The Atlantic School Board spent more than an hour discussing the direction they would take with regard to the District’s Athletic Facilities. It included possibly buying land to relocate the baseball and softball fields, and, leaving things where they are, but making them ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant. They also talked about a possible bond referendum. There were a lot of stops and starts during the meeting, but the general consensus appeared to be, that the Trojan Bowl will remain where it is.

Board President Ali Bruckner said “As a Board, we feel very comfortable leaving the athletic facilities where they are currently, today, and working toward a plan to make them safe, playable and ADA compliant.” She said, however, “That will take time, and we will do our Due Diligence. And at our next Board meeting we will have a vote on if that’s the way we’re going to go, or not. And then after that, there’ll several steps.”

One of those steps includes meeting with bonding agent Travis Squires with Piper-Jaffray, because, according to Bruckner, “Our capital dollars will not stand for this type of improvement project. You have to keep capital dollars at hand for things that come up, [such as] roof leaking, or things that need to be fixed.”

Superintendent Steve Barber said “We are in the process of developing a timeline and doing it an expedient manner.” Board member Kristy Pellett, added the District currently has no debt service, which is a positive aspect when going after a bond. The high school was the last debt service, she said.

A security upgrade is in the works for the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Fair spokesperson Mindy Williamson says a 20-percent boost to the fair’s security budget has been approved and the extra money will be directed toward personnel, training and equipment. Williamson calls it a precautionary move.

“I think this is just a different world we live in today and something that’s been needed at the fairgrounds, but there weren’t any specific events or anything that happened,” Williamson said. The increase in funding will allow the fair to hire sworn police officers, both full-time and part-time. According to Williamson, the Iowa State Patrol, Des Moines Police and the Polk County Sheriff’s Department will continue to help with security during the Iowa State Fair.

“So, this is just another way to enhance that and be a little more proactive than reactive, given some of the world events that we have seen,” Williamson said. The new public safety force will oversee security for more than 350 events that happen on the fairgrounds each year, including the Iowa State Fair in August. Considering how many people attend the 11-day run of the fair, police have not had to deal with many serious issues.

“We’re thankful to have, you know, a million people who come visit the fairgrounds and less than two-percent of those people have something, an incident, where they’re working with our police officers on the grounds,” Williamson said. “So, great people come to the Iowa State Fair.” The 2018 Iowa State Fair is scheduled for August 9-19.

(Radio Iowa)

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Sioux City plans to partner with the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino for a project that would bring parking and commercial space to an area of downtown.

The Sioux City Journal reports the proposed $11 million development would fill an empty 1.2-acre lot that sits just south of the casino. The city purchased the land in 2015 for additional parking for Tyson Events Center functions.

City officials say the project will help meet growing needs at the casino and the city’s Historic Pearl Street District, as well as replace some of the parking spaces lost at the Tyson as part of the Interstate 29 reconstruction project.

City economic development director Marty Dougherty says he expects to bring the issue before the City Council in the next 30 to 60 days.

Area residents interested to learn more about the state of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in Iowa, are encouraged to attend a free, special meeting next week, in Harlan. Shelby County Emergency Management Coordinator Bob Seivert reports the meeting, featuring Bremer County Emergency Manager Kip Ladage, will be held at the C.G. Therkildsen Activity Center in Harlan (706 Victoria St.) beginning at 7-p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 1st.

Ladage, along with two associates will be driving here from Waverly, Iowa to talk about Emergency Medical Services in the State of Iowa.  Many people across the state have listened to the presentation Ladage is bringing to Shelby County.  There is no charge to attend. They only ask the public to show up, and listen to what is happening to EMS across the state.

Seivert says Ladage’ presentation is in high demand and may answer some questions for those hearing about the state of EMS in Iowa.

A southeast Iowa employer is cutting more than 200 workers. Siemens-Gamesa says it is laying off 195 hourly and seven salaried workers at its wind turbine blade manufacturing plant in Fort Madison as there is not enough work available for the size of staff.

The layoffs are immediate and the company says the workers will get 60 days compensation pay. The cuts trim the workforce to around 330. A company spokesperson says they are still going to invest in new blade molds at the plant and hopes the investment will lead to more business and a recall of the workers.

(Radio Iowa)

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The University of Iowa has reached an agreement with federal regulators to resolve concerns about potential disparities in opportunities provided to female athletes.

A review by the Office for Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Education found that Iowa was spending more on male athletes in areas such as equipment, recruiting and locker rooms.

The office didn’t rule on whether those differences violated a federal law requiring schools to provide equal opportunities to male and female students. Instead, it negotiated a resolution in which Iowa pledged to provide data to demonstrate compliance and take steps if deficiencies are found. The report found no violations in several other areas.

The inquiry began in 2015 after field hockey players filed a complaint following the firing of their coach, Tracey Griesbaum. Iowa last year paid $6.5 million to settle discrimination lawsuits filed by Griesbaum and her partner, former senior associate athletic director Jane Meyer.

Cass County District 3 Supervisor Mark Wedemeyer announced following the Board of Supervisor’s meeting Wednesday morning, that he will not seek re-election. Later, Board Chair/District 2 Supervisor Gaylord Schelling announced that he too, will NOT be running for re-election. The District 2 and District 3 seats will appear on the June 5th primary election ballot. Auditor Dale Sunderman had previously stated that these positions will also appear on the June 5th Primary ballot: Attorney (held by appointed incumbent: Michael Hooper); Recorder (held by incumbent: Republican Mary Ward). Ward has announced that she is seeking re-election; and Treasurer (currently held by incumbent: Republican Tracey Marshall).

Supervisor District 2 is comprised of Atlantic Second Ward and Atlantic Third Ward. Supervisor District 3 is comprised of Atlantic Fourth Ward and Atlantic Fifth Ward. Ward maps are available at the office of the County Auditor; available for viewing online at casscountyiowa.us; and available at the office of the Atlantic City Clerk.

The first day for candidates for county offices to file nomination papers in the office of the County Auditor is Monday, March 5th. The last day to file is Wednesday, March 28. Nomination papers may be circulated prior to the first date for filing, as well as during the filing period. Nomination papers are available at the office of the County Auditor and from the Secretary of State at www.sos.iowa.gov.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Police say three people were injured when a department prisoner transport van collided with a car at a Des Moines intersection. Police say the crash happened just before 7:30 a.m. Wednesday at an I-235 ramp intersection. Police say a car driven by a 19-year-old Urbandale man collided with the van, which caused it to roll.

Officers Jeffrey Morton, who was driving the van, Officer Alex Andersen and a 24-year-old prisoner were treated for minor injuries at a nearby hospital. The driver of the car declined medical treatment. Police Sgt. Paul Parizek says investigators plan to review the police van’s dash video to determine which vehicle ran a red light and caused the crash.

The Page County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a burglary and theft that took place at a rural property between Clarinda and Braddyville. The property owners told authorities that sometime between January 19, 2018 and January 23, 2018 unknown person(s) broke into a building at their property and stole the following items:

• 2016 Black Hull 14k 14 foot bumper hitch dump trailer
• 2016 Purple / white Yamaha 700cc Raptor ATV with nerf bars
• A Stihl MS 180C chainsaw
• Dewalt 18 volt drills (2), impact driver, and grinder

A Crimestopper’s reward is being offered for information leading to the indictment of person(s) responsible for the burglary and theft. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Page County Sheriff’s Office at 712-542-5193 or their local Law Enforcement agency.

The Cass County Board of Supervisors held discussion for about an hour today (Wednesday), with a full crowd in attendance, with regard to a proposed ATV/UTV Ordinance. The purpose of the ordinance is to set the regulations regarding the operation of all-terrain vehicles and/or off-road utility vehicles on county roadways designated by the Cass County Board of Supervisors. It would not change the current Agricultural Exemption. Those in attendance at the meeting this (Wednesday) morning, were in favor of the Ordinance, which would allow persons not strictly in the business of farming, to use county roads and access those roads by crossing a State Highway, as necessary. It is still illegal to drive ATV’s and UTV’s on a State highway as a main route of transportation.

The Ordinance does not cover use of the machines within a city, unless allowed by local ordinances. And, there are still two more public hearings set on the matter. The next takes place Jan. 31^st at 8:35-a.m. The final vote happens after the third reading on Feb. 7^th. The Supervisors each urged the constituents in their respective districts, to call them, and voice their opinions on the issue.

Supervisors Steve Green and Frank Waters expressed some concerns that their constituents have made known to them. Those are generally with regard to safety. Green said it’s the rural residents who are mainly concerned with the small machines being seen when the farmers are operating their large combines and other big machines, during the planting and harvest seasons. 

Amendments to the existing/draft Ordinance that were made following the first public hearing, was striking the wording in Section 3 with regard to “Operation on Roadways.” The amendment would allow ATV’s and UTV’s to operate on county road “At a rate of speed greater than reasonable or proper.” The current version sets a 35-miles per hour speed limit. Another amendment would stipulate an ATV/UTV operator must be 16-years of age or greater and has a valid safety certificate.

A copy of the proposed ordinance to be established is available for inspection in the office of the Cass County Auditor and on the Cass County website, or here:Cass Co-Proposed-ATV Ord-Form1-withwatermark[5996]