A recent alleged incident involving a door-to-door salesman in Atlantic, has one Atlantic City Councilman warning residents to make sure vendors have a valid Solicitor’s, Peddler’s or Transient Merchant License. During Wednesday evening’s City Council meeting, Councilman Chris Jimerson said he saw a posting by a resident on Facebook about the alleged incident, during which the vendor was said to have been “Extremely rude.”

He says he had the City Clerk’s Office look into whether the vendor, who was selling steaks door-to-door, had a valid license to do so. It turns out they didn’t. Scouts or other such non-profit groups don’t need a permit, according to Jimerson. He says if someone comes to your door and they do not have a permit, call the Police Department so they can handle the situation.

According to City Code Chapter 122, any person engaging in peddling, soliciting or in the business of a transient manner in the City without first obtaining a license (by paying a $50 fee), is in violating of the law. Exemptions include: Newspaper subscription collectors, members of local civic groups or service organizations, farmers or gardeners who sell their products they have grown, students, and route salespersons.

Councilman Dana Halder said he received a scam phone call recently, and people need to be aware of something sounds suspicious or too good to be true, it probably is, and you should notify authorities, especially if the caller is harassing or threatening you.

The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday, approved the City’s proposed Fiscal Year 2015 $9.37-million Municipal Budget. The action came during a meeting at the Senior Center, during which there were no written or spoken objections.  The proposed budget will require a tax increase of 1.8-percent in the City portion of the tax levy, or a seven-tenths (0.7)-percent increase in the total property tax levy, which means a 32-cent increase per $1,000 of taxable valuation.

Taxes in Atlantic have gone up in each year since 2010, which, at $14.76/$1,000, marked the lowest rate taxpayers have paid since 2005. City Administrator Doug Harris said property tax legislation passed by the State last year will continue to contribute to the upward pressure on property tax rates and the gradual shifting of the tax burden onto residential tax payers.

The new legislation he says, rolls back the assessed values of commercial and industrial properties and reclassifies multiplex apartment buildings from commercial to residential. The change in assessment practices will constrict tax revenues in the City’s General Operating Fund and increase taxes on residential payers. The only good news is that the State will backfill those losses for a few years, so the actual loss to the G-O Fund may be more gradual, according to Harris. The result will be a gradual shifting of the tax burden to residential customers.

A public hearing will be held during the Council’s next meeting on April 2^nd, with regard to expected amendments to the current budget (FY 2014). During the meeting, the Council may reduce the budget, but it cannot increase it.

(Updated w/OWI charge 7:38-a.m.)

A Red Oak man arrested on an OWI/1st offense charge late Wednesday night, was also charged with Possession of Contraband and Possession of Marijuana, after he was brought to the  Montgomery County Jail. Red Oak Police say 63-year old Marvin Craig Otte was originally taken into custody on Suspicion of OWI, after the car he was driving struck two parked vehicles.

Officers were called to the 1000 block of north 4th Street in Red Oak, at around 10:30-p.m., Wednesday, following a report of a person driving a vehicle in an erratic, reckless or careless manner. An investigation revealed Otte’s 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix struck legally parked vehicles registered to Brenda Gaytan, of Griswold, and Kristie Jo Hilding, of Red Oak. Damage to Gaytan’s 2006 Ford Explorer and Hilding’s 1998 Dodge Stratus amounted to $6,600 altogether. Otte’s car sustained $5,000 damage.

Otte was taken into custody at around 10:40-p.m., and subsequently charged with Possession of Contraband and Possession of Marijuana. Otte was booked into the Montgomery County Jail and held on $5,000 bond.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The unlawful use of drones would be included in Iowa’s trespassing code under a bill revised and approved by a legislative panel. The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 12-0 yesterday to approve the measure, with Democratic Senator Steve Sodders abstaining. It is now eligible for debate on the Senate floor.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa House committee is moving forward with a bill that significantly weakens any attempt to require schools to test for radon gas. The bill was approved by the House Local Government Committee and is eligible for floor debate. The bill requires the districts to report to the state by Dec. 1 whether they’ve tested for radon. The information is to be sent to the Legislature by January 1st, 2015.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Minors would no longer be able to buy or use e-cigarettes in Iowa under a bill approved by a legislative panel. The Senate Human Resource Committee unanimously voted yesterday in favor of the measure, which is now up for debate on the Senate floor.

DAYTON, Iowa (AP) — The small Iowa city of Dayton in Webster County has lifted a boil advisory. The state Department of Natural Resources said in a news release yesterday that the advisory issued March 5th was lifted Wednesday because water samples came back clean.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa House committee is moving forward with a bill that significantly weakens any attempt to require schools to test for radon gas. The bill was approved by the House Local Government Committee and is eligible for floor debate. The bill requires the districts to report to the state by Dec. 1 whether they’ve tested for radon. The information is to be sent to the Legislature by Jan. 1, 2015.

Democrats had been pushing for a bill that would require testing in schools and a plan to reduce radon if the gas was found to exceed recommended safe levels. Rep. Matt Windschitl, a Missouri Valley Republican, says there’s concern required testing would open up the districts and the state to liability and expensive repairs.

EARLY, Iowa (AP) — A western Iowa man has been accused of sexually assaulting his ex-wife and threatening to shoot her. The Sac County Sheriff’s Office says the man, of Early, was arrested Wednesday morning. His ex-wife reported from a local convenience store and said her two children were in a house with her ex-husband. She said he was armed with a shotgun.

Authorities surrounded the home and instructed the man to come outside. He was taken into custody without incident. An 8-year-old girl and 5-year-old boy inside were not hurt. The woman told authorities her ex-husband sexually assaulted her on Tuesday.

The man faces third-degree sexual assault and other charges. (The Associated Press is not naming him to protect the woman’s identity. The AP generally does not identify victims of sexual assault.)

Cass County Auditor Dale Sunderman reports there will be a race for the County Attorney’s office this June. Incumbent Republican County Attorney Dan Feistner, of Atlantic, filed nomination papers with the Auditor’s office today (Wednesday). Feistner faces a challenge in June from fellow Republican Dave Wiederstein, who’s also from Atlantic.

Another race leading up to the June 3rd Primary will feature Republicans Mary Ward and Jess Ehrman, both of Atlantic. Both women hope to fill the position of County Recorder.

By Haley Carlson

The Atlantic FFA took eight members to District Convention in Denison on Saturday, March 8, 2014. The members participated in a variety of events from quizzes to competitions to chapter delegates. Juniors, Adam Freund and Clint Hansen took the Farm Business Management Quiz, Freund placing 3rd and Hansen placing 4th. Freund also participated in Ag Broadcasting, earning a Bronze. Freund said, “Broadcasting was difficult but I thought I did well”. Hansen took part in the Extempt Speaking contest, earning a Bronze. Four of Atlantic’s freshman FFA members took the Greenhand quiz, Nate Moen placing 25th, Morgan Barkley placed 27th, Haylee Valekia placed 28th, and Colby Sorenson placed 30th. Moen said, “This was my first official FFA event and I had a lot of fun. I hope to be able to compete in more events in the coming years”. Sophomores, Clayton Saeugling and Haley Carlson were the chapter delegates for Atlantic FFA at convention.  A delegate is someone who sits in on the speeches of new district officer candidates and also votes on these candidates. Delegates also approve the secretary and treasurer’s report.  Saeugling thought “it was a fun and memorable experience”. The Atlantic FFA chapter will be traveling to Iowa FFA State Convention from April 27-29.

Left to Right Front Row
Haylee Valeika, Morgan Barkley, Haley Carlson
Left to Right Back row
Clint Hansen, Colby Sorensen, Nate Moen, Adam Freund, Clayton Saeugling

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A member of the Iowa House says he’s been assaulted at the Capitol as he was confronted by members of an activist group pushing his committee to consider a wage theft bill. Rep. Greg Forristall, a Republican from Macedonia, reported an incident Tuesday while Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement rallied at the Capitol.

Iowa State Patrol Capt. Mark Logsdon says Iowa CCI member Joe Fagan has been charged with simple assault for grabbing Forristall’s arm as the group sought to talk with him. Iowa CCI organizer Ana Mancebo denies an assault occurred.

The group is pushing for a bill that would require businesses to tell workers when they’re hired how much they’ll be paid and reveal any paycheck deductions. Forristall says the bill will not come up in his committee.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Sioux City has filed a lawsuit seeking to block the state Department of Transportation’s new rules limiting traffic enforcement cameras. The Des Moines Register reports Wednesday that Sioux City filed the lawsuit in Woodbury County District Court, saying the regulations make it impossible for the city to use cameras along Interstate 29. The suit asks a judge to stop the rules or at least put them on hold until the litigation is resolved.

The Transportation Department’s rules took effect Feb. 12, though agency director Paul Trombino says cities don’t have to immediately remove cameras. Under the new rules, local agencies must show cameras are targeting “high-crash or high-risk locations,” and they must justify renewal every year. The lawsuit argues the rules are too broad.