Minor injuries were reported following an accident Monday morning in Atlantic, but no one was transported to the hospital. Atlantic Police say vehicles driven by Michelle Flander, of Atlantic, and Curt Mcatlin, of Paton (IA) collided just before Noon, Monday, at 8th and Olive Streets. Both drivers were traveling south on Olive, when Mcatlin stopped to make a left turn onto 8th Street. His vehicle was hit from behind by Flanders’ vehicle, causing a total of $7,000 damage.

Flander, who was injured in the crash, was cited for Failure to reduce speed and/or maintain control of her vehicle.

Officials with the Atlantic Police Department report the arrest last week of 45-year old Philip Gehling, of Atlantic. Gehling was taken into custody July 15th on charges that include Burglary in the 1st Degree, Domestic Abuse Assault with Intent, Going Armed with Intent, Carrying Weapons, and Violation of a No Contact Order. The man appeared before a magistrate and was subsequently released on bond.

Arrested over the weekend in Atlantic, was 23-year old Joshua Chapalonis, of Atlantic, on a charge of Public Intoxication, 18-year old Garret Pross, of Atlantic, for Domestic Abuse Assault & Criminal Mischief in the 5th Degree, and 19-year old Selena Hansen, of Atlantic, who was taken into custody on a Cass County warrant for Failure to Appear in Court. All subjects were booked into the Cass County Jail.

Officials with the Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources say a Missouri man was found guilty by a jury of illegal deer hunting in southwest Iowa’s Taylor County. 61-year old Michael K. Kahnert, of Branson West, Mo., was found guilty of six counts of fraudulently obtaining resident hunting, deer and turkey licenses, three counts of not having valid non-resident hunting and deer licenses, one count of taking/hunting deer out of season, one count of illegal taking of an antlered whitetail deer, and two counts of illegal taking of antlerless whitetail deer.

He was sentenced on June 18th. Kahnert was ordered to forfeit the antlers and pay more than $11,400 in fines, court costs and liquidated damages. Kahnert has been suspended from hunting or obtaining any licenses for three years.

The state of Iowa is a member of the Wildlife Violator Compact, which is an agreement between participating states that prohibits a person whose hunting or fishing privileges are suspended in one state from participating in those activities in another state, including Missouri.

Conservation Officer Andrea Bevington has been actively investigating residency fraud cases like this since 2009. Unfortunately, this type of case is not unique in her territory. Bevington said “Iowa is known for trophy whitetail deer attracting people from across the United States and other countries. Unfortunately, these trophies sometimes draw individuals who fraudulently obtain resident licenses and rob the opportunity for a deer of a lifetime from a lawful hunter.”

Residency laws were changed in 2009 to identify a growing problem in Iowa of non-residents falsifying records to illegally obtain resident licenses.

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held today (Tuesday) at Sunnyside Park in Atlantic, for a new, activities area.

Atlantic Ambassadors and others at the Sunnyside Park Activities Area ribbon cutting. (Ric Hanson/photo)

The site, located just south of the Parks and Rec Building off Sunnyside lane, features a recently installed horseshoe pit area, along with green space for several activities, including Bocceball, which Parks and Rec Director Roger Herring said is a “Great, fun game.” He said it’s also one of the fastest 55 and older resort-type games, that’s found at many retirement communities in the southern tier of states.

There’s also a badminton court, Croquet and other activities. There are also benches and tables available for people who want to play checkers or other board games. The equipment is available free of charge, but you should call ahead to make sure it’s available on the day or days you intend to use them.

Parks and Rec Director Roger Herring thanked the Dean Orstad Family and the Trevor Frederickson Foundation for their contribution to and support of the activities area, through the installation of the horseshoe pit area. That section of the activities area has four, regulation-size horseshoe pits.

Roger Herring talks about Dean Orstad with his extended family members looking on.

Plaques recognizing Dean Orstad will be mounted in the horseshoe pit area recognizing his contribution and enthusiasm for outdoor activities at Sunnyside Park. The final site plans for the activities area was approved by the Parks and Rec Board in the early Spring of 2014. Roger Herring said he would love to drive by and see Senior Citizens using the Activities area of park a couple of days a week at least, and people of all ages using it in for family get togethers.

Prior to dedicating that area of the park, Herring and Assistant Parks Director Seth Staashelm gathered with Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors at the new Camblin Shelter at Sunnyside Park, to talk about the latest park improvements.

ATLANTIC, Iowa (AP) – District trustees have been asked to reverse their earlier decision to phase out the sign language interpreting program at Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs. The Daily Nonpareil reports  seven people testified at the board’s meeting on Monday at the Cass County Center in Atlantic.

Bob Vizz, who represented the Deaf Services Commission of Iowa, told the board that “the need is here, and we need to be able to accommodate the needs of the deaf and hard of hearing.” Iowa Western trustees noted the costs and declining enrollment when they voted in May to end the program.

The board made no decision on Monday, but board President Randy Pash says Monday’s testimony won’t be ignored.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A Des Moines business group says it wants to find a solution to a water quality dispute that has prompted the city’s water utility to sue three counties. Des Moines Water Works claims that drainage districts in those counties act as conduits in moving nitrates from farm fields into a river, which serves as one of two sources of drinking water for city residents.

As a result, the utility says it spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to reduce nitrates to levels the federal government deems safe. The lawsuit is set to go before a federal judge next summer. The Des Moines Register reports that the Greater Des Moines Partnership wants to bring together business, farming, water, environmental and legislative leaders to find long-term solutions to Iowa’s water-quality issues.

Iowans can learn how to “Preserve the Taste of Summer” during online lessons and hands-on workshops from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. The online lessons already are available and workshops are planned for July and August, 2015, including a jam and jelly workshop August 8th from 9 am to 12 noon, at the Cass County Fairgrounds.

Preserve the Taste of Summer is a comprehensive food preservation education program including online lessons, hands-one workshops and printable resources and recipes. The two-part educational series includes online classwork, covering topics such as food safety, canning basics, canning acid foods, pressure canning low-acid foods, preparation and canning of pickled and fermented foods, making and preserving fruit spreads, freezing foods, storage of frozen and refrigerated foods, and drying foods. The lessons can also be taken in a group session at the Extension Office by prior arrangement.

Once the “classroom” sessions are completed, participants can choose from four different hands-on workshops, each lasting approximately three hours, where they will practice specific preservation skills in a kitchen and take home a freshly preserved product. The four workshop choices include Hot water bath canning (salsa making) and freezing, Jams and dehydrating, Pickle making and Pressure canning.

The home food preserver registration fee is $35 and covers all eight online lessons and one hands-on workshop. The professional level of “Preserve the Taste of Summer” qualifies as continuing education for Iowa teachers and registered dietitians. The registration fee is $100 and covers all eight online lessons and two hands-on workshops.

Cass County Extension will be hosting a Jams and Dehydrating workshop in the Cass County Fair Foodstand on Saturday, August 8th from 9 AM to Noon. Other upcoming classes include a July 30yh Pressure Canning workshop in Adair County, an August 13 Pickling workshop in Carson, and an August 20th Salsa workshop in Adair County. All of these workshops require completion of relevant classroom sessions prior to attending the workshop.

For more information on cost and getting enrolled in the classes, visit the Preserve the Taste of Summer website at www.extension.iastate.edu/humansciences/preserve-taste-summer. You can also call the Cass County Extension Office at 712-243-1132 to learn more about the program, to inquire about the Group Viewing option for the classwork, or to pick up food preservation publications.

Food Preservation publications, covering 8 different types of home food preservation, with detailed recipes, can also be downloaded at no cost from the ISU Extension Online Store (https://store.extension.iastate.edu/).

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

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The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports two men were arrested on drug charges over the past couple of days. 47-year old Kevin Eugene Stark, of Adair, was arrested early Monday morning for felony Possession of a Controlled Substance/Methamphetamine – 3rd or subsequent offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was being held in the Adair County Jail on a $1,000 cash bond.

And, 36-year old Shawn Glen Wolverton, of Menlo, was arrested Sunday evening for felony Possession of a Controlled Substance/Methamphetamine – 3rd or subsequent offense. Wolverton also faces two counts with Unlawful Possession of a Prescription Drug (Clonazepam and Hydrocodone). He was being held in the Adair County Jail on $5,000 cash bond or surety.

The Sheriff’s Department also reports 29-year old Tyler Gage, of Bridgewater, was arrested July 13th, for Theft in the 5th Degree. He was later released from custody without bond.

A Creston man who was cited over the weekend in Adair County for Public Intoxication, was arrested Monday afternoon in Creston, on a Department of Corrections warrant. Creston Police say 26-year old Blake Joseph Gunter was taken into custody at around 3:15-p.m., and held without bond in the Union County Jail.

And, a Creston man was arrested late Monday evening, for Domestic Assault/1st offense. 18-year old Joshua Michael Harlston was being held without bond, in the Union County Jail.

Creston Police said also, they received a report Monday, that the Creston Swimming Pool had been broken into. The incident happened sometime between 7-p.m. Sunday through 8:30-a.m., Monday. Damage was perpetrated on a metal concession sliding door, glass clock and glass on the concession door. The damage was estimated at $380.