(Atlantic, Iowa) – If you have ever wondered about running for and serving on a City Council or School Board, you can learn more about the responsibilities and what those positions entail, by attending “Local Office 101: Panel and Q&A,” hosted by the Cass County Democrats. The session takes place September 9th, from 9:00-until 11:00-a.m., at the Atlantic Public Library (507 Poplar Street, Atlantic, IA 50022).

Panelists sharing their personal experiences will include Atlantic City Councilmember Elaine Otte, Atlantic School Board Member Jenny Williams, and Atlantic Parks & Rec Board Member Shirley Jensen. LaVon Eblen will serve as the panel moderator.

Area residents are welcome to attend the free event to learn more about participating in local politics. Light breakfast refreshments will be provided.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Auditor’s Office, late this (Tuesday) afternoon, updated the list of candidates who have filed nomination papers for the November 7, 2023 Cass County City/School Elections.

On Tuesday, incumbent Elaine Otte filed papers to run for one At Large seat on the Atlantic City Council. Three candidates filed on Monday (8/28):

Incumbent Pat McCurdy for Atlantic City Council – Ward 3

Incumbent Linda Hartkopf, Atlantic City Council – Ward 4

Incumbent Mary Strong, Parks and Recreation Board. (2 seats open on the Board).

The filing period for the November 7^th City and School Elections continues through September 21^st.

(Radio Iowa) – With highs forecast in the 90s across much of Iowa this weekend, it won’t feel at all like fall, but an autumnal activity will kick off that’s a sure sign the cooler weather is coming soon. Nate Carr, an Iowa D-N-R conservation officer for Hamilton and Hardin counties, says two popular Iowa hunting season are opening on Friday.

Iowa’s teal season is short and runs just through September 16th, while the dove season lasts through November 29th.

Carr says hunters will need to be prepared before they head for the field this weekend.

There’s also registration needed for HIP, or the Harvest Information Program. There’s no fee associated with HIP but hunters of migratory game birds are required to fill out the brief survey. Learn more at: www.iowadnr.gov.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Varsity football team will host Glenwood this Friday night, Sept. 1st, for the 2023 football home opener!! Atlantic Community School District has designated Friday, September 1st as Military and Veterans Appreciation Night. ACSD invites all Veterans and active military members to attend the game at no cost that evening. During the halftime of the Varsity game, ACSD will honor local military veterans and active military members in attendance.

Veterans and active members will be invited to meet at the north end zone at the beginning of halftime.  After the conclusion of the ACSD Band’s halftime performance, military honorees will be escorted onto the field.  At that time Atlantic resident Mike Henningsen will do a flyover in his 1944 North American Aviation AT 6.  This aircraft was used as an advanced trainer for pilots in WWII.  After the flyover, ACSD Administrators will take a moment to invite all those in attendance to join us in honoring our local veterans and military members.

In preparation of ACSD’s Military and Veterans Appreciation Night, we invite all local businesses and residents to display American Flags at their place of business and their personal residence.

Please help the School District in letting all local Veterans and military members in the area know about this event and encourage them to attend the first home football game, free of charge. The public is invited to join the ACSD and its guests in attendance that evening, as we do their best to offer an honorable ‘Thank you!’

(Glenwood, Iowa) – Officials with the Mills County Sheriff’s Office report a woman from Nebraska was arrested twice in five days. 24-year-old Alize Savannah Torres, of Omaha, was arrested Aug. 24th at the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office, on a warrant for OWI/1st offense. Torres was arrested today (Tue., Aug. 29) at the Mills County Courthouse, ona valid parole violation warrant for being an accessory to first-degree murder. She remains in the Mills County Jail while awaiting extradition/transport to Nebraska.

The sheriff’s office reports also:

• 40-year-old Nicole Blanche Farley, of LaVista, NE., was arrested in Mills County for OWI/1st offense.
• 38-year-old Breeane May Fallin, of Council Bluffs, was arrested Aug. 26th on a Mills County warrant for Violation of Probation. She was taken into custody at the Pott. County Sheriff’s Office.
• 29-year-old Cyril Nsang Ngala, of Bellevue, NE., was arrested Aug. 25th in Mills County, for Driving Under Suspension.
• And, 43-year-old Katie Susan Church, of Glenwood, was arrested for Child Endangerment, on August 24th.

(Radio Iowa) – A western Iowa man is in jail, facing charges for a stabbing during a bar fight in Carroll. Police say 41-year-old John Michael Hanson allegedly stabbed another man several times during a fight early Sunday morning at Kerps Tavern in Carroll. Benjamin Badding, the bar’s owner, was flown to a Des Moines hospital for treatment of multiple stab wounds.

Hanson was arrested and has been charged with willful injury, a class C felony that carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison. A judge approved a motion this (Tuesday) morning to increase Hanson’s bond to $250,000.

The unofficial end to summer this weekend is expected to draw thousands of Iowans to their state parks and waterways.  The DNR reminds users to abide by all safety measures to ensure a safe and enjoyable Labor Day weekend.

Boating Safety

Boaters headed out to a lake, river, pond or any other waterway should follow these safety tips:

• Plan ahead and avoid peak hours and large crowds of boaters.
• Park your vehicles and trailers in designated parking spaces NOT in grass areas or they will be ticketed and towed.
• Alcohol and boating don’t mix. Wind, sun glare and heat can enhance the effects of alcohol, hindering the operator’s ability to make necessary decisions.
• The same limit of .08 for operating a vehicle under the influence applies to boating.
• Always have a designated operator that avoids consuming alcohol.
• Wear your life jacket, it floats, you don’t! Any children under the age 13 must wear a lifejacket at all times on a vessel underway in Iowa.
• Every boat or vessel must have a wearable life jacket for everyone on board; a USCG approved throw-able flotation device is also required on vessels 16 feet or longer.
• Make sure there is a charged fire extinguisher on board, as well as a horn/whistle.
• Slow down and watch for other boaters or personal watercraft.
• Avoid dams and other hazards on waterways.
• Obey all posted warning signs and rules.
• Drain plugs and other water draining devices must be removed and/or remain open during transport to avoid the spread of invasive species.

Beach & Swimming Safety

Wherever you choose to swim this Labor Day weekend, whether it’s a backyard pool, a pond or lake, or a public pool, please follow these safety tips:

• Keep young children at arm’s reach at all times. Never, even for a moment, leave small children alone or in the care of another young child while swimming.
• Drowning is silent.
• Learn how to perform CPR.
• Avoid alcohol use while swimming.
• Alcohol is prohibited at some public beaches.
• Glass bottles are prohibited on beaches.
• Stay within the roped area of the lake.
• Swim with a buddy.
• Obey posted signs and flags.
• Wear a life jacket or some kind of personal flotation device.
• Use sunscreen and drink plenty of water as needed.
• Iowa’s public beaches do not have lifeguards on duty.
• Check for bacteria levels at state park beaches at: https://www.iowadnr.gov/things-to-do/beach-monitoring
• Because the beaches are busier this summer, staff are encouraging visitors to utilize the non-peak times and days. For the busier beaches/parks, the non-peak days usually include Sundays through Thursdays, and Fridays before 5:00 pm. If you plan to go to the beaches on Saturdays, the non-peak hours are usually before noon.

Parks staff may temporarily close parking lots when they become full and limit the number of visitors at that point. The DNR recommends visitors go to another nearby park or beach that is not as heavily populated. Visitors are reminded to only park in designated parking spaces. All violators will be cited by staff.

State Parks/Campgrounds Safety

This weekend will be another very busy one if you plan to visit a state park and campground, use these safety tips to ensure an enjoyable time:

• Pack snacks, food, water and personal hygiene products, including hand sanitizer, to bring along for hiking and utilizing the state parks.
• Stay hydrated with plenty of fluids.
• Don’t hike alone and always have some way to communicate if you get lost and need help.
• Wear proper outdoor attire for hiking.
• Plan ahead for your visit to our parks and campgrounds. If a parking lot becomes full at a park or campground, staff may temporarily close the parking lots and limit the number of visitors at that point.
• If there is no parking available, do not park in the grass areas or any other area that is not a designated parking spot. All violators will be cited.
• Utilize the parks during non-peak times, which often include mornings and evenings.
• If a park is heavily populated, find another nearby state park that is less populated.
• Don’t transport firewood, buy it locally.
• Be respectful of your neighbors camping around you.
• Slow down on park roadways and obey posted speed limit signs. Families and kids are often walking or biking on the roads.
• “Carry In, Carry Out”—please pick up any trash and carry out what you carry into the park. Be respectful and care for our natural resources.
• Campers should dispose of trash in receptacles, not burn it in the campfires.
• Check the DNR website for all of the latest closures.
• If you plan to fish, be sure to have a current fishing license. You can purchase one by visiting www.iowadnr.gov/fishing, or by downloading the Go Outdoors Iowa app on your smartphone through the Google Play store or the App Store. You can also purchase your fishing license at some local retailers.

Paddling Safety

Whether it be tubing, paddleboarding, kayaking or canoeing, paddlers are enjoying the splash of the water, scenic views, and wildlife viewing from Iowa’s rivers, rapids and streams. Stay safe each time you paddle with these simple safety tips:

• With very low water levels in central and western Iowa, due to drought conditions, some waterways are not suitable for paddling, often leaving paddlers stranded.
• Always know your river conditions before you go paddling. For the latest river conditions, contact Iowa DNR Customer Service at 515-725-8200 or your local county conservation board for updates.
• Let others know where you will be paddling, including what access to what access, and when you are expected to return.
• Always wear your life jacket. Kids under age 13 must wear a life jacket at all times. The vessel must have enough life jackets for all members on board.
• Avoid sandbar crowds and “rafting” up together. Tubers are reminded not to go in groups larger than 10 and don’t tie tubes to one another.
• Check the Iowa DNR’s interactive paddler’s map at iowadnr.gov/Things-to-Do/Canoeing-Kayaking/Where-to-Paddle for updates on real-time hazards like downed trees and log jams, strainers and bridge construction. Pay attention to the dam warning signs and know where dams are located before you head out on the water.
  Find individual water trail maps, including access points at iowadnr.gov/Things-to-Do/Canoeing-Kayaking/Water-Trail-Maps-Brochures.

The shorter days and more moderate temperatures make this fall a great time for gardening projects.  The Cass County Master Gardeners invite you to their annual Fall Plant Sale, set for Saturday morning, September 9, at the Cass County Community Center, 805 W 10th Street on the Fairgrounds in Atlantic. The sale will be open to the public to purchase divided perennials suitable for fall planting. Plants expected to be on the sale include iris (bearded and Siberian), peonies, daylilies, spring-flowering bulbs, hostas, perennial geranium, anemone, baptista, salvia, sedum, garden mum, rudbeckia, clematis, oregano and other herbs, lily of the valley, yarrow, houseplants including aloe and more. There will also be a large collection of gently used garden decor, pots, books, and tools for shoppers to explore.

The sale begins at 8 AM, and will be held in the front parking lot of the Cass County Community Center on the fairgrounds in Atlantic. Interested gardeners are encouraged to arrive early for best plant selection, as the annual spring and fall sales occasionally sell out before 10 AM, especially high-demand plants.

The Master Gardeners will bring perennials dug and divided from their own gardens to the fall plant sale.  Community residents are also welcome to donate plants, and members may even help you dig! Please call in advance and make arrangements to drop off donated plants before the date of the plant sale. All funds raised from the sale support local Master Gardener projects such as community garden spaces, educational activities, grants and scholarships.

Many perennials work well for fall dividing and transplanting, including daylilies, peonies, garden phlox, bleeding heart, coneflowers, speedwell, and more. Iris and hosta can also be transplanted successfully in early fall.  By dividing the plant when it is not flowering, all the energy it produces can be directed to root and foliage growth, so plants overwinter in place and come back strong in the spring.  Additionally, the cooler weather is easier on the plants (and the gardener!), and the plants generally do not use as much water as in spring and summer.  Plants should be placed in the ground as early in fall as possible, but most can be successfully planted up until the ground freezes.  The plants should also be adequately watered until the ground freezes, which is particularly important in dry years. If you have questions about dividing and caring for plants, stop by the Extension Office or visit the online Extension Store to pick up a free publication on dividing and caring for perennial plants in the garden!

To donate items, or for more information about these events and other Master Gardener activities in Cass County, please call the Cass County Extension Office at 712-243-1132, stop by the office at 805 West 10th street in Atlantic, email Cass County Extension Director and Master Gardener Coordinator Kate Olson at keolson@iastate.edu or visit www.extension.iastate.edu/cass.  You are also invited to follow the Cass County Master Gardeners Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CassCoMG to keep up with local events and tips for gardening!

Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) is calling on federal bureaucrats to return to work in the midst of increased wait times for public services while taxpayers are also picking up the cost of maintaining mostly empty buildings in Washington.

To hold Washington accountable, Ernst is requesting an investigation of every major department and agency to determine the impact of telework on the delivery and response times of services, how much taxpayer money could be saved by consolidating unused office space, and what steps have been taken to adjust bureaucrats’ location-based salaries for those who have relocated and chosen to remain out of the office. Ernst would also like to know what the actual worksite attendance rate is for government employees at each agency.

“Growing up on a farm, I know what working from home actually means,” Senator Joni Ernst said. “It’s not fair to let the responsibilities of running an agency—and the country—fall on the shoulders of the hardworking public servants who are showing up while others are out golfing on the taxpayer’s dime. Frustrated Americans are being put on hold while too many federal employees are phoning it in. I’m calling out federal employees who refuse to answer the call of duty to return to work on behalf of taxpayers, veterans, seniors, and our great nation. It’s time to get back to work.”

Ernst is urging federal workers to get back to work because:

• Thousands of calls to the Department of Veterans Affairs from veterans seeking mental health services are going unanswered;
• Desperate travelers are waiting hours on the phone or in line hoping to speak with someone at the State Department about passport delays that are causing vacation cancellations;
• Seniors calling the Social Security Administration are increasingly being greeted with busy messages, waiting longer to speak to a representative, or having their calls go unanswered altogether as the agency shifts towards remote work.