Bob Boots receives Certificate of Award (Ric Hanson photo)

A ceremony took place this (Wednesday) morning in the American Legion Memorial Building (AKA “The Armory”), in Atlantic, honoring a man for the work he’s done to restore American flags. Atlantic Rotarian and Military Veteran Bob Boots has collected more than 11,000 flags from the Atlantic Rotary Flag Drop Box since it was installed in front of the building in June, 2004.

During the ceremony, Jackie Beard, Regent Henry Knox Chapter of the DAR, presented Boots with a Certificate of award.

Bob Boots at work sewing an American Flag (Ric Hanson photo)

Boots knows how to sew flags from his years running an upholstery shop in town. He started his business after serving three years in the US Coast Guard, back in the 1950’s. The veteran flag repairman turned 88 at his last birthday. He was humble in his acceptance of the award.

The National Society for Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) encourages chapters to recognize people for the Proper Use, Correct Display, and Patriotic Presentation of The Flag of the United States of America.

Flag Room (ARISE photo)

A Flag Room (located in the remodeled former weapons vault) at the American Legion Memorial Building, is equipped with a sewing machine that Bob uses to repair worn flags. The flags that are too worn to repair are properly retired. Boots has repaired the flags that proudly at both the Atlantic Rock Island Depot and the American Legion Memorial Building.

Boots is the Vice President of ARISE [the Atlantic Rock Island Society Enterprise], which took control of The Armory years ago. Boots, along with ARISE President Steve Livengood are responsible for a majority of the work conducted inside the building to renovate the facility.

Jackie Beard (Center- left), Bob Boots and Members of the DAR.. (Ric Hanson photo)

AMES, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Transportation has released its updated long-range plan for the state’s rest areas system.

Highlights of the final recommendations are as follows:

• 30 of the 38 exiting full-service rest areas will remain open. Of those, 12 older sites to be upgraded prior to 2033
• Closure of eight full-service rest areas at the end of their usable life
• Closure 10 smaller parking-only rest areas
• Upgrade and expansion of truck parking at six remaining strategically located parking-only rest areas
• Addition of 247 truck parking spaces throughout the system

With this plan, all 10 parking only rest area site closures and seven of the eight full-service closures will occur before 2028 when the facilities reach the end of their useful life. DOT officials say “The process of determining the final outcomes began in 2012. The time came to re-evaluate the needs of rest areas in enhancing a modern transportation system balanced with the need for investment in these facilities.  The criticality of each rest area was systematically evaluated, and those aging and least critical sites were recommended for closure.   This will allow available funding to be used for the upgrades at more critical and strategically located rest areas sites that are also in need of upgrades.”

According to the Iowa DOT, “A number of rest areas in the state had reached an age of 50 years or older and required considerable expense to replace. The process has moved through several phases that included a study and documentation of customer needs and satisfaction with existing rest areas, two public input periods, and an initial implementation strategy for the rest area system.”

Officials say “Following the release of the initial implementation strategy, we heard significant feedback, especially regarding the need for increased truck parking along the transportation system. This allowed us to re-evaluate the implementation strategy and coordinate our plans with a freight truck parking study which assessed the current system’s truck parking needs. This study documented the need to add additional truck parking which is reflected as part of the final rest area plan.”

The full final rest area plan and other supporting information regarding the plan’s process can be found at https://iowadot.gov/restareaplan.

CLEAR LAKE, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources today (Wednesday), said that at around Noon on Tuesday (August 11), a collision involving two personal watercraft (PWC) occurred on Clear Lake, killing a 14-year old, who was operating one of the PWCs.  A 12-year old, who was operating a second PWC involved in the crash, suffered minor injuries to their face.  A passenger on the second PWC was not injured.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources was assisted at the scene by the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Office and Clear Lake Fire and Rescue. The Iowa DNR continues to investigate the incident.

Four people have been arrested on separate charges, in Creston. According to Creston Police, 43-year old Tonya Brown, of Creston, was arrested Tuesday at the Creston Walmart, for Theft in the 5th Degree. She was cited and released from the scene on a Summons to Appear. 69-year old Patricia Croy, of Creston, was arrested on a Union County warrant for OWI/1st offense. She was later released on $1,000 bond.

57-year old Joel Weeks, of Creston, was arrested Tuesday on previously mentioned charges of OWI/3rd or subsequent offense, and Driving While Barred. He was later released on a $7,000 bond.

And, 29-year old Quinton Kimball, of Creston, was arrested Tuesday on a Union County warrant for Enticing a Minor under 16 for sexual purposes. Kimball was being held in the Union County Jail on a $5,000 bond.