SOUTH BEND, IND. – Elkhart Plastics, Inc. (EPI) is ranked in the Top 10 for overall rotomolding sales in North America in Plastics News’ 2019 Rotational Molders Ranking report for the fourth year in a row. EPI ranks No. 7 in overall rotomolding sales out of 99 companies included in the report. While the company maintains its rank from last year, sales figures grew from $96.1 million to $110.2 million in just one year. Plastics News released the rankings report in August 2019 based on data from fiscal year 2018.

“I’m thankful to our dedicated employees across the country who work hard daily to drive our success,” Jack Welter, CEO of EPI, says. “Our ranking reflects the team’s dedication to providing strong customer service and producing innovative, high-quality products.” During 2018, EPI expanded its footprint by adding a facility in Atlantic, Iowa. Additionally, the company has grown its custom applications and its proprietary brands including the TUFF Series intermediate bulk containers, KONG Coolers, Connect-A-Dock, and DEF Tanks. The company also celebrated its 30th anniversary in November 2018.

“We’re proud to produce great rotationally molded products for our customers, and our sales reflect our commitment,” Welter says. “We’ve had a great year, and we look forward to continued growth in the future.” Owned and operated in the U.S., EPI has six facilities across the country. Company headquarters are in South Bend, Ind., and additional manufacturing locations are in Elkhart, Ind.; Middlebury, Ind.; Littleton, Colo.; Ridgefield, Wash.; and Atlantic, Iowa.

EPI employs more than 640 people and utilizes 52 rotational molding machines – the most machines reported among Plastics News’ top rotomolders – to design custom and off-the-shelf products for a diverse portfolio of customers.

Sheriff’s deputies in Page County, this (Tuesday) morning, arrested 49-year old James Keith Saufley, of Hepburn. He was taken into custody for Driving Under Suspension following a traffic stop in north central Page County. Saufley was transported to the Page County Jail where he was being held on bond pending further court proceedings.

Des Moines, Iowa (August 26, 2019) – In an effort to recognize Iowans who are celebrating 100 years or more of life, the Iowa Department on Aging and the state’s Area Agencies on Aging are planning 6 regional Centenarian Recognition events, one of which will take place 11:30-a.m. Nov. 2nd, in Orient at the Historic Wallace Center Gathering Barn.

To assist the State of Iowa in recognizing centenarians, the public is encouraged to inform a centenarian, or the person’s family or caregiver, about this call for centenarians and where to access and submit an application. The application is posted on the Iowa Department on Aging’s website at www.iowaaging.gov or may be requested by calling (800) 532-3213 or emailing dax.oberreuter@iowa.gov.

For the purposes of this program, a centenarian is any older adult who will be 100 or older by Dec. 31, 2019, and whose primary residence is Iowa. Each centenarian will receive a certificate signed by Governor Reynolds that is suitable for framing and will be invited to attend a Centenarian Recognition event.

The Iowa Department on Aging accepts forms on an ongoing basis for centenarians to be included in the statewide Centenarian Registry, but to receive an invitation to one of this year’s Centenarian Recognition Events and a signed certificate from the Governor, applications must be received by September 6th. Please contact the Iowa Department on Aging at (800)532-3213 if you have questions.

Des Moines – The Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau reports 25-year old Nathan Tun, of Storm Lake, has been charged with one count of Fraudulent Submissions (Class D Felony), one count of Theft in the 1st degree (Class C Felony), and one count of Conspiracy to Commit a non-forcible Felony (Class D Felony).

Nathan Tun

The charges are the result of an investigation by the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau and the Storm Lake Iowa Police Department which began in June of 2019. In criminal complaints filed by the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau, it is alleged Tun conspired with two co-defendants to arrange for the purported theft of Tun’s vehicle. As a result, Tun submitted a fraudulent insurance claim to his insurance carrier seeking insurance proceeds for which he was not entitled.

On August 23, 2019, Tun was arrested in Storm Lake and booked into the Buena Vista County Jail. Tun was later released after posting a $5,000 bond. Trial will be set at a future date. No additional information will be provided at this time.

Iowans with information about insurance fraud are encouraged to contact the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau at 515-242-5304.

The Iowa Department of Revenue has launched an all-new website to help taxpayers and tax professionals more easily find and access information.  Officials say the new site is located at the same address, www.tax.iowa.gov, and includes better navigation, improved search functions, and a simplified homepage. The Department utilized customer feedback and data analytics in designing and building the site.

Revenue Director Kraig Paulsen says “The Department’s vision is that Iowa should be a state where it is easy to understand and comply with tax obligations — and our website needs to support that idea. We understand that in order to do this, information needs to be easily accessible to taxpayers and tax professionals. We listened to user frustrations and suggestions and incorporated their ideas in the new site.”

The new website has several new features and benefits for users:

* A simplified home page. Informational banners highlight important items from the Department, easier access to the most-used applications, and recent news from the department.
* Better navigation. Navigate the website by who you are using I Am… or by what you need to do using I Need To… Policy information, reports, education, and tax reform information from the Department are now organized under Resources. The Need Help? menu provides easy access to common questions, fraud reporting, and contacting us.
* An improved search. Easily search the website for information you need.
* Updated forms library. Forms are now accessible from the main menu and are easier to search.
* Common Questions library. Get answers to common questions by using the topic filter or searching by keyword.
* Responsive design. The site adjusts to the user’s device and screen size.

DES MOINES, Iowa (August 27, 2019) — The Wellmark Foundation has notified 19 Iowa organizations they will receive Matching Assets to Community Health (MATCH) grants up to $25,000, contingent upon securing the matching funds. To ensure community support for these projects, organizations are challenged to match this grant at 50 percent. Organizations have until Nov. 8 to secure their matching funds. Becky Wampler Bland, The Wellmark Foundation executive director, said “Each of these grant recipients submitted projects that can help individuals, families and communities achieve better health through built environment initiatives that encourage physical activity and also by providing access to and encouraging the consumption of healthy foods. The next step is for the organizations to secure the required match for the grant. Based on the community support they noted in their applications, they are well on their way to securing those funds.”

The organizations selected to receive the grant have demonstrated their projects are sustainable and will help to improve the well-being of the communities they serve well into the future. The organizations include (locally):

• City of Afton, $25,000 – Afton Safe Routes to Schools; This project will extend the existing trail and provide a safe off-street walking/biking option for students and residents. The sidewalks will be paved and made four-foot-wide to accommodate bi-directional traffic. While doing this work, culverts and curb cuts with ADA ramps will be installed. Permanent paint markings and signage will also encourage safe crossing of city streets.
• City of Carroll, $25,000 – Pickleball courts; The city of Carroll is constructing a six-court pickleball complex which is in close proximity to a large number of residential properties. These courts will be open to the public and will promote healthy lifestyles by providing a free, readily available physical activity option.
• City of Creston, $25,000 – McKinley Park Trail Expansion; The city of Creston is building a trail around Lake McKinley. The trail expansion will be about a half-mile in length. The project will also include lighting to provide safety for the residents who like to walk around the lake in the evening hours.
• City of Mount Ayr, $9,963.50 – Judge Lewis Park Trail; This project will complete a half-mile trail around Judge Lewis Park. It will provide residents with a readily available option to engage in physical activity. With strategically placed benches, it also provides users with an opportunity to socially connect with one another.
• Nodaway Valley Community School District, $25,000 – Elementary School Playground; The school is updating its existing playground equipment. The new equipment will be all-inclusive meeting the needs of all children. This will help children interact and play together for a more fulfilling play experience.
• Shelby County Wellness Alliance, $25,000 – Free Fitness 4 All — Harlan; The project will install outdoor fitness stations in Pioneer Park. These outdoor stations will increase the frequency and length of time spent in the park. It is also anticipated that friends and neighbors will connect socially with one another.

Since 2011, The Wellmark Foundation has provided more than $11 million in grant funding to communities across Iowa and South Dakota. To view previous Wellmark Foundation MATCH grant recipients, visit Wellmark.com/Foundation.

A Special Meeting of the Atlantic School District’s Board of Education will be held 5:30-p.m. Wednesday, in the High School Media Center. During their session, the Board will discuss the district’s Strategic Plan. They will also act on the resignation of Food Service Worker Lisa Andersen, and Contract Recommendations for Ernie Hawthorne, Mark Vavricek, and Dale Retallic – Special Education drivers.

In other business, the Atlantic School Board will discuss and/or act on Open Enrollment applications, and a Construction Invoice from Allender-Butzke Engineers, Inc., of Urbandale, with regard to Geotechnical Exploration of the District ballfields and Trojan Bowl Improvements. The invoice amounts to $23,600.

Following their regular meeting, the Board will enter into a Closed Session to conduct Superintendent Steve Barber’s annual evaluation.

A five-year reunion will be held in October for those who attended the Cass County Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. in 2014. October’s event organizer Steve Livengood says 150 veterans and 12 non-veteran guardians went on the trip. He says many of those who went on the trip didn’t have a lot of time to discuss their experience on the way home. The reunion gives them a chance to share their memories. Sadly, many of those who went on the trip aren’t around now, to relive the experience.

He said at least 27 participants have passed away since the trip was held. The reunion will take place from 2-until 6-p.m. Saturday, October 19^th, at the American Legion Memorial Building (the former armory. Livengood said he sent out e-mails about the event August 19^th, but the response hasn’t been what he expected. He said 14 have responded to his announcement, but if people spread the word about the reunion, hopefully more will attend.

The informal reunion for veterans, guardians and their families includes snacks and drinks. If you can attend, please contact Steve Livengood by e-mail at aplewood@q.com, or call 712-243-5445.

Listen to the full interview with Livengood can be heard under the Programs tab at kjan.com, and the “Heartbeat Today” page.

(Radio Iowa) — One person was killed last night (Monday) in a car-motorcycle crash in Davenport. Police say a motorcycle was speeding as it approached an intersection just north of downtown Davenport. A car had stopped at a stop sign, then entered the intersection, into the motorcycle’s path. The motorcyclist tried to stop and lost control, sliding into the driver’s side of the car. The motorcyclist, from Rock Island, Illinois, was critically injured and died a short time later at Genesis East Hospital.

His name wasn’t released. The car’s driver wasn’t hurt.