The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday, approved an order to temporarily close certain streets as necessary, for this Sunday’s “Welcome Home” event for Company K, 168^th Infantry Battalion, who left from Atlantic during World War II and whose remaining members never received a proper homecoming. The streets affected would be closed from 10-a.m. Until 3-p.m. Steve Livengood, who is heading-up American Legion Post #43’s celebration of those soldiers, in memorium, spoke during the Council meeting of the streets that needed to be closed for the event.  They include Chesnut Street from the Atlantic Depot to Poplar Street, including the intersection, for eastbound traffic at the intersection of 2^nd and Poplar Streets.

Poplar Street will remain open because it is a State Highway. The plan is for a walk featuring over 100 people, to start at the Rock Island Depot and move south to 2^nd Street. At 2^nd, the participants will turn west and move toward the intersection of 2^nd and Poplar, before moving into the Atlantic Bottling Company’s parking lot at the southeast corner of the intersection. From the parking lot, participants will individually cross Poplar Street and into the parking lot of the American Legion Memorial Building (The former Armory). Walkers will be carrying photos of those who served in Company K, 168^th Infantry Battalion.

The Council also approved an order to temporarily restrict parking on the east side of Palm Street from 7^th – to 10^th, on July 28^th. The restriction is necessary so driver of pickups and trailer coming to the Cass County Fair for the Tractor Pull event, have room to negotiate the turn onto the Fairground driveway. And, Mayor Dave Jones reminded residents the City is cracking down on fireworks usage in the City limits.  He says you cannot set-off fireworks on City Streets, alleys and other public property.

According to City Ordinance, it is not legal to set off fireworks within 300-feet of any public school buildings, assisted living facility, or hospital. Fireworks can only be shot-off on private property. Atlantic Police will crack down on issuing warnings and tickets to those who were warned last year about violating the ordinance. Violators will be subject to a $250 fine plus $85 in court costs. Anyone who was previously found guilty of violating the ordinance, may be subject to a $600 fine plus court costs if they are a repeat offender. The ordinance allows residents of Atlantic to set off fireworks from Noon until 10-p.m. July 2nd and 3rd. Displays are allowed on July 4th, from Noon until 11-p.m.