(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Parks and Rec Board met Monday evening, but since there were not enough members present for a quorum, the Board was able to discuss, but not take any official action on, new business on their agenda. The board is planning to hold a special meeting later this week.

Parks and Rec Director Brant Rasmussen said an application was submitted for a Wellmark Grant to help pay for an inclusive playground and a restroom at Mollett Park (E. 3rd Street Place).

The grant can be for up to $60,000. The Parks and Rec Board discussed Sunnyside Pool Season Pass rates. Rasmussen said along with a City Council approved increase in the rate of pay for Lifeguards, there should be an increase in pass rates to help offset some of those costs. He said Assistant Parks & Rec Director Jeff Christensen contacted past members to let them know a rate increase is coming

The amount of increase has not yet been determined. Bryant said the current rate is $90 for a family season pass, and $75 for an individual season pass. The Daily rate is three-dollars.

Rasmussen said the Sunnyside Pool rates are $35-45 less than comparable pools for cities the size of Atlantic. The rates haven’t increased in at least three-years, he said.

They are looking to find ways to team-up with corporate sponsors and organizations for free pool party nights, to still allow people to use the pool.

Along with an increase in pay for the Lifeguards, the Board agreed there should be some extra incentives for them. That includes reimbursement for Lifeguard training/certification, a free food such as hot dogs and a drink for working a certain number of hours.

In other business, Bryant Rasmussen said the ice skating rink is closed for the season (for obvious reasons), and as we told you last week, the roads at Sunnyside Park have re-opened. And, the “Find my Match” activity that was held last week, netted 37 participants and proved they Parks Dept. has a good working relationship with the Atlantic Public Library.

(Avoca, Iowa) – Firefighters from Avoca, Harlan and Walnut were called into action Monday afternoon, for a residential structure fire. The page went out at 12:36-p.m. for a blaze at 209 West Marty Street, behind the Subway Restaurant in Avoca.

According to Harlan Fire Chief Roger Bissen, crews from Harlan could see the smoke from the structure, even as they were leaving Harlan. Reports stated that there was an entrapment, but everyone was out of the home upon fire departments arrival.

The department was in immediate defensive mode upon arrival, the house was fully engulfed in flame. Medivac was called in for a female with smoke inhalation and burns to her head and face. She was treated at the scene but not taken to the hospital.

The house is a total loss and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

(KNOD)

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports four arrests from the past week. As mentioned in our report last week, 51-year-old Skeet Weston Miller, of Stuart, was arrested Feb. 14th, following an incident at a motel in Stuart. Miller was arrested on warrants for False Imprisonment and Domestic Assault by impeding air/blood flow. He was also charged with Harassment-1st Degree, Willful Injury causing bodily injury, and Burglary in the 1st Degree. Miller remains held in the Adair County Jail on a $50,000 cash or surety bond.

Also arrested Feb. 14th, in a separate Stuart incident (as previously reported), was 27-year-old Hunter Davis VanWyk, of Sioux City. He was being held in the Adair County Jail on charges that include: Domestic Abuse Assault w/Bodily injury and Domestic Abuse Assault/1st offense; Harassment in the 1st Degree; Child Endangerment w/o injury, and going armed without injury. He remains held on a $25,000 cash or surety bond.

On Feb. 18th, 35-year-old Daniel Fritz Reeves, of Adair, was arrested by Adair Police following a traffic stop. He was charge with Possession of a Controlled Substance/3rd or subsequent offense – Methamphetamine. He was being held on a $5,000 cash or surety bond. And, on Feb. 19th, 45-year-old Chad Owen Overton, of Menlo, was arrested by Stuart Police following a traffic stop on the I-80 mile marker 93 westbound on-ramp. He was charged with: Driving While Barred; Poss. of a Controlled Substance/1st offense – Marijuana; Failure to provide proof of financial liability (insurance); Operating a vehicle without registration, and Open container as a driver. He was being held in the Adair County Jail on a $2,000 cash or surety bond.