The Shelby County Chamber of Commerce is reporting counterfeit money has been in the area. The bills are slightly smaller than normal and the ink is darker. If you encounter a person attempting to pay with counterfeit bills, contact your local authorities. The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce also issued an alert to its member merchants about phony $20 bills. The Chamber says one bill that was received did not have the security string in place, and a test marker turned the bill brown. The Chamber advises its members to look closely at suspect $20 bills and run the marker test if there’s any doubt about its authenticity.

A vacancy on the Walnut City Council created by the departure of Councilperson Mayre Bierbaum, will be filled by the voters on November 5th. City Clerk Terri Abel told the Daily NonPareil Bierbaum resigned August 30th because she was moving out of town.

The Nov. 5th election will include ballots for four council members and the mayor. The fifth council seat, which is not up for re-election, is held by Kathy Humann.

Volunteers are needed this weekend for a clean-up project along the Missouri River’s banks in the Omaha-Council Bluffs area. Jeff Barrow, spokesman for the group Missouri River Relief, says there’s plenty of work to be done. “Trash comes in from upstream and collects in the woods and islands in the metro area,” Barrow says. “We’ll probably get ten tons of trash with the volunteers who turn out on Saturday.”

This is the fifth annual event to clean up the river and Barrow says volunteers are key in making it a success. “River Relief has the boats and equipment and tools to run the event but we need the volunteers to provide the muscle and the heart and soul,” he says. “That’s what gets the job done.

During last year’s event, volunteers hauled out 58 tires, three refrigerators, four T-Vs, 400 pounds of metal, 100 pounds of rebar, a 500-gallon metal diesel tank and a plastic pink flamingo. If you can offer a hand, Barrow says to dress accordingly. “They don’t call it the Big Muddy for nothing,” he says, “so wear good shoes that are strong and that you don’t mind getting dirty.”

The clean-up is from 9 to noon on Saturday, rain or shine. Registration will be at the Riverfront Marina at Lewis and Clark Landing in Omaha. Volunteers will be treated to a complimentary lunch. Details are available at “riverrelief.org“.

(Radio Iowa)

AMES, Iowa (AP) – An Iowa State student is being treated for tuberculosis that was caught during screening required for incoming international students.  The university said in a website posting on Friday that the student lives on campus but will remain isolated until officials approve the individual’s return to classes.  The student’s name and other personal and school information are not being released.

People who have had close, prolonged contact with the student will be contacted by Homeward/Story County Public Health for screenings. Allan Lynch of the Iowa Department of Public Health says tuberculosis is not easily transmitted in schools or the workplace.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says tuberculosis usually affects the lungs but also can affect other parts of the body, including the brain or kidneys.

The public is invited to attend an open house this (Friday) evening for the Atlantic Middle School. The event will be held from 5-to 7-pm, prior to the start of the Atlantic football game. Parents and patrons of the district will have a chance to check out the recently completed renovations at the Middle School, which include a new science lab, new windows and refurbished classroom floors. You’ll also have a chance to discuss future Capital Improvement Projects planned for other district buildings, with Design Alliance Architect firm representative Jerry Purdy.

Among the projects planned are four new classrooms at Washington Elementary as well as a lunch room, and the moving of third grade students from Washington Elementary to Schuler Elementary, which requires the creation of 11 additional classrooms at Schuler. A commons/dining area is also planned for the Atlantic Middle School, the addition of seven classrooms and expanding the art room at the Atlantic High School, and the addition of an access road behind Washington, to help deal with traffic congestion on 14th Street in front of the school.

Other projects include the replacing of 18-year old heat pumps at the high school, new bleachers in the Atlantic Middle School gym, and seats in the auditorium. School officials have said increased enrollment and the need for addition space to house special classes, are the reasons they are considering the projects.