(Radio Iowa) – Heavy traffic is predicted on the roadways this weekend and through the Independence Day Holiday. State Patrol Trooper, Paul Gardner, says the effort to keep drivers safe includes a “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Campaign,” that will be underway across Iowa. “Which runs July 1st through the fifth. And that’s going to be primarily focused on increased law enforcement presence to prevent fatal and serious traffic car crashes related to driving while impaired, alcohol related crashes, and O-W-I’s,” he says.

He says they are partnering with the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Gardner says the effort comes after issues on the roadways during the July 4th holiday. “In 2022, during the Fourth of July weekend statewide there were seven fatalities across the state and four out of those seven fatalities were alcohol related — so that’s over half of those — so that’s something we’re going to try to reduce this year,” he says.

Garner says we are also in the middle of what’s called the “100 deadliest days” for younger drivers. “During the summer months, your teenagers have more freedom because they’re not in school, they don’t have a structured schedule. So they’re more apt to take advantage of that,” he says. “…we see a significant increase with car crashes involving teenagers. And there’s been a 30 percent average increase in the last few years for teenage deaths nationwide. So that’s something we want to address as well.”

Trooper Gardner says the rules of the road don’t change during this holiday period and you should wear your seatbelt, drive the speed limit, and don’t drink and drive.

(Radio Iowa) – The new state law that backers say is designed to protect parental rights goes into effect Saturday. It bans instruction about gender identity or sexual orientation in kindergarten through sixth grade classes. It also requires books that describe or depict sex acts be removed from school libraries. West Hancock Community School District Superintendent Wayne Kronemann says a typical school library has hundreds of books. “We are trying to look for some lists that are available of books that maybe get questioned by people around the United States to get taken out of libraries or schools,” he says.

Starting in January, teachers or school superintendents will face discipline from the Board of Educational Examiners if books that include sexually explicit content are provided to students. “I don’t think we’ll be in any trouble there because we’re a pretty conservative community like most communities around here,” he says, “but it still takes time to make sure.”

The law also requires schools to put a list of all its library books online, along with instructions for how to request that a book be removed. The names of those who file removal requests are to be kept confidential. Democrats in the legislature opposed the law, arguing books help students understand themselves and the world around them and the new policy means books with educational and literary value will be removed from libraries.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with Cass Health have announced that the popular “Healthy U lunch-and-learn” series is returning in July. Healthy U is a free educational series held monthly at Cass Health that the public is encouraged to attend. During Healthy U, Cass Health providers and staff share health information on a different topic each month. Upcoming presenters include Dr. Adam Verhoef, Beth Olsen, MS, RD, LD, and Dr. Matt Weresh.

The series will kick off on Thursday, July 20 at noon in Conference Room 2. Family Medicine Specialist Dr. Adam Verhoef will talk about osteoporosis.

Dr. Verhoef is a board-certified Family Medicine physician who provides the full spectrum of care including obstetrics and c-sections. He completed his undergraduate degree in Biology and Chemistry at Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa. He then attended the Carver College of Medicine at the University of Iowa, and he completed his Family Medicine Residency in June of 2021 at Prisma Health Richland/University of South Carolina in Columbia, South Carolina. He also completed the Advanced OB Fellowship at Swedish Health First Hill Family Medicine in Seattle, Washington.

Dr. Adam Verhoef.

A free boxed lunch is provided for all attendees, so reservations are required. Call 712-243-7479 to reserve your seat. For more information about Healthy U, visit casshealth.org/healthyu.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Board of Supervisors, Friday morning (today), acted on approving several matters to come before them. They include:

• A fireworks permit for the Adair County Fair Board, for the opening night of the Adair County Fair (July 12th).
• Township Clerk wages for Lorene Grubbs in the amount of $80.
• The appointment of Jenna Evans to the Adair County Board of Health.
• A 28-E Agreement with Adair/Guthrie County Environmental Health.

The Board approved a Rainbow Restoration (in Winterset) Facility Agreement – Adair County Auditor Mandy Berg explained…

They also approved:

• A Fiscal Year 2024 Appropriations Resolution
• A FY 2024 Transfer Resolution
• A Resolution to Destroy certain records.
• Approval of FY 24 Wages
• And, the FY 2024 County Employee Handbook.

County Treasurer Brenda Wallace received permission from the Adair County Supervisors to charge a $10 Convenience Fee for out-of-county Driver’s License issuance.

County Auditor Mandy Berg reported Deputy Auditor/IT professional Josh Nelson has submitted his resignation.

The Board approved Nelson’s resignation, and a passed a motion to begin the process of hiring his replacement. Adair County Engineer Nick Kauffman presented to the Board a Road Use Agreement Letter of Release for the Morning Light Repower Project. Mid-American Energy Construction Manager Mitch Steffes reported to the Board details of the project.

He said the company is committed to returning the public roads they used during the process of construction/servicing wind turbines “to the same or better condition” before the trucks traveled on those roads. Adair County Engineer Nick Kauffman then updated the Board of his department’s maintenance and activities from the past week.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, on Friday, said that on Thursday, June 29, 2023, the Chamber Ambassadors visited a new restaurant in Atlantic, “That’s So ATEies,” to celebrate their new restaurant concept with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The Ambassadors had the opportunity to learn about their process of rebranding, re-opening and the inspiration behind the restaurant’s new theme.

Jake Weitzel, owner of the newly opened restaurant, shared about why he decided to revamp the previous restaurant, Weitzel’s, which closed in 2022 after being in business for nine years. Previously, Weitzel’s had run into staffing issues and Jake shared that he felt the need to change things up and try out something new. The idea for a new restaurant concept was inspired in part by Weitzel’s sister, who suggested a decade-themed restaurant. That’s So ATEies features different aspects of the 1980s that are meant to create nostalgia for patrons.

Jake’s dream of owning his own restaurant began when he came back to Atlantic to visit family and realized one of the long-time diners in Atlantic was closing. Thanks to prior restaurant industry experience while living in both Atlantic and Kansas City, Jake was knowledgeable in creating a new and unique menu for his new concept. The new menu offers something for everyone, such as a variety of gluten-free and vegetarian options, home-made family recipes, as well as weekly specials and monthly featured burgers. That’s So ATEies also provides a party room for guests that can seat around 70 guests. 

To learn more about That’s So ATEies, visit their Facebook page, That’s So ATEies, or call (712) 243-7090. The restaurant is located at 1904 East 7th Street in Atlantic and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 am to 8:30 pm.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Police in Red Oak report a woman was arrested for Public Intoxication this (Friday) morning. Authorities say 34-year-old Megan Renea Guffey, of Villisca, was arrested at around 6:48-a.m. in the 400 block of W. Coolbaugh Street, in Red Oak. She allegedly had an odor of alcoholic beverage coming from her person, as well as red, bloodshot and watery eyes.

Guffey was transported to the Montgomery County Jail and held on a $300 bond.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – Auditor of State Rob Sand has released an audit report on Audubon County, Iowa:

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS:
The County’s revenues totaled $12,314,147 for the year ended June 30, 2022, a less than 1.0% increase over the prior year. Expenses for County operations for the year ended June 30, 2022 totaled $10,716,449, a 1.9% increase over the prior year.

AUDIT FINDINGS:
Sand reported three findings related to the receipt and expenditure of taxpayer funds. They are found on pages 76 through 80 of this report. The findings addressed issues such as lack of segregation of duties and material adjustments needed to properly record receivables and payables. Sand provided the County with recommendations to address each of the findings.
The segregation of duties finding discussed above is repeated from the prior year. The County Board of Supervisors and other County officials have a fiduciary responsibility to provide oversight of the County’s operations and financial transactions. Oversight is typically defined as the “watchful and responsible care” a governing body exercises in its fiduciary capacity.

A copy of the audit report is available for review on the Auditor of State’s website at Audit Reports – Auditor of State.