(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.

Three teens from southeastern Iowa were injured during a rollover accident Friday afternoon. The Iowa State Patrol reports the driver of a 2005 Ford F-250 pickup, 15-year-old Emory Justina Walton, of Washington (IA) and two passengers: 14-year-old Rowan Virginia Ross, of Washington, along with 15-year-old Kylee Rae Buffington, of Winfield, transported to the University of Iowa Hospital Emergency Room, with Buffington being flown to the facility by UIHC Aircare, and the other by ambulance. A report on their conditions was not available.

The Patrol says the pickup was westbound on 285th Street in Washington County, west of Quince Avenue, when Walton lost control of the vehicle. The pickup entered the south ditch and rolled several times, ejecting all three girls. The accident happened a little before 2-p.m.

The crash remains under investigation

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Montgomery County Auditor’s Office, Friday, released information about school board candidates who will appear on the ballot November, and a proposition for patrons of the Red Oak School District.

Red Oak School District Candidates Filed: Vote for Three: Bret Blackman, Roger L Carlson, Kathy Walker

Stanton School District Candidates Filed: Vote for Three: Amy Tibben, Travis Taylor, Cameron Lewellen

Villisca School District Candidates Filed: Vote for Two: Terry Dalton, Leland Shipley, Thomas Gourley

SWCC District Candidates Filed:

Director District #1 – Vote for One: Jane Ernst

Director District #3 – Vote for One: Jerry Smith

Director District #5 – Vote for One: Kevin Britten

Director District #6 – Vote for One: Zach Gunsolley

Red Oak School Proposition Summary: To adopt a Revenue Purpose Statement specifying the use of revenues the Red Oak Community School District will receive from the State of Iowa Secure an Advanced Vision for Education Fund.

In the Red Oak Community School District, the following Revenue Purpose Statement which specifies the use of revenues the Red Oak Community School District will receive from the State of Iowa Secure an Advanced Vision for Education Fund shall be adopted.

To provide funds to acquire or install information technology infrastructure (including improving buildings or sites for the purpose of accessing broadband digital telecommunications) and school safety and security infrastructure.

To provide funds to build and furnish a new school building or buildings; to build and furnish addition(s) to school buildings in the District; to remodel, reconstruct, repair, expand, and improve the school buildings in the District; to purchase and improve grounds; for demolition work; to furnish and equip district facilities.

To provide funds for the purchase, lease or lease-purchase of buildings, equipment (including transportation and recreation equipment), or technology and to repair transportation equipment for transporting students as authorized by law, to implement energy conservation measures, sharing or rental of facilities including a joint infrastructure project for the purposes of offering classes under district-to-community college programs as authorized in Iowa Code Section 423F.3(3)(c), procuring or acquisition of libraries, or opening roads to schoolhouses or buildings.

To provide funds to purchase land as part of start-up costs for new student construction program or if the sale of the previous student construction was insufficient to purchase land, and to purchase construction materials and supplies for a student-constructed building or shed intended to be retained by and used by the District

To provide funds to make payments to a municipality or other entity as required under Iowa Code Section 403.19(2).

To provide funds for demolition, cleanup, and other costs if such costs are necessitated by, and incurred within two years of, a disaster.

To provide funds to establish and maintain public recreation places and playgrounds; provide for supervision and instruction for recreational activities; or for community education purposes.

To provide funds for the payment of principal and interest or retirement of general obligation bonds issued for school infrastructure purposes, energy improvement loans, loan agreements authorized by Iowa Code Section 297.36, sales, service and use tax revenue bonds issued under Iowa Code Section 423E.5 or Iowa Code Section 423F.4.

To provide funds for property tax relief; and

To provide funds for other authorized expenditures and purposes as now or hereafter permitted by law and designated by the Red Oak Community School District.

It being understood that if this proposition should fail to be approved by the voters, such failure shall not be construed to terminate or restrict authority previously granted by the voters to expend receipts from the Secure an Advanced Vision for Education Fund.

If approved, this Revenue Purpose Statement shall remain in effect until replaced or amended by the Red Oak Community School District.