The Atlantic City Council met Wednesday evening. During their 25-minute long session, they Mayor and Council recognized Street Department full-time employee Tommy Gaines for his 20-years of service to the City. The Mayor presented Gaines with an award for his dedication.

Atlantic Mayor Dave Jones (right) presents Tommy Gaines (Center) with a Years of Service Award. Kirk Knudsen on the left.

In other business, the Council, approved by a vote of 6-to-1, with Councilman Chris Jimerson the lone No vote, a resolution “Establishing procedures for Collection, Interest and Penalties,” for delinquent Storm Water Utility Bills. City Clerk Barb Barrick explained nearly 25-percent of all stormwater bills are in such a state of delinquency, that they are rolled over into property taxes. Most bills are $17.10.

In order to encourage utility customers to pay their bills, the City (if the resolution is approved), would add a penalty for the issuance of correspondence stating the exact amount a property owner owes if the bill is not paid after six-months of non-payment. The fee amounts to $25 per parcel. Late payment penalties would not be changed, and remain at .15-percent (point 15%) per month. In other business, the Atlantic City Council set the date for a Public Hearing as March 6, 2019, to adopt the Proposed FY 2020 Ten-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), and passed a Resolution adopting the Preliminary FY 2020 Budget, as well as set the date for a Public Hearing on the Budget as March 6, 2019.

The estimated Total Tax Levy under the revised budget of $16-million 135-thousand 155-dollars ($16,135,155.00), amounts to $16.86 per thousand dollars valuation on regular property, and $3.00 per thousand on agricultural land. The City must approve the preliminary budget and set the date for a public hearing, in order to allow the public to examine the budget and provide their feedback to the Council. The final budget must be submitted to the State by March 15, 2019.

Atlantic Mayor Dave Jones, Wednesday, reminded the public you have 72-hours to move your vehicle from City Streets following a snow storm, before your vehicle will be ticketed and/or towed, if it remains on the street. Snow removal from sidewalks must be taken care of within 48-hours of the end of snowfall.

MANCHESTER, Iowa (AP) — The state auditor found more than $250,000 in questionable travel-related expenses at a northeast Iowa hospital that prompted the CEO to resign two years ago. State Auditor Rob Sand issued a report Wednesday about its investigation into spending at the Regional Medical Center in Manchester, Iowa. The report detailed $256,675.52 in improper expenses and another $28,000 in charges that weren’t properly documented.

Hospital Board Chairman Mike Briggs says several additional checks and balances were put in place after these problems were discovered, and the hospital will follow any additional recommendations from the auditor.

The Council Bluffs Police Department reports a semi tractor-trailer rollover accident occurred Wednesday morning. The accident happened on southbound Interstate 29 at mile marker 54, when the rig went out of control due to slippery road conditions at the Ave. G entrance ramp onto the interstate. The truck and trailer went across the embankment between the interstate and ramp, landing on its side across the entrance ramp. No injuries were reported. The entrance ramp was closed until the truck and trailer could be removed.

Officials with the local Xi Beta Phi Sorority say a $500 Reanne Gruhn Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to an Atlantic High School graduate who has benefitted from Resource Room Services in the Atlantic Community School District, or is planning a career in education. The scholarship was established by Xi Beta Phi Sorority in 2003 as a memorial to their sister, Reanne Gruhn. Reanne was an outstanding educator in the Atlantic Schools, specializing in Resource Room education.

The scholarship is a tribute to her dedication and continuous love for all students. All graduating seniors or alumni are encouraged to apply for the scholarship. More information can be found on the AHS Guidance link on the website-atlanticiaschools.org. Applications must be turned in by March 29, 2019.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports no one was injured when a Montgomery County Secondary Roads dump truck rolled onto it’s side at approximately 8:20am Wednesday morning. The truck was clearing snow from the north shoulder of the road 1/4 mile east of G Avenue on 150th Street when the driver got near the edge of the road. The front tire went into the ditch causing the truck to tip over into the ditch, coming to rest on the passenger side.

When the truck was removed from the ditch it was determined the cushioning of the snow prevented any significant damage to the truck. Damage was estimated at less than $1,000.

The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office has released a report on arrests. Three arrests took place Feb. 15th: Andrew Nelson, of Casey, was arrested in Casey, on an Adair County arrest warrant for Probation Violation. Nelson was turned over to the Adair County Sheriff’s Office. Additional charges are pending against him at this time in Guthrie County; Jodi Griffith and Kevin Trent, of Fontanelle were both arrested following a traffic stop Friday, in Casey. Griffith and Trent were charged with Possession with Intent to Deliver Methamphetamine Greater than Five Grams and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Both were held on a bond of $25,300 but were later released by the Guthrie County Magistrate on their own recognizance with a promise to appear for future court dates; and, Mark Rutherford, of Guthrie Center, turned himself into the Guthrie County Jail to serve a three-day mittimus for an Operating While Intoxicated 2nd Offense charge.

On Thursday, February 14th, Stephanie Cooley, of Guthrie Center, was transferred to the custody of the Iowa Department of Corrections to serve a ten year sentence pursuant to a Guthrie County District Court Order for Sales of Methamphetamine; Jeremy Flannery, of Adel, turned himself into the Guthrie County Jail to serve a five day mittimus for Probation Violation. And, a juvenile male from Stuart was referred to juvenile court on a charge of Theft 5th. The charges stem from a vehicle burglary at Lake Diamondhead at the beginning of January.

On February 12th, Zachary Johnson, of Adel, turned himself into the Guthrie County Jail to serve a five-day mittimus for Probation Violation. February 11th, Chad Hein, of Yale, turned himself into the Guthrie County Jail to serve a twenty-eight day mittimus for Probation Violation. On February 10th: Tristan Carter, of Winterset, was arrested following a traffic stop in Stuart by the Stuart Police Department. Carter was booked into the Guthrie County Jail on charges of Interference with Official Acts and Driving While Revoked. He also had a Dallas County Warrant at the time of his arrest. Carter was released on his own recognizance by the Guthrie County Magistrate on his Guthrie County charges with a promise to appear for future court dates. Carter was subsequently transported to Dallas County Sheriff’s Office to handle his matter there; Also,  Nicole Palmer, of Jamaica, was arrested on a Guthrie County warrant for Probation Violation.  Palmer was initially held without bond but was later released on her own recognizance by the Guthrie County Magistrate with a promise to appear for future court dates.

And, the following arrests took place February 9th in Guthrie County: Patrick Kennedy, of Dedham, was arrested following a traffic stop in Bayard. Kennedy was arrested for Operating While Intoxicated 1st Offense and Operation of a Motor Vehicle with an Expired License. He was cited and released from the Guthrie County Jail; Ronald Becker, of Carroll, was arrested Feb. 9th by the Audubon Police Department on a Guthrie County warrant for Failure to Appear on an Operating While Intoxicated 1st Offense charge. Becker was transported to Guthrie County by the Audubon County Sheriff’s Office.  He was later released from jail. And, Samantha Henderson, of Jefferson, was arrested Feb. 9th on a Guthrie County warrant for Child Endangerment and Operating While Intoxicated 1st Offense. Henderson was initially held without bond but was released on her own recognizance following an appearance before the Guthrie County Magistrate with a promise to appear for future court dates.

Clarinda Police Chief Keith Brothers reports numerous charges were filed as the result of a pursuit that took place Friday, February 15th.  Brothers said officers attempted to stop a 2003 Chevrolet Blazer at 14 & Chestnut Street at 11:00-p.m., for failure to use a turn signal & improper license plate lamp. The driver of the vehicle failed to stop and led officers on a pursuit through the east side of Clarinda.

The SUV eventually stopped at 1791 Redwood Avenue, north of Clarinda. Officers arrested 58-year old Keith Clifford Goecker, of rural Clarinda, after a brief struggle. Goecker has been charged with felony possession of methamphetamine, felony eluding of law enforcement, misdemeanor possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and failure to possess a valid license to operate a motor vehicle. Goecker was transported to the Page County Jail and held on $11,630 bail.

The Page County Sheriff’s Department assisted in the pursuit and arrest of Goecker.