Members of the City of Atlantic’s Community Protection Committee met Tuesday evening to discuss, among other things, possible changes to fireworks displays. The committee chose to leave in-place, an ordinance that says it is not legal to set off fireworks within 300-feet of any public school buildings, assisted living facility, or hospital. Also, fireworks can only be shot-off on private property. Atlantic Police will crack down on issuing warnings and tickets to those who were warned last year about violating the ordinance.

Violators will be subject to a $250 fine plus $85 in court costs. Anyone who was previously found guilty of violating the ordinance, may be subject to a $600 fine plus court costs if they are a repeat offender. The ordinance allows residents of Atlantic to set off fireworks from Noon until 10-p.m. July 2nd and 3rd. Displays are allowed on July 4th, from Noon until 11-p.m. The Committee urges residents of Atlantic to respect the wishes of their neighbors, if they complain about the noise and light show during the late night hours.

The State of Iowa says licensed retailers and community groups will be allowed to sell the fireworks to adults out of permanent structures, between June 1st and July 8th. Fireworks may be sold by licensed vendors using temporary structures, such as tents, from June 13th to July 8th.

More area and State news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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FORT DODGE, Iowa (AP) — Neighbors investigating the source of a stench in Fort Dodge have found the badly decomposed body of a person. They found the body Tuesday evening in a metal shed behind a vacant house and called police. Webster County deputy medical examiner Mark Gargano says he couldn’t determine the person’s gender or determine whether the body showed any significant injuries.
He says the body was being sent to the state medical examiner for an autopsy.

The Trevor Frederickson Memorial Fund, last week, awarded three, $750 scholarships during the Atlantic High School’s Class Night. Fund spokesperson Melanie Petty says “Each year the scholarship committee receives several amazing applications.  This year’s recipients were Cole Jipsen, Cody McCreedy and Emily Saeugling.  Two of Trevor’s close friends/committee members, Tyler Drvol and Steven Petersen were present to hand out the scholarships.” Petty says also, “We want to congratulate all of the area graduating Seniors and wish them the best in their future endeavors.”

The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:06-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — A man accused of shooting into a Dubuque nightclub has pleaded guilty to a federal charge. The Telegraph Herald reports that Ricardo Sanchez, of Chicago, entered the plea Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Cedar Rapids. The charge: unlawful possession of a firearm by a drug use. No sentencing date has been scheduled.

Police say Sanchez fired repeatedly into Club Rise in Dubuque about 3:30 a.m. on Nov. 27. The club was closed, but four employees were inside. None was hit. Sanchez is a music promoter who police say had a dispute with Club Rise over payments for a concert. Iowa charges were dropped when the federal charge was filed.

ADEL, Iowa (AP) — The adoptive parents of a 16-year-old Iowa girl who weighed only 56 pounds (25 kilograms) when she died have pleaded not guilty to new charges. Misty and Marc Ray entered the pleas Tuesday in Dallas County District Court to charges of ongoing criminal conduct, theft and fraudulent practice. The pair already have pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, child endangerment resulting in death and other counts related to the starvation death last May of Sabrina Ray.

Marc Ray’s lawyer, Jake Feuerhelm, has said the new charges are related to money the couple received from the Iowa Human Services Department. Prosecutors say the Rays engaged in “deception for financial gain on an ongoing basis.” The two live in Perry.

The Atlantic City Council will hold their regular meeting this evening in their chambers at City Hall. The session begins at 5:30. During the meeting, Atlantic Police Chief Dave Erickson and Officer Christian Holzapfel will explain why they would like to shift away from the standard duty belts that hold multiple pieces of law enforcement equipment, to load bearing vests. The intent is to avoid low back pain (LBP). The vests will cost approximately $5,130 altogether. They have a five-year warranty. City Administrator John Lund researched the vests and is expected to recommend the Council approve the vests, which could be paid for using ample reserves from the Employee Benefits Fund.

In other business, the Council will discuss business incentives using the EDR Loan Fund. The City, Chamber and Cass-Atlantic Development Corporation (CADCO) have banded together with business leaders, to form an informal business task force to try and bring new business to the downtown area of Atlantic. John Lund says the City has the EDR Loan Fund available for economic development. The fund received the refunded TIF dollars provided to a business that failed to live up to its obligations. The Task Force proposes the City pledge $100,000 of the fund for CADCO’s revolving loan program. Chamber and CADCO officials will on hand to answer the Council’s questions on the proposal.

The Council will also hear recommendations in the form of a Transmittal Letter, from the Planning and Zoning Commission, with regard to two requests for changes to the Zoning Ordinance. One involves the lot at 602 Spruce Street, where there was a home that was demolished. The property was then deeded over to the City. A City employee and abutting property owner has requested to purchase the lot and constructing a pole building for use as a place to store his boat and camper. In other matters, the Council will hold a public hearing on an amendment of the FY 2018 Budget.

They’re also expected to act on orders appointing:

• Christina Bateman to the Community Promotion Commission
• Jim Behrens and Roger Herring to the Planning & Zoning Commission
• Dave Knudsen to the Board of Adjustment
• Mike Henningsen to the Airport Commission.

Members of the Exira/Elk Horn-Kimballton Board of Education will meet 7:30-a.m. Thursday, in the Conference Room at the Elk Horn Building. On their agenda is Discussion/Action on: approving a bid for Asbestos Abatement; and Personnel matters, including Resignations, Hires and Transfers.

The Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education will meet this (Wednesday) afternoon, at the Middle School Media Center. The meeting begins at 4:15-p.m. On their agenda is action on the resignation of Jade Walter, Industrial Tech Teacher, and contract recommendations for:

• Danielle Meek and Erin Ebling, MS ELA Teachers;
• Jeff Ebling, MS Social Studies Teacher/Boys H.S. basketball Coach;
• Michelle Blake, Interim Head VB Coach;
• Faith McCunn, 7th Grade VB Coach, and
• Derek Handel, Volunteer Softball Coach.