(Des Moines, IA) Today, Governor Reynolds signed new legislation that will allow an adopted adult whose original birth certificate was substituted with a new certificate after an adoption, to apply for and obtain a non-certified copy of the original certificate of birth, which will include biological parent information. The new
law will also allow an entitled person to apply for the adult adoptee’s original certificate prior to adoption if the adoptee is deceased.

In addition, the law allows biological parents to file contact preference and medical history forms with the Bureau of Health Statistics in the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH). If completed by biological parents, these forms will be released to an adult adoptee or entitled person upon proper application.

The law will immediately apply to those who were born before 1971. Beginning January 1, 2022, anyone over the age of 18 can request the same document.

Application processing will take approximately six weeks. Contact preference forms and medical history forms may already be on file for the biological parent(s) named
on the record. If the contact preference forms and medical history forms are on file, the forms will be released to the adult adoptee with the noncertified original certificate of birth. Biological parents may choose to release their identity and contact information to the adoptee, they may also choose not to disclose their
identity and contact information.

Those wishing to apply or learn more about the application process should visit the IDPH website

The Atlantic City Council held a fairly brief meeting on Wednesday at City Hall. The council passed a resolutions amending the FY 2021 Budget.

The board also approved awarding a contract to Henningsen Construction of Atlantic for the West 22nd Street Sidewalk Project. Snyder and Associates’ Dave Sturm said he was very pleased with the bids that came in with the volatility of material costs right now. The cost of the contract to Henningsen’s is $103, 904. The project came about after a petition was submitted to the Council with 94 signatures requesting a walking path on the south side of West 22nd Street.

In the Mayor’s Report Atlantic Mayor Dave Jones confirmed that he will definitely not be running for reelection this upcoming cycle. He said he is very proud of everything that the Council has accomplished during his 24 years of work with the City. He said he had previously indicated that he probably wouldn’t run but wanted to confirm that he will not.

In the meetings report portion of the meeting it was reported that AMU received some money back for prepaid usage from the Ethanol plant due to a weeklong shutdown that occurred during a cold spell. The AMU board also unanimously rejected a proposition from Alliant Energy to buy the Utility. In other reports the downtown facade project is moving along well and should finish up by the end of June as scheduled. The Atlantic Public Library has signed up for a new language learning program that they have been very pleased with.

The council finished up in a closed session to discuss legal issues with one of Atlantic’s blighted properties.

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds has signed a bill into law that makes it easier to form publicly-funded charter schools in Iowa. “Iowa needs schools as diverse as the needs of its students and that’s exactly what this law aims to deliver,” Reynolds says. There are two charter schools in Iowa today.

Under the new law, groups that hope to start a charter school may apply to the State Board of Education. If state officials grant the charter, taxpayer funding for Iowa students in public districts who enroll in the charter would shift over.  “Creating an environment in Iowa that encourages alternative educational opportunities for those who need them and it doesn’t undermine the traditional public school system,” Reynolds said. “It strives to improve the entire educational system.”

Under current law, school districts must sign off on creation of a charter school in their area. That’s not required in the new law and critics say there will not be enough oversight of how tax dollars are spent in charter schools. Reynolds held a bill signing ceremony at Starts Right Here in Des Moines, a youth program started by rapped Will Keeps. He supports creation of public charter schools. “We see that things are not working well for the kids, so what’s wrong with giving them another opportunity, another chance?” he asked. “I don’t see anything wrong with it.”

Three Des Moines students who’re in the Starts Right Here program say traditional school hasn’t worked well for them, particularly during the pandemic. As the governor finished signing the official copy of the bill, making it law, another student leaned over the microphone to kick off the celebration. “It starts right here!” she said, and the crowd cheered and applauded.

This charter school bill was among the governor’s priority issues for the 2021 legislative session. Other elements of her education agenda have become law, but a plan to provide state scholarships to students in struggling public schools who enroll in a private school stalled in the House.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office is asking for your help in locating a missing teenager. Authorities say 16-year-old Victoria Rose Williams has been missing since May 18, 2021. Victoria has black hair and brown eyes. She weighs 116 lbs., and was wearing orange stretch pants and blue t-shirt.

Victoria Rose Williams

She was last seen at a residence north of Atlantic. If you have seen her or have any information on her whereabouts, please contact the Cass County Sheriff’s Office at 712-243-2206.

The Atlantic Police Department reports three arrests in the past week.

On Monday, May 17th Officers arrested Cole Benton on a Shelby County Warrant and for Driving While License Barred. He was booked in to the Cass County Jail.

On May 16th Atlantic Police arrested 33-year-old Krysta Hanson of Atlantic for OWI 1st Offense. She was taken to the Cass County Jail and booked in.

On May 11th 20-year-old Kyle Gehling of Atlantic was arrested on a Cass County Warrant for Violation of Probation. He was booked in to the Cass County Jail.

Atlantic Parks and Recreation will be hosting a community event on May 29th. The Sunnyside Block Party will be held on the 29th from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Sunnyside Park.

The event will feature food and drink vendors, carnival and recreation games, and live music. Local band Dirt Road Divide will be performing at the bandshell for attendees listening and dancing pleasure. Fire trucks and police cars will also be present for kids to check out. A dunk tank will also be part of the fun.

The event is free to attend and everyone is welcome.

The Adair County Board of Supervisors met on Wednesday morning at the Adair County Courthouse.

The board heard from Catherine Olesen about the Greenfield Historic Public Square design guidelines. They are working on finding locations for signage along the interstate to promote the downtown district. She said they are continuing to do building consultations and will be updating their website soon with changes that have been made.

The board then heard from Conservation Director Dominic Johnson. He introduced a summer AmeriCorps Naturalist Kasha Shear. Shear said she is excited to be working with the county and will be putting on various educational programs and recreational activities throughout the county. She hopes gather some input from residents about programs they would like implemented. Johnson talked about construction progress on the shower house being put in at Mormon Trail Park. Water lines are in and concrete work is starting up.

County Engineer Nick Kauffman reported on current projects in progress. The board discussed working with Kauffman and other department heads to determine the best way to spend federal funds that will be coming in for COVID relief. They hope to supplement not only the roads department budget but other needs as well. They also discussed some trouble areas for gravel roads in the county.

The Creston Police Department reports two arrests on Tuesday.

At approximately 10:25 a.m. Officers served 38-year-old Adrian Jaques of Creston  a Union County Warrant for 10 counts of Violation of a Protection Order. He was being held in the Union County Jail and remains held on $3,000 bond.

At 9:22 p.m. Creston Police arrested 42-year-old Crystal Mack of Creston on the charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance, 3rd or Subsequent Offense and Possession of Paraphernalia. She was later released from the Union County Jail on $5,300 bond.

The Red Oak Police Department reports the arrest of a Nebraska man on Tuesday night. At approximately 9:23 p.m. Officers arrested 35-year-old Jose Angel Zamago Jara of Omaha for Possession of a Controlled Substance 1st Offense and OWI 1st Offense. He was arrested at the intersection of Highway 34 and Ironwood Avenue in Red Oak. Jara was taken to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $1,000 bond. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the arrest.

The Harlan Police Department reports four arrests.  Last Sunday (May 16), 54-year old Ronald Gene Dryer, of Harlan, was arrested following a call for service. Dryer was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with public intoxication.

On Saturday, May 15th, 36-year-old Jeannie Kay Kleymann, of Harlan, was arrested on an active Shelby County warrant following a traffic stop. Kleymann was transported to the Shelby County Jail. On the 14th, Harlan Police arrested 39-year-old Jamie Lee Brooks, of Woodbine, for driving while barred, prohibited acts penalties, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and dark windows. And, on May 12th, 29-year-old Devin Michael Garnder, of Exira, was arrested following a traffic stop in Harlan. Gardner was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with delivery of a controlled substance.

The H-PD says also, no injuries were reported following an accident that took place May 11th. Authorities say Shayeleigh Julich, of Glenwood, was driving a 2005 Dodge Caravan southbound on Industrial Parkway, behind Concerned Inc.  She told police she fell asleep at the wheel while driving. The road curves westbound towards Highway 59 but the van continued to travel south, leaving the roadway, striking an electrical box and a light pole. The electrical box and light pole sustained damage, totaling both objects and disabling the van.