The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday evening, approved an Engineering Agreement with Snyder and Associates Engineers, for the City’s 2016 Street and Alley Improvement Project. The total cost of the projects is estimated at $1.4-million. It will be paid for in-part, through bonds and as a transfer from the Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) fund. Any surplus funds will be directed to handle change orders, and anything remaining from that point will be moved into the 2017 Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) Fund, to reduce future bonding needs and save interest costs.

In other business, Atlantic Mayor Dave Jones said persons who ride high speed motorcycles , or “crotch rockets,” as they are commonly called, need to be aware they won’t be getting away with warnings like they did last year, for racing through and around town. Often times last summer, those “bikes,” as Jones referred to them, can be heard all the way across town.

The Mayor said citizens are concerned for about the noise and public safety. He said he’s spoken with Atlantic Police Chief Steve Green and Lt. Dave Erickson, and even to a couple of the speed racers themselves, and is warning those and other such motorcycle enthusiasts, that “There are not going to be a lot of special favors this year,” (such as verbal or written warnings). Jones says “They’re fair game, [for tickets, but] we don’t want them getting hurt in town, on a bike,” either.

Jones also spoke about disparaging comments being made around town, in the paper and elsewhere, about the Atlantic High School, especially in light of the recent sports losses, and in-fighting among School Board members. He said “All I hear is negative stuff…but the last month or month and a-half, the Archery Club did a great job, the Swim Team did a tremendous job again. The basketball team [did well],” and last weekend’s play was well received. Jones said performing in that way inspires confidence and is very good for them.” He added that while other districts are cutting their arts programs, “There’s things that are happening up there at the high school that somebody’s doing something right…a lot of good things are happening up there.”

Police in Council Bluffs early Wednesday afternoon interviewed a person of interest in connection with the death of two people found shot to death in a home, and later arrested 30-year old Michael Dieckmann, of Council Bluffs, on two counts of Murder in the 1st degree.

Authorities say Dieckmann allegedly shot to death his mother, 63-year old Jacqueline Dieckmann and his grandmother, 91-year old Illa Pfeiffer at their home located at 620 Grace Street. The women’s bodies were found at around 10-a.m. by a family member.

Michael Dieckmann

Michael Dieckmann  was being held in the Pottawattamie County jail on $1-million bond. An investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Investigators say a law officer acted appropriately in a shooting in western Iowa last week. Crawford County Attorney Roger Sailer has announced that Deputy Corey Utech has been cleared of any wrongdoing for his role in a shooting incident that occurred in Schleswig on March 9. Utech fired two shots, striking James Scott Champion two times in the torso, after Champion had fired a shotgun at officers. Sailer also stated that Champion will be charged with two counts of assault on a peace officer.

(Radio Iowa)

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A panel of state budget experts has maintained its earlier projection on Iowa’s revenue for the current fiscal year, and it continues to warn revenue is growing but at a slower rate. The three-member Revenue Estimating Conference said Wednesday it predicts the state will take in about $7.04 billion for the fiscal year that began last July. That’s the same figure the panel estimated in December, and it will allow Gov. Terry Branstad to keep his recommendations for the next state budget.

The panel expects the state to take in about $7.35 billion for the fiscal year that begins in July, a slight increase from their last projection. Members warned low commodity prices and other factors continue to slow the state’s economic growth. The panel made similar comments in December.

Authorities in Council Bluffs are investigating the deaths of two people found inside a home this (Wednesday) morning. KETV in Omaha reports one of the bodies, according to police, appears to have been shot. The incident was reported by a family member who found the victims at around 10 a.m. inside the home located near Langstrom and Grace streets.

No additional details have been released.