The Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department’s Board of Directors is set to meet Monday evening in the Council’s Chambers at City Hall. During their 5:15-p.m. session, the Board is expected to hear about and possibly act on a proposal from local Girl Scouts Cadette Troop 40116, with regard to proposed signs related to the dangers of second hand smoke and drug free zones in the City’s parks. Last month, the board agreed to let the troop do a presentation on their project.

In his report to the Board, Parks and Rec Dept. Director Roger Herring will provide updates on various projects, grants and future events. Herring is expected to report a Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant has been approved from the Iowa Department of Transportation, with regard to the Lake #2 Trail at the Schildberg Recreation Area.  The project is expected to cost $134,000. The Atlantic City Council, in February, had agreed to sponsor the grant application with a $26,800 commitment for the project.

And, thanks to $10,000 grant from the Cass County Community Foundation toward the building of an off-leash dog park for the Schildberg Rec Area near Buck Creek Road, Herring is expected to report he and Assistant Parks Director Seth Staashelm will be getting quotes from fencing companies in the next two weeks. Herring will also provide an update on the site plan for the dog park.

In other business, the Parks Board will receive updates on: an Urban Forestry grant; the Kiddie Korral project at Sunnyside Park; playground equipment for the Little League complex; park furniture, and an ADA compliant water fountain near the Atlantic Tennis Courts.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Gov. Terry Branstad’s plan to privatize the state’s Medicaid program is moving forward, though critics are raising questions about how the shift will impact patients. Earlier this year, the state began an effort to shift Medicaid administration to two or more managed care organizations, to which Iowa will pay a fixed amount per enrollee to provide health coverage. State officials predict cost savings and say patients will still have access to quality health care.

But Democratic Senate President Pam Jochum, of Dubuque, said this week that she is not convinced, raising concerns about the quality of care for patients. Amy Lorentzen McCoy, spokeswoman for the Department of Human Services, said the new system would save the state money by avoiding duplication of services and by offering better preventative care.

Mills County Sheriff Eugene Goos says no criminal charges will be filed against the former city clerk or the city maintenance supervisor in Pacific Junction, in the wake of a special investigation report by the Iowa state auditor. Goos told the Omaha World- he’s received no criminal complaint from the Mills County Attorney’s Office with regard to Kari Williams, the city clerk who has since resigned after it was discovered that the city owed the IRS more than $73,000. The State Auditor’s Office said almost $32,000 was spent in improper disbursements due to lack of oversight.

A woman was arrested early this (Sunday) morning in Montgomery County, following a traffic stop for speeding. Sheriff’s officials say deputies stopped a car driven by 44-year old Tracey Marie Kimmet, of Essex, at around 2:50-a.m. about two-miles west of Elliott, on Highway 48 near Ironwood Road.

Kimmet was subsequently charged with OWI/1st offense. The woman was brought to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $1,000 bond.