The Atlantic City Council Wednesday, set the date for a public hearing on a Resolution that would approve or deny the Voluntary Annexation of a property at 56988 635th Street (Outfitters Plus). The hearing will be held 5:30-p.m. March 2nd.

Mayor Dave Jones explained the hearing is merely a formality, as the infrastructure is for the Atlantic Wastewater Treatment Plant is already in place. Jones said Outfitters Plus/A-Plus Designs at 56988 635th Street hooked-up to the City’s sewer system after the businesses’ septic system failed, and they requested the annexation take place. If the change is approved, the City could collect the extra penny sales tax for both the land mentioned and any future, adjacent annexations in the same area. The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday also approved a Resolution accepting work for the 2015 Street Improvements to close-out the contract for all of the street projects completed over the summer, that were funded through 2015 Local Option Sales Tax revenue bonds. The final contract price was 1-million, 25-thousand 144-dollars and 69-cents. ($1,025,144.69).

In other business, City Administrator John Lund, with the Council’s approval, set the schedule for completing the Fiscal year 2017 budget. Budget proposals will be sent to members of the Council February 12th, and during the Council’s regular meeting February 17th, they’ll deal with any questions and hammer out the details in a related budget work session, before making any agreed upon changes to the budget.

If there are changes, a revised/summary proposed budget will be sent to the Council February 19th. A special Council meeting will take place Feb. 24th to form a consensus on the budget. On March 9th, a Special Council meeting will be held to approve the final budget, which is the last step in the process.

Mayor Jones also announced the Community Development Committee will be discussing during their next meeting, the enclosure of Bull Creek from 14th to 17th Streets, and from 9th Street to the VFW building. Jones, and Snyder and Associates Engineer Dave Sturm cited safety and erosion issues as reasons for wanting to enclose the creek in those areas. Of special concern, is the area near the Harl-Holt Park.

Councilperson Kathy Somers made it clear during the meeting she was opposed to the plan over concerns about the effect it would have on flooding in the neighborhoods nearby. The Community Development Committee will make its recommendation to the Council with regard to the project, at a later date.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A 19-year-old from Nebraska has been charged with motor vehicle homicide in connection with an Omaha crash that killed a Council Bluffs woman. Prosecutors say Eswin Mejia, of Omaha, was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving early Sunday. Police say his pickup truck slammed into the back of 21-year-old Sarah Root‘s car. Root was taken to a hospital with critical injuries and later died.

After her death, prosecutors upgraded the charge against Mejia to motor vehicle homicide. Mejia was treated at the Nebraska Medical Center for a leg injury and then booked into the Douglas County Jail.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Legislation that would legalize the sale of fireworks in Iowa is once again advancing through the Iowa Legislature, though it may face some challenges from lawmakers. The Senate State Government Committee voted 10-5 Wednesday in support of the bill, which would allow the sale and use of consumer fireworks such as firecrackers and roman candles. Current law allows the sale of novelties like sparklers.

CORALVILLE, Iowa (AP) — An inmate serving a 50 year sentence for second-degree murder has died in a Coralville prison. The Iowa Department of Corrections announced Wednesday that 42-year-old Matthew John Irving died of natural causes.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — A former Anamosa correctional officer has been sentenced in U.S. District Court to over four years in prison for smuggling contraband and being a drug user while possessing a firearm on duty. U.S. Attorney Kevin W. Techau announced Wednesday that 29-year-old Garrett Barton received a 57-month prison term. He received the sentence after pleading guilty in October to accepting bribes to smuggle contraband into the Anamosa State Penitentiary.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) —Donald Trump is continuing to dispute his second-place finish in Iowa’s kickoff caucuses earlier this week. Trump told a crowd of thousands in Little Rock, Arkansas Wednesday night, “Actually, I think I came in first.” Trump is taking issue with false rumors, allegedly circulated by backers of rival Ted Cruz on caucus night, that Ben Carson had decided to drop out of the race.

A state senator says Iowa shouldn’t stand for what Stanford’s band did at halftime during the Rose Bowl last month. The Stanford band put on what it called a “Farmers Only…corn show” — complete with cow tipping — to mock its Rose Bowl opponents: the University of Iowa. Senator Mark Chelgren, a Republican from Ottumwa, married into a family of Hawkeye fans and he was not amused.

“This was very disrespectful not only to the fans of the University of Iowa, but also to Iowans in general,” Chelgren says. “I was disappointed and I would like to see Stanford have the courage to stand up and say: ‘This was wrong,’ and to make a public apology.” Chelgren’s sponsoring legislation that calls on the University of Iowa and the other two universities that get state tax-dollar support to cut ties with any Stanford researchers until that apology is made.

“There are areas of the country that apparently don’t share our Iowa values and I think we need to stand up for those virtues and values,” Chelgren says, “and this is one way to do that.” Chelgren’s daughter — who went to the University of Iowa — was at the game. “We’ve always taught our family to cheer as loud as you can for your team, but not really boo the other team, because they’re someone’s kids,” Chelgren says. “This just showed such a lack of respect for any kind of sportsmanship that I thought a statement had to be made.”

State Senator Bob Dvorsky, a Democrat from Coralville, represents the University of Iowa. He was watching the Rose Bowl and saw the halftime show on T-V — until E-S-P-N cut away from the performance before it concluded. “I think what they did was offensive, but I don’t think you can blame the institution of Stanford for that,” Dvorsky says. That’s because the Stanford band is not a university-sanctioned group.

“It’s not like the Hawkeye Marching Band,” Dvorsky says. “…It’s just some loosely-organized student organization.” Stanford officials had prohibited the band from traveling to The Cardinal’s road games this past season because of bad behavior, but the band was at the Rose Bowl for Stanford’s 45-to-16 victory over the Hawkeyes. Chelgren’s bill isn’t likely to pass the state senate, but Dvorsky isn’t suggesting Chelgren withdraw it.

“It sends a message,” Dvorsky says. “We didn’t like that.” Chelgren, who grew up in California, is running for congress this year — hoping to defeat Dave Loebsack, the lone Democrat in Iowa’s congressional delegation who also happens to live in Iowa City.

(Radio Iowa)

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A state audit has revealed that Iowa Workforce Development paid more than $97,000 in unemployment benefits to people claiming to work for companies that didn’t exist in 2013 and 2014s and paid more than $66,000 to people not eligible for unemployment payments in other states. Those improper payments are part of more than $909,000 the state lost over a three-year period for which the state auditor reviewed records.

Iowa Auditor Mary Mosiman says her office was notified in May 2013 that irregularities in unemployment payments were discovered. She was asked by the U.S. Department of Labor to audit workforce development’s books to determine the extent of lost funds. Mosiman says the audit found 20 fictitious company accounts. It’s unclear who set them up and no one has been charged.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Legislation that would legalize the sale of fireworks in Iowa is once again advancing through the Iowa Legislature, though it may face some challenges from lawmakers. The Senate State Government Committee voted 10-5 Wednesday in support of the bill, which would allow the sale and use of consumer fireworks such as firecrackers and roman candles. Current law allows the sale of novelties like sparklers.

The measure has bounced between the Republican-majority House and the Democratic-controlled Senate with little success. Groups have raised concerns about public safety. An amendment to the bill passed Wednesday would give cities and municipalities more flexibility on whether to implement the bill if it becomes law. Sen. Jeff Danielson, a Cedar Falls Democrat, says the amendment makes the bill unenforceable. He plans to challenge it.

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) — The mother of Rutgers women’s basketball coach C. Vivian Stringer has died. Rutgers announced the death of Thelma Stoner on Wednesday. The school gave no other details. Stringer missed a game on Jan. 16 against Nebraska to be with her mother in Atlanta during her illness.

The 67-year-old Stringer thanked her “friends, fans and members of the Rutgers Athletics community who have reached out with sympathy and support during these past difficult weeks.” Assistant coach Timothy Eatman will take over head coaching duties when the Scarlet Knights travel to Minnesota and Penn State this week.

Stringer has entered her 21st season at Rutgers. She’s the first basketball coach — male or female — to take three different schools to the NCAA Final Four (Cheyney, Iowa, Rutgers).

A Villisca woman was arrested Wednesday by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.  22-year-old Amanda Lee Smith was arrested at 4:10pm Wednesday on 2 valid Montgomery County bench warrants for Probaton Violation.  Smith was taken to the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center and held on $20,000 bond.

The Red Oak Police Department reports the arrest of 17-year-old Deric Lee Redd of Red Oak for Trespass and Minor in Possession of Tobacco.  Redd was arrested Wendesday at 2:40pm on BNSF railroad property.  Redd was later released into the custody of a parent.

The Cass County Conservation Board is holding Owl Prowl. The Owl Prowl will be held at the Pellett Memorial Woods outside of Atlantic, IA on February 13th 2016 at 7:30 PM. The CCCB invites you to come out for a great night hike, and all of the surprises nature may have in store.  Drive the short drive and hike off that dinner! You’ll hike and try to call in various species of Owls that may be in the park that night! All ages welcome! The event is FREE. Dress for the weather. All ages are welcome!