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Atlantic City Council meeting recap, 9/4/24

News

September 4th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic met this (Wednesday) evening in a regularly scheduled session. During the meeting, the Council:

  • Approved an Order to approve an Engineering Agreement with Snyder and Associates, for the 2025 Street Improvements Project. Snyder and Associates Engineer Dave Sturm said “This project includes the majority of the  downtown, Chestnut Street and Walnut Street, from the highway (7th St.) north, all the way to the Chamber of Commerce, or where your right-of-way ends, north of 2nd Street. It also includes 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th [streets], the two blocks of downtown.” It also includes Laurel Street, from 10th Street to the dead-end south (one block). That area has never been completed, Sturm said, and has some drainage issues. And, one block of Hickory Street, between 6th and 7th, which is also experiencing some drainage issues.  The street projects are expected to cost more than $2.1-million, and will be financed by the LOST (Local Option Sales Tax) for Street revenues, which will not impact the Debt Service Levy, and not require property taxes service for the debt.
  • The Council, Wednesday, passed the Second Reading of an ordinance “Vacating the 66′ wide Street Right-Of-Way (ROW), West 4th Street,” beginning at the west ROW line of Laurel Street, extended, then west to the east property line of the Iowa Interstate Railroad, or about .7 (Seven-tenths)of an acre. The First Reading was passed following a public hearing, on August 21st.
  • The Council’s final order of business was to approve the second pay application (for nearly $56,000) to Hydro-Klean, LLC, for the 2024 Sanitary Sewer Rehab project – Ultra Violet Cured In Place Pipe (CIIP) lining project. The total cost of the project was $91,500. The first payment of $30,975 was approved by the Council on August 21st. Dave Sturm said the project is finished.

Mayor Grace Garret, in her report, said there will be a 911 Memorial in the City Park, on Sept. 11th, beginning at 8:30-a.m. The event is sponsored by the American Legion, the Elks and the Does. Additional information will be forthcoming. There will also be a couple of “Yes for EMS” meetings coming up in September 16th at 6-p.m., and at 2-p.m. on Sept. 24th.  Cass County Medical Examiner, Dr. Elaine Berry will be one of those who will be speaking about the EMS initiative that will be on the Nov. 5th General Election ballot for voters to act on.

Garrett said also the City is still working on the Bull Creek Initiative, but the grant opportunity they were hoping for has fallen through. She said they are “Continuing to work towards other avenues of funding,” and moving forward. Bull Creek erosion and other issues have been a sore spot for several years, and is being taken-up once again, in hopes of getting something accomplished, other than just discussion on how to solve the issues.

The Council’s next meeting will take place on Monday, Sept 16th, instead of the regular Wednesday meeting on the 18th, due to the Annual Iowa League of Cities Conference.

2024 HousingIowa Awards Recognize Innovative Iowa Housing Initiatives and Leaders

News

September 4th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES – The Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) today recognized outstanding housing initiatives and leaders through the annual HousingIowa Awards at the 2024 HousingIowa Conference in Des Moines. The HousingIowa Awards recognize outstanding programs, projects and professionals for leadership and innovation in advancing housing opportunities for Iowans.

The award categories include: Single-Family Development, Multifamily Development, Innovation, Special Needs Development, Kay Anderson Friend of Iowa and the Mark Sertterh Friend of Housing Award. HousingIowa Award nominations are accepted each year and an independent panel of judges determines the statewide award winners.

2024 HousingIowa Award Winner:

Single-Family Development
Project: Hillside Estates, Council Bluffs
Development Partners: Turn the Paige Construction, Iowa West Foundation, the City of Council Bluffs, NeighborWorks Home Solutions and Habitat for Humanity of Council Bluffs.

Hillside Estates project

Cass County Master Gardeners to Host Fall Plant Sale on September 14

Ag/Outdoor, News

September 4th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The shorter days and more moderate temperatures make this fall a great time for gardening projects. The Cass County Master Gardeners invite you to their annual Fall Plant Sale, set for Saturday morning, September 14, at the Cass County Community Center, 805 W 10th Street on the Fairgrounds in Atlantic. The sale will be open to the public to purchase divided perennials suitable for fall planting.

Plants expected to be on the sale include iris, rudbeckia, clematis, Siberian iris, perennial geranium, grape hyacinth bulbs. peonies, daylilies, hosta, dahlias, salvia, sedum, houseplants and more! There will also be a large collection of gently used garden decor, pots, books, and tools for shoppers to explore.

The sale begins at 8 AM, and will be held in the front parking lot of the Cass County Community Center on the fairgrounds in Atlantic. Interested gardeners are encouraged to arrive early for best plant selection, as high-demand plants occasionally sell out before 10 AM.

The Master Gardeners will bring perennials dug and divided from their own gardens to the fall plant sale. Community residents are also welcome to donate plants, and members may even help you dig! Please call in advance and make arrangements to drop off donated plants before the date of the plant sale. All funds raised from the sale support local Master Gardener projects such as community garden spaces, grants and educational activities across Cass County.

Many perennials work well for fall dividing and transplanting, including daylilies, peonies, garden phlox, bleeding heart, coneflowers, speedwell, and more. Iris and hosta can also be transplanted successfully in early fall. By dividing the plant when it is not flowering, all the energy it produces can be directed to root and foliage growth, so plants overwinter in place and come back strong in the spring. Additionally, the cooler weather is easier on the plants (and the gardener!), and the plants generally do not use as much water as in spring and summer.

Plants should be placed in the ground as early in fall as possible, but most can be successfully planted up until the ground freezes. The plants should also be adequately watered until the ground freezes, and some may benefit from a layer of mulch to help control moisture loss and help with root establishment. If you have questions about dividing and caring for plants, stop by the Extension Office or visit the online Extension Store to pick up a free publication on dividing and caring for perennial plants in the garden!

To donate items, or for more information about these events and other Master Gardener activities in Cass County, please call the Cass County Extension Office at 712-243-1132, stop by the office at 805 West 10th street in Atlantic, email Cass County Extension Director and Master Gardener Coordinator Kate Olson at keolson@iastate.edu or visit www.extension.iastate.edu/cass. You are also invited to follow the Cass County Master Gardeners Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CassCoMG to keep up with local events and tips for gardening!

Iowa linebacker Jay Higgins previews the Cyclones

Sports

September 4th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Iowa linebacker Jay Higgins says the Hawkeyes are preparing for a big game on Saturday when they host Iowa State. Both teams opened the season with wins.

Higgins says the Hawkeyes are used to playing in big games.

Higgins says ISU quarterback Rocco Becht is much improved with a season under his belt.

Process continues on new Council Bluffs beef plant

Ag/Outdoor, News

September 4th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The developer of a new beef processing plant near Council Bluffs says they are moving into the third round of selling units to the Co-op which will supply the cattle. Chad Tentinger says he hopes they will be able to start construction next year.

“We are waiting to see that heifers are being retained, so we know that our herd is being built back,” he says. “So right now it looks like we’re starting to see that heifer retention, and as we see more and more that we’ll be able to make a business decision come next spring to break ground or not.” The Co-op will supply the beef for the Cattlemen’s Heritage processing plant using a different model than what is used now by the major processors.

“And we sell them based on the board of trade. The C-M-E (Chicago Mercantile Exchange). The problem with it is, over the last decade, the C-M-E has gotten further and further away from the fundamentals, and today it doesn’t trade on fundamentals. It trades on computer algorithms. It trades with no people in the pits anymore,” Tentinger says. Cattlemen’s Heritage will pay for cattle based on what’s called the Boxed Beef Cutout pricing model, which he says will provide and opportunity for a share of profits to go back to the cattle producer.

Tentinger says he isn’t trying to put the big processing plants out of business, he just wants to provide cattle producers like himself more options. “That’s my belief system. I think we need more options, more regional with producer involvement, so that we can get a better deal and receive more value,” Tentinger says. “But the only way we can receive more value for our product, is take ownership in the plant.” Tentinger says it’s a new way to bring more of the profit to the producers.

“The Co-op will own 20 percent give or take, but 20 percent of Cattlemen’s Heritage true ownership. So when somebody buys, for example, somebody buys a thousand shares, they have to deliver a thousand cattle every year,” he explains. He expects to have three rounds where they sell units, and the cost rises for each round.

The processing plant will source cattle from Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska and South Dakota and is designed to process two-thousand cattle daily for an annual total of 525-thousand. Tentinger says it not only supports family cattle producers, but will also stimulate the local economy by creating 800 direct jobs and 34-hundred indirect jobs.

PIGSKIN PAYOFF 2024

News

September 4th, 2024 by Lori Murphy

PIGSKIN PAYOFF WINNERS WEEK #1

IOWA- 40, ILLINOIS-0

1st place…Rachel Sanderson…Iowa-48, Illinois-12….$25

2nd place…Roger Charley…Iowa-35, Illinois-10… $10

3rd place… Denise Johnson…Iowa-32, Illinois- 8… $5

 

 

Iowa MBB Announces Nonconference Schedule

Sports

September 4th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

IOWA CITY, Iowa – The University of Iowa men’s basketball team will play nine home games on Mediacom Court inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena as part of its nonconference schedule for the 2024-25 season, it was announced Wednesday by head coach Fran McCaffery.

The Hawkeyes will host Iowa State in the annual Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series matchup on Dec. 12. Other home dates include games against Minnesota Duluth (exhibition, Oct. 25), Texas A&M Commerce (Nov. 4), Southern (Nov. 7), South Dakota (Nov. 12), Rider (Nov. 19), USC Upstate (Nov. 26), New Orleans (Dec. 15) and New Hampshire (Dec. 30).

Iowa will also play neutral-site contests against Washington State in Moline, Illinois, on Nov. 15, Utah State in Kansas City, Missouri, on Nov. 22 and Utah State in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on Dec. 21.

Season tickets for the 2024-25 season are on sale at hawkeyesports.com or through the Iowa Athletics Ticket Office.

The complete schedule, along with times and television information, will be announced once finalized.

Iowa partners with tech nonprofit to improve corrections outcomes and enhance public safety

News

September 4th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES – Governor Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Department of Corrections (DOC) announced a public-private partnership with Recidiviz, a technology nonprofit using data to enhance public safety and improve outcomes. The partnership builds on the DOC’s already impressive record of reducing recidivism three years in a row as well as legislation passed last year to streamline government operations. Iowa joins 15 other states leveraging Recidiviz’s data and tools to improve the lives of people in prison and on community supervision.

“Together, we are ushering in a new era,” said Reynolds. “This partnership will build on the landmark alignment legislation we passed last year to streamline government operations in Iowa. Better data will improve consistency, efficiency and staff performance across the agency and across the state.”

“We’re harnessing the power of data to build a fairer and safer system,” said DOC Director Beth Skinner. “Through this collaboration, we’re continuing our work to transform our corrections system into a rehabilitation engine, enhancing public safety by getting people the support they need to reintegrate into our communities and build meaningful lives.”

Agency staff, elected officials, and communities need real-time data to improve the criminal justice system. But today, most criminal justice data is scattered, siloed and not actionable to decision-makers. Recidiviz stitches together disconnected databases to create a standardized, state-wide data layer. The nonprofit then builds technical tools that save staff time and improve agency operations. Using Recidiviz tools, leadership can view and monitor trends and better serve people in their custody and on supervision.

“Staff will have real-time data at their fingertips,” said DOC Deputy Director Sally Kreamer, who leads community supervision work. “Better data on clients’ needs and officer performance will ensure that there is consistency and efficiency statewide in community corrections.”

Probation and parole officers will get personalized dashboards showing live analytics about their caseloads, to help them better support their clients.

The partnership is currently focused on improving outcomes for the 40,000 people on supervision – including pretrial, probation and parole. By improving these outcomes, the DOC aims to improve population management within the broader system.

Recidviz Executive Director Clementine Jacoby added, “Recidiviz is thrilled to support the forward-thinking leadership and dedicated staff at the Iowa DOC. We know the tools we’ve deployed in 15 other states can support Iowa and help save corrections staff time, so that they can direct energy to people most in need.”

Recidiviz started as a volunteer project at Google to uncover how technology could standardize criminal justice data and improve the system nationwide.

Recidiviz became a standalone nonprofit in 2018. Today, the team develops an open-source software platform for corrections agencies, cleaning and connecting data from existing systems to provide a complete, timely, actionable picture of what is and is not working to agency leadership and line staff.

The group launched public data dashboards in both Pennsylvania and North Dakota that provide real-time visibility into statistics like the prison and parole populations, reasons for incarceration, parole success rates and racial disparities. In Idaho, its line staff tools identified that 5% of the people in the state’s parole program were already eligible for early release or a supervision-level downgrade; a figure like that for Iowa could identify thousands of people on the wrong level of supervision, leading to swift actions that increase efficiency and save the state money.

 

No. 4 Wartburg football prepares for season opener

Sports

September 4th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Hopes are high for the Wartburg football team heading into Saturday’s season opener at Monmouth of Illinois. After back-to-back trips to the national semifinals The Knights are ranked fourth in the NCAA Division III preseason poll and coach Chris Winter says a run defense that gave up less than 50 yards per game last season looks solid, again.

A new quarterback will lead an offense that expects to be good up front.

Several key players graduated from last year but a number of reserves who have played a lot of football will step into those spots.

Hearing set for Libertarian congressional candidates seeking ballot access

News

September 4th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A Polk County District Court judge has ordered the state to delay the certification of Iowa ballots for this year’s election. A hearing is scheduled for tomorrow (Thursday) to give three Libertarian candidates a chance to argue they should be listed as candidates for the U-S House of Representatives.

Libertarians running in three of Iowa’s congressional districts were kicked off the ballot last week. A state panel agreed with Republicans in those congressional districts who said the Libertarian Party violated state law by holding caucuses and county conventions on the same day. First district candidate Nicholas Gluba of Lone Tree, third district candidate Marco Battaglia of Des Moines and fourth district candidate Charles Aldrich of Clarion are appealing that decision in court.

Yesterday (Tuesday) was the day Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate was to certify the list of candidates who’ve qualified for the ballot. Pate says he’ll wait until he gets direction from the court about the three Libertarians, but he’s certified the rest of Iowa’s 2024 General Election candidates.