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Atlantic Parks & Rec Board discusses Shelter Reservation option

News

September 17th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department, Monday evening, discussed a proposed fee scale for use of the 12 Park Shelters plus the Bandshell at Sunnyside Park, the Department oversees. Parks and Rec Director Seth Staashelm said they currently have a total of 184 shelter reservations so far in 2018, and over the past five-years the reservations have grown from 170 to more than 200. Atlantic is the only City of those in comparable size in Iowa, that accepts reservations without charging a fee or deposit.

An examination of 17 cities, according to Staashelm, showed only five towns do not accept reservations, and operate completely on a first-come, first-served basis. For those that do charge, shelter rentals range from $20-to $30 for a four-hour time slot, or, anywhere from $30 to $50 is charges for a whole day’s use.

The Shelters in Atlantic’s Parks are used for everything from weddings to family reunions, company picnics and everything in between. Staashelm said they currently budget $700 in restroom and trash supplies, and around $2,000 in garbage service. About $2,640 in labor is spent from May through September, to clean the facilities during the bulk of the reservation time frame. That brings the total cost to $5,340  in labor and supplies, not counting administration time and capital projects.

Staashelm recommended the Department begin charging a modest fee of $20 for a shelter reservation, to help cover labor and supplies. That fee would only apply to reservations, as the shelters will always be free and open to the public whenever they want to use them. He also recommends most of the smaller shelters operate on a first-come, first-served basis, to help save administrative hours. No action was taken on his recommendation during the Board’s meeting, Monday.

In other business, the Board accepted the resignation of Ron Flory, Parks Foreman. He has accepted employment elsewhere. Staashelm recommended the Board consider making the position full-time with benefits, in the future. One of the reasons Flory chose to leave, according to Staashelm, was due to not having medical insurance.

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Wastewater discharge in Pottawattamie County ended

News

September 17th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources said Monday, that on Sunday, the city of Avoca successfully ended a discharge of untreated wastewater. City officials learned of the discharge Sept. 16, but think it was ongoing since Friday. The city traced it to a partially open valve at a pumping station.

They estimate about 75,000 gallons flowed into a drainage ditch, ending up about 0.25 miles away in the West Branch of the East Nisnabotna River. The city plans to prevent future discharges by fixing the valve.

DNR staff inspected the site Sept. 17 and found evidence of the discharge. The DNR recommends keeping children and pets away from the ditch on the southwest side of the city for the next 48 hours.

DNR will consider appropriate enforcement action.

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Southern IA Death Investigation

News

September 17th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa Department of Public Safety reports that the Lucas County Dispatch Center received a 911 call today (Monday), in reference to a shooting that had occurred at 14654 467th Street in Lucas, Iowa.  Upon arriving at the residence, Lucas County deputies were unable to make contact with any individuals inside the residence.  Deputies waited for a Tactical Team before entering the residence.  Upon entering the residence, law enforcement discovered the body of a deceased male and a deceased female.

The deceased individuals have been preliminarily identified as retired Des Moines Police Officer, 66-year old Craig Dawson, and 64-year old Julie Dawson, both of whom resided at the residence. The bodies have been transported to the Office of the Iowa State Medical Examiner’s office in Ankeny, Iowa, where the autopsies will be conducted.

This is an ongoing investigation being worked jointly by the Lucas County Sheriff’s Office and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. The public is not in any danger at this time.  The investigation has found that this is an isolated incident.

No further information will be released at this time.

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Authorities identify body found in creek as Cedar Rapids man

News

September 17th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Authorities have identified a body found in a rain-swollen Cedar Rapids stream as a missing kayaker. The Linn County Sheriff’s Office said Monday that the state medical examiner’s office had identified the body as 34-year-old John Conley of Cedar Rapids.

Conley’s body was found Sept. 6 in Indian Creek. His wife, 30-year-old Samantha Conley, was rescued from the stream several days earlier after their kayak overturned.
The creek was running high because of heavy rain.

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Police say officer killed Missouri man after robbery call

News

September 17th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

ANKENY, Iowa (AP) — Ankeny police have identified the person killed by an Ankeny police officer as a 31-year-old Missouri man. Police on Monday said officer Todd Webb responded to a call Saturday afternoon of a robbery in progress at a Hy-Vee gas station and located a suspect nearby. Police say the man pointed a handgun at the officer, who then shot and killed the suspect. The man was identified as Christopher Leonard, of Springfield, Missouri.

Police say evidence, including video, has been given to the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, which will investigate the shooting. Webb, a 12-year-veteran of the Ankeny Police Department, is on paid administrative leave.

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Ames police find body at golf course

News

September 17th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Ames police are investigating a body found at a golf course.
Police are calling the discovery of the body Monday a suspicious death. The police department says officers were called at 10:24 a.m. to Coldwater Golf Links after golfers found a golf bag with no one nearby. Officers responded and found a body some distance from the bag.

Police asked people to stay away from the course. Investigators aren’t identifying the body until relatives can be notified.

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Mistrial declared in Thompson case

News

September 17th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

LEON, Iowa (AP) — A judge has declared a mistrial in a murder trial after a person began discussing the case with jurors. Judge Brad McCall declared the mistrial Monday in the trial of 27-year-old Patrick Ryan Thompson, of Ames. He was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of attempted murder and one count of arson after a May 15, 2017, fire in Guthrie County killed 16-year-old Shakiah Cockerham and 12-year-old Melanie “Paige” Exline. The fire injured their uncle, William Long III, and grandmother, Shirley Exline.

The judge took the action after someone started loudly discussing the case with prospective jurors while the judge and lawyers were outside the courtroom. Thompson’s lawyers requested the mistrial, and prosecutors didn’t object.

The trial had been moved to Decatur County because of pretrial publicity.

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Reynolds faulted for Medicaid vendor campaign donations

News

September 17th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Democrats are accusing Gov. Kim Reynolds of a “pay for play” arrangement by accepting campaign contributions from a company that provides Medicaid services under Iowa’s privatized health care program for poor and disabled residents.

Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Troy Price said Monday the Reynolds campaign received $1,000 in December from Anthem, the parent company of Amerigroup, months before the state renewed its Medicaid contract. Another donation of $1,500 was made Aug. 22, two days before the state announced Amerigroup and UnitedHealthCare would get a $100 million increase in state funding.

Reynolds’ staff spokeswoman Brenna Smith says Medicaid funding is based on recommendations from the Department of Human Services and its independent actuary based on expected medical costs. Selections must be approved by a federal agency.

Campaign spokesman Pat Garrett says accusations the payments were linked to the contracts are “as false as they are desperate.” The state is dealing with persistent complaints that Medicaid services deteriorated under privatization and the promised millions of dollars in savings haven’t materialized.

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New Family Medicine Physician to start at Atlantic Medical Center

News

September 17th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the Cass County Health System report Dr. Autumn Keiser will begin seeing patients at the Atlantic Medical Center on September 19th, 2018. Dr. Keiser will provide the full spectrum of family medicine care, including obstetrics.

Dr. Keiser

Dr. Keiser and her husband, Craig, are both originally from the Omaha area. She earned her undergraduate degree in mathematics from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, and went on to the University of Nebraska College of Medicine, graduating with her medical degree in 2015.  Dr. Keiser completed her family medicine residency training in June 2018, where she served as Chief Resident. She is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Keiser, call Atlantic Medical Center at 712-243-2850.

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Numerous arrests in Mills County

News

September 17th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office today (Monday), released a long list of arrests dating back to Sept. 8th….

  • On Sunday, 26-year old Christopher Pacheco, of Omaha, NE – was arrested for OWI 2nd offense.
  • Arrested Saturday, was 33-year old Jamie Lea Petersen, of Council Bluffs, – On Warrant for Compulsory Education Violation; and 25-year old Shelby Lynn Conn, a Homeless person – for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia .
  • 54-year old Michael David Longcor, of Henderson, was arrested Friday – on a Warrant for Possession of Controlled Substance 3rd Offense.
  • 41-year old Christina Marie Gustin, of Glenwood, was arrested Thursday – on Warrant for Contempt of Court.
  • On Sept. 11th, 50-year old Daren Keith Brooks, of Pacific Junction  – was arrested in Mills County for Domestic Abuse Assault and Inference with Official Acts.
  • On Sept. 10th, several individuals were arrested: 35-year old Andrew James Arrick, of Glenwood, was arrested on a Warrant for Burglary 3rd Degree and Theft 2nd Degree; 31-year old Jared Lee Pomerenke, a Homeless persons, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault and Possession of Controlled Substance; 57-year old Richard James Gardner, of Pacific Junction, was arrested on two counts of Possession/Delivery of drugs, 3 counts of Possession of Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Prescription Drug and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. And, 42-year old Regina Jolene Meyers, of Pacific Junction, was arrested on three counts Possession of Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Prescription Drugs and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
  • On Sept. 9th, Mills County Deputies arrested 22-year old Rafael Morena, Jr., of Omaha, for OWI/1st offense; and, 22-year old Ricardo Jimenez III, of Omaha, was arrested for Simple Assault.
  • And on Sept. 8th, 34-year old David Michael Graham, of Silver City, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault.

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