SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Sioux City’s new tubing hill is ready to go after being tested by several city council members and other officials. The Sioux City Journal reports that local officials tried out the 700-foot tubing hill at the city’s new $4 million Cone Park Tuesday. The temperatures in the low 40s Tuesday made it hard for the artificial snow to be packed down, but Parks and Recreation Director Matt Salvatore says colder weather should arrive soon. That will help the tubing run.

The park will open to the public Thursday. Later this winter, an ice skating rink will be added. And in the summer, the park will offer a two-mile loop of trails and a splash pad.

ELLSTON, Iowa (AP) — A Minnesota man has snapped up a free farmhouse in southern Iowa after the offer was publicized, so he can move the home to his grandfather’s farm. Roger and Linda Dolecheck offered their former family home free in a Craigslist ad so they could get it off their Ringgold County land. The family already built a new home seven years ago. The Dolechecks said the home would be torn down this winter if they couldn’t find a taker.

But Jeff Dooley of Anoka, Minnesota, jumped at the chance to claim the farmhouse. Dooley told the Des Moines Register that the home will replace a run-down manufactured home on his family’s land. He hopes to one day retire there.

The Atlantic City Council will hold its final meeting of 2017 this evening, beginning at 5:30. As he’s done in past sessions, Mayor Dave Jones will pay recognition to Atlantic Athletes. This evening, he’ll pay tribute to the Cross Country team, which is comprised of 18 girls and 18 boys. At the State Cross County meet this year, Taylor McCreedy placed 20th and Jalen Petersen placed 67th.

Afterward, the council will discuss with Snyder Engineers and Associates’ Engineer Tim Teig, the Community Beautification Project. During the last Council meeting, there was concern over the costs and scope of a proposed agreement with Snyder’s, with regard to management of the project. Teig was selected by the Community Development Committee to manage the cost estimate and technical aspects of executing the project that began with conceptual plans created by ISU intern Matt Iekel, and were examined by a committee. Teig’s background in Landscape Architecture, according to the Community Development Committee, is a valuable resources for the City, and they recommend approval of an agreement for his services.  After hearing from Teig, the Council will act on approve the Engineering Agreement.

The next order of business pertains to an Order awarding a contract to Howrey Construction in the amount of $98,350, for the AMU (Atlantic Municipal Utilities) Wellfield Trail Head Project. The City is partnering with AMU for the latest phase of the trail system in town. Using Iowa’s TAP (Transportation Alternatives Program) Grant program, AMU will be creating a new trail system over their well heads located near the Sports Complex on the northeast side of town. The project was approved by Regional Planning Affiliations (RPA) 13, last year. AMU will manage the project. The City is expected to serve as the technical sponsor.

Afterward, a Public Hearing will be held with regard to an amendment and extension of the City’s Urban Revitalization Plan, which renews the City’s current tax abatement policy for three-years. The policy would otherwise expire on Dec. 31st. The Personnel and Finance Committee recommends the Council approve a Resolution to renew the URP. City Administrator John Lund will answer any questions the Council may have on the matter, followed by action on the Resolution.

The Council will also hold the second reading of an Ordinance with regard to parking, as it affects 13th Street from Locust to Birch. Parking along that section of street is currently allowed on both sides of the street because it was overlooked somehow. Making the street in compliance with no parking on one side-only, would make the City’s street system more consistent. And, the final order of business for the Council, will be Administering the Oath of Office to Mayor Dave Jones and the rest of the Council who were re-elected during the Nov. 7th City Elections.

A proposed state policy on guns in Iowa child care centers has been put on hold, while the Reynolds Administration reconsiders the issue. The proposed rules would have discouraged, but allowed weapons in licensed child care centers and home day cares under certain circumstances. The rules were to be reviewed by a legislative committee last week, but were pulled from the agenda. Governor Kim Reynolds says that allows time to decide whether the executive branch or the legislature should draft the policy on guns.

“That’s the conversation that we are going to have,” Reynolds told reporters. “And it’s my understanding that hadn’t happened.” The proposed rules that have been tabled would have allowed weapons in licensed child care centers if parents were notified and the guns were unloaded and kept under lock and key.

(Radio Iowa)

More homes were sold in Iowa last month compared to the same period last year. A total of 3,320 homes were sold across the state in November, up from 3,103 during November of 2016. Mark Kamps, president of the Iowa Association of Realtors, is excited about the seven-percent increase. “November was a great month…I always consider anything above three or four percent to be substantial,” Kamps said.

The latest Housing Trends Report from the Iowa Association of Realtors also shows prices went up. The median sale price of an Iowa home last month was $153,250 — a 3.6-percent increase ($147,900) compared to November of 2016.

(Radio Iowa)