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THURSDAY, MAY 22nd

Trading Post

May 22nd, 2014 by Jim Field

FOR SALE:  9 pair of “mom” capris size 10, 4 pair of size 8 , 3 pair size 12 jeans $5.00 each Will make a deal if you buy multiple pairs. In Griswold 712-789-0286.

FOR SALE:  Kerosene heater. 27” by 18”, 12 hour heating with 2 gal tank. Rated for 1000 sq feet heating area. Auto Ignition. Used once. always been stored inside. White in color. 145.00 new. $50.00 firm.  GARY JACKSON, MASSENA, IOWA, 712-254-6936.

FOR SALE: kids toys, plastic car $20, plastic tricycle. $20. 249-4005.

Public Hearing July 2nd on Atlantic Tax Abatement Program

News

May 22nd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

(re-posted with proper formatting)

The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday, set July 2nd as the date for a public hearing on the implementation of a City-wide Tax Abatement program. City Administrator Doug Harris said Mayor Dave Jones and the Community Development Committee recommended the council approve the program as described in the city’s Urban Revitalization Plan.

The plan includes a five year sliding scale tax exemption for residential and commercial new construction starting at 80-percent, 70-percent, 60-percent, 50-percent and 40-percent. Harris said residential rehabilitation would include a 100-percent tax exemption on the actual value added by the improvements. The improvements however, must increase the actual value of the property by a minimum of 10-percent. That also applies to all qualified real estate assessed as commercial property.

Eligible property improvements would include rehabilitation and additions to existing residential and commercial structures located within the Urban Renewal Area, new construction on vacant land, or on land with existing structures. Properties classified as “Commercial” effective January 1st, 2014, would not be included, but would instead be re-classified multi-residential, effective January 1st, 2015.

Individuals and business owners interested in participating in the program, if approved by the Council after the public hearing, will be required to file an application at City Hall. If the application for tax abatement is approved, it will be forwarded to the County Assessor’s Office for inspection once the project is complete, and subsequent assessment for valuation.

In other business, the Council approved: the sale of property at 405 W. 4th Street to Todd Knudsen, for $400; a request from the 1st United Methodist Church to close Cedar Street between 2nd and 3rd Streets, on August 10th from 3-to 7-pm (for the purpose of a community block party); and, they unanimously passed a Resolution approving a policy for the use of Public Funds for Observances. Seven years ago, the City established a policy setting the maximum amount to be paid for flowers, gifts, cards and plaques given in observance of City employees’ major events such as retirements, hospitalization and death.

City Administrator Doug Harris said he and Mayor Jones drafted an addition to the policy that would include recognition of citizens who regularly dedicate countless hours helping the community with events and perform other services for the City.

Iowa High School Soccer Coaches Association Final Boys Rankings

Sports

May 22nd, 2014 by Jim Field

CLASS 1-A

  1. Dyersville Beckman Catholic (7) 14-1
  2. Iowa City Regina 10-3
  3. Gladbrook-Reinbeck 10-1
  4. Mid-Prairie 11-2
  5. Danville (1) 14-0
  6. Riverside 12-2
  7. Clear Lake 9-3
  8. Postville 8-4
  9. Albia 8-2
  10. West Libert 6-3
  11. MOC-Floyd Valley 8-3
  12. West Sioux 9-3
  13. Waterloo Columbus Catholic 7-9
  14. Center Point-Urbana 9-7
  15. St. Albert 8-8
  16. Columbus Junction 8-3-1

CLASS 2-A

  1. Norwalk (6) 9-5
  2. Waverly-Shell Rock (3) 12-1
  3. Spencer 15-1
  4. Cedar Rapids Xavier (1) 6-8
  5. Pella 11-4-1
  6. Glenwood 11-3
  7. Dallas Center-Grimes 7-4
  8. ADM 10-5-1
  9. Perry 10-3
  10. Central Clinton-DeWitt 10-3
  11. Clear Creek-Amana 9-4
  12. Creston 11-3
  13. Webster City 13-3
  14. Marion 9-2
  15. Davenport Assumption 8-7
  16. Bishop Heelan Catholic 8-3

CLASS 3-A

  1. Johnston (10) 13-0
  2. Iowa City High 16-0
  3. Iowa City West 14-1
  4. Linn-Mar 14-2
  5. Cedar Rapids Washington 10-4
  6. Cedar Rapids Kennedy 11-4
  7. Pleasant Valley 12-2
  8. Waukee 13-3
  9. WDM Valley 12-3
  10. Bettendorf 13-4
  11. Ankeny Centennial 12-3
  12. Sioux City West 16-1
  13. Muscatine 11-4
  14. Ames 10-4
  15. Southeast Polk 12-5-1
  16. Dubuque Hempstead 9-4

Omaha man injured in Bluffs motorcycle accident

News

May 22nd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

A Nebraska man was transported to the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, following an accident Wednesday evening in Council Bluffs. According to Bluffs Police, 54-year old Brian P. Loye, of Omaha, was driving his 2004 Harley Davidson motorcycle westbound on Interstate 80 at around 8:20-p.m., when he lost control as he was about to cross the state line into Nebraska.  The cycle crashed into the southbound median. Loye, who was wearing a helmet, suffered incapacitating injuries during the crash and was last reported to be in critical condition at the hospital.

Witnesses told accident investigators Loye was traveling at a high rate of speed when something fell off his cycle. They said when he turned his head to look back, he lost control of the motorcycle.

The Freese-Notis Forecast for Atlantic & the KJAN listening area: 5/22/14

Weather

May 22nd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

(Updated 5-a.m.)

Today: Mo. Cldy w/scattered showers & thunderstorms, mainly this morning. High 72. E/NE @ 5-10. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 52. E @ 5-10.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. E/SE @ 5-10.
Fri. Night: Mo. Cldy w/a 20% chance of showers & thunderstorms after midnight. Low around 55. E/SE @ 5-10.

Saturday: Mo. Cldy w/a 50% chance of showers & thunderstorms. High near 78. SE @ 10-20. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Sat. Night: Cldy w/a 60% chance of showers & thunderstorms. Low around 62.

Sunday: Mo. Cldy w/a 40% chance of showers & thunderstorms. High near 82.

********

Wednesday’s High in Atlantic was 85. Our 24-hour Low (ending today at 7-a.m.) was 55. Rainfall in Atlantic this morning (thru 7-a.m.) was .03″.

County auditors open May 31 for early voters

News

May 22nd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — County auditors are opening their offices Saturday May 31 for voters who want to cast ballots early for the June 3 primary. Iowa Secretary of State Matt Schultz says voters not yet registered may register at their county auditor’s office using election day registration procedures and cast their ballot. The deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail is 5 p.m. Friday, May 30. Absentee ballots received in the county auditor’s office by 9 p.m. on June 3, are eligible for counting.

Schultz says his office also has developed a smart phone app that allows voters to check voter registration information, fill out the Iowa voter registration form, find the correct polling place, and request and track an absentee ballot.

SW IA teen seriously injured in Page County crash

News

May 22nd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa State Patrol says a teenager from southwest Iowa was injured during an accident Wednesday evening between his motorcycle and a pickup. 16-year old Payton Montana Casteel, of Coin, was flown by Mercy One helicopter to Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha following the collision, which happened at around 6:25-p.m. in the Page County town of Coin.

Authorities say a 1998 Dodge pickup driven by 47-year old Patricia Cherie Wray, of Coin, was traveling eastbound and slowing to turn left into a residential driveway at 608 Main Street. When Casteel attempted to pass on the left side, the 1989 Honda motorcycle he was driving hit the left side of the pickup. He told authorities he was not wearing a helmet.

Page County Sheriff’s Deputies and Coin Fire and Rescue assisted the State Patrol at the scene.

10th anniversary of Iowa co-ed track meet

Sports

May 22nd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

The state co-ed track meet turns ten years old this week and organizers says it is a tradition that will continue. Prior to 2005, the  Iowa High School Athletic Association and the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union held their state meets on separate weekends. That all changed in 2005 and the Iowa High School Championships has become one of the biggest track meets in the country. Dave Anderson of the IAHSAA, says merging the two meets was discussed for a few years before it actually happened. Anderson says the meet has been so successful there is no chance of returning to the old format.

This weeks meet will be the final one for Anderson who is retiring on June 30th after 25 years with the Association. Mike Dick, executive director of the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union, says the state meet is a cooperative effort between the two governing bodies. Dick says the coed meet has been more successul than he had hoped it would be, and he sees the format continuing into the future.

The first of three days of competition at Drake Stadium begins this (Thursday) morning with action in Class 1A and 4A.

(Radio Iowa)

Report: Iowa 13th in nation for senior health

News

May 22nd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Iowa has dropped a few spots in an annual ranking of the states on the health of adults aged 65 and older. The United Health Foundation’s report places Iowa 13th in the nation for senior health, down from 7th last year. Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) medical director Dr. Patricia Quinlisk says there’s plenty of positive news in the report, such as Iowa’s best-in-the-nation influenza vaccination rate among seniors.

“This means we do a pretty good job at protecting our seniors against one of the top 10 causes of death and that’s influenza and pneumonia,” Quinlisk says. The report shows just over 70-percent of Iowans 65-and-older got the flu vaccine last year. Nearly 30-percent of Iowa seniors are listed as being obese, placing the state as one of the worst in the nation in that category.

“This is an issue, obviously, because obesity can lead to other issues like diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and other things that can very significantly impact our seniors and their health,” Quinlisk says. She notes the IDPH has several programs in place that are designed to improve older Iowans’ health. “We have quite a few programs that are trying to encourage people to get out there and move,” Quinlisk says. “Movement is basically anything that gets you up and off the couch, so you’re moving. It could be anything from walking around the block to gardening. It doesn’t necessarily mean going to the gym, wearing workout clothes, and things like that.”

Volunteerism among Iowa seniors ranks 6th in the nation, according to the America’s Health Rankings Senior Report. You can view the report in its entirety at www.americashealthrankings.org/senior

(Radio Iowa)

Farmers Market Vouchers for Seniors 2014

Ag/Outdoor, News

May 22nd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the Connections Area Agency have announced that the state is continuing the Farmers Market voucher program for senior citizens. With this program, seniors meeting income requirements can obtain vouchers that they can use at participating area Farmers Markets to buy $30.00 worth of fresh, locally grown produce. If you have questions about eligibility, check with your local senior center. Applications for the vouchers will be available at your local senior center by May 28th.

Your completed application guarantees you a booklet, but there is a limited number, so contact your local senior center if you are interested in this program. Once you have a completed application, you can return to your local Senior Center on June 9th or thereafter, to pick up your vouchers. Seniors (age 60 and older) in Cass, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie and Shelby counties will receive their vouchers through their local senior center.

Program Criteria:
· Must be at least 60 years of age or older
· Annual income must be less than
$21,590 Single
$29,101 Married
· Only one original application allowed per individual. No photocopies or duplicate applications allowed

Dates to Remember:
· May 28, 2014: Applications will be available at all local Senior Centers and in Council Bluffs at The Center, 714 S. Main
· June 9, 2014: Vouchers will be available for seniors with completed application forms at all local Senior Centers outside of Council Bluffs
· June 17, 2014: Council Bluffs Farmers’ Market voucher distribution at The Center, 714 S. Main from 9am – Noon for seniors with a completed application.