The Mayor Pro-Temp of Massena has received the blessing of the Cass County Board of Supervisors, to continue with the process of establishing Tax Increment Financing (TIF) on the 38 wind turbines located within a two-mile radius of the City, to help pay for infrastructure needs, and grow new business. Mayor/Councilperson Linda Reneke appeared before the Board during their meeting this (Wednesday) morning. Reneke appeared before the Board last Winter as well, and expressed the City’s interest in deriving TIF from the turbines, but was unable to provide specifics on what the funding was needed for. Today (Wednesday), she provided the details.

One of the projects is a Sewer relining project, which will cost $800,000. The City has a a $300,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), but they will have to pay the remainder, in excess of $500,000. The sewer relining project is necessary because of excess storm water inflow and infiltration (I&I) problems with the system, the result of which is an overwhelming of the City’s lagoon system.  In addition, the aerator system for the lagoons are very old, and require an additional $577,000 upgrade.

Reneke says the I & I problems are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the City’s infrastructure needs. She says because storm water drainage is such a problem, street, curb and gutters issues also need to be addressed. The current curbs and gutters are also are not ADA compliant. Reneke says it will cost over $10.5-million dollars to correct those problems. Another reason the TIF dollars would benefit the City, is it would bring younger families who are willing to build new houses. An improved infrastructure would expedite that process and grow the community, according to Reneke.

She said the number of available residences in Massena has declined from 220 in 1990 to 190 at present. There is a lot of interest from young families wanting to live in the community. Reneke said one home is being built in a new addition, while a second lot has been sold. The City’s portion of the cost to bring water and sewer into the new housing district, would be $294,000. Some of the City’s newest residents work for Siemens, the company responsible for constructing and maintaining the wind turbines. Some of those same workers also want to own their own businesses in town, but there is a lack of structures available. Reneke says TIF funds could be used by the City to purchase additional land, for which those businesses could built on. Reneke said there are smaller issues that can be addressed as well, through the use of TIF funds, such as expanding the City’s Fire Station, which is very cramped.

With the Supervisor’s blessing, the City of Massena can now proceed with the legal process necessary to obtain a 6-to 10-year TIF on the turbines, through the implementation of an Urban Renewal Plan.

An Atlantic man was arrested today (Wednesday), on a theft charge. The Atlantic Police Department reports 53-year old Dennis Toepfer was taken into custody on a charge of Theft in the 3rd degree. He was arrested with the assistance of the Cass County Sheriff’s Department, and booked into the Cass County Jail.

The A-PD says also, no injuries were reported following two accidents that occurred Tuesday. Officials say Patricia Mundorf, of Atlantic, was cited for having No Proof of Insurance, following a collision between her vehicle and a parked vehicle registered to Dick Cook, of Atlantic. The accident happened at around 5:10-p.m. Tuesday, in the 800 block of Chestnut Street. The police report says Mundorf was traveling north when her vehicle hit the rear of Cook’s legally parked car. Damage from the incident amounted to $15,000.

The second accident happened earlier that day, at the intersection of Highways 6 & 71, on the east side of Atlantic. Authorities say vehicles driven by Alan Schulz, of Atlantic, and Paula Christian, of Baxter, were traveling west on Highway 6 at around 1:10-p.m., when Christian stopped for a red light at the intersection with 71. Schulz failed to stop in time, and struck the back of Christian’s vehicle, causing a total of $1,900 damage. Schulz was cited for Failure to Maintain Control/Reduce Speed.

Officials with the Southwest Iowa Narcotics Enforcement (SWINE) Task Force, said today (Wednesday), members of the Task Force and Vice Unit conducted an undercover operation in regards to prostitution, at an undisclosed location. During the sting, 10 people, all of whom are from Nebraska, were arrested and charged with prostitution. The include a 63-year old former University of Nebraska at Omaha football coach.

Authorities say the effort is ongoing, and further checks will be conducted in the future,

In less than three weeks Downtown Atlantic will be lined with crafters, classic cars and families enjoying the celebration of “great people in a great place.” AtlanticFest committee Chair Liz Denney said food and activity vendors are still needed to accommodate the more than 5,000 attendees expected. “We always have plenty of people to feed, and our vendors are always pleasantly surprised by the crowd,” Denney said.

The deadline to apply has been extended and vendors can contact the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce for applications and guidelines to participate. Activity booths are also being accepted, and organizations are encouraged to register games or carnival-like booths for attendees to enjoy.

For more information, contact the Chamber at 712-243-3017.

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office reports two arrests on Tuesday, July 23rd.  27-year-old Joshua Doyle Madsen of Exira was arrested around 7:30pm Tuesday on an outstanding warrant and was charged with Reckless use of a Firearm.

The charge resulted from an investigation into a shooting incident on July 5th, 2013 in the 3100 Block of Quail Avenue.  Madsen was allegedly was shooting a high powered rifle and a round went into Littlefield Park campground and lodged in a fiberglass truck topper.  No injuries were reported and after the arrest Tuesday Madsen was transported to the Audubon County Jail and was released following an appearance before the magistrate.

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office also on Tuesday (7/23) arrested 19-year-old Lacey Ann Malson of Vail around 11:00pm.  Malson was charged with driving while barred after a traffic stop on Highway 71 near 120th Street.  Malson was taken to the Audubon County Jail and later posed bond and was released.