The Iowa State Patrol reports an Anita man was injured, but was not transported to the hospital, following an accident Tuesday afternoon east of Anita. Officials say a 2000 Ford Excursion driven by 45-year old Richard Hansen II, of Anita, was traveling north on 770th Street when the vehicle went out of control, slid across the road about one-quarter of a mile east of Eastland Road, and came to rest in the west ditch, facing west. The Patrol says Hansen was not wearing a seatbelt. The accident happened at around 4:50-p.m.

The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce announced Tuesday some additions to the static displays which will be on hand for the “Fly Iowa” event September 15th, at the Atlantic Airport.

Douglas A-26 Invader “Lady Liberty.”

The A-26 “Lady Liberty” Invader bomber will be the highlight of the ground displays. Rick Pellett, Static Show Chair, says the bomber will be available for free cockpit tours when it is sitting on the ground, and, it will provide a flying demonstration. Her crew will available at the airshow to answer questions and help people get a feel for the history of the unique plane, which was the 130th Invader produced.

This particular aircraft was assigned to the 410th Bomb Group and began combat operations in early 1945. Each squadron was given one aircraft. They were painted completely black and initially used as night interdiction aircraft ranging all over Germany. This plane still has patches in the tail that were attributed to encounters with German night fighters. Pellett said “It is the only airshow A-26 that is in stock configuration, and has operable bomb bay doors.”

Other static displays at the air show will include many different military ‘warbirds,’ WWII tanks and other ground military vehicles, such as ambulances and radio trucks. Air museums will have displays at Fly Iowa, such as the Iowa Aviation Heritage Museum from Ankeny, and the Iowa Aviation Museum from Winterset. There will also be military art and jewelry vendors bringing displays that people can browse through and make purchases.

Pellett says a big draw at the event, will be the US Air Force’s black race car called “Vapor.”

U-S Air Force’ Dodge Challenger, “Vapor”

The fully customized Dodge Challenger showcases the cyber, space and technology aspects of the Air Force. It comes with an interactive touch-screen booth where air show attendees can get more information about how the car was modified, and information about the US Air Force and different technologies that are used in its jets and equipment.

In addition, a local group, the Atlantic RC Hawks…a remote controlled airplane club…will have their planes on display, and someone to answer questions and give information.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

The 4th Annual T-Fred Golf Tournament held on August 11th at the Nishna Hills Golf Course in Atlantic, raised nearly $22,000 for area non-profit groups, organizations, and the Trevor Frederickson Memorial Scholarship. Melanie Petty with the Trevor Frederickson Foundation said the funds raised will enable them to continue to support the Foundations’ annual donations, which includes scholarships, Little League, Nishna Valley Family YMCA, School Libraries, Friends of Lake Anita, AHS Baseball Program and others.

Melanie says some new things for they’ll be helping with this year include the Schildberg Recreation Area, Healing Garden at the Cass County Memorial Hospital, the Atlantic High School Football Program, Atlantic Fire Department,  and assisting with the painting of Atlantic High School Trojan logo, the water tower off of Bryn Mawr Road.

Petty says prior to this year’s tournament, the Trevor Frederickson Foundation had given back over $42,000 in donations. She says by this time next year, that figure should be well over $60,000. The 5th Annual T-Fred Golf Tournament will take place August 10th, 2013. The T-Fred Memorial Golf Tournament is the only fundraiser for the Trevor Frederickson Memorial Fund, which was formed to give back to the projects and organizations Trevor loved. Trevor was 21 years old when he lost his life in a Council Bluffs residential fire, in 2009.

The Harlan Community Schools Education Foundation has begun a nationwide effort to raise $2.1 million in private funding. During the Harlan Community District’s School Board meeting Monday, Superintendent Justin Wagner introduced the community fund drive for the school district. The fund drive will be broken down to 4 categories. Wagner says one category the fund drive focuses on is STEM. That stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. Wagner says they are asking for $450,000 to start their own regional STEM academy, and to partner with other school districts.

The 2^ndcategory is the music department. Wagner says they have some instrumentation needs not only on the music side but also the vocal side. He says there is a $150,000 spot on there for the music program. The biggest part of the fund raising effort though, will be for Merrill Field. Wagner says they know they have to do some things regarding safety with the track, bleachers, and doing something with the entry way. he says installing field turf needs to be done all at once, and involves taking extra precautions to protect the track. The other renovations to Merrill Field include new scoreboard with a video board, a chain link fence around the entire football field and an automatic timing system for track. The total cost for the Merrill Field renovations is $1.5 million.

Wagner says the 4^th category is “Other.” He says if there is something else people want to give to, or have a passion for, they will be happy to take those gifts as well. Since the effort by the Harlan Community Education Foundation, all the money raised will be private funding with no tax dollars being used for the projects. A flyer is being mailed to residents in the Harlan Community School District within the next few days with more information about the projects. Wagner says the bottom line right now it would be easier to do nothing, but they don’t think that’s the right way to do things for students in the district.

In other business, the Harlan Community School Board approved a shared agreement with Lewis Central for girl’s swimming. The parents of the participants will pay $250 and provide transportation for their child. Lewis Central School Board also approved the agreement Monday night at their school board meeting.

(Joel McCall/KNOD)

A fire that started in an attached garage Monday evening north of Corning, destroyed a home that was less than three-years old. Corning Fire Chief Donnie Willett told KJAN News the Adams County Sheriff happened to be driving by the Kevin Sorensen residence at 2007 Highway 148, about one-quarter of a mile north of the city limits, when he saw smoke and flames coming from a garage attached to the home. Willet says three occupants of the home didn’t realize the garage was on fire. The Sheriff went to the door and got every one out safely.

Corning Fire and Rescue responded to the call when it was dispatched just before 6-p.m., Monday. They received mutual aid from the Lenox and Prescott Fire Departments. Crews were on the scene for nearly six-hours. They returned later on to put out some hot spots.  The house was a total loss.

Willett says a family dog escaped with the family but a cat was missing. Fortunately, the cat was found this morning. There were no injuries to the family or any of the firefighters. The family sought shelter from another family. They were also in the process of receiving assistance from the American Red Cross.

Willett says the cause of the fire remains under investigation, and the State Fire Marshal’s Office has been called-in to try and determine how it started. Willett says he’s pretty certain it was NOT related to a vehicle parked in the garage.

The Atlantic Police Department reports a local man was arrested this (Tuesday) morning. 21-year old Alex Garside, of Atlantic, was taken into custody on a charge of Public Intoxication. Garside was booked into the Cass County Jail and held, pending an appearance before the magistrate.

Atlantic Parks and Rec Director Roger Herring said Monday, that the tennis courts at Sunnyside Park likely won’t be ready in time for the high school tennis season, because of a delay in getting bids for the project, and related logistics. He says it’s unlikely because asphalt plants won’t be up and running until May 1^st or the middle of that month, due to outside temperatures. Tennis tournament action typically starts in Mid-day.

The Atlantic City Council on August 1^st, tabled until November 7th, a Resolution approving the plans and specifications for the Sunnyside Tennis Court reconstruction project, due to a lack of bids. Snyder and Associates Engineer Dave Sturm told the Council contractors are extremely busy right now, they practically had to beg for an active bids. Sturm said they ended up taking just one bid, but it was more than $40,000 over what was budgeted for. The Engineer’s original cost estimate was $241,000.The project will be paid for through bond proceeds, grants, and with payments from the Atlantic Community School District. Sturm said after discussing the situation with Roger Herring and the Parks and Rec Board, it was decided to reject the bid and request bids for the project again at a later date.

Herring told the Parks and Rec Board Monday, that they’re exploring the use of “in-kind services,” to prepare the court area for work next Spring. That includes removal of fences and posts. As a result, the courts will not be available at all next Spring. Herring says the use of in-kind work should help to lower some of the costs associated with the project.

In other business, the Parks and Rec Board approved the purchase of playground equipment for Pellett Park. The playground equipment called “Freedom to Play,” will run about $17,000, and includes climbing apparatus, rope ladders, and other attractions. A similar set-up cost about $1,000 less, but was not as aesthetically pleasing to the Board members, and has less attractions for young people.

And, Adam Wieser, with Atlantic Boy Scout Troop 54, presented his proposal for an Eagle Scout project at Sunnyside Park, to the Board. The project involves re-landscaping an area near the park shelter to include new perennial flowers, Hostas, repainting and lighting the flag pole, setting stepping stones in place, a sign, and other work. He said he’d like to start on the project this Fall, and completed by next Spring. Weiser said the project would be paid for through donations. The Board moved to approve the Eagle Scout project and thanked Weiser for his contribution to beautifying the park.

Another Eagle Scout project, this one by Casey Ihnen, is nearly complete at the Schildberg Recreation Area. It features several new, strategically place park benches and sponsor or memorial plaques. Herring said the project has been very well received by the public.

w/ Ric Hanson

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IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – The University of Iowa has moved up two spots and now sits No. 2 on the Princeton Review’s annual list of top 20 party schools.  The party school rankings are one of 62 lists included in the Princeton Review’s 2013 edition of “The Best 377 Colleges.”  The book has the Iowa school No. 6 on its “Lots of Hard Liquor” list and No. 9 on the “Lots of Beer” list. The university on Monday dismissed the rankings as unscientific. The school and Iowa City have been trying to curb binge boozing and underage drinking.  No other Iowa college was on the list of top party schools.