(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday, July 2nd, .acted on approving fireworks permits for Mark O’Brien. The events will take place at the following locations, dates and times:

• The Cass County Fair at 805 West 10th Street on July 25th, 2025 for a Show Beginning Approximately 30 Minutes After Sunset and Lasting for a Period of Approximately 20 Minutes.
• At the County Fairgrounds during a Tractor Pull on August 23, 2025 for a Show Beginning Approximately 30 Minutes After Sunset and Lasting for a Period of Approximately 20 Minutes.
• For the Tolton Picnic at 103 West 29th Street on September 13, 2025 for a Show Beginning Approximately 30 Minutes After Sunset and Lasting for a Period of Approximately 20 Minutes.
• And, the Council approved a Street Closing Permit for 4th Street, From Walnut to Chestnut for SHIFT ATL’s Summer Soiree Fundraiser Event/Dinner on Saturday, August 9, 2025, Starting at 6:00 A.M. and Ending at Midnight.

Atlantic City Council mtg. 7-2-25

The Council passed readings of the following Ordinances:

• Third & Final Reading of Ordinance No. 1056 “Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Atlantic, Iowa by Amending Chapter 6 Entitled ‘City Election.’ The ordinance returns City elections to a “Plurality-takes-all” system, instead of a runoff system, which had been enacted by the Council in July 0f 2021.
• Third & Final Reading of Ordinance No. 1057 “Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Atlantic, Iowa, by Amending Speed Regulations, Section 63.04(2) of the City Code. The language was amended to reduce the speed limit on 29th Street from 35-to 30-miles per hour, to the southern City limits.
• Third & Final Reading of Ordinance No. 1058 “Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Atlantic, Iowa, by Amending Speed Regulations, Section 63.04(2) of the City Code.’ The language was amended to reduce the speed limit on 29th St. from 35- to 30-mph from Chestnut St. to Palm St.
• Third & Final of Ordinance No. 1059 “Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Atlantic, Iowa, by Amending Speed Regulations, Section 63.04(3) of the City Code.’” The language was amended to reduce the speed limit on 29th St, from the Palm St. intersection to a point 800-feet west of the intersection. The reduction to 35-mph remains unchanged.
• First Reading of Ordinance No 1060 “Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Atlantic, Iowa, by Amending Section 70.03 ‘Parking Violations: Alternate.’” (Ordinance 1060 would require the late fee for non-payment of parking fines from $20 to 50 dollars, after 30 days on non-payment. The increase would cover the cost of certified letters the City is required by Iowa Code to send out when people, when they ignore the due date.)

In other business, the Council passed a Resolution (#52-25) “Setting Wages for the Employees of the City of Atlantic Animal Shelter for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2025 Through June 30, 2026.” Atlantic Mayor Grace Garrett commented on Wednesday’s ribbon cutting ceremony for the new murals created by Iowa State University College of Design student, on the old YMCA building.

Garrett said they will be meeting with ISU officials again next week, with regard to the “Re-imagining Bull Creek” project, which is a collaboration between the City of Atlantic, Iowa State University’s College of Design, and ISU Extension and Outreach. The project focuses on improving the Bull Creek corridor, addressing issues like erosion and flooding.

(Mt. Pleasant, Iowa) – One person died during a collision this (Wednesday) afternoon in southeast Iowa’s Henry County. According to the Iowa State Patrol, a 2025 Honda Civic was traveling south on Highway 218 at around 12:53-p.m., when for reasons unknown, the vehicle cross the median and struck a northbound 2017 Freightliner semi, driven by a man from California.

The driver of the car died in the crash. Their name was being withheld by the State Patrol, pending notification of family. The crash remains under investigation.

WASHINGTON, July 2, 2025 – Kraft Heinz Foods Company, a Newberry, S.C., establishment, is recalling approximately 367,812 pounds of fully cooked turkey bacon products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes (Lm), the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The turkey bacon was produced from April 24, 2025, through June 11, 2025. The following products are subject to recall [view labels]:

12-oz. vacuum-packed packages of “Oscar Mayer Turkey BACON ORIGINAL” and universal product code (UPC) “071871548601” printed on the packaging under the barcode,”use by” dates ranging “18 JUL 2025” to “02 AUG 2025,” and lot code “RS40.”

36-oz. packages containing three 12-oz. vacuum-packed packages of “Oscar Mayer Turkey BACON ORIGINAL” and universal product code (UPC) “071871548748” printed on the packaging under the barcode, “use by” dates ranging “23 JUL 2025” to “04 SEP 2025,” and lot codes “RS19,” “RS40,” or “RS42.”
48-oz. packages containing four 12-oz. vacuum-packed packages of “Oscar Mayer Turkey BACON ORIGINAL” and UPC “071871548793” printed on the packaging under the barcode and “use by” dates ranging “18 JUL 2025” to “04 SEP 2025,” and lot codes “RS19,” “RS40,” or “RS42.”

The products subject to recall bear the USDA mark of inspection on the front of the label. These items were shipped to retail locations nationwide and some were exported to the British Virgin Islands and Hong Kong.

The problem was discovered after the establishment’s laboratory testing indicated the product may be contaminated with Lm. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a healthcare provider.

Consumption of food contaminated with Lm can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, persons with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns. Less commonly, persons outside these risk groups are affected.

Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. An invasive infection spreads beyond the gastrointestinal tract. In pregnant women, the infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn. In addition, serious and sometimes fatal infections in older adults and persons with weakened immune systems. Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics. Persons in the higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months after eating contaminated food should seek medical care and tell the health care provider about eating the contaminated food.

FSIS is concerned that some products may be in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls.

Consumers with questions regarding the recall can contact Kraft Heinz Food Company consumer hotline at 1-800-280-7185 or email consumerrelations@kraftheinz.com.

(Atlantic, Iowa)-  The Atlantic Area Chamber Ambassadors, today (Wednesday), visited the open house for new murals that are painted on the old YMCA building. Students from Iowa State University have been working day and night to make the mural as beautiful as possible.

Ambassadors Pictured (Left to Right): Sue Liston, Julie Waters, Emily Kennedy, Dolly Bergmann, Krysta Hanson, Elaine Otte, BJ Hart, Jennifer McEntaffer, Jeff Christensen, Anne Quist, Gabby Buresh

Iowa State University College of Design students have spent time in Atlantic for the past four weeks as a part of their “Murals in Community” summer course that they are all taking. This mural takes up two sides of the building and highlights integral parts of Atlantic’s environment. The mural is colorful and gives a new look to building that others would normally not pay too much attention to.

Another integral part to this mural is community involvement. If you visit, you will see handprints on both walls. Those handprints are from the Nishna Valley YMCA summer camp kids. The kids were invited out to put their own touch on the mural. This gave the students another chance to connect with the Atlantic community. They have been welcomed with open arms by the people of Atlantic. Many residents that live next to the mural brought the students snacks and water on those hot Iowa days. All to say, that the people of Atlantic can really come together to support a new addition to the community.

If you are looking to see the beautiful mural in person, it is located at 703 E 14th Street (also known as the old YMCA building). You can take pictures or just enjoy the work of these very talented students.

DALLAS COUNTY, Iowa — [KCCI] – A 53-year-old man died Tuesday night, after his motorcycle crashed on a Dallas County highway while going around a curve. The Dallas County Sheriff’s Office says law enforcement were called to a crash in the area of Old Highway 6 and L Avenue at around 8:24 p.m. Tuesday.

First responders found a motorcycle that was involved in a crash and an unconscious driver, identified as Douglas Randolph, of Adel. Authorities performed CPR, but Randolph died at the scene.

Investigators say the motorcycle appears to have lost control going around a curve. It left the roadway and entered a ditch. Investigators say a high rate of speed was a contributing factor in the crash.

(Radio Iowa) – Several people got a personal warning as the new hands free cellphone law went into affect Tuesday. Sergeant Alex Dinkla with the Iowa State Patrol says there were 201 warnings issued on the law’s first day. “That is City, County and state law enforcement officials just out and about trying to educate the public yesterday,” Dinkla says. Dinkla says it’s a matter of changing your old routine.

“Retrain those those old habits of wanting to get in that car, use that phone, have that phone in your hand,” Dinkla says. “We need to get back to the basics, we’re having way too many crashes simply from driver error and driver irresponsibility when they’re behind the wheel. They have the phone in their hands.” Dinkla says you have to remember your car or truck weighs several thousand pounds and driving should be the only focus.

Iowa State Patrol spokesman, Sergeant Alex Dinkla (File photo)

“We need to keep control of that and not let that thing cross the center line or hit another vehicle in the roadway,” Dinkla says. He says there have been 24 fatal crashes in Iowa during the Independence Day holiday the last three years. “And we know one of those leading causes is people being on those cell phones. So anytime you’re out and about, buckle that seat belt, put that phone down as Iowa’s new hands free. law says, get that phone out of your hand,” he says. “And if you choose to drink, find a sober driver.”

Warnings will be issued to those caught holding their cellphone and driving through December 31st to give everyone time to adjust. The fine for handling a cell phone while driving starting January 1st will be 100 dollars. There are some exemptions in the bill for people like bus drivers, emergency responders and people driving farm machinery.

(Creston, Iowa) –  The Union County Sheriff’s Office says no injuries were reported following a collision this (Wednesday) afternoon on Redwood Avenue. The accident took place at around 12:55-p.m., as a Ford F-350 pickup driven by 68-year-old Jerry Young, of Afton, and that was pulling a large utility trailer, was pulling out of a farm field entrance, and attempting to turn south onto Redwood Avenue.

A Dodge Dakota pickup driven by 34-year-old Lucas Perrigo, of Afton, was traveling south on Redwood. Neither driver saw the other before the vehicle collided.

The Sheriff’s Office said the field entrance is at the crest of a hill. That feature, and weeds and shrubs in the ditch, authorities said, could have obscured the drivers’ vision. Damage from the collision amounted to an estimated $14,500. No citations were issued.

(Radio Iowa) – [UPDATED] – Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird will seek reelection in 2026 and will not run for governor. In April, a few days after Governor Kim Reynolds announced that SHE would not seek reelection, Bird appeared at an Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition gathering and told the crowd she was wrestling with a decision about her own political future. “I’ve had a verse on my mind. Sometimes as you pray, sometimes something comes to you, but one is, ‘Speak Lord, for your servant is listening.’ Have you ever prayed that one before? We probably all have at different times, but I am certainly listening,” Bird said.

Bird’s announcement that she’ll seek reelection comes a day before President Trump is scheduled to speak in Iowa. Bird was the only statewide elected official to endorse Trump before the 2024 Iowa Caucuses. Ever since, Trump has been predicting Bird will be Iowa’s governor someday. “This is, by the way, one of the truly most respected people in all of politics, beyond your state, beyond anywhere,” Trump said in October. In mid-May, Bird posted a video on social media featuring several of Trump’s remarks about her as Bird has attended White House events. “She’s so popular in Iowa,” Trump said. “She came out so early and I appreciate it very much.” Bird is serving in her first term as Iowa’s attorney general after defeating Democrat Tom Miller, the nation’s longest-serving attorney general.

Brenna Bird (IA Atty. General)

During public events, Bird has touted landmark policy changes and new laws she’s pushed for at the state and federal level, but Bird has said the conservative movement has more work to do. “I will stand for freedom,” Bird said. “I will fight for Iowa and we will fight alongside each other as we work to make America great again.” Those were Bird’s comments in mid-April. Bird today (Wednesday) told the The Des Moines Register she’s running for reelection because there’s more work to do as attorney general and she learned from being raised on a farm that you don’t stop halfway through a job.

Democrat Nate Willems, a lawyer from Mount Vernon who’s a former state legislator, launched a campaign for attorney general in early May. Iowa Congressman Randy Feenstra, a Republican who has formed an exploratory campaign for governor, issued a written statement Wednesday, calling Bird an exceptional and fearless advocate for President Trump and his conservative agenda and promising to do everything he can to see her re-elected.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowans who celebrate Independence Day early with fireworks may be upsetting some of their neighbors, and not just for shattering the tranquility. Those loud noises can make it very difficult for people who have post-traumatic stress disorder, or P-T-S-D, according to victim advocate Erin Collins at Emplify Health by Gundersen.

“The most important thing to remember during this holiday season is that there are people out there that you may not know that hide out in their houses that avoid the fireworks and the festivities,” Collins says. “It’s not because they’re less patriotic or less appreciative of the holidays. It’s just that the loud cracks and booms associated with fireworks, it’s very difficult for them to handle.”

P-T-S-D is a mental health disorder that can develop in some people after they witness a scary, dangerous or even shocking event. Fireworks can be particularly distressing for people who’ve been around gunfire, so Collins suggests if you want to set off noisemakers, abide by state and local ordinances and laws.

Sailors watch fireworks in Yokosuka, Japan, August 8, 2018. (U.S. Navy photo by Garrett Zopfi) – via VA.gov

“Containing it around the time of the 4th of July is better,” Collins says. “It’s a lot more surprising for people who have PTSD when they’re firing them off at all hours of the day during the week. They can brace for impact on the 4th of July, but if there’s fireworks going off at all hours, then it’s a lot more difficult for them to cope.” The holiday is supposed to be about celebrating our nation’s independence, and honoring those who help to maintain our freedoms, but people who set off small explosions may be doing the opposite for those who served.

“Sometimes our veterans who have come back from foreign wars are impacted by those loud cracks and booms from fireworks,” he says. “Some of them have trauma or PTSD, and it’s important to remember them during this time of year, not only as a celebration for their sacrifice, but also to be aware that they may be impacted by those celebrations.” If you might be suffering from the disorder, Collins says talk to a professional about treatment options.

“They may include some medications to help ease the anxiety or depression that often is associated with that disorder,” Collins says. “Also, counseling and therapy can be very effective in adapting to a life, whether you’re a service member who is discharged or a member of the public.” He notes, P-T-S-D is very treatable.

Emplify Health by Gundersen has clinics in Calmar, Decorah, Fayette, Lansing, Postville and Waukon, and a hospital in West Union.

(Algona, Iowa) – A fireworks accident Tuesday night in northern Iowa resulted in the death of a man from Whittemore, in Kossuth County. According to the Kossuth County Sheriff’s Office, the accident happened at around 9:10-p.m., Tuesday, at the corner of 5th Street and Kossuth Avenue, in Whittemore. Authorities say 33-year-old Patrick Prentice was injured while holding a launcher tube while lighting fireworks, when the incident occurred.

Rescue crews and Sheriff’s Deputies arrived on the scene. Prentice was transported to the Kossuth Regional Health Center in Algona, where he was pronounced deceased. The State Medical Examiner’s Office will conduct and autposy.

The Kossuth County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Whittemore and Kossuth County EMS, and Air Med 3 from Mason City. The Kossuth County Medical Examiner’s Office assisted in handling the accident investigation.