(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday, will take action on making a change in command, with regard to the Police Department. The first order of business during their 5:30-p.m. meeting at City Hall, is to recognize current Police Chief Dave Erickson for his more than two-dozen years of service. Erickson is retiring at the end of the month. The Council is then expected to act on appointing Lt. Devin Hogue as his successor, effective April 1st, and the appointment of Lt. Paul Wood as Assistant Atlantic Police Chief, also effective April 1st.

Lt. Hogue has served the force in Atlantic since August, 2011. Lt. Wood has been with the department since Nov. 2004. He’s also served as member of the Atlantic Fire Dept. since 2007. Both men bring extensive experience and knowledge to their respective proposed positions.

In other business, the Council is expected to act on the appointment of Bev Moffatt to the Beautification Committee. They will then hold a Public Hearing on the Adoption of the Final, FY 2023 Budget for the City of Atlantic, followed by a Resolution adopting said Budget. The final Budget must be certified by the County Auditor and submitted to the State, by March 31st.

The Atlantic City Council will also hold a Public Hearing on Adoption of the FY 2023 10-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), followed by action on adopting a Resolution for the same. Another resolution the Council will act on, is with regard to Amending Seasonal Wages for the Atlantic Parks & Recreation Dept. for 2022. The City’s Personnel & Finance Committee has reviewed the proposed wages. The Council will act also, on a resolution “Setting salaries for appointed officers and employees of the City of Atlantic,” for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023.

Additional items of business include a Public Hearing on a proposal to enter into a General Obligation Solid Waste Management Loan Agreement, and a Hearing on the Bull Creek Improvement Project, to be followed by action on passing a resolution approving the previously mentioned Plans, Specifications and Form of Contract for the Bull Creek Improvement Projects, and, the awarding of a contract for those improvements (The City will open sealed bids 2-p.m. Tues., March 15th).

(Elk Horn, Iowa) – The Exira-EHK School District Board of Education will meet 6-p.m. Monday, in a regular monthly session that takes place in the Conference Room at the Elk Horn Building. Some action items on their agenda include:

• Approval of the following:
  • Publish proposed 2022-2023 Budget, and set a Public Hearing for April 11, 2022, at 6-p.m.
  • Wheeler contract for Asbestos Abatement in the Elk Horn Building cafeteria
  • Certified Teacher Salaries
  • Support Staff Salaries and Administration Salaries
  • Resignations:
    • Ana Belen Munoz Martin – Spanish Teacher
    • Alexis Velky – 3rd Grade Teacher
    • Sharry Schrier – Kindergarten Teacher
  • Hires:
    • Paige Gaskill – 3rd Grade Teacher

(Anita, Iowa) – Members of the CAM School District’s Board of Education will gather in the Superintendent’s Office at the High School in Anita, Monday, for their regular monthly meeting. Their session begins at 6:30-p.m.  Some of the discussion and/or action items on their agenda include:

• Approving the placement of the Kindergarten Section for the 2022-23 School Year.
• Approval of: Contracts for the 2022-23 School Year; Contracted service for Technology; an AEA Purchasing Agreement for the coming school year, and an Iowa Local Gov’t. Risk Pool Commission, Natural Gas agreement.
• Discussion with regard to the FY23 School Calendar and Budget.

Kansas City, MO – St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in America date back to the country’s founding. However you celebrate, make sure you and your friends stay safe this St. Patrick’s Day by remembering one important piece of advice: Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving. This means that if you plan to drink, it’s essential that you plan for a sober ride home. Law enforcement across Iowa and around the country will be on the lookout for those who are driving impaired.

Remember: A sober driver is one who hasn’t had any alcohol. To help keep your community safe, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Region 7 consisting of Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska is spreading the message about the dangers of drunk driving. Even one drink can be one too many.

According to NHTSA, 10,142 people were killed in drunk-driving crashes in 2019 – 612 in our region alone. On average, more than 10,000 people were killed each year from 2015 to 2019 — one person was killed in a drunk-driving crash every 52 minutes in 2019. This is why NHTSA wants to remind drivers that drunk driving is not only illegal but also a matter of life and death. As you head out to the festivities, help us spread the word: Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving.

“Drunk drivers are a continuing problem on our nation’s roads, especially around days like St. Patrick’s Day,” said Regional Administrator Susan DeCourcy. “People need to know that they can go out for a night of fun and return home safely by ensuring they have a sober driver take them home. Don’t be the reason someone — including yourself — doesn’t get home. Don’t let St. Patrick’s Day become an anniversary of a tragic night.”

During the 2019 St. Patrick’s Day period (6 p.m. March 16 to 5:59 a.m. March 18), 46% of crash fatalities involved a drunk driver. In fact, from 2015 to 2019, a total of 280 lives were lost in drunk-driving crashes during the St. Patrick’s Day period. Drivers should also keep an eye out for pedestrians who have had too much to drink. Walking while intoxicated can also be deadly, as lack of attention to their surroundings could put pedestrians at risk of getting hit by a vehicle.

NHTSA Region 7 urges drivers to designate a sober driver before heading out for any celebrations. If you plan on drinking, plan on not driving. Is it your turn to be the designated driver? Take that role seriously — your friends are relying on you.

Remember that it is never okay to drink and drive.
If available, use your community’s sober ride program.
If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact local law enforcement.

(Lenox, Iowa) — Sheriff’s officials in Taylor County report a traffic stop, Saturday, resulted in an arrest. A vehicle driven by 33-year-old Kevin Jungers, of Lenox, was pulled over on Brooks Street in Lenox for having an expired registration. Jungers was subsequently taken into custody for driving under suspension. Authorities say drug paraphernalia was located in plain view, allowing for a probable cause search of the car. Jungers was later released on a summons to appear in court before a Magistrate.

(Howard County, Iowa) – A young man from northeast Iowa died late Saturday night during a single-vehicle accident north of Cresco. The Iowa State Patrol reports a 2009 Pontiac G6 driven by 18-year-old Alex Hanson, of Cresco, was traveling south on Willow Avenue at around 10:33-p.m. and approaching 70th Street, when the car went out of control. The vehicle rolled over, ejecting Hanson, who died from his injuries at the scene. The crash remains under investigation.

The Patrol was assisted by personnel from: Cresco PD; Howard County Sheriff’s Dept.; and Cresco Fire & EMS.