SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A new law that prevented Iowa schools from starting before Aug. 23 helped boost crowds at the State Fair and other attractions this month. Attendance at the Iowa State Fair in mid-August hit an all-time high of 1,117,398. The Sioux City Journal reports the August crowds at Arnolds Park Amusement Park appeared larger this year.

Myles Kass owns a seasonal restaurant at Arnolds Park, and he said his August sales numbers were higher than in recent years. Many Iowa school districts started on Aug. 24. Last year, only 14 of 338 Iowa districts started after Aug. 23. Mark Sanders says the later school start helped him keep a promise to take his daughter and two friends to Arnolds Park earlier this month.

The Cass County Board of Supervisors will hold their regular, weekly meeting Monday morning this week, instead of on Wednesday. During their 8:30-a.m. session at the courthouse in Atlantic, the Board will act on approving a beer permit and Sunday sales permit for the 21st Century Coop C-Store, in Massena, and on an abatement or exemption of taxes for properties owned by the City of Atlantic (Including airport buildings and land, Washington Township).

Their agenda also calls for regular reports from the Cass County Engineer and Mental Health Service Director.

Two southwest Iowa men were arrested early this (Sunday) morning for allegedly igniting a 25-shot, free fall artillery shell-type firework (Shooting flaming balls). Authorities say the incident, which occurred at around 12:20-a.m at a residence in the 500 block of West Coolbaugh Street, in Red Oak Oak, recklessly endangered the property and/or safety of area citizens.

Officials say 27-year old Robert Richard Fate and 24-year old Roland Charles Chapin III, both of Red Oak, were each arrested at around 2:47-a.m. on a charge of Reckless Use of Fire or Explosives (A Serious Misdemeanor). Fate and Chapin were being held in the Montgomery County Jail, on $1,000 bond, each.

Police in Red Oak report a man from Adams County was arrested late Saturday evening on a theft charge. 25-year old Jeffrey Davis Matthews, of Corning, was arrested at around 9:35-p.m. in the 2400 block of N. Broadway Street. Matthews was charged with Theft in the 5th degree and brought to the Montgomery County Jail, where he was being held on $300 bond.