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Atlantic Career Day to take place Wednesday, April 24th

News

April 18th, 2013 by admin

On Wednesday, April 24th the Atlantic Community School District will be conducting its bi-annual Career Day at Atlantic High School. Students from Atlantic High School and 8th grade middle school students will have an opportunity to listen to speakers throughout the day that will discuss topics related to careers in the area. Students participating in this event will gain a better understanding of expectations, needed level of education, training, and day to day operations in their field of interest. There will be 110 different careers areas that the students can choose from. Speakers from Omaha, Des Moines, Ames and SW Iowa will present to the students. The day will be kicked-off by keynote speaker, Mr. Roger Underwood, a 1976 graduate of Atlantic High School. The day will begin at 8:15 a.m. with the keynote speaker and will include four different “breakout” sessions for the students.

2 injured when garbage truck rolls over in Page County

News

April 18th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Page County Sheriff Lyle Palmer reports two people were injured when a garbage truck drove off the side of the road and rolled onto its top. The accident happened at around 8:25-a.m. Wednesday on S Avenue near Clarinda. Palmer says the 2001 Freightliner garbage truck driven by 58-year old James Michael Muller, of Villisca, was traveling northeast on S Avenue, when the vehicle went too close to the right shoulder of the road, which was soft due to the recent rain.

When the truck drove off the right side of the road, its rear end swung around, causing the vehicle to roll over before coming to rest on its top. Muller, and his passenger, 65-year old Lawrence Melvin Currin, of Villisca, suffered non-incapacitating injuries, and were transported by private vehicle to the Clarinda Regional Health Center.  Damage to the truck was estimated at $2,000. No citations were issued.

Atlantic set to host “Operation Releaf” event

Ag/Outdoor, News

April 18th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the Iowa DNR and Alliant Energy report a popular program offering landscape quality trees at a deep discount to Alliant Energy customers, will be held at the Cass County Fairgrounds in Atlantic, on May 4th, from 8-a.m. to 10-a.m. “Operation ReLeaf,” a residential tree planting program that promotes long-term energy and natural resource conservation, is funded by Alliant Energy and administered by the Iowa DNR Forestry Bureau with assistance from local partners, like Cass County Extension and Outreach.

Through the program, Alliant Energy residential customers may purchase high quality landscaping trees for $25 each.  These trees typically retail for between $65 and $125.  Officials say advanced orders are highly recommended and advance purchase is limited to two trees per household.  In the event there are extra trees available on distribution day, those trees will be released for purchase at that time.  Order forms are available online at www.alliantenergy.com/releaf.

The DNR is encouraging homeowners to prepare for emerald ash borer and other tree pests by planting a diverse mix of tree species. Foresters have been working with local partners to create community tree inventories that will guide future tree planting efforts to keep a healthy mix of tree species. The most recent tree survey for Atlantic finds 40 percent of the trees are maples, followed by ash at 16 percent. The DNR has a target for communities that no more than 10 percent of the trees are from any one species, and no more than 20 percent is from one genus.

Trees available at each distribution event are determined by the local tree species inventory. For Atlantic, species available include American hornbeam, American linden American sentry, bur oak, eastern redbud, hackberry, Kentucky coffeetree, serviceberry autumn brilliance and thorn-less honeylocust skyline. Shade trees are 6 to 8 feet tall in 5 to 7 gallon containers and conifers are 2 to 3 feet tall. Paul Tauke, state forester and chief of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Forestry Bureau, says “All trees are purchased through a bidding process to promote local nurseries.”

A workshop lead by district forester Lindsey Barney, will discuss ways to avoid common mistakes that often result in dead trees at 9 a.m. during this tree distribution. The 45 minute workshop will cover root flare and proper planting depth, correcting encircling roots, proper mulching and watering and more.

Operation ReLeaf participants must be Alliant Energy residential customers. 

DNR Derelict Building grant program awards grants to 19 rural communities

News

April 18th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says the DNR’s Derelict Building Grant Program will award reimbursement grants amounting to $491,000, to 19 small, rural Iowa communities to help deconstruct or renovate abandoned structures and limit construction and demolition materials going to the landfill. In our area:

 The City of Early is set to receive $45,000 to have asbestos removed, a phase I/II assessment to be completed and full deconstruction of the Payless Cashway building that was damaged by a tornado. The city is partnering with the local economic development office to market the site for commercial interests. And, the City of Malvern is receiving$80,000 to partner with the Malvern Area Betterment Association to use funds to complete asbestos inspection, abatement, structural analysis and building renovation, which will offer commercial and residential space.

The DNR Derelict Building Grant Program was instituted by statute to help rural communities with populations of 5,000 or less. DBGP funding is awarded annually on a competitive basis with cash matches required. Applications for the next funding round will be due in spring 2014.

Hard Rock Casino to be built in Sioux City

News

April 18th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – Sioux City Entertainment will build a Hard Rock Casino in northwest Iowa’s Sioux City.  The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission awarded the license Thursday at the end of a meeting held in Council Bluffs, choosing from four proposals for land-based casinos in Sioux City.  Last month, the commission toured proposed sites and met with developers.

Penn National Gaming Co. submitted two proposals for a casino, and Ho-Chunk Inc. and Sioux City Entertainment also each bid for the rights to build a casino, which would replace the Argosy Sioux City riverboat casino.

The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino has a $118.5 million price tag and would be at the site of the historic Battery Building in downtown Sioux City.

Pickup slides off muddy road and rolls into a ditch in Montgomery Co.

News

April 18th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

No injuries were reported after a full-sized pickup went into a ditch and rolled over Wednesday afternoon, in Montgomery County. According to the Iowa DOT investigative officer’s report, 42-year old Edie Chadwick McClintock, of Essex, was driving a 2001 Ford F-250 Super Duty, crew cab pickup westbound on 250th Street just off of B Avenue, when the truck caught the edge of the road after traveling about 75-feet. The pickup slid into the north ditch and rolled once, coming to rest on the driver’s side, against some trees.

The accident, which happened at around 3:50-p.m. about seven-miles southwest of Red Oak, caused approximately $12,000 damage. No citations were issued.

Former Atlantic resident bequeaths valuable artwork to the library

News

April 18th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

An Atlantic resident has bequeathed a valuable art collection, mostly sculptures and glass pieces,  to the Atlantic Public Library. During the City Council meeting Wednesday evening, Councilman Dana Halder reported on the donation from Richard Hellman, who took over a successful metalworking business that his father founded in 1919. When Richard Hellman retired, he sold the business and settled in Oceanside, California.  

Halder said Hellman, who passed away, left 51-pieces of artwork to the Atlantic Public Library and five-pieces to the Danish Immigrant Museum. The works of art are currently in California, and the library has the right to do dispense the pieces as they see fit. Officials with the Atlantic Public Library plan to sell the art, and reap the proceeds.

The appraised value of the works, which includes pieces by Oregon artist/sculptor Bill Kasper, and Georgia sculptor Jim Karg, is approximately $175,000. Halder say it’s hoped the library will receive 60-percent of the appraised value when the items are sold. Library Director Meredith Scherb told KJAN News the plan is to sell the collection to an art dealer. Halder said that’s because of the liability issue involved with storing and displaying the works.

SCCF grants announced

News

April 18th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

The Shelby County Community Foundation (SCCF) has announced grants totaling $104,076 were awarded to Shelby County nonprofit agencies. The largest grant was to the Elk Horn Fire and Rescue, $30,000, for the construction of a meeting room and bathroom in their fire station. Douglas Township Fire Protection will replace 20 year old gear for firefighters with their grant of $12,180.

The Defiance Fire Department received $11,000 for an Auto Pulse CPR unit for their ambulance. $10,000 was awarded to the City of Irwin, Shelby County Historical Society and the Danish Immigrant Museum. Other nonprofit organizations receiving grant moneys from the Shelby County Community Foundation were Country Care Center, Panama Fire Department, Shelby County Community Outreach, Shelby County Fair Corporation and West Central Community Action.

All grantees met the criteria as Shelby County nonprofit agencies or organizations with charitable missions in the areas of civic, cultural, health, education and social services. Chairman of the SCCF Robert Burton said, “The Shelby County Community Foundation is one of nine counties that are collectively known as the Community Foundations of Southwest Iowa and meets or exceeds the Standards for Community Foundations as established by the Council on Foundations in Washington D.C.”

The Shelby County Community Foundation will be giving out another round of grant money in the fall.

(Joel McCall/KNOD)

 

Atlantic Chamber’s “holiday elves” find work in the spring, too

News

April 18th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce reports the Chambers’ “Image Builders” have taken on the task of retrofitting the 174 strands of garland used each holiday season on the light poles in downtown Atlantic.

Members of the Atlantic Chamber’s “Image Builders” work to retrofit Christmas season garlands. (Chamber photo)

Chamber Executive Director Megan Roberts says the same committee originally purchased the necessary parts and assembled them into lighted garland to be used on each light pole on Chestnut Street, side streets and in City Park.

After nearly 20 years of use, volunteers are removing the old C-9 bulbs and sockets and replacing them with three strings of LED lights as well as re-painting the red bows used on top of each strand of garland. The LED’s are the same as those installed in the trees along Chestnut. The volunteers are working each day from 1- to 4-p.m. in the upper level of City Hall.

Volunteers that have helped include Marv Behrends, Joan & Roger Barbero, Ken & Mary Ann Moorman, Bob Boots, Ron Peerbolte, Dick Cassady, Gene Fischer, and Randall Breckerbaumer. Anyone interested in volunteering can just show up at the prescribed time each day Monday through Friday.

New survey outlines gender wage gap in Iowa

News

April 18th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

A new survey on the gender wage gap finds Iowa is right at the national average of women earning 77-cents for every dollar earned by men. That ranks Iowa 31st among the 50 states. Kate Gallagher Robbins, senior policy analyst with the National Women’s Law Center, says the gap is much wider for minority women in Iowa. Gallagher Robbins says, “When we look at the gap for race and ethnicity, we compare women of color to white non-Hispanic men and for those groups, in Iowa, black women are making about 60% of what white men are earning, while Hispanic women are making about 56%, so it’s fairly striking economic disparities there.”

This June will mark 50 years since President Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act into law, yet little progress has been made in narrowing the wage gap. She says some businesses have restrictive policies that make it easy to keep salary data under wraps. “Basically, if you tried to discuss your salary with anyone, you could be punished, and in fact, that’s true in many states across the country,” Gallagher Robbins says. “You can be punished for discussing your salary. That business practice is not illegal and it makes it very difficult for women to know that they even are being underpaid.”

Last week, April 9th, marked Equal Pay Day. That’s the day in 2013 that women have to work through in order to make what men made in all of 2012. “If women are earning nationally 23% less than what men are earning, they have quite a ways to go into the following year to try and make up that amount of money,” Gallagher Robbins says. “What that translates to in actual earnings is about $11,000 nationally.”

While women in Iowa and nationwide make 77-cents to every dollar made by men, the worst state on the list was Wyoming, where the rate was 66-cents. The list was topped by Washington D-C where women make 90-cents to every man’s dollar.

(Radio Iowa)