Around 400 people attended the Boots and BBQ event last night at the Cottownwood Barn in Kimballton. The event was a Republican Party fundraiser and featured talks from Presidential Candidates Rick Perry and Carly Fiorina.

Texas Governor Rick Perry said he enjoys the process in Iowa and respects how Iowans handle that responsibility. “Iowa is about picking presidents. I mean, this process has made Iowa very unique in the sense of they understand and they take it very seriously, that they are in the business of vetting candidates that want to be the President of the United States.  There are very few states in the country that have that responsibility and Iowans take it very seriously.”

Former Hewelett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina talked about the response to her strong performance in last weeks Republican debates. “Well, I think it’s true that more people know who I am. You know I went into that debate and less than 40% of Republican voters had ever heard my name, and now a lot more know who I am.  But mostly what I hear from people is “keep going, keep speaking directly and telling us what we really need to do”.  I think people really are tired of professional politicians and are ready for a different kind of leadership.”

The event also featured other speakers from leadership around the state.

Iowa Republican Senator Charles Grassley will hold seven town meetings this week in southwest Iowa. The events take place Wed., Aug, 19th in Adams, Taylor, Fremont and Mills Counties, and on Thursday, August 19th, in Shelby, Cass and Audubon Counties. The events are being held as part of his annual 99-county meetings, which Grassley has held at least once every year since he was first elected to the U.S. Senate.

The schedule for his Town Hall meetings is as follows:

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

8-9 a.m.: Adams County Town Meeting – Corning Nursing and Rehab Center
1614 Northgate Dr., in Corning.

9:45-10:45 a.m.: Taylor County Town Meeting – Taylor County Farm Bureau
Meeting Room, 607 Pollock Blvd. in Bedford.

4-5 p.m.: Fremont County Town Meeting – Tabor Community Center, 626 Main St. in Tabor.

5:30-6:30 p.m.: Mills County Town Meeting – Malvern Community Center, 501 Main St. in Malvern.

Thursday, August 20, 2015

12:45-1:45 p.m.: Shelby County Town Meeting – Shelby County Farm Bureau
908 6th St., in Harlan.

2:45-3:45 p.m.: Cass County Town Meeting – Atlantic Municipal Utilities Basement meeting room, 15 West 3rd St. in Atlantic.

4:30-5:30 p.m.: Audubon County Town Meeting – Audubon County Economic Development, 800 Market St. in Audubon.

The Atlantic Parks and Recreation Board met Monday night at the Atlantic City Council Chambers.  One of the main topics of discussion was completion of the city wide tree census as part of the Urban Forestry Grant. They are now waiting for the DNR to process the information and report back to the city.  The purpose of the census was to identify problem trees in the city right of way and to be proactive against the threat of Emerald Ash Borer.

Also during the meeting it was announced that Atlantic is participating in the Operation Re-leaf Program in which trees that started their growth in Iowa will be for sale at discounted prices.  It was also announced that Frank Saddlemire donated 12 trees to the department that will be used throughout the city in need areas.

More discussion also took place regarding demolition and reconstruction of the Kiddie Korral Shelter at Sunnyside Park. Demolition has been scheduled following Labor Day.

The meeting also included the closing date of Sunnyside Pool on August 23rd. The board is looking into the possiblity of a dog friendly event on closing day but no plans are complete.

Audubon County Sheriff Todd Johnson reported Monday on two recent arrests.

The Sheriff’s Office arrested 50-year-old Curt Thomas Anstey of Audubon on Friday, August 14th and charged him with Operating While Intoxicated, Driving While Suspended, and No Insurance.  The charges stem from a traffic stop in Audubon and Anstey was taken to the Audubon County Jail and held until being released following an appearance before the magistrate.

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office also arrested 38-year-old Kameo Margaret Smith of Exira at her residence on Monday, August 17th on an outstanding Audubon County warrant.  Smith has been charged with Theft in the 4th Degree.  The charge stems from several checks written to a business in Exira and a business in Audubon in late June and early July 2015.  Smith was taken to the Audubon County Jail and held until being released following an appearance before the magistrate.