DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — One of the first Iowa turkey farms to get bird flu is getting nearing the time at which birds can be restocked but most of the 77 farms affected are still weeks away from introduction of new flocks. Iowa Department of Agriculture officials said Tuesday all farms have been cleared of dead chickens and turkeys but disposal of manure, compost and other waste continued at 18 farms.

All birds that died or were euthanized have been incinerated, buried or taken to landfills. Iowa lost 34 million chickens and turkeys in the bird flu outbreak that began in mid-April. The last reported case was June 16. One turkey farm in Calhoun County will finish a required 21-day fallow period this week and if tests remain negative may begin restocking.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa’s governor has ordered that flags be lowered to half-staff at sites throughout the state in honor of the five servicemen killed last week in Tennessee. Gov. Terry Branstad on Tuesday called for the state-controlled flags to be lowered from Tuesday through Monday. President Barack Obama has ordered flags flown at federal buildings and grounds to be lowered to half-staff until sunset Saturday.

The action honors the four Marines and one Navy sailor killed in a shooting last week in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The state is encouraging individuals, businesses and local governments to take similar action to show respect for those killed.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest today (Tuesday), of 23-year old Thomas Dale Mace. The Atlantic man was arrested on a charge of Serious Assault. Mace was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released later on his own recognizance.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A man serving a lifetime sex offender special supervision sentence has been listed as escaped from a state work release facility in Sioux City.
The Iowa Corrections Department says 25-year-old Michael Euchner II went on the list Tuesday because he didn’t return from his job.

The department says Euchner was transferred to work release on June 14 to begin his special supervision sentence following discharge of a 10-year sex abuse conviction in Ida County.

Minor injuries were reported following an accident Monday morning in Atlantic, but no one was transported to the hospital. Atlantic Police say vehicles driven by Michelle Flander, of Atlantic, and Curt Mcatlin, of Paton (IA) collided just before Noon, Monday, at 8th and Olive Streets. Both drivers were traveling south on Olive, when Mcatlin stopped to make a left turn onto 8th Street. His vehicle was hit from behind by Flanders’ vehicle, causing a total of $7,000 damage.

Flander, who was injured in the crash, was cited for Failure to reduce speed and/or maintain control of her vehicle.

Officials with the Atlantic Police Department report the arrest last week of 45-year old Philip Gehling, of Atlantic. Gehling was taken into custody July 15th on charges that include Burglary in the 1st Degree, Domestic Abuse Assault with Intent, Going Armed with Intent, Carrying Weapons, and Violation of a No Contact Order. The man appeared before a magistrate and was subsequently released on bond.

Arrested over the weekend in Atlantic, was 23-year old Joshua Chapalonis, of Atlantic, on a charge of Public Intoxication, 18-year old Garret Pross, of Atlantic, for Domestic Abuse Assault & Criminal Mischief in the 5th Degree, and 19-year old Selena Hansen, of Atlantic, who was taken into custody on a Cass County warrant for Failure to Appear in Court. All subjects were booked into the Cass County Jail.

Officials with the Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources say a Missouri man was found guilty by a jury of illegal deer hunting in southwest Iowa’s Taylor County. 61-year old Michael K. Kahnert, of Branson West, Mo., was found guilty of six counts of fraudulently obtaining resident hunting, deer and turkey licenses, three counts of not having valid non-resident hunting and deer licenses, one count of taking/hunting deer out of season, one count of illegal taking of an antlered whitetail deer, and two counts of illegal taking of antlerless whitetail deer.

He was sentenced on June 18th. Kahnert was ordered to forfeit the antlers and pay more than $11,400 in fines, court costs and liquidated damages. Kahnert has been suspended from hunting or obtaining any licenses for three years.

The state of Iowa is a member of the Wildlife Violator Compact, which is an agreement between participating states that prohibits a person whose hunting or fishing privileges are suspended in one state from participating in those activities in another state, including Missouri.

Conservation Officer Andrea Bevington has been actively investigating residency fraud cases like this since 2009. Unfortunately, this type of case is not unique in her territory. Bevington said “Iowa is known for trophy whitetail deer attracting people from across the United States and other countries. Unfortunately, these trophies sometimes draw individuals who fraudulently obtain resident licenses and rob the opportunity for a deer of a lifetime from a lawful hunter.”

Residency laws were changed in 2009 to identify a growing problem in Iowa of non-residents falsifying records to illegally obtain resident licenses.

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held today (Tuesday) at Sunnyside Park in Atlantic, for a new, activities area.

Atlantic Ambassadors and others at the Sunnyside Park Activities Area ribbon cutting. (Ric Hanson/photo)

The site, located just south of the Parks and Rec Building off Sunnyside lane, features a recently installed horseshoe pit area, along with green space for several activities, including Bocceball, which Parks and Rec Director Roger Herring said is a “Great, fun game.” He said it’s also one of the fastest 55 and older resort-type games, that’s found at many retirement communities in the southern tier of states.

There’s also a badminton court, Croquet and other activities. There are also benches and tables available for people who want to play checkers or other board games. The equipment is available free of charge, but you should call ahead to make sure it’s available on the day or days you intend to use them.

Parks and Rec Director Roger Herring thanked the Dean Orstad Family and the Trevor Frederickson Foundation for their contribution to and support of the activities area, through the installation of the horseshoe pit area. That section of the activities area has four, regulation-size horseshoe pits.

Roger Herring talks about Dean Orstad with his extended family members looking on.

Plaques recognizing Dean Orstad will be mounted in the horseshoe pit area recognizing his contribution and enthusiasm for outdoor activities at Sunnyside Park. The final site plans for the activities area was approved by the Parks and Rec Board in the early Spring of 2014. Roger Herring said he would love to drive by and see Senior Citizens using the Activities area of park a couple of days a week at least, and people of all ages using it in for family get togethers.

Prior to dedicating that area of the park, Herring and Assistant Parks Director Seth Staashelm gathered with Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors at the new Camblin Shelter at Sunnyside Park, to talk about the latest park improvements.

ATLANTIC, Iowa (AP) – District trustees have been asked to reverse their earlier decision to phase out the sign language interpreting program at Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs. The Daily Nonpareil reports  seven people testified at the board’s meeting on Monday at the Cass County Center in Atlantic.

Bob Vizz, who represented the Deaf Services Commission of Iowa, told the board that “the need is here, and we need to be able to accommodate the needs of the deaf and hard of hearing.” Iowa Western trustees noted the costs and declining enrollment when they voted in May to end the program.

The board made no decision on Monday, but board President Randy Pash says Monday’s testimony won’t be ignored.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A Des Moines business group says it wants to find a solution to a water quality dispute that has prompted the city’s water utility to sue three counties. Des Moines Water Works claims that drainage districts in those counties act as conduits in moving nitrates from farm fields into a river, which serves as one of two sources of drinking water for city residents.

As a result, the utility says it spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to reduce nitrates to levels the federal government deems safe. The lawsuit is set to go before a federal judge next summer. The Des Moines Register reports that the Greater Des Moines Partnership wants to bring together business, farming, water, environmental and legislative leaders to find long-term solutions to Iowa’s water-quality issues.