OAKLAND, Iowa (AP) – Residents in a western Iowa city have gathered to dedicate a monument that honors fallen soldiers and veterans. The Daily Nonpareil reports that artist Ray “Bubba” Sorensen painted the Pottawattamie County Freedom Rock in Oakland’s Chautauqua Park in March.

The 10-feet high, 13-feet long and 10-feet wide boulder features paintings of four Iowa veterans. The monument is one of a series the artist is working to complete in all 99 Iowa counties.

The Oakland Friday Coffee Ladies organized the project after viewing the original Freedom Rock in Greenfield. Grants from the Pottawattamie County Community Foundation, donations from OSI Industries of Oakland and individual donations helped pay for the project.

The project included sidewalk, crushed rock, lighting, signage and a bronze statue of a soldier saluting.

A vintage, former Atlantic Fire Truck owned by a man from Minnesota will return to the City, this Sunday. The Atlantic Fire Department plan on honoring Leon Brewer of New Hope, Minnesota, and thank him for donating the 1936 Mack Fire Engine back to the department after possessing it for over 21 years. Brewer calls the vehicle “Grandpa Mack.”

The department will serve a summer picnic-style lunch prior to the ceremony starting at noon at the fire station. The program begins at around 12:45 pm, with a brief history of how the Mack left the dept. and how they only recently learned that it could be coming back to Atlantic.

Brewer will be presented with items of appreciation from the dept and city and take a few moments to address the crowd. The dept. will also conduct an engine ceremony, where they will push the engine into the station to officially receive it.

The Independence Day holiday has come and gone, and in most communities, it’s no longer legal to fire-off fireworks, depending on your respective city ordinance. Iowans can still purchase fireworks through July 8th, however. If you plan on storing those devices at home this summer, there are some precautions you need to take, to make sure they are stored and disposed properly.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says unused fireworks should be kept in a cool, dry place and out of the reach of children. Never place fireworks on top of an electrical appliance, like a refrigerator or freezer. The appliance could be damaged through extreme weather events, such as lightning or power surges, which could possibly ignite the fireworks.

Fireworks should not be put in the garbage without taking appropriate precautions, as they pose a fire and explosion hazard. To dispose unused, misfired or “dud” fireworks:

• Completely submerge fireworks in a large bucket of water and soak overnight.
• Double wrap the completely soaked fireworks in plastic wrap or two plastic bags so they do not dry out.
• Place the double-bagged fireworks in the household trash or take them to your local landfill.
• Residents can also contact their local fire department or landfill as other disposal options for fireworks may be available.

Additional information is available at http://www.iowadnr.gov/Environmental-Protection/Land-Quality/Waste-Planning-Recycling/Recycling/Solid-Waste-Fact-Sheets.

The Cass County Democratic Party is gearing up for their 6th Annual School Supply Drive. School supplies collected will be divided among the three county school districts to serve those children who are in the most need. Democratic Party Chair Sherry Toelle says “We want to provide the children of Cass County with needed school supplies that they might not otherwise be able to afford. This is part of our Democratic mission–to serve those in the community who need our help.” She added, “Later in the year we will also be sponsoring a Food Drive and perhaps a winter clothing drive.”

Supplies can be taken to the Cass County Democratic Party’s Fair Booth during the Cass County Fair, from July 28th through the 31st, or to its booth at AtlanticFest on August 12th. You can also drop off supplies at Toelle’s home, located at 10 East 13th Street in Atlantic. Needed supplies include everything from backpacks to pencils and pens to notebooks to personal supplies such as facial tissue.

Toelle stressed that “While the Democratic Party is sponsoring this drive, it is open to all members of the community. It is a non-partisan event for our children.”

U-S Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), will hold a town hall meeting next week, in Shelby County. Ernst will discuss with area residents issues that are most important to them, as part of her 99 County Tour. The meeting takes place 8-a.m. Monday, July 10th, in the Auditorium at the Harlan Community High School, in Harlan. The meeting is open to the public.

(8-a.m. News)