The gates to Sunnyside Park will be opened today (Friday), beginning at 4-p.m. Atlantic Parks and Rec Director Roger Herring advises motorists to “Use great caution as you drive through the park, due to gravel and debris on the streets.” Herring says the tennis courts are open and ready to used by the public FOR TENNIS ONLY.

He says motorists should also be alert to the presence of walkers, joggers, disc golf players and children at play. Herring hopes you will enjoy and respect the parks and their property, because they are there for everyone to enjoy.

The Shelby County Emergency Management Agency/911 is asking all Fire Departments in the County to immediately place the Fire Danger Rating Boards in the EXTREME category. The Increase in Fire Danger is due to No expected precipitation in next four days, large volume of dead plant material, low humidity’s, increased temperature’s, predicted gusting winds to 29MPH, and limited field access due to thawing conditions.

Fire Behavior predictions in these conditions are as follows: fire spread between 7 to 10 MPH, with flame lengths approximately 30’ in length at the front of the fire. Fires that start in these conditions can easily overtake and trap you. Firefighters are at a high risk also due to traction issues off road.

Shelby County Ordinance NO. 2012-1 Local Burning Ban Ordinance allows citations to be issued during these conditions. A violation of this ordinance is punishable by a minimum fine of $100 for an individual or $500 for an organization, not to exceed $1000. The violator may also be liable for additional reasonable restitution.

w/ Kate Olson

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Peronnel with the Villisca Fire Dept along with several other firefighters from Department within Taylor, Page and Adams County, battled a large field fire Tuesday afternoon. Montgomery County Emergency Management Director Brian Hamman said on his social media page that the fire involved several hundred acres, large round hay bales and brush piles.

Photo from the Montgomery County EMA’s Facebook page.

Hamman said also conditions are ripe enough for fire to get out of control and move at a dangerous speed. He mentioned it was Villisca’s second fire of the day. All of the blazes were in Taylor County, just southeast of Villisca. The Fire Danger index in southwest Iowa was in the “Very High” category, Tuesday.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Des Moines Water Works board has voted to sue three northern Iowa counties in an effort to hold them responsible for the high nitrate levels in rivers the utility uses for source water. The board voted Tuesday afternoon to sue Calhoun, Buena Vista and Sac counties in U.S. District Court in Des Moines.

The counties oversee 10 agriculture drainage districts north of Des Moines. The lawsuit will allege the drainage systems are no different than city wastewater treatment plants in that they discharge pollutants and should be subject to heightened regulatory oversight.

Nineteen citizens spoke in support at the meeting. Several farm groups say in a statement the lawsuit undermines the relationship between the water utility and farmers upstream but they’ll continue to work on water quality.

Shelby County is entering its Spring Fire Season. Emergency Management Coordinator Bob Seivert says there is an abundance of dead material that is in the process of fully drying out. With limited access to fields due to thawing conditions, Seivert says they are going to start their bi-weekly updates to our Fire Danger Boards. Updates are Tuesday, and Thursday of each week.  From now through Thursday, Seivert is asking local businesses and fire departments to place their “Fire Danger” Boards into the MODERATE category. The next update on fire conditions will be Thursday morning.

Shelby County has four color coded distinct levels:

LOW – You are asked to call in and report your burning projects to dispatch at 712-755-2124, and notify your local Fire Chief.
Moderate – You are asked to call in and report your burning projects to dispatch at 712-755-2124, and notify your local Fire Chief. Timing for burns should be morning, or evening hours and extinguished by dark unless authorized by Fire Chief due to possible impacts to roads and health from smoke. Burns must be monitored at all times.
High – Burning of any kind is restricted unless approval is received from local Fire Chief. Controlled burns that are not reported will result in Fire Department being dispatched, and fires extinguished if determined to be un-safe. Please call 712-755-2124 with questions.
Extreme – Burning is prohibited, unless you have a signed permit from the local Fire Chief. Fires on Extreme days can grow rapidly and pose a risk to the Health and Safety of the Community. Citations can be issued if burning without permission.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact the Shelby County Emergency Management Agency at 712-755-2124.

A business in Creston has reported to police some stole a lawn and garden tractor sometime over the course of the past week. Agrivision at 801 W. Taylor Street reported Monday afternoon, that a John Deere L-120 lawn and garden tractor was stolen sometime between March 3rd and 9th. The loss was estimated at $1,500.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Des Moines Water Works board has scheduled a vote on whether to sue three northern Iowa counties, alleging that they are responsible for the high nitrate levels in rivers the utility uses for water. The board’s meeting agenda for Tuesday afternoon indicates a closed session to discussion potential litigation. The board is expected to publicly vote to sue Calhoun, Buena Vista and Sac counties.

In January it sent a notice of intent to sue, which is part of a procedure outlined in the federal Clean Water Act. The counties oversee 10 drainage districts north of Des Moines that help move water from fields. The lawsuit will claim the drainage districts are the same as city wastewater treatment plants and should be regulated.

The Atlantic Parks and Rec Board Monday evening, approved an engineering services contract with Snyder and Associates for the layout and surveying of a land at the Schildberg Recreation Area, for the Buck Creek Dog Park project. Parks and Rec Director Roger Herring and Assistant Director Seth Staashelm spent time with Mayor Dave Jones, City Administrator John Lund and City Clerk Deb Field, discussing options for funding the project from Local Option Tax and Hotel-Motel Tax revenue.

Snyders will prepare a plan drawing for the proposed dog park fencing, and bid documents with sufficient detail to obtain competitive quotes within about two-weeks. Their fee for the service is $850. Herring said in discussions with the County Engineer with regard to moving the now closed Buck Creek Bridge to another location nearby, he’s learned the move – which will not likely take place for at least five to 10-years – will not affect the size of Dog Park.

The Parks Board also approved a contract with Snyder’s for the Sunnyside Park Shelter Replacement Project, which includes a topographic survey of the area in preparation for a site plan, a detailed grading and paving plan for the shelter pad and access drive, and bid documents. The cost of the service is $2,850.

In other business, a local troop of Girl Scout Cadets has approached the City with a service project to eliminate second-hand smoke at the Sunnyside Park Kiddie Korral and other areas of the park. Herring told the Troop that the City of Atlantic, last year, rejected efforts to establish an ordinance banning smoking in the Parks, because of the legalities involved.

In a meeting with the Cadette Troop, Herring suggested they find a way to appeal to smokers’ sense of decency and courtesy. He said the Parks Board would be willing to post a sign about the dangers of smoking if the Cadettes come up with a catchy slogan to make their point without being overbearing.

The kids came up with three slogans, which the Assistant Parks Director Seth Staashelm suggested be combined into one. The slogan suggested was “Kids in the park like to breathe clean air, Be aware of your surroundings. Please don’t smoke around the playgrounds.” Once the signs and design are created by the Troop, they will need to make a presentation before the Parks Board, which includes a sample design for the signs. It’s unclear how soon signs may be put in-place, because the concept is still in its formulative stages.

The gates to Sunnyside Park in Atlantic will be opened to vehicle traffic, effective 4-p.m. Friday (March 13th). The gates were closed January 5th for the Winter season, but with this week’s warm weather and no snow in the forecast, Parks and Rec Director Roger Herring said during Monday’s meeting of the Parks and Rec Board, that the timing was right to re-open the gates.

The Parks and Rec Board Monday, approved Herring’s 2015 Summer Recreation Program recommendations, with very little change from last year. Herring recommended, and the Board approved: Continuing with the Men’s Slow Pitch Softball program, and sponsoring a tournament at the end of the year as a fundraiser. Other goals for the program include adding concessions to bring in more revenue for facility improvements; Herring also recommended the Swim Team registration fees remain unchanged from last year. A Tri-State Conference meeting will be held March 22nd to determine the schedules.

Youth Summer Tennis fees will remain unchanged from last year. Parks and Rec Board President Stuart Dusenberry told the Board, Monday, that the tennis team is now in the Western Iowa Junior League, which includes Audubon, Carroll, Denison and Atlantic. Dusenberry mentioned also, the tennis program received a $400 grant to help cover expenses for the half-dozen or dozen kids who will participate in the program. Sunnyside Pool will open for the Summer on Memorial Day weekend and close the day before the 2015-16 School year begins, in Atlantic. Admission fees are unchanged from last year, with daily fees for those 12 and over $4.00, children 3-11 will be admitted for $3.  Season passes are also unchanged.

In addition to approving the Summer Rec Program plans, the Parks and Rec Board, Monday, approved continuing a partnership with the Nishna Valley YMCA in Atlantic for this Summer. The cost of their services is unchanged from last year, at $5,140.