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Keep up-to-date with Fox News Radio, Radio Iowa, Brownfield & the Iowa Agribusiness Networks!
The City Council in Atlantic will meet in a regular session 5:30-p.m. Wednesday, at City Hall. During their meeting, the Council will act on approving a Resolution pledging $46,500 in matching funds for a Vision Iowa grant application. The grant application for the second phase of the Schildberg Recreation Area, requires matching funds.
The grant will help to cover an estimated $353,000 in construction for the campgrounds restrooms in the shelter house facilities. That includes $250,000 in construction costs. The City has budgeted $80,000 plus a project fund balance of $11,918 for the project. The City originally budgeted $20,000 for the project, but received $25,000 from the County, which leaves the Project Fund with what City Administrator John Lund says is “A strong balance.” Aside from this project, Lund will recommend to the Council the City NOT appropriating any additional funds outside the normal budgeting process.
The Council will discuss financial support for the Ann W. Wickman Childcare Center. The Personnel and Finance Committee, last week, recommended the City offer $15,000 per year in Operational Support of the Center. Their options include offering a matching amount up to $15,000, or to issue the funds without condition. Lund says there may be value in using the grant match proposal to leverage support from private donors, as the primary supplemental support to the YMCA, which runs the Childcare Center. If the Council approves, it would likely get the money from the Local Option Sales Tax Progress Fund.
In other business, the Council will hear from Snyder and Associates Engineers’ Kyle Riley, with regard to the Bull Creek Storm Water Projects, and, they’ll hear an annual report from Animal Control Officer Kris Erickson. And, in his report to the Atlantic City Council, City Administrator John Lund will discuss inquires he’s had with regard to bee keeping within the City Limits, and an ordinance regulating such businesses.
The Atlantic Rotary Club is seeking nominations for the 3rd Annual Rotary Club of Atlantic Outstanding Teacher Award. The award, designed to recognize excellence in education in the Atlantic Community Schools, can be given to any certified, full-time teacher who spends at least 60% of his/her time instructing students. The teacher selected will receive recognition at a school employee event, and will also receive a $3000 cash award.
The award may be used to enhance the educational resources of the teacher, further the teacher’s education, or for any other purpose which the selected teacher deems appropriate. This is the third year for the award, which has been a “long-time goal” for the Atlantic Rotary Club, according to Kate Olson, 2016 Rotary Teacher Award Project Chair.
“The Atlantic Rotary Club has been a dedicated supporter of education in the community for many years through senior scholarships, and annual events such as senior recognition and new teacher welcome. In addition, they are frequent contributors through funding for many school needs such as updating technology in the classroom, supporting curriculum for local preschools, and a number of other school requests. Members of our club have been continually insistent that we also recognize and support the talented educators that are the heart of our schools, and we are very happy we have been able to get this program off to such a successful start in the first few years.”
Margo Magill, an educator at Washington Elementary School was the first teacher to be recognized at the Rotary Outstanding Teacher of the Year in 2014. DeLana Harris, from Schuler Elementary School, was the 2015 award winner. Both teachers had “exceptional nomination forms and letters of support from the community,” according to Olson. “We are hoping to continue the tradition of a strong pool of applicants this year. The selection process is always difficult, but we love seeing the dedication to students and the art of teaching that comes through in each of the nominations.”
For teachers to be considered for the 2016 award, completed nomination forms, including letters of support, must be received by Friday April 29th. Nominated teachers will be evaluated based on their skill with students, classroom management, parent communication, peer interaction and community involvement. Teachers must be nominated by three individuals- they can be current or former students, parents of students, co-workers, or any combination thereof.
Forms were sent via email to all current parents through from the Atlantic Community School System in late March/early April. Hard copies of nomination forms may also be picked up from any school administration office, or at the Cass County Extension Office. Completed nominations may be dropped off, or mailed, to the Cass County Extension Office, Attn: Kate Olson, 805 West 10th Street in Atlantic.
It is the intention of the Atlantic Rotary Club, through this award, to recognize and reward outstanding educators in our public school system who exemplify the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self” through their continuous dedication to students, parents, peers and the larger community, as well as the art and practice of education. The award is funded by proceeds from the Atlantic Rotary Club’s annual auction, which is made possible by the generous donations of local businesses and community members.
Pottawattamie County Sheriff Jeff Danker has issued a warning about an IRS phone scam that refers to the Sheriff’s Office. Danker said information was received today (Tuesday) that indicated a subject telephoned an intended victim claiming to be a representative of the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office. The caller said there was an issue with the IRS. The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office main telephone number (712) 890-2200 has been reported to have shown on caller ID displays.
The subject will then instruct the intended victim to call a number and provide personal information. The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office does not provide notifications on behalf of the IRS. If you or someone you know has been the victim of this type of scam, contact the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office or your local law enforcement agency. As a personal safety reminder, please be wary of providing your personal information over the telephone to strangers.
Red Oak Police received a report of a stolen car from Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Red Oak. The officers spoke to the victim on scene on Tuesday and she stated she was at the facility from 11:30am to 11:50am. When she came out to get her car it was missing. The vehicle is a blue 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser, with Iowa license plate AYS 252. The car was locked, and the victim had the keys at the time it went missing. If you see a vehicle matching this description, call your local law enforcement agency.
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – City officials say reconstruction of the main east-west thoroughfare in central Council Bluffs will begin next year. City Engineer Matt Cox says that it’ll take five to six years to completely rebuild a stretch of West Broadway at a cost of no more than $26 million. The project will include installing the street’s first storm sewer system.
The Daily Nonpareil reports that Council Bluffs will take over ownership of the street from Iowa’s Department of Transportation, which is giving the city $20 million for maintenance costs and future reconstruction.
Cox and Mayor Matt Walsh held a press conference Monday to discuss project updates before Tuesday evening’s public meeting on the plan. Cox says that public input is appreciated even though not much planning has been done.
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – A former U.S. Cellular employee has been accused of stealing nearly $30,000 in merchandise from the company in Council Bluffs. Iowa online court records say 21-year-old Sayeg Moreno Padilla, who lives in Omaha, Nebraska, is charged with felony theft and ongoing criminal conduct. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 9th.
Prosecutors say Moreno Padilla opened fraudulent accounts and stole 44 cellphones and $1,500 in gift cards between May 6th and June 16th last year.
The City of Council Bluffs, Iowa West Foundation and American National Bank have announced the full lineup of events for Loessfest 2016 (pronounced “Luss-fest”). Beginning Memorial Day weekend, Loessfest showcases Tom Hanafan River’s Edge Park, located at the foot of the Iowa side of the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge. The park is a regional amenity and Loessfest was created to celebrate all that it has to offer. Loessfest has drawn more than 100,000 people to the park in its first three years.
This year, American National Bank joins the City of Council Bluffs and the Iowa West Foundation as a presenting sponsor of Loessfest. In addition to the support of the three presenting sponsors and 36 additional generous sponsors, Loessfest will host a full lineup of free events beginning May 28:
Parking is available on both sides of the river for all Loessfest events, including the parking lot just north of Harrah’s Casino and in Harrah’s parking garage. Please note, due to construction, there is no longer parking available or access to the park from the old Playland Park area off Avenue B, just east of the Great Lawn. To avoid traffic delays and to reserve your spot on the Great Lawn in the park, please consider carpooling and arrive early for Loessfest events.
For more information, please visit Loessfest.com.
The School Board in Sidney, Monday night, has rejected a proposed three-way sharing agreement between the district, South Page, and the Griswold School District. According to reports, the Sidney School Board rejected the proposal by failing to take action on the agreement, which means Superintendent Gregg Cruickshank will continue to serve as superintendent for those two districts only, during the next school year.
The board’s decision was said to have been based on the vacancy in the elementary principal’s position, with Linda Spencer stepping down at the end of the current school year. The Sidney School Board also voted to hire a part-time elementary principal for next school year, with the intent of hiring a full time principal for the 2017-2018 school year.
The decision by the Sidney Board leaves the Griswold District to consider its next step to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Superintendent Dana Kunze. The Griswold Board will hold a special meeting this evening at 6:30, to discuss the options.
The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports five people were arrested recently. Monday evening, deputies arrested 34-year old Justin Wayne Schomburg, of Malvern, for Driving Under Suspension and having no SR-22 Insurance. His bond was set at $1,300. That same evening, 27-year old Gail Gilbert Heywood Jr., of Randolph, was arrested on a warrant for Failure To Appear in court on a Driving While Revoked charge. His bond was set at $2,000.
Sunday morning, 22-year old Kortez Mario McBridge, of Omaha, was arrested in Mills County for being a Fugitive from Justice. His bond was set at $1,000. And, two people were arrested Friday: 29-year old Derek Scott Smith, of Council Bluffs, was arrested for OWI/3rd offense, Driving While Revoked and Failure to Obey Traffic Control Device. His bond was set at $7,000. And, 24-year old Gabrielle Christine Stogdil, of Pacific Junction, was arrested for OWI/1st offense. Her bond was set at $1,000.
Audubon Police Chief Matt Starmer reports three people, including two teenagers, have been arrested in connection the with April 10th armed robbery of the Subway sandwich store, in Audubon.
Starmer says 19-year old Andrew Allen Malloy, of Audubon, was arrested for felony 1st degree armed robbery, felony Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery , and a felony charge of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor. He faces additional charges that include Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Malloy was being held in the Audubon County Jail on a $25,000 cash bond.
Two 16-year old’s from Audubon, Timothy Dethlef Asmus, and Jason Christopher Hines, were charged with felony Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery. In addition, Asmus faces charges that include Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He’s currently being held in the Juvenile Detention Center. Hines was transported to the Juvenile Detention Center.
An investigation surrounding the incident remains open.