A fire that was reported at around 12:35-p.m. Tuesday at the Middle School in Atlantic, was under control about an hour later, thanks to quick action from Atlantic, Lewis, Marne and Griswold firefighters. The incident occurred on the roof of the building, about half-way between the north and northwest facing corners. Video from the scene prior to firefighters’ arrival showed intense orange flames and thick black smoke. Cass County Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Kennon said the fire appears to have been confined to the roof.

Drone Photo courtesy Cass County Sheriff’s Deputy Ben Bartholomew

Photo courtesy Cass County Sheriff’s Deputy Ben Bartholomew

Photo courtesy Cass County Sheriff’s Deputy Ben Bartholomew

According to persons at the scene, roofers were installing a new roof, and had left to go to lunch. Persons conducting tuck pointing on the sides of the building saw the smoke and called 9-1-1. The roof of the building is 12-inch thick concrete, so it’s not likely the fire would have spread easily to the rest of the structure. The roof was installed in the early 1930’s he said, as part of the WPA (Works Progress Administration) projects under FDR’s administration. The part that was burning was apparently the fiberboard placed on top of the roof liner. It wasn’t immediately known where the blaze began, or why.

Atlantic School District Superintendent Steve Barber said that he’s grateful for the quick response.

Atlantic Police, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office, Cass EMS and others assisted at the scene.

UPDATE 5:00 p.m. – In a message to school district members on Tuesday night Superintendent Barber said the fire did not penetrate the building but the school did experience significant water damage throughout most of the building. The fire marshal is evaluating the fire and they are asking everyone to stay away from the building. The building will be closed while they work through the cleanup process and will update everyone once everyone is able to enter the building again.

Update 7:25-p.m.: A press conference is set to take place at the Atlantic Fire Station, 1-p.m. Wednesday, with Atlantic Fire Chief Tom Cappel, Steve Barber, and a representative from the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

Photos Courtesy Matt Smith

Atlantic Fire Fighters and Cass EMS were dispatched to the Atlantic Middle School for a report of a fire on the roof of the building. The page went out at 12:35-p.m.  Additional details were not immediately available. The first crews on the scene reported black smoke coming from one part of the roof. Mutual aid was requested from Marne and Lewis Fire.

The Montgomery County Recreational Trails Committee is hosting a Three Community Trails Bike or Walking Event on Friday, August 20 and Saturday, August 21, 2021, in Villisca, Stanton and Red Oak. Organizers say there is no charge to participate, but donations will be accepted and all the fun you will have is absolutely FREE. The first community event will be on Friday night, August 20 as Villisca hosts their “Every Street Bike Ride”. Participants will gather starting at 7:00 PM at the Park Shelter House, at the intersection of 3rd St. and 3rd Ave. A leisurely evening bike ride, lasting around an hour and a half, will take riders down and up every street and avenue in Villisca past well known historic attractions including the Ax Murder House. Bikers may also choose to ride only streets or only avenues, either of which takes about 40 minutes. There will also be a 2-mile and a ¾ mile walking route.

The next morning, August 21, participants will be able to ride or walk the Stanton Greenbelt Trail. The event will start anytime between 8 and 9 AM from Anderson Park. Participants will be able to also visit the Swedish Heritage and Cultural Center and enjoy a cup of coffee and pasties or lunch at the new Fika Coffee Hus on Main Street. The event will then travel to Red Oak for a 2:30 PM for the Historic Heritage Hill ride or walk including the WWII depot museum, and the scenic Red Oak Trail. Begin the journey at the Montgomery County Court House at 2nd and Coolbaugh St. ending at the “518” Building at the corner of Red Oak Square, 4th and Reed for wonderful music and drinks of all kinds.

For those who participate in all three communities, a FREE commemorative T-Shirt will be awarded.

Get a commemorative T-shirt for participating in all 3 rides! (Photo from the MCRTC Facebook page)

Those who choose to do only one or two segments will be able to make a suggested donation and get the same T-Shirt. Each community will have a separate route for biking and walking. Their purpose is to introduce to you the three participating communities and the NEW Montgomery County Recreational Trails Committee. We will also share the work of connecting our county from North to South and East to West through a new system of trails.

Pre-Registration is encouraged, but not required. You can register at Montgomery County Recreational Trails Face book page. Remember, when bicycling, “Think Safety. Wear your Helmet”.

(Radio Iowa) – The city of Des Moines wastewater treatment plant is part of a national program that tests wastewater for COVID-19 and its variants. Director Scott Hutchens says the program is a partnership with the U-S Department of Health and Human Services, the C-D-C, and the National Institutes of Health. “We’ll take samples and send them to them two to three times a week. We take our influent wastewater and it gets tested for the presence of COVID-19 and any variants that might be in that,” he explains.

Hutchens says the plant treats waste from 17 Des Moines metro communities and some 500-thousand people. “You know when you shower, when you go to the bathroom and flush your toilet — that’s coming through the sewer system and pipelines and interceptor sewers here to the treatment plant,” Hutchens says. The liquid is pulled out of the sewage and treated by the plant before being released into the river. The samples will test the water before the treatment. “They can do an analysis to determine how rampant COVID-19 is in the community — or how well the vaccination process is going,” according to Hutchens.

The program is paid for by the federal government and includes hundreds of wastewater treatment plants across the country.

Activities at the FREE 2021 Cass County Fair get underway bright and early Wednesday morning. From 9-a.m. Until 2:30-p.m., there is 4-H/FFA Static Exhibit Judging, and from 10:30-a.m.until 12:30-p.m., “Bucket of Junk” judging. Cass County ISU Extension Director Kate Olson says the event is sponsored by Weirich Welding

The projects created by the kids using the scrap metal are left on display throughout the week in the Community Center. On August 2nd, awards will be presented by the judges for technical effort and creativity, and a “People’s Choice” award, for the most creative bucket.

She said it should be a record-setting year for the Bucket of Junk Contest, with a good number of participants. Clover kids Showcase entries will also take place Wednesday, from 9-a.m., until Noon. Olsen says something different this year, than in years past, is that the Food Sale has been moved from Wednesday to Thursday, beginning at 5-p.m.

Another change this year, is the addition of a table-setting contest at the Community Center on the Fairgrounds.

The weather should be a little less hot and humid toward the end of the week, but some may be concerned about the welfare of the livestock, not to mention their handlers. Kate Olsen says their exhibitors know how to handle their animals, and watchful eyes will make sure both participants and animals are safe.

And, Olsen says with regard to COVID, there will be a lot of hand sanitizer available on the grounds, social distancing will be possible due to most of the events being outdoors, but a mask will not be required. You may of course, wear a mask at your discretion.

Some of the big events taking place during the Cass County Fair, include:

Little Miss/Mister Contest, 7-p.m. Thursday
King & Queen Contests, 7:30-p.m. Thursday
Senior Recognition, 8-p.m. Thursday
A Bull ride on Friday at 8-p.m.
Tractor Pulls 6-p.m. Saturday
Golf Cart Races Sunday at 7-p.m.
And, the Grand Champion Beef Selection takes place 6:30-p.m., Monday.

View the complete Fair Schedule HERE

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office today (Tuesday) released a report detailing arrests from June 16th through July 25th. This past Sunday, 34-year-old Sunita Joan Phipps, of Creston, was arrested for Theft in the 5th Degree. She was being held in the Adams County Jail on a $300 cash-only bond. At around 10:20-p.m. on July 22nd, 74-year-old David Charles Crawford, of Villisca, was arrested on four valid warrants for Sex Abuse in the 3rd Degree, Lascivious Acts with a Child, Enticing a Minor under the age of 13, and Indecent Contact with a Child. Crawford was being held without bond in the Adams County Jail until seen by a magistrate.

Sheriff’s officials say on July 20th, Michael John Wray was arrested on four valid warrants for Failure to Appear. His bond was set at $6,000. The day before (July 19th), Adams County Deputies were dispatched to a residence in the 28-hundred block of 130th Street, and upon investigation, arrested Edwin Scott Blazek, for Harassment in the 3rd Degree. He was being held without bond until seen by a magistrate. Also arrested July 19th, was Jason Alexander Rahn, who was taken into custody on a warrant for Indecent Contact with a Child. He was also being held without bond, pending an appearance before the magistrate.

July 17th, Adams County Deputies arrested 36-year-old Fidel Anastacio Amaya Contarero, of Tampa, FL.,  on one count of Child Endangerment. He was taken into custody following a traffic stop, and in addition to his arrest, was cited for Failure to have a valid driver’s license, speeding, and failure to use a child restraint device. Amaya Contarere was later released on bond. On July 16th, a traffic stop on Highway 34 in Adams County, resulted in the arrest of Lyndon Bright, for having a suspended driver’s license, and for Open Container.

On June 19th, Jesse Beaman, of Red Oak, was arrested in Adams County, on an active warrant for Parole Violation. He was being held without bond pending an appearance before the judge. June 17th, a reported argument at the Adams County Speedway resulted in the arrest of Cadon Cornelison, of Corning, and Paige ONeall, of Creston, on charges of Simple Assault. Both were being held in the Adams County Jail pending an appearance before the magistrate.

(Radio Iowa) – Competition in the meat supply chain is the subject of a U-S Senate Judiciary Committee hearing scheduled for tomorrow (Wednesday), and at least three Iowans will be in the chamber. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley calls the hearing “long awaited” as he says he’s been expressing strong reservations about consolidation within agriculture and the livestock industry for more than 20 years. “We have two Iowans as witnesses and I look forward to their testimony,” Grassley says. “Family farmers are very important to rural communities across America. We’ve got to keep the family farmer strong and from the standpoint of cattle feeders, they’re on life support.”

The two Iowans who are scheduled to testify are: Jon Schaben, owner of Dunlap Livestock Auction, and Shane Miller, group president of Fresh Meats at Tyson Foods. Tyson joins J-B-S, Cargill and National Beef as the four largest meatpackers which, Grassley says, control 80-percent of the marketplace.  “According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, for every one dollar Americans spend on food, farmers only get 14.3 cents,” Grassley says. “Meantime, the retail price of beef for consumers has increased and remains very high.”

The pandemic has brought to the forefront the U-S-D-A’s inability to preserve our nation’s beef supply chain, Grassley says, calling on the agency to be more engaged and aggressive in policing anti-competitive activities. “I’m not upset about paying more for my beef but I’m upset that farmers are not getting a fair price,” he says. The Senate hearing, called “Beefing up Competition: Examining America’s Food Supply Chain,” is scheduled for Wednesday at 1:30 PM/Central time.

The 8:05-a.m. broadcast News, w/Ric Hanson.

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DES MOINES – Gov. Kim Reynolds, Monday, announced her appointment of Major Matthew Peterson as Commandant of the Iowa Veterans Home. Peterson’s appointment is effective July 27, 2021. The appointment is subject to Senate confirmation. Peterson’s 20-year career and seven deployments in the Marine Corps infantry have placed him in a wide range of leadership positions spanning thirty countries and five continents. Since retiring from the military, he has directed a working ranch and currently serves as the Executive Director of a nonprofit organization, as well as a high school teacher.

Peterson holds an undergraduate degree in Philosophy and Government from New Mexico State University. He also received master’s degrees in Political Science from Liberty University and another in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University. He is a fifth-generation Iowan from Red Oak.

“Thanks to two decades of leadership in the Marines and an impressive post-retirement career, Major Peterson brings a unique set of qualifications to the Iowa Veterans Home,” said Gov. Reynolds. “He also brings deep appreciation for the military service of the veterans whose care he will oversee. His proven ability and dedication will pay dividends for the home, its staff, and its residents.”

The Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown, IA has served Iowa veterans since 1887. Today, it is the largest long-term care center in the state and home to more than 500 veterans.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City of Atlantic’s Personnel and Finance Committee will meet 5:15-p.m. Wednesday, July 28th, in the Council’s Chambers at City Hall. On their agenda are reviews of 2022 fireworks proposals from Wild Willy’s co-owner Mark O’Brien, J & M Displays, and Dan Vargason, who will purchase fireworks from Iowa Fireworks Company and put on a show.

Mark O’Brien provided a fireworks demonstration late last month, as part of an introduction to the products offered by locally owned and operated Wild Willy’s. In his proposal to the City, O’Brien submitted a bid of $6,000 for a 45-to 60-minute display on July 4th, 2022. If approved, the event would take place in the area of the Atlantic Little League Diamonds across from KJAN. The proposal includes proof of insurance and property clean-up of the debris.

Dan Vargason, who (according to his proposal) has been shooting off fireworks electronically for over 10-years, and sells fireworks for the Iowa Fireworks Company, says he and his family have been working for the past eight-years to organize, purchase, set-up and fire, as well as clean-up, following an annual fireworks show. He noted that he was donated 10% of their gross sales over the last four-years, to the Atlantic Booster Club.

Vargason proposes an electronically fired display lasting no less than 20-minutes. He will also carry insurance and is also proposing to put on a show for the sum of $6,000. He has proposed using the Schildberg Recreation Area, between the dock and playground, or on a floating platform off the dock.

The vendors for the 2021 July 4th fireworks display at the Little League Park, have offered to give the community a free show (Valued at $6,000), to make up for what was perceived to be a very short show this year. J&M CEO James J. Oetken said in a letter to Atlantic Fire Chief Tom Cappel, that after investigating the circumstances surrounding the show, he learned that the lead technician fired the show at “A quick, intense pace, which he thought was more exciting, but it shortened the show by quite a bit.”

Oetken said also, the amount of product fired matched the proposal and packing slip, so the content was similar to past years…”it just fired so quickly it seemed like less,” he said. Oetken said if the City accepts the offer, the 2022 fireworks show would have to be held Saturday, July 2nd, due to J&M’s other commitments.

In other business, the Personnel and Finance Committee will review and make recommendations to the Council, with regard to: An Acting Deputy City Clerk; Part-Time Administrative Assistant; an update on Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy, and Work Rules & Disciplinary Procedures in the City’s Handbook.