(Atlantic, Iowa) – Members of the Atlantic City Council have a lot on their plate for this Wednesday evening’s meeting. One of the action items before them is a Resolution of Support for the Cass County Board of Supervisors to invest in “Public Safety and First Responders Communication Infrastructure and Equipment.” City Administrator John Lund says the Resolution does not in any way bind the Council to pay for the equipment (which would include a communications tower and/or equipment).

Late last month, the Board of Supervisors held lengthy discussion with regard to the Iowa Statewide Interoperable Communications System (ISICS), which is designed to provide public safety agencies, first responders, schools and utility workers in the state with better connectivity. Cass County Sheriff Darby McLaren told the Supervisors that public safety in and around Atlantic, and the people who serve in and around Atlantic, are unhappy with the communications that they have with the current system.

The Atlantic Police Department and Cass County Sheriff’s Office have utilized the system since late summer/early fall, 2020. And, while it has provided much clearer and more reliable coverage in rural parts of the county, thanks to the strategic placement of towers here and in adjacent counties, there is still a large “dead area” of reception in Atlantic, for the use of portable radios, because they have trouble reaching the tower a mobile radio can reach.

The Supervisors asked Sheriff McLaren, Atlantic Police Lt. Devin Hogue and others in emergency services, to approach City Officials and the municipalities of Cass County, and learn what support there is for bonding for ISICS infrastructure is a good investment. Lt. Hogue says an enhancement tower that would boost overall coverage and provide radio coverage suitable for public safety use, should be located in the City of Atlantic. Motorola has proposed using the existing AMU water tower on 22nd Street to build an enhanced communications system. The cost of a new tower is roughly $3-million dollars.

In other business, the Council will act on granting a sanitary sewer system connection to 60499 Glacier Road. The site location is too far from the City Limits to annex, just like the location the Council approved a connection for at 60365 Glacier Road, during their last meeting. The Council will also act on: appointing Heather Santi-Brown to the Housing Committee; and an Order to close selected streets on Oct. 9th for the 6-p.m. Atlantic Fireman’s Parade. The Council will recognize three City employees for their 10-years of public service: Chad Silence, with the Street Dept.; John  Lund, who started as an Assistant to the City Administrator, and Lt. Devin Hogue, who began as a patrolman with the Atlantic P-D.

And finally,  Mayor Dave Jones is expected to announce the Halloween Trick or Treating in the City will be held Sunday, Oct. 31st, from 5-until 7:30-p.m.

The Crawford County Board of Supervisors is the latest group of Iowa elected officials to run afoul of the state open records law by restricting how members of the public can ask for records. According to the Iowa Capital Dispatch, the board erroneously told a citizen she had to submit an information request in writing.

Iowa’s open records law allows people to ask for information in person, or “in writing, by telephone, or by electronic means.” In recent years, some Iowa local governments and state agencies have illegally told citizens, including reporters, that they had to submit requests in writing. Sometimes, they even demanded people use an online portal.

Crawford County Democratic Party Chairwoman Beth Ann Vogt had requested a copy of the county’s public records policy after a local controversy over the ownership of a communications tower. She noticed that the county required information requests to be in writing, in conflict with state law.

Vogt filed a formal complaint with the Iowa Public Information Board. The board’s staff lawyers on Thursday recommended the panel find that the the complaint had “merit.” That would mean the parties would have to negotiate an informal resolution. But the supervisors moved to change the policy after an assistant county attorney pointed out the conflict with state law. Vogt withdrew her complaint Thursday.

The board soon will vote on a new policy the county attorney’s office is drafting, to comply with state law.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City of Atlantic’s Parks and Recreation Department Board of Directors will meet at 5:15-p.m. Monday, in the East Ridge Park gazebo (1630 E/ 22nd St.; 22nd St. & Redwood Drive area). During their meeting, the Board will act on matters pertaining to:

• The Schildberg Park Rec Area (an update)
• Produce in the Park
• A YMCA Pool Memorandum
• Pool upgrades
• The Cedar Park Basketball Court
• A recycled plastic park bench, and
• The Lions Club Pancake Feed.

In his report to the Board, Parks & Rec Director Bryant Rasmussen will discuss: this past Saturday’s “Hyggefest,” in Atlantic; Adult Art in the Park; Cement slabs for tables/benches; Rec items checked out; and the Cedar Park Basketball Court. Bryant will also note the flowerbeds are blooming, and an Owl Nesting Box location has been identified.

The Board’s next regular meeting will be held 5:15-p.m. Oct. 18th, in the Council’s Chambers at City Hall.

At least three area school district Boards of Education will meet Monday, in separate sessions. At 5:30-p.m., the Griswold School Board will meet in the High School Conference Room. Some topics up for discussion and/or action, include: the consideration/approval of a compensation package in consideration of the inability to secure a third football coach; Discussion and possible action on Covid-19 protocols and the district’s Return To Learn plan; approval of a 2022-23 Corner Conference Agreement; Approval of modifications to the school calendar, for special basketball events, and more.

The Elk Horn-Kimballton School Board will meet at 6-p.m., Monday, in the Conference Room at the Elk Horn building. Some the item on their agenda for discussion and possible action incude: The Return To Learn plan; a Request For Proposal with regard to banking; approving fund raising events for FFA, MS/HS TAG and the Elementary Spartan Store; as well as the hiring of Maria Hughes and Drew Buckholdt as paraeducators, Steve Humphrey – Bus Driver, and Cody Parmley – Speech. And, they’ll act on the resignation of Bus Driver Tonia Lozano.

The Audubon School Board meeting is set for 7-p.m. Monday, in the High School Board Room. They are set to act on several matters, including approval of: a bus bid; a DMACC Observation Contract; A canvass of votes from the Sept. 14th Special Election; a sidewalk project easement, and personnel matters. In his report to the Board, Audubon Superintendent Eric Trager will provide an update on the building project, financial information (A preliminary UAB, & enrollment), School Board/AEA Board election; Mask mandates and a Transportation report.

Police in Red Oak arrested a man early Sunday morning, for Possession of a Controlled Substance/2nd offense, and on two counts of supplying alcohol to persons under the legal age. 22-year-old William Christopher Laire, of Red Oak, was arrested at around 1:50-a.m. in the 1200 block of N. 3rd Street, in Red Oak. His cash bond was set at $1,000.

Red Oak Police, Saturday, arrested a local man for Public Intoxication. Authorities say 28-year-old Isaias Guerra, of Red Oak, was taken into custody at around 6:37-p.m. at West Market and Broadway Streets. He was transported to the Montgomery County Jail.

BELLEVUE, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reports that at 4:21 a.m. today (Saturday), local authorities were notified about an individual who had fallen from a bluff at Bellevue State Park in the eastern Iowa community of Bellevue. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. The situation continues to be under investigation by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Division of Criminal Investigation.

The Jackson County Sheriff, Bellevue Police Department, Bellevue Fire Department and Maquoketa Police Department assisted with the incident.

Bellevue State Park remains open for visitors.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – An event being held this Sunday in Cass County, will showcase the American Legion Memorial Building (formerly known as “The Armory”, 201 Poplar Street), in Atlantic. Everyone is invited to an Open House, where you can enjoy lunch, see a kitchen reveal and meet interesting people, such as Atlantic native and entrepreneur/inventor/marketer, “Cactus” Jack Barringer. He became internationally known for the Monster Arm Wrestling machine he invented. He has sold his products on QVC, Shark Tank and around the world. He continues to invent products and help others. He says he was raised not far from the American Legion building, and has fond memories of the area in a part of Atlantic called “Buck Town.”

His story includes one of struggling to overcome issues with learning.

Jack’s story of his inventions, include the Monster Arm Wrestling machine, and more.

During the Open House, he’ll talk about his experiences working with celebrities on the QVC Shopping Network, Shark Tank, and around the world.

The schedule for the day is as follows:

11:30 to 1:30 – Free will lunch

11:30 to 1:45 – All rooms open for touring

2 pm – Presentation by Cactus Jack

Lunch includes Mark Clark’s smoked pulled pork sandwiches. You can also take a look at the newly renovated kitchen. It is very large and can be rented for use by individuals and groups. Updated displays will be in the Military Museum, Military Library and Atlantic History Center. The drill floor will be open.

The event is sponsored by ARISE, Atlantic Rock Island Society Enterprise. The non-profit organization owns the American Legion Memorial Building and the Depot. There is no fee for the program. The building is handicapped accessible.

Red Oak police report the arrest of Asher John Hinshaw on charges of OWI First Offense. Hinshaw was transported to the Montgomery County jail and is being held on $1000 cash bond.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Public Health, in its Friday report, said the number of new COVID-19 cases have slowed a bit. According to the State’s Coronavirus dashboard, which is updated three times per week, more than 11,400 positive tests were reported in the last seven days, which is down about 1% from Wednesday, the last time data was released.

The number of people fighting COVID-19 in Iowa hospitals is at 581, which is a slight increase from Wednesday. The state’s two-week test positivity rate also ticked up to 9.2%, an increase of .1% from Wednesday.