The Atlantic City Council this (Wednesday) evening, will discuss and possibly act on filling a vacancy for the At-Large seat on the Council. In March, At-Large Councilman Bob Cord announced he would be leaving his seat because he and his wife planned on relocating to another community, but the date of his departure was left open at that time, pending the sale of his home here in Atlantic. His term on the Council was set to expire January 1st, 2018.

Atlantic At-Large Councilman Bob Cord

In other business, the Council will act on a Resolution in support of a Workforce Housing Tax Incentive Program Application being submitted to the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IDEA), by the Whitney Group, LLC, for a 16-unit housing project located at the former old Whitney Inn (222 Chestnut St.). They’ll also act on a Resolution Approving the Contract and Bonds for the 2016 Street Improvement Project, and hold discussion with regard to the re-piping of a collapsed section of storm sewer pipe southeast of the 8th and Walnut Street intersection.

The Council may decide on whether or not it would be more economically feasible to re-pipe the entire block. City Administrator John Lund has indicated that would cost more than $200,000, which is a large chunk of the $990,000 available for the entire Bull Creek project. The price tag is due to the size, weight and depth of the pipe, the largest piece of which weighs-in at 14,000-pounds. A large excavator would be needed to install that section of pipe.

And, the Council is expected to hear a report from Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ouida Hargens, as part of the regular monthly series of Department Head reports. The Chamber receives $35,000 in direct, annual support from the City, plus thousands more in Community Promotion funds.

The City Council meeting is set to begin 5:30-p.m. in their Chambers, at City Hall.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CDT

MT. PLEASANT, Iowa (AP) — Former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack rose from the steps of an orphanage to serving as a Cabinet secretary. He won’t talk about the vice presidential rumors, but he will say that Donald Trump is wrong about America.

RYAN, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is investigating the cause of a fish kill in northeastern Iowa. The department says in a news release Tuesday that someone fishing in Buck Creek near Ryan reported the fish kill over the weekend. Upon investigation Monday, staff found both dead and live fish in the stream. No cause for the kill had been determined by Tuesday.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa woman accused of duping dozens of people into buying non-existent tickets to the Super Bowl and other high-profile events has been charged with fraud. The federal charges of mail and tax fraud against Ranae Van Roekel of Boyden, Iowa, come four years after her alleged scheme became public.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A thunderstorm carrying strong lightning and heavy rain has caused flash flooding in some areas of north and central Iowa including Des Moines. The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning Tuesday for portions of four central Iowa counties until early evening. More than a dozen others were placed in a flash flood watch, where conditions are possible for additional evening flooding to develop.

The Cass County Democratic Party will be sponsoring its Fifth Annual School Supply Drive for the children of Cass County. Sherry Toelle, Cass County Democratic Party Chair, says in years past, County Democrats have donated to each of the three school districts in the county. Suggested items include, but are not limited to, backpacks, notebooks, filler paper, pencils and pens, pencil cases, portfolios, erasers, highlighters, and other supplies that students will require to have a more successful school year.

Toelle said “We are sponsoring this school supply drive but it is a non-partisan event. You don’t have to be a Democrat to donate OR to receive school supplies. It is something that we, as Democrats, feel is important for the betterment of our children. Not all families can easily afford the many supplies needed to start off the school year. This makes it easier for all students to begin the year on an equal footing with their fellow students.”

Donated items can be dropped off at the Cass County Democratic Party’s Fair Booth from July 22nd through the 25th, or at its AtlanticFest booth on August 13th, or at Toelle’s home at 10 East 13th Street in Atlantic. Supplies will then be distributed the week of August 15th.

A man from the unincorporated town of McPaul, in Fremont County, was arrested early this (Wednesday) morning. Sheriff Kevin Aistrope reports 36-year old Rafael “Rocky” Speed was arrested for Public Intoxication, and Trespassing on Burlington Northern-Santa Fe Railroad property. Speed was brought to the Fremont County Jail and held on $600 bond.

“Rocky” Speed

The 2016 Iowa’s Best Burger will be featured during the upcoming Iowa State Fair at the Cattlemen’s Beef Quarters on Friday, August 12th. This year, Iowa’s Best Burger comes from The Chuckwagon Restaurant in Adair. The Chuckwagon Restaurant will feature their signature burger, the Chuckwagon burger. The award-winning burger includes a 6-ounce hand pattied beef burger served with Swiss and American cheese, sauteed onions, mushrooms, bacon, tomatoes, and thousand island dressing served on toasted bread.

Chuckwagon Burger – a burger served on a grilled bun with sautéed onions, mushrooms, bacon, tomato and Thousand Island dressing.

The burgers are grilled on a flat-top and made with The Chuckwagon Restaurant’s homemade house seasoning to bring out the best flavors of the beef. The Chuckwagon burger will be sold for $10 at the Cattlemen’s Beef Quarters and will be available to fair-goers for one day only starting at 10 a.m. on August 12th, while supplies last.

The Iowa’s Best Burger Contest is hosted annually by the Iowa Beef Industry Council and Iowa Cattlemen’s Association. More than 6,200 nominations for 311 restaurants were received between February 15 and March 9 this year. The winner was announced on May 2nd.

The Cattlemen’s Beef Quarters is open daily during the Iowa State Fair, August 11-21, 2016. Breakfast is served from 6 a.m. – 10 a.m. and lunch and dinner is served from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. More information can be found daily at www.cattlemensbeefquarters.com and on their Facebook page.