other vehicle.
Additional details are currently not available. A second, unrelated accident happened at 6:33-p.m. just east of 8th and Plum Streets, near the entrance to the Mid-Town apartments.
(Council Bluffs) The Iowa Department of Transportation’s District 4 Transportation Office in Atlantic reports reconstruction work in the Council Bluffs area, requires shifting west- and eastbound traffic to the newly completed westbound lanes from the eastbound lanes near the Interstate 29/U.S. 275/Iowa 92 interchange.
The following traffic impacts will occur Wednesday, Sept. 8, and Thursday, Sept. 9.
Interstate 29
6 p.m. Wednesday until 5:30 a.m. Thursday: Southbound on- and off-ramps to Interstate 29 at the I-29/U.S. 275/Iowa 92 will be closed, weather permitting.
From approximately 9 p.m. Wednesday until 5:30 Thursday: Motorists wishing to access I-29 will need to utilize the South Expressway (exit 3) detour.
U.S. 275/Iowa 92
6 p.m. Wednesday and later that evening: Westbound traffic on eastbound U.S. 275/Iowa 92 will be shifted to the newly-finished westbound lanes at 6 p.m. Eastbound traffic will be shifted later in the evening.
Between 6 and 9 p.m. Wednesday: Motorists on westbound U.S. 275/Iowa 92 wanting access to I-29 should use an alternate route.
Denmark Drive
At 6 p.m. Wednesday: Denmark Drive into Metro Crossing will be reopened to traffic.
Traffic has been reduced to one lane in each direction on U.S. 275/Iowa 92 since June 2014 to allow for reconstruction of the westbound bridges and adjoining pavement.
The next phase of construction project includes rebuilding the eastbound bridges and adjoining pavement.
Iowa DOT is in the process of reconstructing I-80, I-29, and I-480 in the Council Bluffs metropolitan area. This comprehensive interstate redesign will modernize the highway system and improve mobility and safety of approximately 18 miles of interstate. Motorists are encouraged to allow for extra travel time while this interstate improvement takes effect. If you would like more information about detours and traffic impacts visit the program website, www.CouncilBluffsInterstate.IowaDOT.gov.
Police in Glenwood are asking for your help in finding a stolen pickup truck. Authorities said Wednesday sometime between Aug. 25th and the 28th, a black 2002 GMC Sierra C1500 Truck, with the Iowa license plate CCV 128 (Montgomery County) was taken from 801 N. Walnut St in Glenwood.
Anyone with any information about the vehicles’ location or the crime itself, please contact the Glenwood Police Dept. at 527-9920 or 527-4844.
The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest on Tuesday, of 19-year old Tyler Ray Osborn, of Atlantic. Osborn was taken into custody on charges of Driving While Revoked (Serious) and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Simple). He was brought to the Cass County Jail where he remains held on $1,300 bond.
And on Monday, deputies in Cass County arrested 19-year old Sarah Jo Porter, of Atlantic. Porter was taken into custody on a District Court warrant for Failure to Appear. She was brought to the Cass County Jail, and later released on $5,000 bond.
The Sheriff’s Office also wants the public to remain aware that phone scams are an ongoing problem. Authorities say you should Never give your personal information or bank account information to anyone via telephone on calls you did not initiate!
(12-p.m. News)
Authorities in Adair County are asking for your help in finding a wood chipper stolen from the Adair business, Cornerstone Landscaping. The theft took place sometime in the late hours of Sunday night or early hours of Monday morning.
If you know or have heard of the whereabouts of the machine, or who may have been involved in the theft, please call the Adair County Sheriff’s Office at 641-743-2148. You can also contact Chief Heinz at the Adair Police Department, at 641-742-3615. Or, send the Sheriff’s Office a message on FB. You can always request to remain anonymous.
Authorities are also looking for information on a stolen trailer from another business owner in Adair, Caliber Concrete.
Iowa Community Kitchen (ICK), which has served over 5,900 meals to the Shelby County community since October 2014, has partnered with First Baptist Church of Harlan. Through this new partnership, both ICK and First Baptist Church look forward to expanding the services available through ICK starting October 6, 2015.
Pastor Dan Hawn, First Baptist Church of Harlan, says “We are very excited to get involved with Iowa Community Kitchen and the strong mission they have established serving the Shelby County community. Their work pairs very well with our efforts to strengthen our community from the inside out, meeting the needs of those less fortunate or those who may have lost their way along life’s path.”
Vickie Kuhn, Director, Iowa Community Kitchen, says “As we close out our first year this October, we anticipate we will have served over 6,900 meals to the Shelby County community. The community’s needs continue to grow and we look forward to meeting those needs through this new partnership.”
Iowa Community Kitchen provides “free will donation” meals on Wednesday evenings to anyone in the community who walks through their doors. The service has met the needs of many segments of Shelby County including low income families, busy families who do not have time to prepare a meal on Wednesday, community members who have trouble leaving their place of residence for a meal, and community members who are looking for an opportunity to socialize with their neighbors and friends.
Starting October 6th, ICK will be providing their meal service using the recently renovated kitchen and dining facilities available at First Baptist Church. Kuhn says “This will be a little bit of a change, as we move from providing meals on Wednesday’s to Tuesday’s starting October 6th. We have already started communicating this change to our patrons and believe the transition to a new serving night will be very smooth, especially with all the help and support First Baptist Church is providing.”
For additional information, please visit the Iowa Community Kitchen Facebook page and First Baptist Church of Harlan’s website.
A man riding a moped in Harlan was arrested on drug charges, Monday, following a traffic stop. According to Harlan Police, 47-year old Timothy Nevel, of Harlan, was pulled over for driving a moped with no license plates displayed. As a result of the stop Nevel was taken into custody and transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Nevel was also cited for failure to have a valid license, failure to prove security against liability and operating a non-registered vehicle.
Harlan Police report also:
Four juveniles were cited into juvenile court Aug. 24th, after officers were notified that they had allegedly broken into an apartment owned by Jeron and Melissa Henscheid. Missing from the apartment were several knives, scissors and flashlights.
On Aug. 26th, officers in Harlan arrested 36-year old Philip Dau, of Harlan, after they responded to a report of a subject who might be in need of assistance. The subject (Dau) was located in the 2600 block of 12th Street. Due to his condition and his BAC over 3 ½ times the legal limit, Dau was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with intoxication in public.
On Aug. 27th, 29-year old Hanna Harding, of Harlan, was arrested on an active warrant for her arrest. Harding was transported to the Shelby County Jail.
Deputies in Audubon County arrested a man following an incident Tuesday, at his home. 18-year old Tyler John Eugene Weitzel, of Exira, was arrested at around 7-p.m. for Serious Domestic Abuse Assault. He was brought to the Audubon County Jail and held until making an appearance before the magistrate, and then released.
The Iowa cycling community will be closely watching a court case in Benton County today (Wednesday). Cyclist Matt Phippen claims a pickup truck passed him in an aggressively close manner on a country road back in March. Matt Wyatt, executive director of the Iowa Bicycle Coalition, says this may be the first time a motorist will go to trial for violating the Iowa law the demands vehicles give bikes more space.
“We’re seeing incidences that this happens,” Wyatt says, “and it’s really hard to say ‘the motorist buzzed me’ without any evidence to prove it.” The cyclist in the case -does- have evidence, video of the incident shot from a pair of bike-mounted cameras facing both directions. Phippen says the video shows there was plenty of room on left side of the road, but the driver drove down the center, then hit his truck’s diesel to create a plume of smoke to “make a point.”
The pickup driver, Steven Payne, is contesting the $270 in fines and fees. Wyatt made his comments on Iowa Public Radio’s “Talk of Iowa.”
(Radio Iowa)