Regional Water users in Pottawattamie County on Idlewood Road east of Railroad Highway, and in the City of McClelland, are being asked to boil water before drinking or cooking, or to use bottled water.

Officials with the Regional Rural Water Association said today (Monday), there was a problem in the distribution system, and the system lost pressure on Sunday, June 30th. Due to the potential for bacterial contamination, rural water users in and near McClelland should take the aforementioned precautions until the system is restored.

DO NOT DRINK THE WATER BEFORE WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST! Bring all water to a boil, let it boil for one minute, and let it cool before using (or, use bottled water). Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, and food preparation, until further notice.

For more information, contact Kerry Kiesal at Regional Water. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from the EPA at 1-800-426-4791.

The system has been TEMPORARILY repaired and repressurized, but bacteria samples will not be collected until final repairs are made. The Advisory is a precaution until bacterial sample results are available. The public and media will be notified when that occurs. The Rural Water Assoc. is working with the Iowa DNR to resolve the situation.

Officials say when water service is restored, there may be air in your water pipes, and the water may be discolored. It is recommended that you run the water first from a faucet that does not have an aerator screen, such as a bathtub or hose bib. Open the faucet slowly to allow the air to escape.

Once the water is flowing, allow the faucet to run until the water is clear.

(Radio Iowa) — Shoppers in and around Des Moines are now paying more taxes on most purchases. In March, voters in Des Moines and several surrounding cities approved a one-cent local option sales tax which went into effect today (Monday). Des Moines City Manager Scott Sanders says some of the money raised will be used tear down abandoned homes that are neighborhood eyesores.

Sanders says, “By simply removing that negative aspect, the rest of the neighborhood can breathe a sigh of relief, if you will, and just feel that much more secure, even, in an investment they’ve made in their homes.” The tax is expected to collect an additional 48-million dollars in revenue across the metro area, with half of the money going to offset property taxes. About 37-million dollars will be going to the city of Des Moines and Sanders says that money has already been worked into the city budget.

“The property tax rate was reduced by 60 cents,” Sanders says, “and so there will be a reduction in the taxes that are paid this fall by Des Moines residents.” Sanders says nearly all other cities and counties across the state already charge the local sales tax. Many basics like prescriptions, groceries and gas are exempt. Altoona, West Des Moines, Windsor Heights, Pleasant Hill and Alleman are also part of the penny sales tax boost. Another group of cities including Clive and Johnston plan to vote on their own increase in August.

The Atlantic Police Department reports several recent arrests. Today (Monday), 30-year old Justin Cooley, of Atlantic, was arrested for Theft in the 4th Degree, and Criminal Mischief in the 5th Degree. On Sunday, 40-year old Tobin Jensen, of Atlantic, was arrested for OWI and on two-counts of Child Endangerment. And, 39-year old Kantauo Mark, of Atlantic, was arrested for Public Intoxication and Interference with Official Acts.

Last Thursday, 18-year old Jordan Frazier, of Atlantic, was arrested on a Cass County warrant for Conspiracy to Commit an Aggravated Misdemeanor. On June 27th, 20-year old Froilan Amaya, of Atlantic, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault, Obstruction of Emergency Communications, and Child Endangerment. And, on June 26th, 26-year old Jason Mark, of Atlantic, was arrested for Criminal Mischief in the 5th Degree. 29-year old Norrin Bishop, of Atlantic, was arrested that same day, on Cass County warrants for Forgery and Prostitution.

All subjects were booked-into the Cass County Jail.

The United States Naval Academy reports Atlantic native Conner Pellett, a graduate of the Atlantic High School, has entered the Class of 2023 Plebe Summer at the Naval Academy. He was inducted into the Class of 2023 on Thursday, June 27th, and will begin six challenging weeks of basic midshipman training as part of Plebe Summer.

Approximately 1,200 candidates are selected each year for the Academy’s “plebe” or freshman class, and each student is required to participate in Plebe Summer. Last year the Naval Academy received over 16,000 applications for the Class of 2022. During this time, plebes have no access to television, movies, the internet or music, and restricted access to cell phones. They are only permitted to make three calls during the six weeks of Plebe Summer. The pressure and rigor of Plebe Summer is carefully designed to help plebes prepare for their first academic year at the Naval Academy and the four years of challenge, which awaits them. As the summer progresses, the new midshipmen rapidly assimilate basic skills in seamanship, navigation, damage control, sailing, and handling yard patrol craft. Plebes also learn infantry drill and how to shoot 9 mm pistols and M-16 rifles.

Other daily training sessions involve moral, mental, physical or professional development and team-building skills. Activities include swimming, martial arts, basic rock climbing, obstacle, endurance and confidence courses designed to develop physical, mental and team-building skills. Forty hours are devoted to the instruction of infantry drill and five formal parades.

Founded in 1845, the U.S. Naval Academy today is a prestigious four-year service academy that prepares midshipmen morally, mentally and physically to be professional officers in the naval service. More than 4,400 men and women representing every state in the U.S. and several foreign countries make up the student body, known as the Brigade of Midshipmen.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The chief executive officer of an Iowa-based banking company has been appointed to be the state’s top banking regulator. Gov. Kim Reynolds says she’s named Northwest Financial Corp. CEO Jeff Plagge to superintendent of the Iowa Division of Banking. Plagge replaces Ron Hansen who was appointed by former Gov. Terry Branstad in 2015. He will step down and return to the private sector in September. Plagge’s appointment is subject to Iowa Senate confirmation.

The banking superintendent oversees an agency that regulates state chartered banks and has authority over consumer lenders, mortgage businesses, real estate appraisers and payday lenders. Northwest Financial, a family-owned company with 18 locations in Iowa and Nebraska, is the fifth largest Iowa-based bank. Campaign finance records show Plagge donated $1,000 to Reynolds’ campaign in July 2017.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Principal Financial Group says it has closed its purchase of the Wells Fargo’s Institutional Retirement & Trust business. Principal said Monday it is beginning the integration of the Wells Fargo’s 401k, pension, executive deferred compensation, employee stock ownership plans and asset advice business. Principal Chairman Dan Houston says Principal broadens offerings in retirement and asset management, doubling the size of its U.S. retirement business with the deal.

Principal says it’s appointing several executives from the Wells Fargo business to its retirement leadership team and says it will keep open locations in Minnesota, North Carolina, Texas and the Philippines. The Wells Fargo retirement businesses manage about $827 billion in assets. Principal previously announced the $1.2 billion deal would be financed with cash and senior debt financing.