(Atlantic, Iowa) – A public hearing on a proposal to discontinue the Parks and Recreation Board in Atlantic, will be held Wednesday, August 2nd, during a regular meeting of the Atlantic City Council. The hearing begins shortly after the meeting starts, at 5:30-p.m. in the Council’s Chambers, at City Hall.

As previously reported, the City’s Personnel and Finance Committee submitted a recommendation to the Council, saying “with all respect due to the Board and the service of its members,” the Parks Board should be dissolved. Their recommendation followed the Committee’s meeting on July 10th, when they reviewed the situation of losing yet another Director for the Parks & Rec Dept, with regard to last month’s resignation of Wyatt Adderton.

Since then, the City Council passed a Resolution that creates the position of Parks and Recreation Coordinator, including the job description and compensation for 2024, The Parks Director’s position will be divided between Public Works Director Kirk Knudsen and the new Parks Coordinator position, with the stipulation the Coordinator reports directly to the Public Works Director. Once the public hearing is completed, the Council must wait 30-days before acting on the first-reading to repeal Chapter 24 of the City’s Code of Ordinances, and discontinue the Board.

In other business, Wednesday, the Atlantic City Council will act on an Order to close selected streets for August 12th’s AtlanticFest, beginning at 5-p.m. on that date. They will also act on Orders to approve Economic Development Agreements with CADCO (The Cass-Atlantic Development Corporation), and Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce. Other action items include a Resolution to “Adjust [the] Season 2023 benefits for Sunnyside Pool Employees,” and a Resolution “Consenting to the issuance of Solid Waste Revenue Capital Loan Notes, with regard to the the 28-E Agreement the City has with the Cass County Environmental Control Agency (Landfill).

The Council will hold the second reading of an Ordinance repealing “Truck Parking Permitted,” and, a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) between the Iowa Department of Revenue and the City of Atlantic,” regarding the State Offset Program, which City Administrator John Lund says “…is another piece of bureaucratic red tape” the Council will need to approve to utilize a useful State Program. “Basically,” he says, “if the City has a legitimate financial claim against an individual and they refuse payment, the City may file with the offset program and have the payment taken from any source of income the individual of business may have with the State.”

Examples of payments subject to the program include income tax refunds and contractor payments.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Police in Red Oak arrested a man a little after 3-a.m. today (Sunday), for Domestic Abuse Assault/1st offense. 19-year-old Juan Diego Ramirez (No address given) was taken into custody in the 2300 block of Eastern Avenue. Ramirez was being held without bond, in the Montgomery County Jail.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – One person suffered minor injuries and was transported to the hospital, following a collision at around 7:20-p.m. Saturday, in Red Oak. Authorities say the driver of a 2016 Dodge RAM pickup, 23-year-old Brandi Ann Sands, of Red Oak, was transported to MCMH by Red Oak Rescue. The accident happened at the intersection of N. 6th and E. Joy Streets.

Red Oak Police say a 2014 Nissan Juke, owned and operated by 20-year-old Lucas Joseph Dean Mutschler, of Red Oak, was westbound on E. Joy Street. He admitted to Police that that was driving “Too fast,” and did not see the pickup driven by Brandi Sands enter the intersection. The car hit the pickup near the rear tire, causing the vehicle to spin around and strike a light pole owned by Mid-American Energy. The pickup came to rest in the middle of 6th Street.

Lucas Mutschler was not injured. He was cited for Failure to Yield upon entering an intersection. Damage from the collision amounted to $15,300. Red Oak Police were assisted at the scene by the Red Oak Fire Department, Red Oak Rescue, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, and Montgomery County Dispatch.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Red Oak Police/Montgomery County First Responders and their friends & colleagues in southwest Iowa will  joining forces from 6-until 8-p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 1st, at Fountain Square Park in Red Oak, along with 38 million others from across the country, in celebrating National Night Out. This is the 40th year of the National event (the 7th year in Red Oak), and there will be more than 10 other Iowa cities officially registered for the event.

The theme of the evening is “Public Safety-Safety of the Public.” First Responders that are confirmed to be on hand for the event include: Red Oak Police and Fire; The Montgomery Sheriff’s Office, Communications/Corrections; Mont. Co EMA; Stanton Fire, Villisca Fire & Rescue, Elliott Fire & First Responders, and Grant Fire; The Iowa State Patrol; Iowa DOT Motor Vehicle Enforcement; U-S Secret Service; IA National Guard; BNSF Police; Iowa DNR; and Mont Co Conservation.

Surrounding counties/cities have been contacted and first responder invites have been extended. The Safety of the Public aspect will focus on Fire Safety (Local FD), Farm Safety (AgriVision, IA Corn Growers, POET Corning), Health related (MCMH, MOCO Public Health, Zion, MOCO Child Abuse Council, Blank Children’s Hosp, Kiwanis, Red Oak Comm Schools, and others.

Throughout the Park and around the square will be FREE food (Elks, Rainbow, Eagles, Walnut Creek Acres, HyVee, Fareway, United Group, Rotary, Grand Theater,Val’s and others), info booths and handouts, displays, games, SuperHeroes, vintage police and fire vehicles, (tribute vehicles and displays, and monster trucks. As of the latest report, over 90 total partners are helping with food/displays/ vehicles/ exhibits/events/and other participating factors and many more expected to sign-on by Tuesday.

There is NO Charge to attend the event. Authorities say you should note that the Fountain Square Park area and one-block in each direction, will be shut down at 4:00-p.m., Tuesday, to allow for set up and all of the partners to get prepared for the night.

As a sign of support please turn your porchlight on for the evening. The National theme is to “take back the night, take back our neighborhoods and communities.” Questions, comments or concerns may be directed to ROPD Chief Justin Rhamy at 712-623-6500.

(Wapello County, Iowa) – A fiery, multi-vehicle crash late Friday evening about five-miles south of Ottumwa, resulted in two deaths and two people injured. The Iowa State Patrol late Saturday night said the crash on northbound Highway 63, north of 25th Street, occurred at around 8-p.m., Friday.

Officials say a 2021 Jeep Renegade driven by 49-year-old Lora L. Sprouse, of Bloomfield, was stopped at a red light being used as a temporary traffic control device for one-lane bridge work. A 2021 GMC pickup driven by 36-year-old Dennis L. Hagedorn, of Kirksville, MO., was stopped behind the Jeep.

A 2018 Chevy Equinox driven by 68-year-old Steven R. Hinebaugh, of Ottumwa, was slowing to a stop behind the pickup, when a 2019 International semi tractor-trailer driven by 22-year-old Reid J. Hilpipre, of Pocahontas (IA), failed to stop. The semi struck the rear of the Chevy, causing a chain-reaction collision.

The pickup, Chevy and semi ended up in the east ditch, and became fully engulfed in flames. The Patrol reports Steven Hinebaugh and his passenger, 65-year-old Brenda K. Hinebaugh, of Ottumwa, died in the crash. Hagedorn, Hilpipre and Sprouse were injured. They were transported by ambulance to the Ottumwa Regional Health Center.

The Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Wapello County Sheriff’s Office and Fire.

(Montgomery County, Iowa) – A traffic stop on a pickup truck traveling at a high rate of speed in Montgomery County, resulted in the arrest Friday evening of a man from Stanton. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports deputies conducted the traffic stop on a Ford F-250 pickup on Highway 48 near Kirkwood Avenue, at around 6:50-p.m.  The driver, 19-year-old Carston Johnson, of Stanton, was arrested for Reckless Driving (A Simple Misdemeanor).

Carston was transported to the Montgomery County Jail later posted a $300 bond, before being released.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The next to last full day of activities at the 2023 Cass County Fair take place Sunday July 30th, here in Atlantic. Activities kick-off as early as 7:30-a.m., with the Swine Show. Antique Tractor Rides are being offered, beginning at 8:30-a.m. Those machines will be on display from Noon until 3-p.m., Sunday. The schedule of events also includes a Poultry Show at 10-a.m., and Decorator’s Showcase in the Community Center, from Noon- until 4-p.m.

The Decorator’s Showcase allows youth to decorate a room with their own individual style. Participants select coordinating textures and colors, the level of formality, or semi-formal looks and then put their selections into a display. Samples from books are used, they cut out pieces they like and designate that samples to be their wall, color, curtains, dresser table, or chair fabric. The samples are labeled and placed in a pop flat arranged completely by the youth.

Each member is allowed one hour for the contest, to complete their display. Senior members will be given a special decorating challenge. The challenge changes every year and is kept secret till the start of the contest, so they are granted an extra 30 minutes put together their exhibit. Intermediate members may select any room and must use a minimum of six samples of designs laid out for them to use during their hour. Junior members are tasked with decorating a bedroom and using a minimum of four different samples.

Local businesses have donated and loaned samples for 4-Hers to use, including wallpaper, paint chips, paneling, carpeting, upholstery fabrics, drapery, and curtain pieces. Awards for the contest will be handed out on Monday, July 31st at 4:00-pm in the Community Center. Be sure to stop by the Community Center to admire the creative handiwork of these young decorators!

The featured meal at the Food Stand on Sunday is a Windsor Chop!.

Here’s the rest of Sunday’s schedule:

1:00 P.M. ……………………………………..Pig Pals Show

2:30 P.M. ……………………………………..Pedal Tractor Pull

3:00 P.M. – 3:30 P.M………………….……….Feeder Calf Weigh-in

4:30 P.M………………………………………County Fair Church Service

5:30 P.M………………………………………Cow/Calf Show

6:00 P.M………………………………………Feeder Calf Show

6:30 P.M…………………….…………………Horse Fun Show

7:00 PM……………………………………….Golf Cart Races

A reminder: Carnival Rides are available from Noon until 10-p.m. each day of the fair (through Monday). The Commercial Buildings are open from Noon until 8-p.m. Each day of the Fair, with Bingo on Sunday from 2-until 5-p.m.

The Cass County Fair is FREE. There is no charge for admission, parking, exhibits or Grandstand entertainment! For more information, find a full fair schedule HERE.

(Cedar Rapids, Iowa) – Severe storms rolled through eastern and parts of northeastern Iowa Friday night, bringing large hail and damaging winds. The National Weather Service in Des Moines said there were also reports of funnel clouds in Franklin and Bremer Counties, with one weak twister touching down four-miles north of Iowa Falls in Franklin County, at around 5:45-p.m., Friday. Another tornado was seen 4 miles northeast of Popejoy, in Franklin County. Spotters reported debris was lofted into the air during the event.

KCRG reports the storms initially leaving thousands without power. City officials in Marion said downed power lines and large tree debris were reported. They were advising people to stay away from downed power lines, and assume they’re charged and dangerous.

Hail ranged in size from Marbles and Quarters to ping-pong balls, with some locations near Eddyville and Iowa Falls being hit by Half-dollar (1.25″ diameter) to golf-ball size (1.75″ diameter) hail. The largest hail was baseball size (2.75″ diameter), reported north of Denver, in Bremer County. Winds during the storms gusted to as high as 93 miles per hour near Albion, in Marshall County.

Crews were expected to conduct a damage assessment today (Saturday). The National Weather Service in Omaha says many locations in the eastern part of the State were hit by hail the size of Quarters to as large as Tennis balls and tea cups. The largest stones (2.5-3″ diameter) fell near Elk Horn, NE., at around 6-p.m., and Fremont, NE, at around 5:20-p.m., Friday.

(Rural Moravia, Iowa) – Sheriff’s officials in southern Iowa’s Appanoose County report a 36-year-old man from Arkansas died following a boating accident, Friday afternoon. The incident happened at around 4-p.m. at Lake Rathbun.  Authorities say the victim – whose name was not immediately released – was on a boat. He got into the water and was hit by the same boat.

Emergency crews searched the area nearly for five hours before finding the man’s body under 14 feet of water. The cause of death is under investigation.

(Monroe, Iowa) – A single-vehicle accident at around 3-a.m. today (Saturday), in Jasper County, claimed the life of a Polk County man. The Iowa State Patrol reports a 2006 Buick Rainier SUV driven by 24-year-old John Lucas Dingeman, of Des Moines, was traveling west on Highway 163 northwest of Monroe, when the vehicle left the road and rolled over. Dingman, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected from the SUV. He died at the scene. His body was transported to the State Medical Examiner’s Office, in Ankeny.

The crash remains under investigation. The Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office.