Campers looking to reserve a campsite at an Iowa state park with electricity for Memorial Day weekend are nearly out of luck. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says to date, Clear Lake State Park has one site, Marble Beach has two and Pilot Knob has eight.  Officials say the Wilson Island State Recreation Area near Missouri Valley, is open for day use only. Once construction begins, the DNR expects to close the park completely.

Kevin Szcodronski, chief of State Parks Bureau for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, says  the Memorial Day weekend has traditionally been the kick off to summer with campgrounds filled to capacity. Campers without sites should arrive as early as possible and may want to have a back up park in case all the sites are taken. He said also that campers should plan to go through their equipment before hitting the park to prevent any surprises. It’s also good to review campground rules and etiquette, like getting firewood locally, watching the noise level after quiet hours and picking up after yourself.

Tips

·        Keep track of the weather and have a plan in case of severe weather

·        Plan to arrive as early in the day to set up the site, look for potential problems and avoid those areas

·        Prepare ingredients for meals before leaving home for less time cooking and more time playing

·        Bug spray, sun screen and a basic first-aid kit are must haves

·        Check the registration kiosk for activities in the area

·        Don’t burn trash

·        Don’t bring fireworks

      ·        Be a good neighbor. Observe quiet hours and pick up after yourself

Firewood

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship requires all firewood sold or acquired in Iowa to have the county and state of harvest location on the label of packages and the delivery ticket for bulk firewood.  The rules were added to prevent the spread of invasive species. The rules only apply to firewood sold and acquired in Iowa.

The rule also requires the Iowa DNR to collect firewood from campers that does not have a label.

Park Updates are available at:

www.iowadnr.gov/Destinations/StateParksRecAreas/ClosureInformation.aspx

w/ Ric Hanson

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GRAND JUNCTION, Iowa (AP) – A 3-year-old Iowa boy who’d been enjoying a warm spring day at a lake with his mom and siblings has drowned.  Greene County authorities say Ransom Cummings was pulled from 5-foot-deep water just six feet from a dock at Spring Lake on Tuesday afternoon. Ransom had wandered away from his mom and two siblings on the beach at the Greene County lake.

Greene County Sheriff Steve Haupert says 911 was called about 1:15 p.m., and deputies, firefighters and medics were dispatched to Spring Lake State Park to join the search for the boy.  Haupert says Ransom had been missing for at least 40 minutes when a firefighter spotted the reflection from the boy’s sunglasses on the lake bed.  The boy was pronounced dead at Greene County Hospital in Jefferson.

The Atlantic City Council will discuss and act on the first reading of a 5.5-percent rate increase for sewer service during their meeting this evening, at City Hall. City Administrator Doug Harris says if approved on the third and final reading, the monthly base fee for usage up to 3,000 gallons will increase $1.50 per month, from $27.00 to $28.50. Additional usage above 3,000 gallons will increase 30-cents, from $5.50 to $5.80 per thousand gallons over 3,000.

Harris says the increase is needed to fund Debt Service and Operating costs of the new wastewater treatment plant. He says Fiscal Year 2014, which begins July 1st, 2013, will be the first full year of debt service payments and operating costs for the plant. The City’s debt service payments will increase by more than $76,961, which reflects the fact the City did not draw down all of its State Revolving Loan Funds (SRLF), or issue Revenue Bonds to finance the balance of the cost of the new plant until near the end of the current fiscal year. Another factor influencing the proposed rate increase, is an increase in the annual utility billings, which will jump from $3,370/year to $37,300/year.

In other business, the Council will hold a public hearing on the sale of a lot at 314 Walnut Street, followed by action on a resolution approving sale of the property for $30,000 to a local man, who wishes to build a restaurant/sports bar on the site, with future plans for office space and luxury condominiums on the upper floors.

And, the Council will act on resolutions approving the issuance of General Obligation Bonds for $2.7-million, along with a bond purchase agreement not to exceed $7.05-million, for Sewer Revenue Bonds. The Atlantic City Council meeting begins at 5:30-p.m.

Three people have been arrested on various charges, in Montgomery County. According to the Sheriff’s Department, 42-year old Keith Allan Currin, of Villisca, was arrested just after 1-a.m. today (Wednesday) in the 100 block of south 5th Street, on a Possession of drug paraphernalia charge. Currin was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $300 bond.

On Tuesday, deputies arrested 31-year old Bobbie Jo Kent, of Red Oak, on a warrant for theft in the 5th degree, and, 32-year old Cody Dean Franzen, of Stanton, was arrested on a warrant for Contempt of Court/Illegal Resistance to an Order or Process. Franzen was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $1,000 bond, while Kent’s bond was set at $300.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa officials are warning spring paddlers to be wary of cold water and debris piled on by full streams. The state Department of Natural Resources says the water may still be ice cold despite the warm temperatures. They encourage paddlers to have a wetsuit and a change of dry clothes until the water truly warms up.

Recent rains have also caused streams near bank full. Water is flowing fast, and high water has collected debris like trees and limbs. They’ve been deposited at the base of bridge pilings and the outside of tight bends in the river. Officials say good boat control skills and navigation is important to remaining safe while paddling.

A judge in Pottawattamie County has given a suspended sentence to a woman who encouraged her son to fight another boy, and then hit the other child when her son was being hit. The incident appeared in a video on the internet. The Daily NonPareil says 31-year old Alisha Hazen, of Council Bluffs was arrested in December, on suspicion of felony child endangerment, serious assault and contributing to the delinquency of a minor for her alleged involvement in a fight that took place at Kreft Elementary School in November. She plead guilty on Tuesday, to simple assault and aggravated misdemeanor child endangerment.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa lawmakers have reached a compromise on the first budget of the legislative session. A joint committee of lawmakers from both parties and chambers settled yesterday on spending $41 million for economic development. The budget is $31 million under what Republican Governor Terry Branstad proposed.

MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) — Jury selection has begun in the murder trial of a Mason City man accused of strangling a woman to death. A panel of 32 potential jurors was called in Cerro Gordo County District Court from a pool of more than 50 people. Aaron Harris is charged with first-degree murder in the July 2012 death of Sarah Winters.

OTTUMWA, Iowa (AP) — City crews were trying to quickly repair a brick sewer line in Ottumwa that collapsed beneath railroad tracks. The 4-foot brick sewer line collapsed yesterday morning. It forcing the BNSF railroad to close one track and divert trains onto another one. Public Works Superintendent Steve Edgington says the sewer line dates to the late 1880s.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Cedar Rapids says it is closely monitoring Cedar River nitrate levels because they have reached one of the highest concentrations ever recorded. Untreated river water is testing at 18.5 milligrams per liter. Drinking water tests at 7.6. City officials must inform residents if it rises above the EPA limit of 10 milligrams.

Officials with the Anita and Atlantic Volunteer Fire Departments have announced they are once again hosting a very popular family friendly event this summer. Round trip rides on a vintage train, pulled by a steam locomotive, will be available between the two cities on Saturday, June 8th. Three separate round trip tides will originate in each city. The train will depart from Atlantic at 9-am, noon, and 3- pm. The train will depart from Anita at 10:25-am, 1:25-pm and 4:25-pm. Passengers will board from the specific city, at the specific times, for each ride and will return to the point of their original departure.

Atlantic Chief McNees says “Iowa Interstate Railroad asked us if we were interested in partnering with them again this year and we jumped at the chance. The first time we tried this was three years ago and it was a huge success.” Anita Chief Duane Murphy echoed those sentiments. “We had such a tremendous response that we had to add a third ride to the day to accommodate the demand” according to Murphy. The chiefs expect strong sales again and urge everyone to get their tickets early to avoid being shut out as only 400 tickets per city, per ride are available. Both departments are working jointly on this project.

The event gives area residents a chance to relive past history when the passenger trains rolled through the communities. Many others have never had the opportunity in their lives to ride a passenger train, much less a vintage train. Murphy says, “The fact that a steam locomotive is pulling the train is also a big attraction, as the sight and sounds make a big impact on kids and adults alike.”

Iowa Interstate Railroad owns the steam locomotive and have used it in recent years to provide these rides where fire departments are interested in hosting the event. McNees states the tickets are available from any Atlantic or Anita firefighter for their city’s respective rides. Tickets may also be obtained at the Atlantic Fire Station and orders may also be placed by contacting them at 243-2146 for purchase for those traveling from a long distance.

In Anita, tickets may be purchased at Anita Municipal Utilities and at Anita Supply. Tickets must be presented at the time of boarding in order to ride. Tickets are $14 for adults (age 12 and over) and $7 for children. Infants who can ride on their parent’s laps may ride for free. Food and drink available to take upon the ride, but since the cars are vintage, there will be no amenities. Access to the passenger cars will be provided for those needing assistance. The departments are looking forward to providing an activity that takes residents and their communities back to a bygone era.