(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic City Council, during their regular meeting Wednesday evening at City Hall, is expected to act on passing a resolution setting July 3rd, 4th and 5th, from 9-a.m. Until 11-p.m., as the date for the use of fireworks in the City, as outlined within the restrictions of the Code of Iowa, and recently updated by Senate File 303.

The Council will act on an Order to temporarily close a portion of 10th Street near the Sunnyside Pool to the west entrance of the Cass County Fairgrounds (Near the tennis courts), and the road south of 10th Street leading past the tennis courts and softball field, from 8-a.m. Until 10-p.m., for the Parks and Rec Department’s “Freedom Festival,” on July 4th.

The Council will also act on an Order to temporarily restrict parking on Palm Street from 7th to the Dead End, extending south of 10th Street, and temporarily restricting parking on 10 Street, extending west 150-feet on both sides of the street, from 6-a.m. July 26th until 6-pm July 27th, for the Cass County Fair.

Other Council business includes:

A Review and discussion, with regard to an ISU Art Project Mural Design.
Action the following Resolutions:
Adopting the 2025 Building Permit Fee Schedule
Setting Stipend Compensation for Swim Team Assistant Coaches for FY2026.

Atlantic City Hall building

The Council will act on an Order Setting June 18th at 5:30-p.m., as the date for a Public Hearing to amend the FY2025 Budget. They will also act on the third and final readings of Ordinances amending the City’s Code of Ordinance with regard to:
Adding a 4-way Stop Sign at 29th & Palm Streets.
No Parking on 10th Street from Locust Street to the east alley to the north side of the road.
And, a reduction of the Speed Limit to 35-mph on 22nd Street between Palm and Chestnut Streets.

As a follow-up to their last meeting, the Atlantic City Council will act on:

A motion to table Ordinance 1051 and replace it with Ordinance 1057 (Amending Speed regulations from 35-to 30-mph on Chestnut Street from 29th St. to the Southern City Limits);
Ordinance 1058 (which replaces Failed Ordinance 1053), with regard to Reducing the Speed Limit on 29th Street from 35-to 30 mph from Chestnut Street to Palm Street, and
Ordinance 1059 (replacing Failed Ordinance 1054) with regard to Speed Regulations on 29th Street from the Palm Street Intersection to a point 800-feet west of the intersection.

A Public Hearing will also be held with regard to an amendment to the Code of Ordinances, with regard to City Elections.

(Creston, Iowa) – Police in Creston, Sunday, arrested a man on two active warrants. 48-year-old Joel Richard Gross, of Creston, was arrested at around 4:45-p.m., on warrants for violation of probation. Gross was transported to the Union County Jail and held on a $2,000 cash-only bond.

(Radio Iowa) – Better weather this spring could bring pheasant numbers back up this year after a dip brought on by last year’s flooding. Iowa D-N-R wildlife biologist Todd Bogenschutz says spring weather determines how many of the new birds survive. “Overall, the spring has kind of seemed like it’s going to come in around average. So I’m cautiously optimistic that we’re going to have a good hatch,” he says. Bogenschutz says early June is generally the main time for the hatch, and anything earlier is a good sign. “I actually had four broods reported to me before the Memorial Day weekend, and usually it’s the last week of May that I get the first report of broods,” he says. “So to get four reports of broods prior to the last week of May, you know that kind of tells me that winter was good, that spring has been good,” Bogenschutz says. He says it’s usually a 50-50 proposition on how many chicks survive the hatch.

“Usually, first nests are in the neighborhood of about 11 to 12 eggs on average, the first nest that the hen produces, and about half the nest hatch, and on average, about half the chicks survive,” he says. “So, if it’s a little bit better spring weather wise then we might do a little bit better than that.” He says hens are determined nesters and if they lose a nest, they will continue to re-nest into July, but the data shows that each attempt has fewer eggs than the previous nests. Bogenschutz says a slight improvement in the hatch can make a big difference in the number of birds. “We get to 60 percent of nests hatch and 60 percent of chicks survive, that’s a huge difference over the 50 and 50. So, you don’t have to move the needle a lot to make a big change in the fall,” he says.

Bogenschutz says his gut feeling right now is the hatch will be good, but they won’t be able to confirm that until they run their August roadside survey.

(Radio Iowa) – America’s most experienced astronaut, Iowa native Peggy Whitson, is scheduled to launch Sunday (June 8th) on her fifth mission to the International Space Station, her second mission with the private firm Axiom Space. Whitson will command Ax-4 on a two-week expedition to the orbiting station along with three teammates, all of whom are from different countries. During an Axiom Space news conference, Whitson talked about the historic nature of the flight. “It has been more than 40 years since the first person from India, Poland and Hungary has been to space,” Whitson says, “and through this commercial space opportunity, we are accelerating the national space programs in each of these three countries and creating new pathways for technological advancements.”

While Ax-4 marks their second human spaceflight mission in history, it will be the first time Hungary, India and Poland will execute a mission on board the I-S-S. The 65-year-old Whitson grew up on a farm near Beaconsfield and has already spent 675 days in orbit. She says she has complete confidence in her team of three rookies, adding, they’ll be inspiring a generation of new space explorers in their home countries. “The crew has been training together since August of last year, learning the systems for the International Space Station and Dragon spacecraft, as well as how to respond and address medical and spacecraft emergencies,” Whitson says. “During this time, I’ve also been doing my best to impart some of my almost-40 years worth of space and science experience to these guys.”

This Ax-4 mission is designed to lay the groundwork for what will be called Axiom Station, the first commercial space station, which Whitson says promises to offer a permanent platform for research, manufacturing, and human spaceflight. “For us, obviously those objectives, that training that we do, not only with the crew but with all our ground teams is so important for our end goal, which is Axiom Station,” Whitson says, “which we hope to have as free flyer by no later than 2028.” This latest mission will be packed with science and technology experiments, Whitson says, including one focused on diabetes and insulin-dependant astronauts. Retired from NASA in 2018, Whitson is now Axiom Space’s director of human spaceflight, and she notes the Ax-4 mission patch is full of symbolism.

Ax-4 Crew (Axiom Space image)

“The four ascending lines represent the view from a window above our planet, but also the four countries represented by the crew ascending from the Earth to work on the ISS for a common goal,” Whitson says. “The seven stars represent the inclusivity of all continents of the Earth, and finally the gem shape symbolizes how precious humanity is and how we share responsibility to protect and cherish our planet.” Whitson holds the record for the most time spent in space by any American or woman astronaut. She also holds records for the oldest woman spacewalker and the most spacewalks by a woman, with more than 60 cumulative hours of E-V-A — or extravehicular activity.

Launch of Ax-4 is scheduled for 9:11 AM/Eastern on Sunday from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The crew will be aboard a Dragon spacecraft, atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

ATLANTIC, IA (June 1, 2025) – Produce in the Park’s Summer 2025 Farmers Market Opening Day is Thursday, June 5 from 4:30 to 6:30 PM at the Atlantic City Park. Market Manager Ciara Hoegh says this year promises to be bigger and better than ever. The highlight of the day is live music by the Prairie Gators—a band known for their infectious zydeco, bluegrass, vintage country, and gospel sound. The band has been performing for over 20 years at events including Junkstock and Omaha Mardi Gras. Featuring instruments like accordion, washboard, and bass guitar, their unique style is fun, upbeat, and perfect for an evening in the park.

The opening day farmers market also features 27 vendors–including 19 vendors selling food products. Shoppers will find early summer produce, farm-fresh eggs, locally raised meats (beef, pork, chicken, lamb), honey, sourdough breads, nut and trail mixes, fresh-squeezed lemonade, lots of desserts and other baked goods, as well as an array of crafts. Zipp’s Pizzaria food truck will be selling hot slices on-site.

The Priarie Gators Band jams at Portchfest. The Prairie Gators will be at Produce in the Park June 5.

The June 5 market theme is “Dinosaur Time”—a playful nod to a TikTok trend encouraging everyone to eat greens like plant-eating dinosaurs (no forks required!). Market visitors of all ages are invited to join in the fun and gobble up free tastes of fresh greens (lettuce, spinach, kale). The YMCA will provide a free bounce house, and dinosaur-themed face painting will be
available for purchase.

June 5 Vendor Lineup:
● Food truck: Zipp’s Pizzaria
● Bridgewater – Lettuce, kale, arugula, chard, broccoli, and more produce
● Brun Ko Farm – Greens, radishes, snap peas, green onions, eggs, chicken, lamb, honey
● Bubba’s Freeze Dried Foods – Freeze-dried candies, fruits, vegetables
● Deliciously Dunn – Cookies
● Dodi’s Rock & Crystal Shop – Crystal jewelry, resin crafts, tumbled stones
● Ehrman Family Farm – Sourdough breads, rustic rolls, handmade crafts
● Fire and Flour – Sourdough, yeast breads, cupcakes, cake pops, brownies, donuts, mini
flavored loaves
● Frosting, Inc. – Gourmet cupcakes and cookies
● Hansen Family Homestead LLC – Chicken and duck eggs, chicken, pork, sourdough
breads
● Hoopy Hallow Ranch – Beef, lamb, free-range eggs
● Imagine – Garden crafts and planters from vintage and repurposed items
● It Makes Total Scents – Car air fresheners
● Juj’n Juj’n – Art and handmade goods
● Kringle Man – Danish kringle, pastries, rye bread
● Little Lark’s Mercantile – Baby clothes, baked goods, eggs, custom crafts
● MinDee’s Nuts LLC – Flavored nuts and trail mixes
● Mystic Dawn Creations – 3D printed toys, games, fidgets
● Noble Provisions – Meats and eggs
● Oak Hill Honey – Honey
● Paige’s Pieces – Keychains, signs, bookmarks, jewelry
● Piper’s Brae Farm – Aronia berries and products
● Renander Farms – Eggs, cookies, cinnamon rolls, breads, fruit crisps
● Squeezing Lemons – Fresh squeezed lemonade
● Stork Treasures – Handmade pens, badge reels
● Ter-Bear Honey – Honey
● TJ’s Kitchen – Wine bread

Admission to Produce in the Park is always free. Community organizations will be on site sharing local resources. The market accepts SNAP EBT and Double Up Food Bucks for all qualifying food items. Vendor and sponsor applications remain open for the summer season. Interested sellers of handmade or homegrown products—including local foods, crafts, art, and plants—can apply online at www.ProduceInTheParkAtlanticIowa.com or pick up paper copies at the Atlantic Area
Chamber of Commerce (102 Chestnut St., Atlantic).

Opening Day is proudly sponsored by Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, Cass County Tourism, Cass Health, City of Atlantic, First Whitney Bank & Trust, Gregg Young Chevrolet of Atlantic, Nishna Valley Family YMCA, and United Church of Christ of Atlantic. For the latest market updates, follow Produce in the Park on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ProduceInThePark and Instagram at www.instagram.com/produceintheparkatlanticia/

(Allamakee County, Iowa) – A man from Wisconsin who was operating a motorcycle died after the cycle struck a deer on Saturday morning. The accident victim was identified Sunday afternoon as 64-year-old Daniel M. Fisher, of Salem, WI.  The accident happened at around 8:45-a.m. on Highway 76, near Waukon (IA).

The 2007 Harley Davidson motorcycle was traveling northbound on Highway 76 it hit a deer and went out of control before coming to rest in the east ditch. Fisher was ejected , and died at the scene.

PARKERSBURG, Iowa (KCRG) – Iowa U.S. Senator Joni Ernst took to social media on Saturday to respond to criticism surrounding remarks made during her town hall on Friday in Parkersburg.

At the town hall, Sen. Ernst defended efforts to rollback, as she called it, benefits for people she said were not supposed to be eligible for Medicaid benefits. That response drew shouting from the crowd including one woman who yelled “people will die”. An exacerbated Ernst gave a sarcastic reply “well we are all going to die”, which drew more angst from the crowd.

At an event later on Friday, Ernst clarified her remarks, calling the reaction hysteria from the left and emphasizing she was not out to cut Medicaid benefits. “We know two things are true: death and taxes,” Ernst said. “And what I’m trying to do is extending tax benefits for hard hard-working Iowans and that we’re preserving Medicaid for those that meet eligibility requirements. We don’t need to see illegal immigrants receiving benefits that should be going to Iowans.

Screenshot of Joni Ernst’s Instagram apology for comments she made Friday in Parkersburg.

In a video she shared on her Instagram story Saturday, Ernst addressed the moment:

“Hello, everyone. I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely apologize for a statement that I made yesterday at my town hall,” she said in the selfie-looking video while outside. “See, I was in the process of answering a question that had been asked by an audience member when a woman who was extremely distraught screamed out from the back corner of the auditorium: ‘People are going to die’. And I made an incorrect assumption that everyone in the auditorium understood that yes, we are all going to perish from this earth. So I apologize and I’m really, really glad that I did not have to bring up the subject of the tooth fairy as well, but for those that would like to see eternal and everlasting life, I encourage you to embrace my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Two men were arrested on separate charges, Saturday morning, inn  Red Oak. According to the Red Oak Police Department, at around 11-a.m., Saturday, 44-year-old Adam Wayne Lewis, of Red Oak, was arrested for OWI/2nd offense, and for having no valid driver’s license. His arrest took lace in the 500 block of North Broadway. Lewis was taken to the Montgomery County Jail and held on a $2,000 bond.

And, at around 12:30-a.m. Saturday, Red Oak Police arrested 36-year-old Thomas Allen Daffer, of Red Oak, on charges that include Domestic Abuse assault/1st offense, and Obstruction of an Emergency Communication Device. Daffer was arrested in the 700 block of East Market Street and is being held without bond in the Montgomery County Jail.

(Radio Iowa) – Dozens of workers at six southern Iowa healthcare clinics are asking their employer to respect their right to form a union. The employees work at River Hills Community Health Centers in Ottumwa, Oskaloosa, Keokuk, Centerville, Sigourney and Richland. They’re seeking safer working conditions, better wages and affordable health care. Cassie Dunlavy, a nurse practitioner at the system’s Ottumwa clinic, says patient care is suffering.

“My schedule is the fullest it’s ever been,” she said. “I spent countless hours charting at home, on the weekends and in the evenings just to barely keep up.” Dunlavy says benefits are concern as well. “The health insurance premiums for a family plan at River Hills are nearly a thousand dollars a month,” she said. “That’s difficult for myself to afford as a nurse practitioner, let alone employees working entry level positions here.”

The employees are working with a representative of the Teamsters union. The Teamsters currently represent 50-thousand healthcare workers in the U-S. Teamsters Local 90 has been working with UnityPoint nurses in central Iowa who are trying to form a union for their workplace.