The area’s top news at 7:06-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) – An infant dropped off at the Mason City fire station has been turned over to state authorities. Police officers were sent to the station around 10:30 p.m. Tuesday. The little boy, who appeared to be about a year old, was taken to a hospital to be checked out. It’s unclear whether the person or people who dropped him off explained the action.

Iowa law allows parents or their representatives to leave babies up to 14 days old at health care facilities, without fear of prosecution. Mason City Police Sgt. Steve Klemas says authorities are looking into the case.

A man who is suspected of leading authorities on a high-speed pursuit the night of July 11^th in Taylor County, was arrested Wednesday, in Lenox. 31-year old Mark Allen Achterberg, of Clarinda, was taken into custody under the authority of warrants issued out of Montgomery and Page Counties, for probation violation and failure to appear. Achterberg is suspected of leading deputies in the pursuit of a stolen motorcycle that began in Bedford July 11th.

The cycle, which was stolen from a residence in Atchison County, Missouri, was later found abandoned in Hopkins, Missouri. Charges are pending in Taylor County on Achterberg for theft and eluding.

During this extreme heat wave, Iowans are being reminded to take particular care of their pets, especially those that are considered “outdoor” animals. Josh Colvin, spokesman for the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, says if your dog is in a fenced area or chained up in the back yard, there are a few requirements when the temperatures get this hot.

“It’s really important to have cool, fresh water out there,” Colvin says. “That does help them cool themselves and they will not drink hot water. They’ve got to be in shade, so make sure there’s shade out there. With these really extreme temperatures, we do just recommend getting them in the house, somewhere where there are fans and cooler temperature for them.”

Some Iowans like to take their pets for a ride and will leave them in the car with the windows cracked while they run errands. Colvin says that’s not a good idea. “In extreme temperatures like this, we recommend keeping them at home,” Colvin says. “Really, a cracked window is not going to do much for them, even in the shade. The way animals cool themselves is by panting and if all they’re doing is bringing in that hot air, it’s not cooling them down. It takes very little time for a dog in a hot car to have a heat stroke.”

Forecasters say much of Iowa will be seeing high temperatures in the 90s this week, with triple-digit heat indices. “There’s a lot of things that can happen in a short period of time, even taking dogs for walks,” Colvin says. “That can be dangerous. We’ve got concrete out there that is going to get hot. Imagine with your bare feet. Dogs can actually burn their feet on that hot concrete as well.”

If there are feral cats or wildlife in your neighborhood, he suggests you set out a bowl of fresh, cool water for them as well, and limit your dog’s outside time to bathroom breaks only. Colvin urges people to act immediately if they see a distressed animal outside or in an unattended car. In the city of Des Moines, residents can call A-R-L Animal Care & Control at (515) 283-4811. Elsewhere, call your local law enforcement’s non-emergency phone number.

(Radio Iowa)

The Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) agency has announced Iowans who file continuing unemployment claims should no longer do so by phone after October 1st. Instead, they should file online. IWD spokesperson Courtney Greene says filing online will ensure more timely and accurate payouts to individuals. There are benefits to employers and business as well.

“This change will also ensure the integrity of the unemployment insurance trust fund by reducing incidents of fraud, by eliminating improper payments, thus lowering employers’ taxes,” Greene said. Most Iowans who file continuing unemployment claims already do so online. “I think we’re currently at about 80-percent of people filing online…we really want to get that number into the 90s and even 100-percent if possible,” Greene said.

Despite the IWD’s notice of “online filing only,” people who do not have access to a computer will still be able file over the phone. “We will still have a handful of customer service representatives who will be able to assist people over the phone, but really the trend is to get more and more, as many Iowans as we can get filing their continued claims online,” Greene said. Iowans receiving unemployment benefits are receiving a letter about the change.

(Radio Iowa)

Police in Red Oak arrested a motorcyclist for driving while revoked, Wednesday evening. 41-year old Jason Neal Beacham, of Red Oak, was taken into custody at around 5:30-p.m., after he was observed driving a motorcycle. Officers who knew Beacham didn’t hold a valid driver’s license, pulled him over.  He was transported to the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center and held on a $1,000 bond.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CDT

BOSTON (AP) — Two Iowa men accused of bringing guns and ammunition to Boston after allegedly making online threats against the Pokemon World Championships are expected to change their not guilty pleas. James Stumbo, of Boone, and Kevin Norton, of Ames, are scheduled to appear in Suffolk Superior Court in Boston on Thursday for a change-of-plea hearing. The men pleaded not guilty after they were arrested last year on five weapons charges.

MOUNT PLEASANT, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a corrections officer at the Mount Pleasant Correctional Facility is recovering from cuts, bruising and swell following an attack by an inmate. Prison spokeswoman Andrea Wright tells the Hawk Eye that the inmate punched the officer several times in the face Monday afternoon. The officer was treated at the scene, then taken to a hospital to receive stitches for cuts from the assault.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — A Charles City-area farmer has pleaded guilty to selling more than 90,000 bushels of corn that was pledged as collateral on federal Farm Service Agency loans for more than $196,000. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that 59-year-old Leroy Jones pleaded guilty Monday in federal court to one count of conversion of property pledged to Farm Service Agency. Jones admitted during the hearing to removing or converting 90,581 bushels of corn that he used to mortgage a loan for $196,327.

MONONA, Iowa (AP) — Waterloo television station KWWL reports that Commercial Vehicle Group will close its plant in Monona, Iowa. The station says workers were told the news Tuesday. The company says there are 146 employees at the plant, and some will remain to support purchasing, sales and other roles after manufacturing ends next spring. The company recently closed its plant in Edgewood, cutting 60 jobs.

The Atlantic City Council Wednesday evening, passed a Resolution in support of a Workforce Housing Tax Incentive Program Application being submitted to the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IDEA), by the Whitney Group, LLC, for a 16-unit housing project located at the former old Whitney Inn (222 Chestnut St.).

Mark Smith, owner/investor in the project, said beside the State and Historical tax credits the investor group has applied for, the Workforce Housing tax credit, if approved, would allow for a 10-percent tax credit from the State. Those awarded the credit are selected by a type of lottery system, but in order for their application to be considered, the investors must show there is support from the City and the Council for the project and related credit.

The Council also passed a Resolution approving the contract and bonds for the 2016 Street Improvement Project. Snyder and Associates’ Engineer Dave Sturm, said the action was necessary as part of the process of approving the contract with Henningsen Construction. Sturm says there is no definitive start date on the projects at this time. The weather has played a role in any plans to begin in the short term.

The Atlantic City Council received a presentation from Gary Loop, with Engineering Technologies, Incorporated in Omaha, with regard to an electrical system study commissioned for the second and third floors of City Hall. Loop said the study revealed old, outdated equipment that needs to be replaced. It also lacks a fire alarm system, but since the 3^rd floor is not being used for public events, there’s no immediate need to install it. The price tag for a complete overhaul of the electrical systems on both floors, including lighting, according to Loop (with a 10% contingency), amounts to $177,000+.

He said the main thing that needs to be done first, is upgrading of the electrical panels and service to bring the building up to Code, which would cost between $113,000 to $114,000. Loop said the improvements could be accomplished in steps, with the priority being getting the building up to Code, by replacing the electrical panels and service. The Code  issue involves improper grounding and other matters.

The Council, by a vote of 6-to 1, approved moving forward with the process to re-piping of Bull Creek, between 8^th and 9^th Streets, where a section of ground covering a storm sewer pipe has collapsed, creating a sink hole. Councilperson Kathy Somers was opposed to replacing the entire length of the pipe over concerns it would violate restrictions set forth by the Corps of Engineers.

The Atlantic City Council also accepted the resignation of At Large Councilman Bob Cord, effective July 20^th. In March, Cord announced he would be leaving his seat because he and his wife planned on relocating to Des Moines, but the date of his departure was left open at that time, pending the sale of his home here in Atlantic. His term on the Council was set to expire January 1st, 2018. Mayor Dave Jones said 3^rd Ward Councilperson Ashley Hayes expressed an interest in being appointed to the seat, because she intends to purchase a house in Atlantic, but is not yet certain where that will be. It may mean she would move out of the 3^rd Ward.

Jones said Hayes would have to resign from her current seat on the Council and fill the At Large seat by appointment. Assuming that’s approved, her seat would then have to be filled by appointment. Regardless of which seat is filled by appointment, the public has 14 days from the date of publication, to file a petition calling for an election. No official motion was made with regard to the filling of Cord’s seat during Wednesday’s meeting.

In his report to the Council, Mayor Dave Jones asked citizens to report to the Cass County Communications Center (243-2204), any delays longer than 10 minutes, caused by a train blocking the main arteries in Atlantic (including Olive and Linn). Police Chief Steve Green will address a letter to the railroad, reminding them of their responsibility as well, to notify the Comm Center if they expect the roads to be blocked more than 10-minutes. Jones said also, the west side of Palm Street will be closed for parking on Saturday, July 23^rd, in association with the Cass County Fair. The street closure in necessary to accommodate vehicles pulling trailers to the fairgrounds.

He also reminded property owners to trim tree limbs hanging over sidewalks, to a minimum of seven-feet above the ground. Complaints are coming in about limbs hanging too low, and obstructing pedestrian travel on sidewalks.

Officials with the  Cass County Health System (CCHS) said Wednesday, that as part of the current remodeling project at CCHS, both the Cass County Memorial Hospital and Atlantic Medical Center feature new, private admissions bays.

Admissions Area (Photo provided by CCHS)

To check in for an appointment at the Atlantic Medical Center, patients can use one of four private bays to check in with staff. Just around the corner is Hospital Admissions, and those bays face towards the atrium and feature new doors that slide shut for increased patient privacy.

The Shelby County Emergency Management Agency reports two roads, which had been temporarily closed for construction projects, are now re-open. Roads now open include Redwood Road, which was closed for an expected 24-hour repair project, was opened sooner than expected, late Wednesday afternoon. And, 2300th Street, just east of Juniper Road, where a pipe replacement project was underway, is also now open to normal traffic.