The Atlantic Area Ambassadors visited Tropical Sno recently, a shaved ice shack that serves flavored sno cones. Matt Mullenix and his family own Tropical Sno and explained to Ambassadors how the product is made. Tropical Sno is different from other sno cone businesses because the ice is shaved by a blade rather than crushed, allowing the ice to absorb all of the flavoring. Tropical Sno is open week nights from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Mullenix Family Pictured: Collin, Matt, Michelle, Chloe, and Chase Mullenix
Ambassadors Pictured: Pat McCurdy, Ali Krogman, Rich Perry, Nedra Perry, Debbie Leistad, Sue Muri, Dolly Bergmann, Bill Saluk, JoAnn Runyan, Kathie Hockenberry, Tammy Waters, Carol Sedden, Tara Jennerjohn, Karry Jepsen, Karl Aldag, Lucas Mosier, Donnie Drennan, Doug Harris, Keith Leonard, Steve Anderson, Gerhard Marburg, Doreen Ellsbury, Tyler Mosier, Jim Kickland, Dr. Mitch Peerbolt & David Schwab.
(Chamber photo)

w/ Ric Hanson

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DES MOINES, Iowa – A big weekend is approaching for military veterans across the region who are ready to take their boots from the battlefields to the farm fields. The Midwest Conference for Farmer Veterans aims to connect vets and service members considering a career in agriculture with information and resources on everything from land access to food safety.

“For example, USDA,” says Matt Russell, state food policy project coordinator of the Agricultural Law Center at Drake University. “The USDA has tremendous programs to help family farmers. “If you didn’t grow up in agriculture, you might not understand all of those resources. So, just helping them navigate that, that would be one of the services that we’re providing as well.”

The farmer veterans conference will be held this Friday and Saturday at Drake University in Des Moines, and will include a tour of a diverse farm operation. More than 40 percent of military members come from farms and small towns, so Ed Cox, chairman of the Farmer Veteran Coalition of Iowa and staff attorney of the Agricultural Law Center at Drake University, says it’s also a vital for rural development to help veterans put down roots and grow a career in agriculture.

“So, if we can get these people that have a record of service to their country back in those rural communities, not only as farmers, but as leaders in the community, it can be a very valuable asset for those rural communities,” he says.

Cox also notes that some returning veterans are looking for a continued sense of service and purpose, and with farming, they can get that by helping to feed their communities and their country.

(Iowa News Service)

New versions of vintage toys from the 1950s and ’60s are helping to prod business leaders around the nation into building their next facility in Iowa. Tina Hoffman, spokeswoman for the Iowa Economic Development Authority, says about 25-hundred key corporate leaders across the U-S are receiving green-and-white care packages from the Hawkeye State. “We have a targeted list of prospects that we’re going out to,” Hoffman says. “One of the things that we’ve done is to send them things that are kind of different, that they’ll keep on their desk and will put Iowa at the top of their mind when they are considering their next business expansion or relocation project.”

The Viewmaster and discs.

One of the incentive gifts is a rebranded Viewmaster. It resembles a pair of binoculars but instead of being used to see far-away objects, several color photos of Iowa are pre-loaded in the devices.  “We have included with them one disc and there are about eight pictures,” Hoffman says. “It talks about everything from quality of life to business climate to commute times, all of those things that are important when you’re looking at a new business location.” While stereo-scopes were around decades earlier, the Viewmaster became a very popular toy starting in 1966, so there’s a clear, nostalgic appeal to business leaders who are in the Baby Boomer Generation.

“We also have done the Magic Eight Ball,” Hoffman says. “That’s a pretty cool thing. When you ask the Eight Ball a question, the answer always comes up, ‘Iowa.’ There are several different specific answers but ultimately, it’s always Iowa.” Each device costs about 15-dollars but Hoffman says it’s worth the price. Since January of 2011, she says the office has been working with projects that will result in more than nine-BILLION dollars in capital investment in Iowa.

(Radio Iowa)

The Crawford County k-9 unit has scored another hit, resulting in the arrest Sunday of three western Iowa residents on drug charges. Sheriff James R. Steinkuehler reports during a traffic stop Sunday on Highway 59, the K-9 “Bayou” alerted to the odor of narcotics coming from the vehicle. During the search of the vehicle, methamphetamine, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia were seized. As a result of the investigation, 56 year old Laurel Borkowski, of Denison, was charged with Delivery of Methamphetamine (Enhanced Class “C” Felony), and Possession w/ Intent to Deliver less than 5 grams of Methamphetamine (Class “C” Felony). Her bond was set at $10,000. Also arrested was 50 year old Steven Dusing, of Fonda, who  was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine (Serious Misdemeanor), Possession of Marijuana (Serious Misdemeanor), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Simple Misdemeanor). His bond was set at $1,000.

Upon further investigation by the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department, a search warrant was conducted at 218 North 20th Street in Denison. During the search of the residence, approximately 2.6 pounds of Marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and a small quantity of Methamphetamine, were seized. As the result of the search warrant 22 year old Shane Sturtevant, of Denison, was charged with: Possession with Intent to Deliver Marijuana (Enhanced Class “D” Felony), Possession of Methamphetamine (Serious Misdemeanor), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Simple Misdemeanor), bond set at $5,000.

The Denison Police Department Assist the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department in the search of the residence.

Sheriff’s officials in Montgomery County report a rural Red Oak man was arrested Sunday afternoon on an assault charge. Daryl L. Kruse was taken into custody at around 3:35-p.m. on a charge of Domestic Abuse Assault with injury. His arrest was the result of an investigation into a reported incident of domestic violence at a residence on 230th Street.

Kruse was brought to the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center and held without bond pending an appearance before a magistrate. Neither Kruse nor the alleged victim required medical treatment for their injuries.

400 AM CDT MON JUL 21 2014 …A HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 7 PM CDT TUESDAY FOR ALL BUT THE EXTREME PARTS OF WESTERN/SOUTHWEST IOWA, WHERE THE ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FROM 1-PM TO 7-PM MONDAY…

HOT AND HUMID CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING…WITH ONLY MODERATE RELIEF TONIGHT. THE MOST PRONOUNCED HEAT AND HUMIDITY WILL BE EXPERIENCED IN MOST AREAS…ESPECIALLY SOUTH OF HIGHWAY 30…ON TUESDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

TEMPERATURES TODAY WILL PEAK IN THE UPPER 80S TO LOWER 90S…WITH HEAT INDEX VALUES REACHING THE LOWER 100S IN MANY AREAS TO AROUND 105 OVER THE WEST THIRD OF IOWA. ON TUESDAY TEMPERATURES WILL PEAK IN THE UPPER 80S NORTH TO MID 90S CENTRAL AND SOUTH…WITH HEAT INDEX VALUES APPROACHING 100 OVER THE NORTH…AROUND 105 OVER THE CENTRAL THIRD…AND APPROACHING 110 OVER THE SOUTH THIRD OF IOWA.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… A HEAT ADVISORY MEANS THAT A PERIOD OF HOT TEMPERATURES IS EXPECTED. THE COMBINATION OF HOT TEMPERATURES AND HIGH HUMIDITY WILL COMBINE TO CREATE A SITUATION IN WHICH HEAT ILLNESSES ARE POSSIBLE. DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS…STAY IN AN AIR-CONDITIONED ROOM…STAY OUT OF THE SUN…AND CHECK UP ON RELATIVES AND NEIGHBORS.

TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS…IF YOU WORK OR SPEND TIME OUTSIDE. WHEN POSSIBLE…RESCHEDULE STRENUOUS ACTIVITIES TO EARLY MORNING OR EVENING. KNOW THE SIGNS OF HEAT EXHAUSTION AND HEAT STROKE. WEAR LIGHT WEIGHT AND LOOSE FITTING CLOTHING WHEN POSSIBLE AND DRINK PLENTY OF WATER. TO REDUCE RISK DURING OUTDOOR WORK…

THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDS SCHEDULING FREQUENT REST BREAKS IN SHADED OR AIR CONDITIONED ENVIRONMENTS. ANYONE OVERCOME BY HEAT SHOULD BE MOVED TO A COOL AND SHADED LOCATION. HEAT STROKE IS AN EMERGENCY…CALL 9 1 1.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Some of the most intense heat of the summer so far is expected in Nebraska and Iowa, so forecasters are urging people to take precautions. The National Weather Service has issued heat advisories for the eastern half of Nebraska and for 74 of Iowa’s 99 counties today (Monday) and Tuesday. Temperatures are expected to climb into the 90s across the region and humidity will be high, so heat stroke, heat exhaustion and sunburn are possible.

Leslie Schaffer with the Iowa chapter of the American Red Cross says it’s important to take precautions in the heat, especially for the elderly and young children. Staying inside during the hottest part of the day can be a big help. People who must work outside should take frequent breaks and drink plenty of fluids.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

TROY MILLS, Iowa (AP) — Authorities have identified a 29-year-old woman who drowned while tubing down an eastern Iowa river. The Linn County sheriff’s office says Andrea Zimmermann of Cedar Rapids died Saturday on the Wapsipinicon River. Rescuers were called to the river after four people riding tubes went over the dam in Troy Mills.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — Waterloo-area residents are being encouraged to apply to be volunteer police officers. The volunteers will have the opportunity to become reserve officers with the Waterloo Police Department if they are accepted. The applicants must be at least 21, hold a high school diploma and have a valid driver’s license.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Some officials are concerned the Iowa Juvenile Home’s closing has created an unequal system where girls don’t have the same options. The juvenile home closed in January after questions were raised about the treatment of teenagers. State Court Administrator David Boyd says Iowa usually has no more than 20 delinquent girls that need housing at once. Policymakers will have to decide the best way to provide services.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Forecasters are urging people to take precautions as intense heat makes its way into Iowa. The National Weather Service has issued heat advisories for 74 of Iowa’s 99 counties today and tomorrow. Temperatures are expected to climb into the 90s across the region and humidity will be high.

The Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department’s Board of Directors will hold their regular monthly meeting Monday evening in the City Council’s Chambers at City Hall. The meeting begins at 5:15-p.m. with reports from Parks and Rec Director Roger Herring, on the Summer Rec Program and Capital Projects update. The latter includes information on the renovation and refurbishing of the Camblin and Kiddie Korral at Sunnyside Park and other park activities.

Herring will also update the Board of the status of the Boy Scout Cabin, the Vision Iowa Grant and Roy Newberg Memorial benches at the Schildberg Recreation Area. Herring is also expected to report on recent vandalism at the Schildberg Quarry Recreation Area, with regard to porta-potties being turned over, and a request for the public to report incidents of vandalism when they see it.