While many Iowans have their air conditioners running during the heat of early August, one expert suggests they look ahead to wintertime and their home heating needs. Harold Hommes, a fuels analyst with the Iowa Department of Agriculture, says a very rapid rise in liquid propane prices last winter left many Iowans stunned and facing tough financial decisions.  “We’re encouraging people to be prepared,” Hommes says. “Last year was truly an unusual situation that caught a lot of people off guard. We had prices bumping up in that $4 and $5 level and we certainly don’t want to see a repeat of that.” It’s a lesson learned in Economics 101 about supply and demand and Hommes right now, the supply is very good, so prices are low.

“Propane prices are ranging from about $1.40 on up to the $1.70 range,” Hommes says. “Those are good summertime fill opportunities. Get that tank full going into winter and minimize obligations for what they’ll be facing for propane costs this winter.” Prices peaked in January above five-dollars a gallon. About 90-percent of the Midwest’s inventory of propane is stored in underground caverns near Conway, Kansas. Hommes says supplies are plentiful heading into fall and winter.

“Right now, we’re sitting on about 22.5-million barrels which puts us 6.5% better than we were at this point one year ago,” Hommes says. “Unfortunately, we’re still slightly below our five-year average for this point in the calendar year.” About 15-percent of Iowa homes are heated with propane, mainly in rural areas.

(Radio Iowa)

Atlantic’s largest summer festival, AtlanticFest, is set to take place this Saturday, August 9th. Activities begin at 10-a.m. with a craft fair, car show, kid games, tractor ride, pedal pulls, weasel rides, live entertainment, and food. Most of those events end at 4-p.m., with the exception of the motorcycle show, which concludes at 2-p.m.

Live music will continue through the evening, with performances by Mega Music Bert Rose, Dirt Road Divide, and Exit 113. A beer garden will be set up on 6th and Chestnut Street at 4-p.m., with a street dance beginning at 8-p.m. and continuing late into the night.

For questions about AtlanticFest, call the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce at 712.243.3017 or visit www.atlanticiowa.com.

Police in Red Oak report a local man was arrested late Monday night on an assault charge. 28-year old Ryan Joseph Pullen, of Red Oak, was taken into custody at around 11:45-p.m. in the 700 block of north 7th Street in Red Oak. Pullen was charged with Aggravated Domestic Abuse Assault. He was transported to the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center and held without bond.