A business in Creston has reported to police some stole a lawn and garden tractor sometime over the course of the past week. Agrivision at 801 W. Taylor Street reported Monday afternoon, that a John Deere L-120 lawn and garden tractor was stolen sometime between March 3rd and 9th. The loss was estimated at $1,500.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Des Moines Water Works board has scheduled a vote on whether to sue three northern Iowa counties, alleging that they are responsible for the high nitrate levels in rivers the utility uses for water. The board’s meeting agenda for Tuesday afternoon indicates a closed session to discussion potential litigation. The board is expected to publicly vote to sue Calhoun, Buena Vista and Sac counties.

In January it sent a notice of intent to sue, which is part of a procedure outlined in the federal Clean Water Act. The counties oversee 10 drainage districts north of Des Moines that help move water from fields. The lawsuit will claim the drainage districts are the same as city wastewater treatment plants and should be regulated.

The Atlantic Parks and Rec Board Monday evening, approved an engineering services contract with Snyder and Associates for the layout and surveying of a land at the Schildberg Recreation Area, for the Buck Creek Dog Park project. Parks and Rec Director Roger Herring and Assistant Director Seth Staashelm spent time with Mayor Dave Jones, City Administrator John Lund and City Clerk Deb Field, discussing options for funding the project from Local Option Tax and Hotel-Motel Tax revenue.

Snyders will prepare a plan drawing for the proposed dog park fencing, and bid documents with sufficient detail to obtain competitive quotes within about two-weeks. Their fee for the service is $850. Herring said in discussions with the County Engineer with regard to moving the now closed Buck Creek Bridge to another location nearby, he’s learned the move – which will not likely take place for at least five to 10-years – will not affect the size of Dog Park.

The Parks Board also approved a contract with Snyder’s for the Sunnyside Park Shelter Replacement Project, which includes a topographic survey of the area in preparation for a site plan, a detailed grading and paving plan for the shelter pad and access drive, and bid documents. The cost of the service is $2,850.

In other business, a local troop of Girl Scout Cadets has approached the City with a service project to eliminate second-hand smoke at the Sunnyside Park Kiddie Korral and other areas of the park. Herring told the Troop that the City of Atlantic, last year, rejected efforts to establish an ordinance banning smoking in the Parks, because of the legalities involved.

In a meeting with the Cadette Troop, Herring suggested they find a way to appeal to smokers’ sense of decency and courtesy. He said the Parks Board would be willing to post a sign about the dangers of smoking if the Cadettes come up with a catchy slogan to make their point without being overbearing.

The kids came up with three slogans, which the Assistant Parks Director Seth Staashelm suggested be combined into one. The slogan suggested was “Kids in the park like to breathe clean air, Be aware of your surroundings. Please don’t smoke around the playgrounds.” Once the signs and design are created by the Troop, they will need to make a presentation before the Parks Board, which includes a sample design for the signs. It’s unclear how soon signs may be put in-place, because the concept is still in its formulative stages.

The gates to Sunnyside Park in Atlantic will be opened to vehicle traffic, effective 4-p.m. Friday (March 13th). The gates were closed January 5th for the Winter season, but with this week’s warm weather and no snow in the forecast, Parks and Rec Director Roger Herring said during Monday’s meeting of the Parks and Rec Board, that the timing was right to re-open the gates.

The Parks and Rec Board Monday, approved Herring’s 2015 Summer Recreation Program recommendations, with very little change from last year. Herring recommended, and the Board approved: Continuing with the Men’s Slow Pitch Softball program, and sponsoring a tournament at the end of the year as a fundraiser. Other goals for the program include adding concessions to bring in more revenue for facility improvements; Herring also recommended the Swim Team registration fees remain unchanged from last year. A Tri-State Conference meeting will be held March 22nd to determine the schedules.

Youth Summer Tennis fees will remain unchanged from last year. Parks and Rec Board President Stuart Dusenberry told the Board, Monday, that the tennis team is now in the Western Iowa Junior League, which includes Audubon, Carroll, Denison and Atlantic. Dusenberry mentioned also, the tennis program received a $400 grant to help cover expenses for the half-dozen or dozen kids who will participate in the program. Sunnyside Pool will open for the Summer on Memorial Day weekend and close the day before the 2015-16 School year begins, in Atlantic. Admission fees are unchanged from last year, with daily fees for those 12 and over $4.00, children 3-11 will be admitted for $3.  Season passes are also unchanged.

In addition to approving the Summer Rec Program plans, the Parks and Rec Board, Monday, approved continuing a partnership with the Nishna Valley YMCA in Atlantic for this Summer. The cost of their services is unchanged from last year, at $5,140.