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New McDonald’s restaurant site plan approved by Atlantic P&Z Commission

News

October 12th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The five members of the City of Atlantic’s Planning and Zoning Commission, Tuesday evening, approved the site plans for a new McDonald’s restaurant where the current one is located. The commission heard from Casey Thompson, Design Engineer with Bishop Construction in Des Moines – the civil engineering and land surveying firm tasked by McDonald’s Real Estate Company based in Elk Horn, Nebraska.

Thompson told KJAN News the building and site will look very similar to the more modern McDonald’s restaurants in Des Moines, Omaha, and other, larger cities. he said those locations have straighter lines on the buildings, and an updated look. The actual lot size will be smaller, but the building size will not change.

A sample of the latest McDonald’s designs (Photo via McDonalds.com)

He said a secondary drive-thru will be added to the new building in Atlantic when it’s built next year, with two side-by-side order points instead of one, as is the current situation today. It’s hoped that the site design will free-up circulation around the side so that traffic will flow more smoothly. Thompson says “The theory in that is, that they will be able get people through the line faster to get their food faster.”

Since he’s a design engineer and not an employee of McDonald’s Corporate, Thompson couldn’t comment on what would happen with the persons currently employee by the Atlantic franchise, when construction is underway. Work on demolishing the current building is slated to begin February 22, 2022, and completed by June 22, 2022.

DOT delays plan to use RISE funds for rural housing infrastructure

News

October 12th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Transportation is delaying a pilot project that would help with the rural housing shortage in the state. The D-O-T’s Craig Markley says the plan would use money from a program that has traditionally been used to build roads to support businesses and business development. He says it would use a small portion of the Rebuild Iowa’s Sound Economy or RISE program for a pilot program to build the streets and roadways that would support rural housing.

The state Transportation Commission has discussed the program and was set to vote on it today (Tuesday), but they have been asked by the Iowa Department of Economic Development to do some more study on the proposal. Markley says the idea came out of the need to get more people into the state to fill jobs.

“We need more truck drivers, we need more office workers, we need more population. One of the ways to incentivize that would be rural housing,” Markley says. Markley is not sure when the proposal might come back to the Transportation Commission.

Temperatures are falling and gas prices are climbing

News

October 12th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Crude oil prices are starting to rise, which means gasoline prices will certainly follow, according to Meredith Mitts, spokeswoman for Triple-A Iowa. The weather is getting colder and refineries are starting to switch to the winter blends of fuel. “You might seen an increase at the gas pump soon,” Mitts says. “That would be a couple of cents that goes toward this specific factor. The good news is, in Iowa, the gas price average is roughly $3.04 which is well below the national average of $3.27.”

Mitts says many diverse factors are involved in setting crude oil prices, making it difficult to predict what may be coming. “When we’re seeing the difference in crude oil prices and what’s happening, it has to do with supply and demand,” Mitts says, “it has to do with the political climate, it has to do with what natural storms are happening in the areas where these oils are being mined and refined.” Triple-A says the cheapest gas in Iowa is being sold in Council Bluffs at two-99 a gallon, while it’s most expensive in Dubuque at three-14.

Mills County Sheriff’s report, 10/12/21

News

October 12th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports four arrests. On Sunday, Dana Brocke Burkholder, III, of Omaha, was arrested at the Mills County Sheriff’s Office, for Violation of a No Contact Order (Held without bond). Last Saturday, at around 2:25-a.m., 25-year-old Omar Andres Rosario, of Bellevue, NE, was arrested on Bunge Avenue, for Public Intoxication (Bond $300).

On Thursday (Oct. 7), 28-year-old Patrick Allen Eggerling, of Avoca, was arrested on a Mills County warrant for Failure to Appear. His bond was set at $7,000. And, on Oct. 6th, 38-year-old Kristina Kay Erwin, of Council Bluffs, was arrested at the Pottawattamie County Jail, on a Mills County warrant for Probation Violation (Bond $5,000).

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office said also, there were no injuries reported after 71-year-old Karla Schafer, of Corning, apparently swerved to miss a deer at 310th and Noyes, at around 9:34-p.m., Saturday. Her 2004 Dodge left the road for about one-quarter of a mile before getting stuck in/on-top of, a tree.

Teen killed in NW Iowa crash w/a semi driven by a Cass County man

News

October 12th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

A teenage driver has died  during collision between an SUV and a semi tractor-trailer in northwest Iowa’s Sac County. According to the Iowa State Patrol, the accident happened at around 8:27-a.m. Tuesday (Today), as a 2011 Buick Enclave SUV driven by a 16-year-old female from Auburn, was traveling eastbound on Highway 175, coming out of Auburn.

A 2001 Peterbilt Truck driven by 50-year-old Matthew Lynn Dorscher, of Cumberland, was traveling west on Highway 175 and approaching Auburn, when the SUV crossed the center line of the road into the westbound lane, for reasons unknown. Dorscher tried to  avoid the collision by braking and driving onto the north shoulder, but the semi and SUV collided head-on.

The teenager, who was wearing a seat belt, died at the scene. Her name was not immediately released. The Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Iowa DOT, and Sac County Sheriff’s Office.

Informational meeting on CAM Bond election set for Wednesday

News

October 12th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the CAM School District said Tuesday (today), there will be an informational meeting held on Wednesday, October 13, 2021 at the CAM North Elementary gym in Anita, at 6:30p.m regarding the November 2nd bond election. All five of the CAM CSD Board of Education members may be in attendance. This is an informational meeting only and no action will be taken.

Gas company warns of sticker shock ahead

News

October 12th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

Des Moines, Iowa – Get ready for sticker shock on the bill for natural gas prices. Officials with MidAmerican Energy today (Tuesday) said the utility is telling Iowa customers that higher natural gas prices will impact their monthly heating bills this winter. The company said natural gas market prices have more than doubled from this time last year. MidAmerican said increased global demand coupled with both limited production and inventory have heavily increased the cost for the company to purchase natural gas.

MidAmerican said based on the market prices for natural gas over the last month, customers in MidAmerican’s service area can expect their total bills to increase by 46% to 96%. In a news release, Peggi Allenback, MidAmerican Vice President of Market Operations and Supply, said “We’re not seeing signs of supply challenges this winter, but we do expect to see higher customer bills because of higher commodity prices.”

Allenback says “We don’t mark up what we pay for natural gas, rather the cost of the commodity is a straight pass-through to customers. We purchase a portion of gas in advance at the best possible price, and in warmer months, when gas is generally cheaper, we store it for use in winter to help protect our customers financially. Despite these efforts, though, we want our customers to understand that natural gas bills will still be higher this heating season.”

According to MidAmerican, the higher market prices will affect a customer’s gas supply charge, which is the cost of the natural gas the customer uses. Market price fluctuations do not affect rates, which include fixed administrative costs, as well as costs associated with maintaining infrastructure and ensuring safety.

The company said actual bill impacts will vary by customer due to usage as temperatures get colder and market prices continue to fluctuate. MidAmerican offers budget billing to customers and offers tips on how to save energy.

The Iowa Energy Office recommends turning thermostats back 7 to 10 degrees for eight hours per day for an annual savings of 10%.

Cass County Supervisors News set date & time for a hearing on the issuance of bonds

News

October 12th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors, Tuesday morning, approved by a vote of 3-to 2, a Bond Counsel Agreement with Ahlers Cooney. Supervisors Hartkopf and Pettinger voted against the agreement. On a related note, the Board passed by a vote of 3-2, with Hartkopf and Pettinger again the Nay votes, a Resolution setting October 29th at 9-a.m., as the date and time for a Public Hearing, on a revised proposition to authorize a loan agreement not to exceed $2-million, and the issuance of notes to evidence the County. The bonds would be used to pay for the addition of radios and the construction or addition of a radio tower, to increase the area of coverage for law enforcement and emergency communications through the ISIC System.

Originally, it was proposed the bond asking would not be in excess of $3-million, but the Board felt $2-million would be enough to cover any contingencies. Board member Steve Green on the origin of the $3.5-million original figure:

Board member John Hartkopf asked “How quickly will this technology be taken out?” He said he thinks it will be obsolete and that the future will not likely be emergency communications by radio, it’ll be something along the lines of a cell phone.

In his report to the Board, Cass County Conservation Director Micah Lee said “It’s been a super busy year at Cold Springs State Park.

He said they installed new playground equipment in September, including spring toys. The teeter totters and metal slide were removed at the suggestion of ISAC (Iowa State Association of Counties) representatives, because they are safety issues (Metal slides can cause burns. Teeter totters can cause lower body/spine issues when they hit the ground). Rubber curbing and pea gravel has been installed in the area help to prevent fall injuries.

The campground at Cold Springs will be closed at the end of October. Micah spoke also about the T-Bone Trail, but because of certain ongoing discussions, there wasn’t much he could say, publicly.

County Engineer Trent Wolken said his crews are still working on installing a box culvert on Indian Creek Road, north of Highway 6, and, their road maintenance work.

Congressional field hearing on drug abuse to be held in Cedar Rapids

News

October 12th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A congressional field hearing on drug abuse in Iowa will be held in Cedar Rapids on Thursday, hosted by U-S Senator Chuck Grassley. The hearing will offer testimony to the U.S. Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control. Grassley, a Republican, says one focus will be on opioids, which are responsible for a rising number of overdose deaths in Iowa in recent years. Grassley says, “We have tremendous problems with opioids generally, but an increasing problem because of fentanyl.”

According to Grassley, the field hearing will provide insight and information on the needs of Iowa and local communities when it comes to federal drug control policy. “I think the problem is worse in eastern Iowa than in other parts of the state,” Grassley says, “but don’t let me downgrade any discussion of the problem by saying it’s not only in Iowa but it’s throughout the country and in some parts of the country, even worse than Iowa.”

The list of witnesses includes experts and professionals from the Governor’s Office of Drug Control Policy, Midwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas, Iowa Alliance of Coalitions for Change and CRUSH (Community Resources United to Stop Heroin) of Iowa. In a statement, Grassley says, “The testimony we hear will provide important insight on Iowa’s drug control efforts, and how Congress can work to support Iowans as both legislative and executive branches develop a comprehensive approach to an ongoing and ever-changing problem.”  “It’s very important that we prioritize the safety and wellbeing of Iowa families,” Grassley says, “and that’s doing it through enhancing drug control, prevention, education, law enforcement and international interdiction.”

The hearing is scheduled for Thursday at 10 a.m. at the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Iowa in Cedar Rapids.

Bugs creating more of a nuisance as fall arrives

Ag/Outdoor, News

October 12th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Bugs are starting to become more of a nuisance as we head into fall. Iowa State University Entomology Professor, Donald Lewis, says minute pirate bugs help the environment until this time of year when they can cause humans pain.

Pirate bug (ISU Extension photo)

“Now there’s not much out in the field for them and they wander around looking for something moist,” Lewis says. “And if you happen to be on your ladder in your short-sleeved shirt painting the white side of your house — they’re going to find you, and they’re going to be attracted to the reflective light. They are going to taste you to see if are you an insect egg, or are you a source of moisture. And that’s why they bite.”

Lewis says boxelder bugs can also cause nuisances this time of year as they prepare to hibernate during the winter. “One cheap and easy way to control boxelder bugs outdoors is to spray them with soapy water,” he says. That keeps them under control in the short term. “Now that has no residual. That will not control the boxelder bugs that come an hour later. But the ones that are there now, the ones that are massed in the late afternoon, you can kill them with a soapy spray, but you are going to have to do it probably every day for best results,” according to Lewis.

Lewis says the Minute Pirate Bugs will die once the freezing temperatures come.

Boxelder bug (ISU Ext.)