(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City Council in Atlantic held a brief, Special Session this (Wednesday) evening to act on two Resolutions to come before them. Both passed unanimously.

The first Resolution called for “Adopting a Memorandum of Understanding with the Atlantic Community School District for a School Resource Officer Program.”  Councilperson Elaine Otte…

Otte said Atlantic Police Chief Devin Hogue told the City’s Personnel and Finance Committee that he was concerned if the School Board doesn’t take action on the MOU during their next meeting, the chances of having an officer on-board by the time the District gets back from Christmas break, would be diminished. The SRO will have been certified and completed the Law Enforcement Academy. They will also need to have the required School Resource Officer training.

Atlantic City Council (10-30-24)

The second resolution was to “Authorizing Vision Atlantic, Inc., to proceed with infrastructure construction for the Camblin Hills Development and Assurances Regarding a Development Agreement.”

Once the Special Session concluded, the Atlantic City Council entered a Work Session to Review, discuss and come to a consensus on a Housing Development Policy and Guidelines, including using information from other cities, with regard to how they deal with properties the city owns and wants to see improved or demolished. Their consensus was to review the current policy (including the legalities) and let the bidder for 506 W. 10th Street know their decision, as a courtesy.

The second item on the Work Session was to Review, discuss and come to a consensus on the Sidewalk Program. Once again, the Atlantic City Council decided they would talk first with Public Works Director Kirk Knudsen and gain his input on how the sidewalk improvement projects would begin. Nothing would likely be done until the Spring, regardless. It was also suggested the City send out letters of intent and to begin the process of notifying property owners know which sidewalk projects may affect their property.

In other business, the Atlantic City Council reminds residents of upcoming “Listening Sessions” with various Council members. The meetings will take place at the Atlantic Public Library on Nov. 4th, 12th, 14th and 21st, from 5:30-until 6:30-p.m. Here’s the schedule:

Monday, Nov. 4th: 5th Ward; Councilman Dana Halder
Tuesday, Nov. 12th: 1st Ward; Councilperson Emily Kennedy
Thursday, Nov. 14th: 2nd Ward; Councilman Jim Behrends
Thursday, Nov. 21st: 3rd Ward; Councilman Mike McDermott.

ANY citizen of Atlantic is welcome to attend any or all of the Sessions, regardless of which Ward you happen to live in.

(Sidney, Iowa) – The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office K9 “Storm” will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. The Sheriff’s Office says K9 Storm’s vest is sponsored by Leah A. Beale of Oklahoma City, OK, and will be embroidered with the sentiment “Born to Love-Trained to Serve-Loyal Always”. Delivery is expected within ten weeks.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., established in 2009, is a 501(c)(3) charity whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. This potentially lifesaving body armor for four-legged K9 officers is U.S. made, custom fitted, and NIJ certified. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided over 5,794 vests to K9s in all 50 states at a value of $6.9 million, made possible by both private and corporate donations.

The program is open to U.S. dogs that are at least 20 months old and actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies. K9s with expired vests are also eligible to participate. There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States.

Fremont County S/O K9 “Storm” (photo provided)

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. accepts tax-deductible contributions in any amount, while a single donation of $985 will sponsor one vest. Each vest has a value of $1800.00, weighs an average of 4-5 lb., and comes with a five-year warranty. For more information, or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call 508-824-6978. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts donations at www.vik9s.org, or you may mail your contribution to P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, MA 02718.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The American Cancer Society’s Cass County Chapter has announced the Festival of Trees is back for another year in 2024, and will once again be held in downtown Atlantic. The Festival of Trees takes place December 5th through the 8th at “Santa’s Workshop” (325 Chestnut Street), the former Robinson Hardware location.

Representatives of Cass County Chapter of the America Cancer Society say they look forward to bringing the spirit of the season to all that wish to visit, while raising cancer awareness and funds to battle the disease.

Area businesses, organizations, and individuals are welcome to register for a space to decorate for Festival. Please email suzie.mages@cancer.org if you would like to be added to the invite list. No “drop-ins” for displays will be accommodated so please register in advance. Space will be limited. If anyone would like to make a monetary or gift donation to the event, also please reach out to Suzie or contact event leader Carole Schuler.

Festival of Trees is scheduled to be open for public viewing on Thursday, December 5th and Friday, December 6th from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Saturday, December 7th from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday, December 8th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

You can also honor cancer fighters in your life by ordering one of the “Every Cancer, Every Life” shirts/sweatshirts online by 5:00 p.m. on November 15th. Items will be available for pickup at Festival of Trees. Order at www.storessimple.com/jjdesign/32714

The ACS of Cass County hopes you can join them to celebrate the Christmas season and raise funds for the fight against cancer.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – Police in Glenwood report a man was arrested today (Wednesday) following a reported armed subject in a bank. Officers were called at around 9:50-a.m. to the Glenwood State Bank, where they arrested 66-year-old Ricky Schnackel, of Glenwood, on a Class-B Felony charge of Robbery in the 1st Degree, and an Aggravated Misdemeanor  Use of a Dangerous Weapon in the Commission of a Crime, charge.

Schnackel was being held in the Mills County Jail on a $27,000 bond. The incident remains under investigation.

Disclaimer: “A criminal charge is merely and accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.”

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate convened a gathering of state and federal officials at the Iowa National Guard’s headquarters today (Wednesday) to tout security measures surrounding the General Election.  “It is because of numerous checks and balances and many, many layers in place that help us ensure Iowa elections are safe and secure,” Pate said. Iowa Public Safety Commissioner Stephen Bayens says his agency will be a hub for collecting information from three-thousand law enforcement and intelligence agency partners.

“Our duty and focus for the upcoming election is to alert Iowans as to any false information that may circulate through email, social media or telephone calls,” Bayens said, “as well as an physical threats on election day or the days that follow.” Bayens says false information about the election typically centers around fake notices that polling sites have moved or are closing, as well as false allegations of election intimidation to spark fear about voting.

“Please also be mindful of scam artists claiming you can register a ballot or voting on online or over the phone. These fraudsters are attempting to obtain your personal information so they can either steal your personal identity or trick you into believing you have already voted,” Bayens said. “We encourage all Iowans to be mindful of such efforts and to only rely on trusted information sources such as state or local election officials.”

Cyber security staff from state government and the Iowa National Guard are monitoring election offices in Iowa 24 hours a day now. Phil Kirk of the U-S Department of Homeland Security is regional director for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency or CISA. He says Iowa has key election safeguards, like testing of all election equipment before it’s used to count paper ballots and, after the election, results in randomly-selected precincts are audited for accuracy.

“The 2024 election cycle is facing arguably the most complex threat environment ever,” Kirk said, “but the nation’s elections infrastructure is more secure and the election community more prepared than ever.” Kirk emphasizes that every voter in Iowa will be casting a paper ballot that enables counts, recounts and audits.

“I want to address Iowa voters directly: thanks mostly to the hard work of your state and local election officials, their partners and CISA security experts across this region I have confidence we are doing everything we can to ensure a safe and secure election,” he said, “and that you should be confident, too.”

The F-B-I is the primary agency in charge of investigating election-related crimes and the special agent in charge of the F-B-I’s Omaha office says an “election command post” has been set up there to coordinate a state and federal response to any threats related to this year’s election.

(Radio Iowa) – River and stream flows have dropped as the wet spring turned to a dry fall, which raises some concerns for fish. D-N-R fisheries biologist Scott Grummer works in north-central Iowa. “We’re starting to get a few calls from citizen reports of some fish getting stranded in isolated pools, especially at the you know, the upper, upper reaches, or headwaters of some of our rivers,” he says. Grummer says the wet spring had rivers full, but it never fully replenished groundwater.

“Even with the flooding, you know, the sub soil moisture wasn’t fully replenished, and once we got those spring rains through, you know, we slid right back into dry events where we seen very little rainfall really since July on, especially parts of Iowa, and kind of slid us right back to where we were a year ago, at this time in drought,” Grummer says. Rivers with less water depth could freeze over. “The thing that keeps river water from from freezing solid is obviously the current, or flow velocity,” Grummer says. “And when we’re in these dry periods, like we are now, you know, the current is is minimal, and that makes it you know, where a harsh, cold winter could have some some dramatic effects on fish.”

Public Health Watch photo

He says the natural instincts of fish kick in. “Fish will move to the deepest water they can find to winter. They can sense winter coming. But when we’re in this, this type of drought and flow conditions, there’s not a lot of deep water for them to find,” he says. Grummer says there could be some fish kills. “On the positive side, you know, obviously, fish have dealt with droughts through history, and they are very resilient. And typically, it’s not like a complete destruction of the fishery, but it could cause some, some minor setbacks in in some areas, if, if we get a harsh winter, and especially in these northern Iowa rivers,” Grummer says.

Grummer says precipitation generally drops in the winter, so there’s not a lot of chance for the waterways to get replenished.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – Iowa’s furbearer season opens Saturday and according to the state’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the outlook for trappers is positive – most species populations are steady, and there are some early indications wild fur pelt prices could be trending up this winter. The challenge, however, could be that fewer marshes and streams have good water levels. Vince Evelsizer, state furbearer and wetland biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources says “Our water levels are similar to last year in some regions, even with a wet spring. These wet/dry-dry/wet swings within a year can have an impact on aquatic furbearers – otters, mink, beavers and muskrats. But the upland species – bobcats, red fox, coyotes – are much less impacted.”

Evelsizer encouraged trappers to do some preseason scouting as marsh water levels vary by location with many either dry or drying by the day. The furbearer season is Nov. 2 to Feb. 28, 2025. Beaver trapping closes on April 15, 2025.

Mentoring young trappers

A regulation change allows youth age 15 and younger to go trapping with a licensed adult trapper without purchasing a license. This change brings trapping in line with hunting. “This allows the youth to experience trapping to see if it is something they would enjoy without having to purchase a license,” Evelsizer said. Each youth must be accompanied by a licensed adult.

Gray fox study

The Iowa DNR will again be looking for live caught gray foxes as part of a pilot population study to learn more about this small, secretive woodland furbearer. “We’re asking for the public and our trappers to contact us if they’ve recently seen a gray fox or catch a gray fox. Better yet, contact us in advance if you’re trying to catch a gray fox in your area. Private trappers are a valuable partner for this pilot project. We have one fox collared so far, and hope to add to that this year,” Evelsizer said. The collar provides researchers with data on the fox’s movement, habitat preference and survivorship. There is a $400 reward, provided by the Iowa Wildlife Federation, for anyone who catches a gray fox that can be used for this study. He said the fox will be released on the site where it was caught.

The DNR is also working with Iowa State University on a pilot project this winter in northeast Iowa, using cameras to track fishers and gray foxes to determine what areas these species occupy and what areas they don’t occupy in this region. “Other regions may be surveyed in the future, depending on how this study goes,” Evelsizer said.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – Iowa snowmobilers are no longer required to purchase and display an annual trail user permit, according to a new law that went into effect July 1, 2024. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (SNR) says the law folded the trail user permit into the annual snowmobile registration fee, which will now be $30 plus administration fees. The previous price for each type was $15.

Registration and permit fees for snowmobiles are placed in a dedicated account for snowmobile programs in Iowa, including the Iowa Snowmobile Trail Grant Program, which is administered through the Iowa State Snowmobile Association. The grant program supports snowmobile trail development and grooming; equipment purchases and maintenance; and trail signage in cooperation with snowmobile clubs all across Iowa.

Iowa Snowmobile Association photo

Snowmobilers who own a new machine or have not yet entered the snowmobile into the state registration system need to go to the County Recorder’s office in their county of residence to start the registration process. To renew an existing registration, visit the County Recorder or go online to www.gooutdoorsiowa.com

Nonresident snowmobilers will still need to purchase and display the trail user permit, which are available at any County Recorder’s Office, through retailers that sell hunting and fishing licenses, or online at www.gooutdoorsiowa.com .

Learn more about Iowa’s snowmobile programs at: https://www.iowadnr.gov/things-to-do/snowmobiles

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds says if Donald Trump becomes president again, he will dramatically reduce the size of the federal government. “The waste has to be just — and you all know it — astronomical,” Reynolds says. “…I’m excited they talk about maybe an Elon Musk getting in there and thinking about how we can restructure. I’m excited about those kind of opportunities because that’s invigorating and that creates a really awesome culture that really drives even more innovations.”

Reynolds spoke early this (Wednesday) morning to the Westside Conservative Club in Urbandale, touting her own reorganization of Iowa’s government as an example of what could happen in a second Trump term if Republicans are in the majority in the U-S House and Senate. “First of all, you’ve got to go in there and blow it up. We need to start operating more like a business and we need to approach government like that, Reynolds says. “It is ridiculous — no metrics, no KPIs, nothing — nothing is based on outcomes or data.” Reynolds suggests more federal spending should be delivered to states as block grants and governors and state lawmakers should have greater authority and flexibility to decide where that money is spent.

Reynolds spoke for about 45 minutes this (Wednesday) morning, answering questions from the crowd of Republicans. The governor asked a question of her own, too, and nearly everyone in the audience raised their hands when she asked who had already voted. “Six more days until we take this country back. Who’s excited about that? Holy cow. Unbelievable,” Reynolds said.

Reynolds told the crowd Iowa’s early voting numbers show Republicans are competitive with Democrats, who have historically emphasized voting early. The governor says that allows Republicans to focus their resources on reaching Iowans who do not vote in every election.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Board of Supervisors met this (Wednesday) morning (Oct. 30), in Greenfield. During their regular weekly session, the Board acknowledged a Manure Management Plan (MMP) update from Rose Acre Farms, and approved a Child Abuse Prevention Grant draw-down. The Board accepted the 2024 Annual Weed Commissioner’s report from Nathan Jensen. And, the Adair County Supervisors approved a request from Sheriff Jeff Vandewater, to advertise for a opening being created as of January 1st, due to the retirement of a Sheriff’s Department employee.

In other business, the Board approved Adair County Engineer Nick Kauffman’s request for a new hire, effective November 4th, along with a $4.00/hour wage increase for Assistant to the Engineer, Sawyer Hansen. Kauffman made the request so that Hansen’s salary can be brought closer in-line to what other counties are paying persons in similar positions.

The Board authorized Chair Jerry Walker to sign two (updated) front pages for the N-7 (Eureka Township) and W-22 (Lee Township) bridge projects. Engineer Nick Kauffman then presented the Supervisors with his weekly report on Secondary Roads Department maintenance and activities. That included storm damage updates.

He said also, they’re working on a right-of-way agreement for a box culvert project, and a bridge project. The N-16 Washington (Township) Bridge is being designed, and drilling for soil samples will be taken care of later this week, so the bridge will be temporarily closed. Work on the bridge itself is expected to begin in Sept, 2025.