DES MOINES—The State Library of Iowa has announced that the Atlantic Public Library has met the conditions for state accreditation as outlined in “In Service to Iowa: Public Library Standards Sixth Edition.”

Achieving accreditation requires a significant, ongoing local commitment to high quality library services. The Atlantic Public Library has been recognized for its efforts in all areas of library operations including governance and funding, staffing, library collection, services, public relations, access, and facilities. The accreditation status begins July 1, 2023, and is valid through June 30, 2026.

State Librarian Michael Scott says “The director and board of trustees of the Atlantic Public Library and the city of Atlantic are to be commended for this achievement and their commitment to excellence in public library services for their community.”

Of Iowa’s 543 public libraries, 414 – including the Atlantic Public Library – are accredited. Iowa’s accredited public libraries are recognized for being responsive to their communities and for exhibiting excellence in their provision of library services. Almost two-thirds of all Iowans have active public library cards. Iowa libraries play key roles in workforce and economic development, lifelong learning and e-government activities. Iowans use their libraries to find jobs, do homework, locate a good book to read, research legal information, access government information, and more.

Accredited libraries receive a higher rate of compensation through the State Library’s Enrich Iowa program. They also receive a Certificate of Accreditation signed by Governor Kim Reynolds, Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg, State Librarian Michael Scott, and Iowa Commission of Libraries Chair Zachary Stier.

For more information on the State Library’s accreditation program, and to view the Public Library Standards, go to https://www.statelibraryofiowa.gov/index.php/libraries/search/accred-stand.

(Radio Iowa) – Milk is a tough commodity for food banks to store and distribute, because of its short shelf life and need for refrigeration. Kemp’s Dairy and local Hy-Vee stores are partnering to help the Food Bank of Siouxland by donating thousands of “Giving Cow” cartons or milk for distribution across the 11-county service area. Jay Johnson, sales director for the Kemp’s facility in Le Mars, and says theses cartons have a special advantage for distribution.

Jamie Bockelmann is operations manager of the food bank and says this milk will help children who are among the nearly 25-thousand food insecure people in the region.

While it sounds like a lot of milk, the cartons will be distributed quickly over the next two months. Food bank associate executive director Valerie Petersen says companies like Kemp’s are critical to having enough food to meet the area’s demand.

Kemp’s plans to have another Giving Cow contribution to the food bank in November. That donation will likely be chocolate milk.

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds has signed a bill into law that will ban most abortions in Iowa.

Reynolds signed the bill on stage at The Family Leader’s summit in Des Moines. The crowd of two-thousand evangelical Christians at the event stood as she put her signature on the document and cheered her along with the Republican lawmakers who joined her on stage.

The Republican-led legislature passed the bill Tuesday during a special session and it’s almost identical to the Fetal Heartbeat Act Reynolds signed in 2018, but was never enforced due to a court injunction. Last month’s three-to-three tie on the Iowa Supreme Court kept that injunction in place. Reynolds criticized the three justices who rejected her call to let that 2018 law take effect.

The legislation bans most abortions after about the sixth week of a pregnancy, with exceptions for rape, incest and certain medical conditions.

Tony Angran, pastor of the Solid Rod Church of God in Centerville, is thrilled.

Earlier this (Friday) afternoon, an attorney for two Iowa abortion providers asked a judge to at least temporarily block the law from going into effect. Peter Im said abortion is time sensitive care and even small delays can be significant for patients. An attorney for the State of Iowa says that ignores the unborn patient.

(Cass County, Iowa) – A head-on crash northeast of Atlantic occurred at around 12:53-p.m. at 650th (Highway 71) and Troublesome Creek Road.  Multiple vehicles and subjects were involved.  Anita Rescue & two helicopters were requested, along with Atlantic Fire and Rescue and Cass EMS.   At least one of the helicopters declined due to incoming weather.  The road is blocked.

Additional details are not available. Please stay away from the area.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – On Thursday, July 13, 2023, the Atlantic Chamber Ambassadors visited Sunnyside Pool in Atlantic to celebrate and view their new renovations and amenities. The Ambassadors also had the opportunity to learn about the process behind their renovations.

Chelsie Rush and Chelsie Huddleson, new managers of the Sunnyside Pool, shared about why they decided to step up in the community and what it took to reach their goal of fixing up the pool. Alongside Jess Larsen, the three women saw a need to fill at the pool, which has been a staple of summertime in the community for many years. With their prior experience, they have been able to bring many new and exciting features to the pool such as new toys, new concession stands menu, and items new building updates such as a mural and bathhouse renovations.

The crew is excited to watch their work continue to grow and benefit the community. Rush and Huddleson shared that attendance numbers have increased this year in comparison to previous years. They are very thankful for everyone that has helped them out along the way, especially their new staff members, who allow the pool to be open each day.

Ambassadors from Left to Right: Lana Westphalen, Dawn Powers, Jake Olsen, Shannon Nelsen, Steve Andersen, Sue Liston, Rick Mericle, Elaine Otte, Kathie Hockenberry, BJ Hart, Dolly Bergmann, Dr. Keith Leonard, Alisha Wagner, Alex McAfee, John Bricker, Anne Quist, Colt Doherty, Chelsie Huddleson, Jim Kickland, Chelsie Rush, Jeremy Butler, Krysta Hanson, Alex Sampson, Megan Sramek, Tori Gibson and Laurie West. (Photo courtesy Paige Jensen)

Sunnyside Pool is open to the public every day from 1-7 p.m., with adult swim from 12-1 p.m. For more information about the pool, visit their Facebook Page, Sunnyside Pool, or call 712-243-4171. More information about the pool and other area events is also available on the Community for Kids app. Sunnyside Pool is located at 1000 Sunnyside Lane in Atlantic.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – A driver in Red Oak was issued a written warning following a collision Thursday evening at N. Miller Avenue and E. Summit Streets. No injuries were reported. Police report a 2008 Buick Lucerne driven by 43-year-old Peter Alan Rabotinsky, of Red Oak, was traveling south on N. Miller Avenue at around 5:13-p.m., and a 2014 GMC Acadia (SUV) driven by 35-year-old Ashley Lanae Bolte, of Red Oak, was traveling east on E. Summit.

The Police report says Rabotinsky stopped at the controlled intersection, and then proceeded into the intersection, striking the SUV. Police issued a written warning to Rabotinsky for Failure to obey a stop sign, and failure to yield the right-of-way.

Damage from the collision amounted to $12,000. Red Oak Police were assisted at the scene by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – Officials with the Council Bluffs Police Department, today (Friday), asked for your help in locating a missing Council Bluffs woman. Authorities say 62-year-old Lisa Marlene Bonham-Gunderson was visiting with family members since the passing of a relative. She has not been seen since July 8th, when she was planning to take her vehicle in for repairs. Bonham-Gunderson has not had contact with her family since July 8th, when she advised she was not feeling well.

Lisa Bonham-Gunderson is a 5-feet, 4-inch tall Caucasian female. She has brown hair and eyes, and weighs approximately 180 pounds.  If you have any information on her location, please contact Sgt. Ted Roberts with the Council Bluffs Police Department, at 712-890-5212, or your local law enforcement agency.

Lisa Bonham-Gunderson

(Omaha, NE) – Officials with the Community Foundations of Southwest Iowa, today (Friday), announced applications are now being accepted from organizations providing charitable services in Audubon and Cass Counties. As part of this fall grant cycle, $29,940 is available to support Cass County nonprofit organizations and community projects, and $45,420 is available to support Audubon County nonprofit organizations and community projects. The deadline to apply for funds in each respective county, through the online application process, is September 1st.

Of the total allocated funds in Cass County, $4,000 is restricted to the community of Griswold, and $25,940 is available to support nonprofit organizations and projects throughout the county.  Of the total allocated funds in Audubon County, $2,375 is restricted to the Exira area, $5,060 is designated for the community of Audubon, and $37,985 is available to support projects throughout the county.

Beginning July 15, application details, a fact sheet, and a link to the application form can be found online by selecting either Audubon County or Cass County, under County Listing at swiowafoundations.org. Applications will only be accepted through the online system. Only organizations providing services in Audubon County and Cass County are eligible to apply, and only in their respective counties. They must be able to demonstrate broad community/county support and be an IRS-approved 501(c)(3) public charity, a local municipality, or a fiscally sponsored project. For the Fall 2023 grants, the Audubon and Cass County Community Foundations will entertain requests for capital and program support. General operating support will only be considered for extenuating, non-recurring circumstances.

The Community Foundations aim to improve the quality of life in Audubon and Cass Counties, by supporting community needs in the areas of civic engagement, culture, health, education, and social services. The objective of the grant program is to fund projects that will have a lasting impact. These grant funds are made possible by the generosity of the Cass and Audubon County Community Foundation donors. To learn more about donating to either the Audubon or Cass County Community Foundation, please contact the Community Foundations of Southwest Iowa staff or any board member listed below. Gifts to permanently endowed funds through the Audubon or Cass County Community Foundation may be eligible to receive a 25% Endow Iowa Tax Credit.

Audubon County Community Foundation Board members: Chair Pat Kaiser of Audubon; Vice Chair Gina Benton of Exira; Secretary/Treasurer Megan Wagner of Audubon; Bob Blomme of Audubon; Travis Nelson of Exira; Donna Olson of Kimballton, and Doug Carter of Audubon. Cass County Community Foundation Board members: Chair Kristi Burg of Massena; Vice Chair Gaylord Schelling of Atlantic; Secretary/Treasurer Sue Hunt of Atlantic; Sandy Bierbaum of Griswold; Justin D. Hockenberry of Anita; and Mike Tibken of Anita.

Please contact Sunni Kamp (sunni@omahafoundation.org) or Sydney Calcagno (sydney@omahafoundation.org) at 800-794-3458 with application-related questions. All completed grant applications will be considered at the October Board meeting, with applicants being notified of funding decisions by the end of October.

(Radio Iowa) – It’s a sport many Iowans only know from television, but a polo match between teams from Iowa and Minnesota is being staged this weekend as a fundraiser for Variety, the Children’s Charity of Iowa. Variety’s Alison Hanner says this is the agency’s 27th annual Polo on the Green event and yes, it’s a real polo match with riders on horseback swinging those long mallets. “It is so fun! It’s very unique. No one else can really duplicate it,” Hanner says. “We have a fully air conditioned tent and it’s just a beautiful polo field. The views are spectacular and being able to watch the horses and the players, it’s very cool.”

The event is being held Saturday at Powder River Ranch in Cumming, just southwest of Des Moines. Hanner says one popular part of the outing is “divot stomping” at half time. “It helps keep the field level for the horses, so they take time to make sure that the divots are stomped down, so you get to go out and participate in the event,” Hanner says. “It’s kind of a highlight as you get to go out on the actual field and everyone really enjoys that.”

After the match, there will be a catered dinner with an open bar, live music, live and silent auctions, and fireworks. Last year’s event raised 250-thousand dollars for the charity and this year’s goal is to beat the previous haul. Hanner says money raised will support Variety’s mission to improve the lives of children who are at-risk, underprivileged, critically ill, or living with special needs.

Screenshot from PoloOnthegreen.com

Hanner says, “We have our specialized mobility program where we provide specialized bikes, gait trainers, walkers, any piece of mobility equipment that is going to get a child moving and out in the community and help build strength in their legs and core and coordination to help them be more mobile.”  Since 1975, Variety has raised more than $134 million to support children in need throughout the state. Learn more and buy tickets at: poloonthegreen.com

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Red Oak Police report no one was injured during a collision between an SUV and a car Thursday afternoon. The accident happened at the intersection of N. 2nd and E. Elm Streets at around 4:43-pm.  Authorities say when officers arrived on the scene they found a 2014 Jeep Cherokee owned and operated by 23-year-old Sadie Anna Graham, of Stanton, was on its top with the airbags deployed, and a 2015 Hyundai Elantra owned and operated by 21-year-old Austin Edward Wilkins, of Red Oak, with front end damage. Graham was helped out of her SUV by citizens in the area.

According to the accident report, the Jeep was traveling east on E. Elm Street, and the car was traveling north on 2nd Street. When both vehicles arrived at the uncontrolled intersection at the same time, Graham failed to yield to Wilkins’ car. As a result, the car struck the SUV on its passenger side, causing it to overturn and come to rest on the north side of E. Elm. Police say Graham was visibly shaken, but she said she was not injured. She did have a red mark on her left bicep, but refused medical treatment at the scene. Wilkins declined to be examined by medics.

Police say Sadie Graham was issued a written warning for failure to yield to a vehicle on her right. Her vehicle was totaled, with the loss estimated at $21,000. The Hyundai sustained $6,000 damage but was driven from the scene. Red Oak Fire and Rescue assisted Red Oak Police at the scene.