(Atlantic, Iowa) – If you have pool set-up on your property in Atlantic, and want the fire department to fill it for you, be prepared to dig deeper into your wallet or purse. During Wednesday evening’s Atlantic City Council Committee reports, Jim Behrens, liaison to the Fire Department, reported on the price hike.

Behrens said also, the Fireman’s Parade will be held Oct. 8th.

In other Council news, Atlantic resident Felicia Frame spoke with regard to allowing backyard laying hens within the City limit. She asked the Council to reconsider updating the Ordinance to allow hens for anyone who wants them, especially in light of the current economy.

Frame said she feels that it’s the right of a person to grow or raise their own food on their own property, not only for their family, but to help others.

Frame acknowledge concerns people may have over the smell and noise, but a more specific ordinance can address those concerns.

Chapter 55.03 in the City of Atlantic’s Code Of Ordinances states “It is unlawful for a person to keep livestock within the City except by written consent of the Council or except in compliance with the City’s zoning regulations.” It should be noted that the Council has granted requests allowing chickens in the past, on a case-by-case basis, most recently, in 2017 and 2021.

(Harlan, Iowa) – The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, today (Thursday) released a report on arrests that date back to May 29th. Beginning with the most recent:

On Monday, June 13th: Kevin James Kesselberg, age 28, Harlan, IA, was arrested after a search warrant was executed in Harlan. Kesselberg was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance 2nd Offense, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Prohibited Acts.; Tricia Ann Trebilcock, age 48, Harlan, IA, was arrested after a search warrant was executed in Harlan. Trebilcock was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Prohibited Acts.

On Saturday, June 11th, Phillip Michael Houston, age 35, Atlantic, IA, was arrested after a traffic stop on Ridgeway Dr. Houston was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Driving while Barred. There were two arrests in Shelby County on June 10th: Michael John Tremayne, age 30, Harlan, IA was arrested after a traffic stop on Chatburn Ave. Tremayne was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Driving while License Denied, Suspended, Canceled or Revoked; Holi Amber Tworek, age 25, Omaha, NE was arrested after a traffic stop on Chatburn Ave. Tworek was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Two people were arrested on June 9th in Shelby County: Jason Richard French, age 36, Charter Oak, IA, was charged with Obstruction of Emergency Communication after making a call to 911 that was a non-emergency call; Devin Rae Ulin, age 28, Portsmouth, IA, was arrested after a traffic stop at Main St and 2nd St in Portsmouth. Ulin was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of Controlled Substance.

On the 5th of June, Deputies arrested Katherine Louise Jacobsen, age 39, Harlan, IA, following a traffic stop at Hwy 59 and Hawkeye Ave. Jacobsen was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with OWI 1st Offense and Speeding; and, Marcus McCoy Masoner Jr., age 19, Council Bluffs, IA, was arrested after a traffic stop at St F58 and Hwy 59. Masoner was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Driving While Barred, Driving while License Under Suspension, and Following to Close.

On the 4th of June, Brandon Michael Eugene Miedl, age 27, Council Bluffs, IA was arrested after a traffic stop at St F32 and Hwy 191. Miedl was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Driving while Barred and Fail to obey Stop Sign and Yield Right of Way. On June 2nd, Samantha Marie Swanson, age 27, Council Bluffs, IA. Swanson was charged with Public Intoxication after coming to the Shelby County Jail intoxicated to serve a sentence on a previous charge. And, there were two arrests in Shelby County on June 1st: Malcolm Shane McDonald, age 39, Harlan, IA, was arrested after a traffic stop on Hwy 59. McDonald was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Possession of Controlled Substance 2nd Offense, Prohibited Acts, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Contempt-Resist Order or Process of Magistrate, OWI 1st, Driving while License Denied, Suspended, Canceled or Revoked, and Insufficient Number of Headlights; Amy Jo Jensen, age 47, Avoca, IA, was arrested after a traffic stop at Street F32 and Hickory Rd. Jensen was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Driving while License Denied, Suspended, Canceled, or Revoked, and Driving while License Revoked.

Other arrests:

5-29-22: Donald Dale Blunk, age 63, Kiron, IA, was arrested after a traffic stop on Knotty Pine Rd. Blunk was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Driving While Barred, Possession of a Controlled Substance 2nd offense, Prohibited Acts, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Fraudulent use of Registration, and Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability; Austin Charles Bird, age 23, Shelby, IA, was arrested after a traffic stop on RD M16. Bird was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with OWI 1st Offense, Open Container, and Speeding.

5-30-22: Devin Michael Gardner, age 30, Elk Horn, IA was arrested after a traffic stop on Washington St and Main St in Elk Horn, IA. Gardner was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Driving While Barred.

(Altoona, Iowa; Radio Iowa) – An organization and a school in Atlantic are among the winners set to be recognized next month, in Ankeny. Individual Iowans and organizations that display the six pillars of good character are being honored at the annual Iowa Character Awards. Des Moines is the global headquarters for Character Counts. Hilary Ortman, spokeswoman for the Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University, says the goal is to develop ethical leaders throughout the world while strengthening lives and transforming communities. “We are really honored to annually recognize deserving recipients from across the state in a variety of categories,” Ortman says, “including youth and adults, citizen of character, educator of character, school, athletic team, business, organization, community, and really bring to the forefront the importance of good character and the impact it makes on Iowa.”

The six pillars are: Fairness, Caring, Citizenship, Trustworthiness, Respect and Responsibility. Ortman says the Iowa State University football team is this year’s winner of the Jim Hallihan Pursuing Victory with Honor Award. “They bring together kids with disabilities and help them live out their dreams by competing in drills and scoring touchdowns on the Iowa State football field,” she says. “It encompasses their whole department. They bring together the Iowa State Marching Band, the cheerleaders, the Spirit Squad participates as well, to make it a special moment for so many kids and families across the state.”

Other winners include:

Business/Organization of Character: Southwest Iowa Planning Council (Atlantic)

Adult Citizen of Character: Luanne Kustra (Carroll)

Youth Citizen of Character: Katie Hernandez (Des Moines)

Aaron Eilerts Community Service Award: Zackry Brennan (Belmond)

Educator of Character: Andrew Genz (Louisa-Muscatine CSD)

School of Character: Schuler Elementary (Atlantic)

Student Organization of Character: Fairfield Student Council (Fairfield CSD)

Community of Character: Bondurant

Partner of the Year: Iowa Farm Bureau

Character Champion: Renee Murphy (Ankeny)

The awards ceremony is set for July 29th at the Prairie Meadows Conference Center in Altoona.

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports a traffic stop on June 9th in Council Bluffs, resulted in the arrest of 38-year-old Nathaniel Scott Thompson. He was taken into custody for Driving While Suspended or Revoked.

The Sheriff’s Office says also, that on June 10th, 34-year-old Timothy Smith Cox, Jr., of Council Bluffs, was transported from Douglas County, Nebraska Corrections to the jail in Council Bluffs. Cox was wanted on a Felony Bench warrant, a Serious Misdemeanor warrant, and a warrant for an Aggravated Misdemeanor, associated with charges that include: Burglary/1st Degree-Bodily Injury; Domestic Abuse Assault/Strangulation; Violation of a No Contact/Protective Order, and Violation of Probation.

ATLANTIC, IA – Produce in the Park is expecting another busy market today, June 16. Market Manager Brigham Hoegh says Over 20 vendors, food trucks, and increased activities from visiting organizations have been drawing more visitors to the park. The increase in participation and attendance has been great for vendors, but the sidewalks at the park have become more crowded.

Produce in the Park is working with vendors to reduce sidewalk crowding, and there will be a new layout at the park June 16. All vendors and visiting organizations will still be found in the Atlantic City Park, but the market footprint will expand to use more of the sidewalks and shady spaces available in the park. Additionally, today’s June 16 market will host the Atlantic Elks’ Bike Rodeo for kids age 12 and under, which will be set up on 6th Street. To keep the bike rodeo safe for everyone involved, there will be no senior parking available on 6th Street on June 16. Senior parking on 6th Street will be available again on June 23.

Visitors at Produce in the Park June 9

Produce in the Park thanks customers for the feedback and support as the farmers market continues to grow.

(Radio Iowa) – The recent heat wave is apparently keeping some Iowa blood donors from giving the gift of life. Danielle West, with LifeServe Blood Center, says while they normally have a three-to-five-day supply of all blood types on the shelves, the supply has dwindled to less than a one-day supply. “Truly right now, we are low in every blood type and we’re lower than we have been in quite some time,” West says. “The first part of the year has been really tough for us we haven’t seen a lot of blood donors come out and our inventory is really, really low — dangerously low at this point.”

Donors are needed immediately as the demand for blood products is continuing to rise. “Everybody is needed. If you’ve never donated before, you don’t even know your blood type, we would still love you to come in and give it a try,” West says. “If you haven’t donated in a while, we have our Steady Eddies that come in so frequently, which is great, but even if we have one or two new people, that makes a big difference.”

There is a constant need for donations as blood products have a short shelf life and the blood supply needs to be continuously replenished. On average, West says someone needs blood every two seconds. “We are encouraging people to make appointments. We have donor centers all over the area, mobile blood drives, so hopefully it’s super-convenient for people,” West says. “From start to finish, you’re in and out within within an hour. You can actually do your questionnaire ahead of time now, which will save you time, and really the donation part is only five to 10 minutes in the chair.”

A blood drive is underway today (Thursday) at Valley West Mall in West Des Moines, with more drives in the coming days in: Ankeny, Pella and Urbandale. Appointments are also available in Ames, Fort Dodge, Mason City and Marshalltown. LifeServe is the only provider of blood and blood products to more than 120 hospitals in Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota.

www.lifeservebloodcenter.org

DES MOINES – Coming off a highly successful 3-year run across all 99 Iowa counties, the State Historical Society of Iowa’s mobile museum is back on the road with a brand new exhibit. Housed in a custom-built Winnebago, the 300-square-foot museum on wheels launched in 2017 and completed its first 99-county tour in 2019, making 175 stops along the way and attracting nearly 65,000 visitors, including 11,400 students. The current exhibition, “Iowa History 101: Iowa’s People & Places” debuted last year and will continue its new 99-county journey through 2023. It will offer free self-guided tours at 405 5th Street in Adair during the Adair Sesquicentennial at the following dates and times:

• Friday, June 17, 4-6 p.m.
• Saturday, June 18, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

The new exhibition shares stories from Iowa’s past with an eclectic array of artifacts from the State Historical Museum of Iowa’s permanent collection, plus a video narrated by WOI-TV host Jackie Schmillen. Guests will see iconic artifacts that reflect the role of Iowans in state, national and international events, including a Meskwaki cradleboard representing the past and continued presence of Native nations in Iowa. They’ll also see women’s suffrage materials from the early 1900s and the pen used by Iowa Governor William Harding to sign Iowa’s resolution in support of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Other artifacts include a menu from a dinner held in Des Moines for Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, in 1959, as well as photos of a southeast Asian refugee and Sudanese women in central Iowa, and a flight suit that southern Iowa native and accomplished astronaut Peggy Whitson wore during one of multiple expeditions (totaling 665 days) aboard the International Space Station. The idea for the mobile museum emerged in 2014 from a series of community conversations organized by the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, which oversees the State Historical Society of Iowa. Iowans care deeply about history and made it clear they wanted new ways to access the State Historical Museum’s resources.

Iowans may request a visit from the mobile museum for their local schools, libraries, museums, community festivals, county fairs and other places where people gather. Visits are complimentary and the tours are self-guided. More details are available at iowaculture.gov. Iowans can also follow the mobile museum’s statewide journey on Facebook at facebook.com/IowaHistory.

The traveling exhibition presenting sponsor is EMC Insurance Companies and fuel sponsor is Casey’s. Additional partner support is provided by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Winnebago Industries, Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company and Mike Wolfe

(Radio Iowa) – Researchers at Iowa State University using satellite data have found an impact from city lights on trees and plants. Yuyu Zhou, says the impact is significant. “The artificial nighttime lights can advance the start of the (growing) season of the trees, and also delay the end of the, of the trees or plants,” he says. They concluded the lights advanced the date of breaking leaf buds in the spring by nearly nine days and delayed the coloring of leaves by about six days in the fall. He says it’s the first large-scale look at the impact. Those who suffer from allergies could be feeling the impact on the growing season for what it produces.

“Early pollen season and also longer pollen season,” he says. Zhou says the urban heat island effect — where urban areas heat up faster than rural areas also contributes to the growing season changes. He says the change in the growing season can mismatch different trees and mess with the natural cycle. “It will cause the problem of the pollination service. And also another issue is because of the early start up — it can have high vulnerability to the spring frost damage.” Zhou explains.

Zhou is an associate professor of geological and atmospheric sciences at Iowa State. He says there is a positive to extending the season for some plants. “Because we can have a longer growing season in an urban area for an urban farm,” he says. The study compared seasonal changes in plants at around three thousand urban sites.