Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department Director Bryant Rasmussen, Monday, told the Parks and Rec Board during their regular monthly meeting, that the wells field trails and trails near the KJAN studios are currently closed as the drifts are still too much for their equipment. He explained some drifts are between four-and five-feet tall, and densely packed. They’ve been trying to plow through them, but the equipment has gotten stuck multiple times. Rasmussen said they’re hoping the sun and warmth of the next few days will speed-up the process.

He mentioned also, the Donation Pay Post at the Schildberg Rec Area Dog Park, has garnered over $450 in donations. The generous donations, will be put back into dog park attractions and maintenance. Some of the new attractions they’re hoping to get installed later this Spring, include agility steps and tire obstacles for dogs to climb through or get on top of. Firestone in Atlantic has graciously donated six tire for the department to use. Parks staff will paint the tires and sink them into the ground so they are secured in-place. (See the example below)

Examples of dog future dog park additions

Bryant said also, his dad Brad put together a goal to raise at least $500 to purchase native plants for additional urban conservation tactics and implements throughout the parks system. With donations from many people, including Bryant’s grandparents, $1,100 has been raised to purchase the necessary pollinator plants and create a berm at Sunnyside Park. Bull Creek is another area destined for colorful native plants.

Signs to be used as mile-markers at the Schildberg Rec Area have been mocked-up for installation later this Spring. The Parks and Rec Board was receptive to one design in particular: a post with the top cut-off at an angle. A metal plate with the mile-marker and other information would be mounted to the post. Single-posts would make it easier for the mowers to get around, too.  In other business, Bryant Rasmussen said they are looking to update the Campground Reservation via online registration and payment. A Pay post will also remain in place.

The same process is being implemented for Park Shelter Reservations. QR Codes will be used to make it easy for those who have reserved a shelter, or who want to reserve a shelter, to see which ones are available through an online calendar. And, Rasmussen said Joe Sonntag has created nesting boxes for birds as part of an Eagle Scout Project.

Joe Sonntag with his completed Eagle Scout bird house project.

There are now four owl nesting boxes, 10 bluebird houses and four bat houses. Some of the bat houses will be place around Sunnyside Park, one will be at the Schildberg Rec Area, and at least one along Bull Creek.

The Bluebird houses will be spread out among different locations, including Sunnyside Park. The project serves as the final requirement in order for Atlantic to be considered a “Bird Friendly” community in Iowa. Once the houses are placed, the City can apply for certification.

The Mills County Public Health Dept., Monday, said the Iowa Department of Public Health has issued its guidelines for the administration of the next phase (1B) of COVID-19 vaccinations. MCPH officials say they expect authorization to begin administering vaccine to these populations no later than February 1, 2021. This does NOT mean that the vaccine will be available to all eligible individuals on February 1, 2021.

Beginning at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 19, 2021, Mills County Public Health will begin accepting names and phone numbers of eligible individuals to be placed on a wait list for vaccine distribution. The phone number to call is (712) 274-3643. This line will be open Monday through Friday 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Individuals that call the Mills County Public Health main office to get on the list will be referred to the correct phone number to contact. Listed below are the population groups who will be eligible to receive vaccinations at that time.

• Persons aged 75 and older.
• First responders (e.g., firefighters, police officers, and social workers).
• PK-12 school staff, early childhood education, and childcare workers.
• Individuals with disabilities living in home settings who are dependent on attendant care staff, and their attendant care staff.
• Individuals and staff living or working in congregate settings.
• Inspectors responsible for health, life and safety.
• Government officials in state business at the Iowa Capitol during the legislative session.

At this time, Mills County Public Health is unaware of the number of vaccines or when the State of Iowa will allocate them to Mills County. Continue to monitor the website, KJAN, and social media, for the release of further information as it becomes available.

The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports four arrests. 20-year old Madison Nicole Gilliland, of Des Moines, was arrested at around 2:30-a.m. Jan. 10th by Stuart Police, in the Kum & Go parking lot in Stuart, following a traffic stop. She was charged with OWI/1st offense, cited and later released. Gilliland was also cited for speeding 37 in a 25 mph zone.

On Jan. 11th, 26-year old Pastel Renee Force, of Walnut, was arrested by Stuart Police at around 11:30-p.m., after she was stopped while trying to enter the westbound lanes of I-80, in the wrong direction. Force was subsequently charged with OWI/1st offense. She tested at .193 for intoxication. Force was cited and later released.

On Jan. 13th, 26-year old Zachary Michael Anderson, of Stuart, was arrested at the Sac County Jail, on an Adair County warrant for Theft in the 1st Degree. He was released the same day on a Signature Bond. And, 21-year old Payton Alissa Hill, of Menlo, was arrested Jan. 15th on an Adair County warrant for Violation of Probation. She was also charged with Domestic Abuse Assault/2nd offense, and Possession of a Controlled Substance, 3rd or greater offense. Hill was later released on her Own Recognizance.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports one weekend arrest. 25-year old D’Angelo Thomas Monson, of Glenwood, was arrested at the Mills County Sheriff’s Office, for Criminal Mischief in the 3rd Degree.

And, two people were hospitalized following a collision Friday afternoon, in Mills County. Authorities say 38-year old Howard Erickson, of Omaha, and 46-year old Jason Roark, of Shenandoah, were transported by Malvern and Glenwood Rescue to Jennie Edmundson Hospital, after their vehicles collided head-on at around 1:17-p.m.

Officials say Erickson was traveling east on Highway 34 in a 2018 RAM pickup, when the vehicle went out of control on the snowy road and struck a guardrail. A 2004 Toyota driven by Roark was traveling westbound and unable to avoid the pickup. The vehicles collided in the westbound lane of traffic.