United Group Insurance

Vision Atlantic Offers Project Details for Transformative $75.5 Million Development Project

News

June 5th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with the non-profit Vision Atlantic organization, says through extensive research and surveying of the community and surrounding region, they have identified three areas that will help increase Atlantic’s population: expanded childcare, quality housing and quality of life amenities. With substantial monetary support from the Charles E. Lakin Foundation and local donors, $16.3 million has been raised in the past six months, over 50% of a $30 million goal.

Christina Bateman, Vision Atlantic President, says “Atlantic has always been blessed with generous, giving residents that prioritize reinvestment in the community. This helps sustain Atlantic as a great place to live, and we are grateful to see that altruistic support in this transformational project we have developed. Never has Atlantic seen such an influx of financial support coming in from outside our community like we have with the Lakin Foundation. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for Atlantic and we’re proud to bring this project to our community.”

The first piece of the project is access to childcare. The Ann W. Wickman Child Development Center (CDC) is currently at capacity with a waiting list of 60+ children. On top of that, home childcare providers are retiring, further adding to the shortage of childcare spots. Vision Atlantic is alleviating this burden by constructing an $11.5 million new childcare facility that will serve up to 300 children. The center will sit near 18th and Olive Street, adjacent to the new Camblin Hills Housing Development.

The center will provide a continuity of quality care from infants to five-year-olds, with the age range of children in rooms being further broken down to allow for even better, quality care. Dedicated rooms will have STEAM activities, dramatic play, and other educational activities. Due to a larger building, a dedicated room will be added for ill children to receive care and be kept separate until they can be picked up by a caregiver. An enhanced playground will be added to the property to allow a space for children of all abilities to play. Jack & Jill Preschool, currently housed at the Nishna Valley Family YMCA, will be moved to the facility.

Dianna Williams, Director of the Ann W. Wickman CDC, says “The Wickman Center has provided love and care for 14 years now to over 860 children from Atlantic and nine other surrounding communities. It’s easy to focus on immediate needs, but in order for our community to grow and prosper, we need to be progressive and work towards our future needs. We need to help those families that struggle to find childcare in our community, and we will provide opportunities for family’s needs well into the future. Our Vision and Purpose have always been to provide the best quality childcare that we can for families, and I’m so proud of our community for working together to make these dreams and incredible opportunities come true.”

The second piece of the project is housing. Atlantic currently has the highest percent of the oldest housing stock amongst sister cities in Iowa. Because of this, buyers cannot access new, move-in ready homes. Vision Atlantic will develop ‘Camblin Hills Housing Development’ to address this need. Named after the late Bob Camblin, co-founder of Vision Atlantic, this development will sit on the open 49-acres along Olive Street, between 17th & 22nd Street, that was purchased from the City of Atlantic. It will be 144 mixed units including town homes, duplexes, single-family homes, and lots for purchase. A park and biking/walking trail will be nestled in, offering a safe, family-friendly environment for any buyer. The Charles E. Lakin Foundation is providing a substantial $23 million in housing capital, and the development will provide a $48 million total financial impact on the Atlantic area.

Bateman says “10 years ago, there were 73 houses on the market in Atlantic. Today, only 16 houses are on the market without offers. We have people in our community, and those looking to move here, who are ready to purchase larger homes and people ready to build their dream home, but they can’t find what they’re looking for. This development will offer a little of everything, while also allowing buyers to “move up”, opening their existing homes for first time buyers, or for those who are ready to downsize.”

The final piece is quality of life amenities. Atlantic’s current, state-of-the-art YMCA, will undergo a $16 million renovation with an addition added to the front of the facility. An outdoor community recreation and event space will allow for fitness and outdoor events in all weather conditions. An indoor soft-play area will give families a safe, dynamic space for group play. 24-hour access to the expanded fitness floor will be available with the use of key fobs for entry after hours. A children’s museum area will bring a big-city feature into the community and be a source of education and fun. A STEAM room and E-Sports room will be added to give youth of all ages a place to gather. Additionally, a dedicated senior social and activity space will promote fitness as individuals age and help fight social isolation amongst seniors. Current plans also include adding a 70-seat movie theater space to the facility.

Nishna Valley Family YMCA Executive Director Dan Haynes says “Extensive surveying has been done the past several years to help us determine what enhancements the YMCA could add to address health, wellness and social connection. Everything listed above is things our membership, community and region have asked for. We’ve been blessed to serve the region for over 30 years. We’re excited to add these amenities to continue serving a broad range of ages and abilities, making our facility a community hub for generations to come.”

Bid letting for land infrastructure will begin late this summer, with construction of all three projects slated to begin late spring of 2025. Vision Atlantic’s Project Committee is actively working to secure the remaining $14 million needed to meet the $30 million fundraising goal. If you are interested in helping transform Atlantic, whether it’s through monetary donations or acts of volunteerism, please contact Vision Atlantic at visionatlanticiowa@gmail.com. Follow Vision Atlantic on Facebook for behind-the-scenes access to project updates.

ABOUT VISION ATLANTIC

Vision Atlantic is a 501(c)(3) non-profit whose mission is to empower growth, enhance lives, and build a thriving community together through the economic development of Atlantic, Iowa.

Sunnyside Pool in Atlantic to open June 6th

News

June 5th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Park and Recreation Department and the Nishna Valley Family YMCA have announced that Sunnyside Pool in Atlantic will open (tomorrow) Thursday June 6th. Nishna Valley Family YMCA Executive Director Dan Haynes reports a new pool pump and motor have been installed, and that it is running “swimmingly”. Haynes said they appreciate everyone’s patience as the upgrade was being completed.

“Since this is completed now,” Haynes said, “we will not have to shut down in the heat of the summer to do the replacement.”

Eastern IA man convicted of attempted murder escapes Work Release

News

June 5th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DAVENPORT, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Corrections, today (Wednesday) said 22-year-old Kamario Corleone Hill, who was convicted of Attempt to Commit Murder in Scott County, failed to report back to the Davenport Residential Corrections Facility as required Monday night.

Hill is a black male, 6-feet 2-inches tall. He weighs about 255-pounds. He was admitted to the work release facility on Feb. 21, 2024.

Persons with information on Hill’s whereabouts should contact local police.

Kamario Hill

FEMA offers advice on applying for disaster assistance for those who also have insurance

News

June 5th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are offering advice on how persons affected by recent severe weather can apply for disaster assistance, while also having insurance. Many people have received letters in the mail from FEMA saying that they could not move forward with the process because FEMA is waiting on an insurance claim letter from your insurance company. FEMA officials say while they cannot duplicate benefits, if you find that your insurance claim is not covering all your expenses, then you can bring that letter to FEMA (at a Disaster Recovery Center, or DRC) and possibly be eligible for further disaster assistance.

Applicants are encouraged to “Not give up and throw the letter away. It’s not a finality, it just states that FEMA needs more information from you in order to continue the application process.”

FEMA Fact Sheet: Help for Survivors with Insurance
June 2024

FEMA may provide assistance to underinsured survivors to help pay for disaster-related costs that insurance doesn’t cover.

What should I know about FEMA assistance if I have insurance?
You need to tell FEMA about all the insurance coverage you have (e.g., flood, homeowners, renters, vehicle, mobile home, medical, burial, etc.) when you apply for FEMA assistance. By law, FEMA can’t pay for costs that your insurance covers, so it’s important to contact your insurance company right away to file a claim.

What if I still need help after getting money from my insurance?
In some cases, FEMA may help pay for costs your insurance didn’t cover, up to FEMA’s maximum award amounts.
So, if you still need help, you can send FEMA a copy of the documents from your insurance company that show the damage or expenses your insurance covers. The types of documents survivors can send include:

  • Insurance settlement information.
  • Insurance denial letter, including a denial because damage did not exceed the policy deductible.
  • Proof of lack of insurance, such as a policy with an exclusion for specific causes of damage, or a lack of coverage for temporary housing.

How does my insurance affect my FEMA assistance amount?
FEMA may be able to help with costs that your insurance doesn’t cover. For each type of assistance, FEMA will look at your insurance payout and compare it to your verified loss or damage.

HOME REPAIR EXAMPLE
If your net payout (the amount your insurance paid for your claim after deductibles) is less than the loss amount recorded during your FEMA inspection, you can get Home Repair Assistance for the difference, up to the maximum award amount between FEMA verified loss and your net insurance payout. FOR EXAMPLE: If you received $2,000 from your insurance company for home repairs and a FEMA inspection determines you need $8,000 of basic repairs to make your home safe to live in, you would be awarded $6,000.

Will FEMA help pay insurance deductibles?
It depends. FEMA doesn’t directly pay deductibles, but your FEMA award may be able to cover some or all of it.

What about things insurance doesn’t cover?
Yes, FEMA may cover things that insurance doesn’t cover, like damage to wells and septic systems.

How can FEMA help when my insurance claim is delayed?
In some cases, FEMA may be able to provide some help while you are waiting for your insurance settlement. If it has been 30 days or more since you filed your insurance claim and you have received no funds, please contact the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362. FEMA may be able to provide you some initial funds to rent somewhere to stay while you wait for your insurance settlement.

I don’t agree with FEMA’s decision. How can I appeal?
If you don’t agree with FEMA’s decision, you can appeal by showing why you need FEMA assistance. The decision letter you get from FEMA will have more information about the types of documents you should send.

You may use an optional Appeal Request form, which is included in the decision letter you receive from FEMA. You can also choose to write and sign a letter to send with your documents to help FEMA understand why you need help.

How can I send documents?
You can send supporting documents to FEMA by:

  • Uploading to your disaster assistance account at DisasterAssistance.gov.
  • Mailing to:
    FEMA
    P.O. Box 10055
    Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055.
  • Faxing to 1-800-827-8112.
  • Visiting a Disaster Recovery Center, where recovery specialists from FEMA provide information on available services, explain assistance programs and help survivors complete or check on their application.

Heartbeat Today 6-5-2024

Heartbeat Today, Podcasts, Sports

June 5th, 2024 by Jim Field

Jim Field visits with University of Iowa Women’s Head Basketball Coach Jan Jensen about her roots in Kimballton, playing high school basketball at Elk Horn-Kimballton, and everything that has led to her new opportunity.

Play

Adam Mazur Gets Called Up to San Diego Padres

Sports

June 5th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Former University of Iowa pitcher Adam Mazur has been called up from Triple-A El Paso to the San Diego Padres. The official transaction took place Tuesday.

“I’m thrilled for Adam and his family,” said head coach Rick Heller. “From Big Ten Pitcher of the Year to the big leagues in just a little over two years is pretty impressive. Adam is a great example of what you can do with the right mindset. He works hard, wants to win for the team and is a fantastic teammate. We couldn’t be happier for him.”

The Woodbury, Minnesota, native has a 4-3 record and a 3.86 ERA across Double-A and Triple-A this season. He has started 10 games and has thrown 51 1/3 innings, striking out 50 and allowing a 1.03 WHIP.

Mazur played for the Hawkeyes in 2022. He had a 7-3 record with a 3.07 ERA. He struck out 98 batters in 93 2/3 innings of work. He was named the Big Ten Pitcher of the Year, a second-team All-American by Collegiate Baseball and was a third team selection by the American Baseball Coaches Association.

Mazur was selected in the second round of the 2022 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft by the Padres with the 53rd pick. He was Iowa’s highest draft pick since 1990.

Mazur is the third player in Heller’s Iowa tenure to get the call to the Majors, joining Nick Allgeyer, Mason McCoy and Tyler Cropley. He is the ninth player to reach MLB who played under Heller, joining Sean Manaea, Dakota Bacus, Colin Rea, Jake Petricka and Ryan Strausborger — all of whom played for Heller at Indiana State.

Joaquin Wailes and Brendan Wilke Win SWIFT Stine Seeds Kayak Tournament at Mormon Trail Lake

Sports

June 5th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

Atlantic, IA. – Twenty student anglers raced to catch five fish before the storms rolled in this past weekend. Atlantic Trojan angler Joaquin Wailes of Wiota, IA caught five fish totaling 71.25” to win the Powerade High School division this past Sunday. Second place went to Jake Wailes of Wiota, with a bag total 70.50”, third was Lucas Bose of Underwood with 70.00”, fourth was Trojan angler Gavin Dougherty with 68.25” and rounding out the top 5 was Trojan angler Christian Thompson.

Brendan Wilke from Atlantic reeled in a full 5-bag limit measuring 73.50” to score the victory in the Fairlife Junior Division. Holden DeVore Atlantic finished in the runner up spot with 67.76”, Third went to Trojan angler Grayson Molgaard with his bag totaling 58.75”, fourth went to Riverside angler Colton Krueger 54.00” and finishing in the top 5 in his first tournament was Tidus Bateman.

Logan Bose won the Coke Cola Bank series with Lanny DeVore finishing in second place.

All combined the student anglers caught over 100 fish totaling 1033 inches with Brendan Wilke hooking the biggest fish to earn the AM Cohron & Sons Big Fish of the tournament with his 17.75” bass.

Next tournament for the SWIFT Stine Kayak will be Saturday June 22nd in Carrol, Iowa on Swan Lake.

Powerade High School Division
Rank Angler # of Fish Total Inches
1 Joaquin Wailes 5 71.25
2 Jake Wailes 5 70.50
3 Lucas Bose 5 70.00
4 Gavin Dougherty 5 68.25
5 Christian Thompson 5 67.00
6 Cody Swank 5 64.75
7 Hunter Quist 5 57.25
8 Colin Rudy 4 51.25
9 Braxton Hass 2 24.50
544.75
Fairlife Junior Division
Rank Angler # of Fish Total Inches
1 Brendan Wilke 5 73.50
2 Holden DeVore 5 67.75
3 Grayson Molgaard 5 58.75
4 Colton Krueger 5 54.00
5 Tidus Bateman 4 52.00
6 Brody Frederiksen 4 51.75
7 Letty McSorley 4 50.75
8 Aiden Krueger 3 36.00
9 Leiah Thomas 1 11.00
455.50
Coke Cola Bank Division
Rank Angler # of Fish Total Inches
1 Logan Bose 2 23.75
2 Lanny DeVore 1 9.00
32.75
AM Corhon Big Fish Top 10
Rank Angler Total Inches
1 Brendan Wilke Fairlife JR 17.75
2 Colin Rudy Powerade HS 17.25
3 Cody Swank Powerade HS 16.25
4 Gavin Dougherty Powerade HS 15.25
5 Jake Wailes Powerade HS 15.25
6 Joaquin Wailes Powerade HS 15.25
7 Christian Thompson Powerade HS 15.00
8 Lucas Bose Powerade HS 15.00
9 Letty McSorley Fairlife JR 14.50
10 Brody Frederiksen Fairlife JR 13.75

Other winners from the tournament:

Big Bite Baits First Fish- Jake Wailes

Fast Metal First Five in the Box- Joaquin Wailes

Bass Pro Five Alive-  Joaquin Wailes, Jake Wailes, Lucas Bose, Gavin Dougherty,    Christian Thompson,  Cody Swank,  Hunter Quist, Brendan Wilke, Holden DeVore, Grayson Molgaard, and Colton Krueger

Trash It Ol Blue Bait Tackle- Tidus Bateman, Collin Rudy

Middle River Buck Blinds Off the Hook- Grayson Molgaard

Haulin in the Most Bass Dump Truck Jigs- Jake Wailes

Money Bag Fishing Assualt- Joaquin Wailes

Thanks to all our sponsor, anglers, parents and volunteer who makes this all possible.

Next tournament for the SWIFT Stine Kayak will be Saturday June 22nd in Carrol, Iowa on Swan Lake.

For complete details and updated information visit www.swifishingteam.com

For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow SWIFT’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

Cass County Extension Report 6-5-2024

Heartbeat Today, Podcasts

June 5th, 2024 by Jim Field

w/Kate Olson.

Play

Atlantic Trojans Offense and Defense Shines In Home Win Over Harlan Tuesday night

Sports

June 5th, 2024 by admin

The Atlantic Trojans softball team picked up a 10-0 Hawkeye Ten Conference home win over Harlan on Tuesday night in Atlantic. The Trojans offense was led on the night when sophomore Zoey Kirchoff went 3-3 with a solo home run, double, single & walk. Sophomore Makenna Schroeder went 2-2 with two singles, a walk while scoring two runs and had two stolen bases. Freshman Peyton McLaren 2-2 with two singles, scored two runs and had two stolen bases.

Senior Trojans starting pitcher Riley Wood tossed 5 innings of one hit ball and striking out four but her defense stepped up behind her to secure her sixth win of the season.

Coach Hinzmann Talked the Trojans home win over Harlan.

Coach Hinzmann previewed the Trojans next opponent in Lewis Central.

The win for Atlantic will improve their record to 11-6 overall and 5-2 record in the Hawkeye Ten Conference, and will play Lewis Central on Thursday night. The Loss for Harlan drops them a 1-11 overall and 0-3 in the Hawkeye Ten Conference. Harlan will now face St. Albert on Thursday night.

Deere announces layoffs at several Iowa locations

Ag/Outdoor, News

June 5th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Iconic Iowa brand John Deere announced this week layoffs at several of its locations, confirming plans in a May 31 email to employees. The layoffs, according to Iowa Workforce Development, will affect the following sites:

  • John Deere Waterloo Works: 192 workers on June 21
  • John Deere Des Moines Works in Ankeny: 16 workers on June 6
  • John Deere Intelligent Solutions in Urbandale: 58 workers on June 6
  • John Deere Waterloo Works: 49 workers on June 6

Matthew Mitchell, a Drake University professor of strategy says the global company employs 70,000 worldwide, so the Iowa numbers represent a small part of the entire workforce. John Deere reported net income of $2.370 billion in its second-quarter earnings in May. The company forecasted net income for fiscal 2024 to be about $7 billion. The construction industry remains consistent while global ag and turf demands are not as strong, the company said.

The layoffs come after the company announced 190 workers would lose their jobs later this month. The company also announced more than 300 layoffs in April.