Atlantic Public Library Director Michelle Andersen reports the library is working very diligently to be ready to open the facility, but there is not yet a set date to open, because (as of today, 4/30) they are waiting on the delivery of cleaning supplies needed to safely sanitize surfaces and hands when they are open. Once those orders are received, Andersen says the Library will be open on Monday-Wednesday-and Friday’s only using the CDC and IDPH guidelines (as follows);

• Stay home if you are sick
• Please wear a mask or something that covers your nose & mouth when you are in the building. Staff will wear masks while interacting with the public.
• There can be no more than 30 people in the library at any given time.
• The library will not be a gathering place for groups or have seating available for more than one person per table.
• All material must be returned in a book drop or in the lobby. Returned materials will be quarantined for 48-hours and sanitized before being made available on the shelf.
• Only half of the public computers will be available in order to accommodate social distancing.
• All children (ages 12 and under) must be accompanied by an adult while in the building.
• Grab & Gopick-up appointments will be available every Thursday10 am to 5 pm.Materials requests and appointments must be made by Wednesday of each week to qualify for Thursday pick up.
• The first hour of each day (9-10 am) is designated for patrons who are especially vulnerable to sickness. These individuals are also encouraged to continue to use the Grab & Go service.
• The reading garden will remain closed except for Grab & Go pick-ups.
• No in-person programs. Look for announcements about online programs.
• No in-library activities (puzzles, coloring pages, games, makerspace, etc.) will be available.
• No meeting room reservations
• No interlibrary loan or homebound services.
• No walk-up copy service downstairs. Staff assisted copier still available upstairs.

This plan will be implemented for the month of May before re-evaluating services and days open. If the library is directed to close again from a state agency or local public health agency, we will close.One more note: the summer reading program will still happen in June and July, but it will feel very different from past years. Participants can fill out reading logs online through Beanstack or on paper. There will still be special programs and activities but you will participate from home. More details will be available later in May. Please contact library director Michelle Andersen with questions at 243-5466 or atlanticpubliclibrary@gmail.com

During a special meeting of the Exira-EHK School Board, Wednesday evening, the Board approved a bid for air conditioning at the Elk Horn School gymnasium. Superintendent Trevor Miller says they had six different contractors offering a wide-range of bids for the project, with the top end coming in at $310,000. The Board chose to go with ACI Mechanical, of Ames. Their bid was $209,902.

Miller says there is an expected 8-12 week wait to get the equipment. He said also, the Board passed a resolution for an Interfund Transfer.

The board also took action on personnel matters, including the resignations of High School English Teacher and Coach Jill Johnston, and Para Educator Barb Paulsen, who is retiring. Taylor Krohn was hired as the -12 English Teacher.

Mr. Miller said also, Exira-EHK’s prom was set for June 13^th, depending on if things are open or closed. Graduation will be a virtual and drive-thru event.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office reports a Ringgold County man was arrested Wednesday morning on a Union County warrant for Sexual Abuse in the 3rd Degree. 20-year old Kaden Lee Witt, of Redding, was arrested at the Union County Law Enforcement Center, and later released on a  $10,000 bond.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds’ Thursday press conference on COVID-19. We plan on providing live audio of the presser on KJAN as well. The press conference is set to begin at approximately 11:00 a.m.

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. (AP) — Offutt Air Force Base south of Omaha says it has shut down an off-base child care center after a child care provider there tested position for COVID-19. The base says in a news release Wednesday that infected person had been in contact with staff and children at the Child Development Center 1 before self-quarantining. Officials say contact tracing is currently being conducted by the Offutt Public Health section, which will contact those who may have been exposed. Offutt says the Child Development Center will be professionally sanitized before reopening. No date has been set to reopen the center.