Tax payments to the State of Iowa increased dramatically in the past 12 months, far beyond expectations. The state fiscal year ended June 30th and net revenue grew by more than 12 percent. However, accounting records aren’t final yet — some tax refunds must be paid, for example. Legislative Services Agency fiscal analyst Jeff Robinson.

The official estimate of state tax revenue for the fiscal year was set in March — at four-point-two percent. It appears actual receipts may be at the very least twice that much. State officials will release the final report on the just-concluded state fiscal year in September.

(Radio Iowa) The National Weather Service now says the storm system that pushed across the Dakotas and Iowa Tuesday evening was a derecho. Winds were clocked at 70 to 80 miles an hour in Iowa. National Weather Service Meteorologist, Kristy Carter says wind speed is just one factor that determines a derecho.

Meteorologists say derechos aren’t that uncommon across the Plains and Midwest. The one most noted by Iowans hit Cedar Rapids in 2020. That storm has winds of 140 miles an hour and caused billions of dollars in damage to buildings, trees, and crops. It left thousands of people without power for weeks. A derecho also hit Iowa in December of 2021, causing a lot of damage.

Governor Kim Reynolds did issue a disaster proclamation Wednesday for Emmet, Hancock, O’Brien, and Winnebago counties in response to Tuesday’s storm. The governor’s proclamation allows state resources to be utilized to respond to, and recover from, the effects of this severe weather. It also activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program for qualifying residents, along with the Disaster Case Management Program, for the four counties. Contact your local community action association or visit www.iowacommunityaction.org to find out more about the assistance that is available.

The Atlantic City Council on Wednesday night approved proposed amendments from the Planning and Zoning Commission to the City of Atlantic zoning code to allow two identification signs, per each street frontage, as apposed to one. The signs are not to exceed 24 square feet in surface area displaying information for churches, schools, hospitals, nursing homes, clubs, offices, libraries, similar uses, or other conditional uses. The signs may also be illuminated.

The Council also approved street closure permits for Christian Motorcyclist Association Chariots of Faith Bike Night which will be on the second Thursday of each month, through October, beginning July 14th in conjunction with Produce in the Park. This will close Chestnut Street from 7th to 6th Street during the 4:30pm-6:30pm time frame. The other road closure approval was for the YMCA’s Food Truck Battle & Community Appreciation event on September 10th from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. on 6th Street by the Atlantic City Park.

In other action the Council approved the transfer of funds for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2021-2022. They also moved a resolution clarifying which meetings the Council members will be paid to attend to a later meeting.

Atlantic Parks and Recreation Director Bryant Rasmussen says that the road between the Kiddie Korral and Banstand at Sunnyside Park will be closed on Saturday for the Sunnyside Block Party. The road to get to Sunnyside Pool will still be open along with the rest of the roads in the park. The road closure is needed for the safety of those attending the block party.

The Sunnyside Block Party will be held on Saturday, July 9th from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Sunnyside Park. There will be carnival games, bounce houses, rec games, a dunk tank, Iowa Conservation Station, bingo, and much more. The public is encouraged to come out and enjoy an afternoon of family fun as all activities are free. A-Town Smoke Shack will have food available for purchase at the event.

After the activities wind down you can stick around for a live musical performance from local band Dirt Road Divide at 6:00 p.m. They will perform on the bandstand stage at Sunnyside Park to cap off the day.

The Atlantic Police Department released details Thursday on arrests dating back to June 26th.

On June 26th Officers arrested 59-year-old Craig Lang of Atlantic for Public Intoxication. He was booked into the Cass County Jail and held.

On June 28th Officers arrested 33-year-old Jennifer Dellaca of Atlantic on two Cass County Warrants for Failure to Appear. She was booked in and held at the Cass County Jail.

Also June 28th 40-year-old Jasper Daniel of Atlantic was arrested for Public Intoxication. He was booked in and held at the Cass County Jail.

On June 29th Atlantic Police arrested 23-year-old Sidney Redler of Atlantic for OWI 1st Offense. She was booked in and held at the Cass Count Jail.

On July 1st 21-year-old Noah Meinders of Atlantic was arrested for Simulated Public Intoxication 1st Offense. He was booked in and held at the Cass County Jail.

Also on July 1st 22-year-old SK Kovac of Atlantic was arrested for Public Intoxication. He was booked in and held at the Cass County Jail.

On July 2nd Atlantic Police arrested 19-year-old Maria Mullenberg of Atlantic on a Cass County Warrant for Simple Assault. She was booked in and held at the Cass County Jail.

On July 4th 29-year-old Tone Ozzy of Council Bluffs was arrested for Public Intoxication. She was booked in and held at the Cass County Jail.

Also July 4th 31-year-old James Nethon of Honolulu, HI was arrested for Public Intoxication. He was booked in and held at the Cass County Jail.

Also July 4th 54-year-old Cindy Hawkinson of Atlantic was arrested on a Cass County Warrant for Theft 5th Degree (Shoplifiting). She was booked in and held at the Cass County Jail.

The Creston Police Department released details on four arrests that took place Wednesday.

At 6:39 a.m. Creston Police arrested 33-year-old Ellen Maureen Quintanilla of Lenox at the intersection of Maple and Elm Streets in Creston for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Quintanilla was cited and released on promise to appear. K9 Baxo assisted with the arrest.

At 6:58 a.m. Creston Police arrested 38-year-old Amanda Olivia Jones of Creston also at the intersection of Maple and Elm for Possessesion of Drug Paraphernalia. Jones was cited and released on promise to appear. K9 Baxo assisted with the arrest.

At 7:09 a.m. at the same location as the previous two arrests Officers arrested 32-year-old Cody John Courtney of Thayer for Possessesion of Drug Paraphernalia. Courtney was cited and released on promise to appear. K9 Baxo assisted with the arrest.

Also on Wednesday at 11:17 p.m. Creston Police arrested 50-year-old Dennis Barry Green of Creston at Country Club and Townline streets for Public Intoxication 1st Offense. Green was booked into the Union County Jail on $300 bond.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports three arrests last week.

On June 28th Deputies arrested 58-year-old John Paul Scott of Council Bluffs on a warrant for Theft 2nd. He was arrested at 7:28 p.m. on Applewood Road and later booked into the Mills County Jail on $5,000 bond.

On June 30th 31-year-old Shane Jamal Peterson of Council Bluffs was arrested at 1:27 a.m. near mile-marker 39 on Interstate 29. Peterson was charged with Driving Under Suspension and was booked in to the Mills County Jail on $300 bond.

Also on June 30th Mills County Deputies arrested 36-year-old Patrick Lee Amburn of Glenwood for Criminal Mischief 2nd Degree. The arrest took place at 2:30 p.m. at the Mills County Jail and Amburn was held on $5,000 bond.

Cass County Wellness Coordinator Brigham Hoegh has announced that an anonymous donor has made the summer a little sweeter for 12 Atlantic-area families by providing them with season pool passes to Sunnyside Pool (a $1,440 value). The families that received the passes have expressed their gratitude and shared that they have been having a lot of fun at the pool.

Atlantic Parks and Recreation Director Bryant Rasmussen said this gift aligns with the belief that everyone deserves equitable access to recreational opportunities. He feels that parks and recreation departments should offer as many low-cost or no-cost opportunities as possible and this helps achieve that goal. He says the department would love to partner with other individuals or organizations interested in sponsoring similar opportunities.

That’s what the anonymous donor likes to hear. She said that she hopes that hearing about the gift will encourage others to do some good too.

The gift was dispersed with the help of Atlantic Parks and Recreation, Atlantic City Hall, and Washington Elementary School.

Des Moines, Iowa – Officials with the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau (IID) report a Redding woman, 44-year–old Lesa Ann Darrah, charged with one count of Fraudulent Practices (a Class D Felony), following an investigation by the IID.

The charge against Darrah stems from an investigation which began in May of 2022. According to a criminal complaint filed by the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau, Darrah provided a fraudulent insurance document to law enforcement.

Darrah was arrested on July 3, 2022 and booked into the Ringgold County Jail. Darrah was later released from custody after posting a $5,000 bond. Trial will be set for a future date and no additional details will be provided at this time.

Iowans with information about insurance fraud are encouraged to contact the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau at 515-654-6556.

Note: A criminal charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The Audubon School Board of Directors will hold a special session on Thursday, July 7th at 6:00 p.m. in the board room at the high school.

A public hearing will be held on the proposed plans, specifications, form of contract, and estimation of cost for the construction of the Audubon Community School District Middle & High School Facility Improvements Project.

Following the public hearing the board is set to approve plans, specifications, and form of contract for a general contractor. They will then review bids for the Audubon Middle/High School Interior Renovation rebid and act on approving a contract for a general contractor.