The Atlantic City Council this (Wednesday) evening, will discuss and possibly act on filling a vacancy for the At-Large seat on the Council. In March, At-Large Councilman Bob Cord announced he would be leaving his seat because he and his wife planned on relocating to another community, but the date of his departure was left open at that time, pending the sale of his home here in Atlantic. His term on the Council was set to expire January 1st, 2018.

Atlantic At-Large Councilman Bob Cord

In other business, the Council will act on a Resolution in support of a Workforce Housing Tax Incentive Program Application being submitted to the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IDEA), by the Whitney Group, LLC, for a 16-unit housing project located at the former old Whitney Inn (222 Chestnut St.). They’ll also act on a Resolution Approving the Contract and Bonds for the 2016 Street Improvement Project, and hold discussion with regard to the re-piping of a collapsed section of storm sewer pipe southeast of the 8th and Walnut Street intersection.

The Council may decide on whether or not it would be more economically feasible to re-pipe the entire block. City Administrator John Lund has indicated that would cost more than $200,000, which is a large chunk of the $990,000 available for the entire Bull Creek project. The price tag is due to the size, weight and depth of the pipe, the largest piece of which weighs-in at 14,000-pounds. A large excavator would be needed to install that section of pipe.

And, the Council is expected to hear a report from Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ouida Hargens, as part of the regular monthly series of Department Head reports. The Chamber receives $35,000 in direct, annual support from the City, plus thousands more in Community Promotion funds.

The City Council meeting is set to begin 5:30-p.m. in their Chambers, at City Hall.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CDT

MT. PLEASANT, Iowa (AP) — Former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack rose from the steps of an orphanage to serving as a Cabinet secretary. He won’t talk about the vice presidential rumors, but he will say that Donald Trump is wrong about America.

RYAN, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is investigating the cause of a fish kill in northeastern Iowa. The department says in a news release Tuesday that someone fishing in Buck Creek near Ryan reported the fish kill over the weekend. Upon investigation Monday, staff found both dead and live fish in the stream. No cause for the kill had been determined by Tuesday.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa woman accused of duping dozens of people into buying non-existent tickets to the Super Bowl and other high-profile events has been charged with fraud. The federal charges of mail and tax fraud against Ranae Van Roekel of Boyden, Iowa, come four years after her alleged scheme became public.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A thunderstorm carrying strong lightning and heavy rain has caused flash flooding in some areas of north and central Iowa including Des Moines. The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning Tuesday for portions of four central Iowa counties until early evening. More than a dozen others were placed in a flash flood watch, where conditions are possible for additional evening flooding to develop.

The Cass County Democratic Party will be sponsoring its Fifth Annual School Supply Drive for the children of Cass County. Sherry Toelle, Cass County Democratic Party Chair, says in years past, County Democrats have donated to each of the three school districts in the county. Suggested items include, but are not limited to, backpacks, notebooks, filler paper, pencils and pens, pencil cases, portfolios, erasers, highlighters, and other supplies that students will require to have a more successful school year.

Toelle said “We are sponsoring this school supply drive but it is a non-partisan event. You don’t have to be a Democrat to donate OR to receive school supplies. It is something that we, as Democrats, feel is important for the betterment of our children. Not all families can easily afford the many supplies needed to start off the school year. This makes it easier for all students to begin the year on an equal footing with their fellow students.”

Donated items can be dropped off at the Cass County Democratic Party’s Fair Booth from July 22nd through the 25th, or at its AtlanticFest booth on August 13th, or at Toelle’s home at 10 East 13th Street in Atlantic. Supplies will then be distributed the week of August 15th.

A man from the unincorporated town of McPaul, in Fremont County, was arrested early this (Wednesday) morning. Sheriff Kevin Aistrope reports 36-year old Rafael “Rocky” Speed was arrested for Public Intoxication, and Trespassing on Burlington Northern-Santa Fe Railroad property. Speed was brought to the Fremont County Jail and held on $600 bond.

“Rocky” Speed

The 2016 Iowa’s Best Burger will be featured during the upcoming Iowa State Fair at the Cattlemen’s Beef Quarters on Friday, August 12th. This year, Iowa’s Best Burger comes from The Chuckwagon Restaurant in Adair. The Chuckwagon Restaurant will feature their signature burger, the Chuckwagon burger. The award-winning burger includes a 6-ounce hand pattied beef burger served with Swiss and American cheese, sauteed onions, mushrooms, bacon, tomatoes, and thousand island dressing served on toasted bread.

Chuckwagon Burger – a burger served on a grilled bun with sautéed onions, mushrooms, bacon, tomato and Thousand Island dressing.

The burgers are grilled on a flat-top and made with The Chuckwagon Restaurant’s homemade house seasoning to bring out the best flavors of the beef. The Chuckwagon burger will be sold for $10 at the Cattlemen’s Beef Quarters and will be available to fair-goers for one day only starting at 10 a.m. on August 12th, while supplies last.

The Iowa’s Best Burger Contest is hosted annually by the Iowa Beef Industry Council and Iowa Cattlemen’s Association. More than 6,200 nominations for 311 restaurants were received between February 15 and March 9 this year. The winner was announced on May 2nd.

The Cattlemen’s Beef Quarters is open daily during the Iowa State Fair, August 11-21, 2016. Breakfast is served from 6 a.m. – 10 a.m. and lunch and dinner is served from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. More information can be found daily at www.cattlemensbeefquarters.com and on their Facebook page.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS NOW UPGRADED ALL COUNTIES IN THE KJAN LISTENING AREA TO AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING FROM 1-P.M. WEDNESDAY TO 7-P.M. FRIDAY (FOR THE FAR WESTERN COUNTIES, THE WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 8-P.M., FRIDAY). THE EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.

Counties in pink/lavender will be under an Excessive Heat Warning; Counties in deep red will be in an Excessive Heat Watch.

AIR TEMPERATURES IN THE MID TO UPPER 90S WITH DEWPOINT TEMPERATURES IN THE MID TO UPPER 70S WILL LEAD TO HEAT INDEX VALUES OF 105 TO 115. EXCESSIVE HEAT COULD LEAD TO SEVERE HEAT RELATED ILLNESSES AND POSSIBLY DEATH IF PROPER ACTION IS NOT TAKEN.

THIS IS A HEAT EVENT OF HIGH HEAT AND HUMIDITY WITH A LONG DURATION. THERE IS A HIGH POTENTIAL FOR HEAT RELATED ILLNESS AND DEATH.CHILDREN, SENIORS AND PEOPLE WITH CHRONIC CONDITIONS ARE AT HIGHER RISK. RESCHEDULE STRENUOUS OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES AND EXERCISE TO COOLER EVENING HOURS. DRINK PLENTY OF WATER AND TAKE FREQUENT BREAKS TO GET OUT OF THE HEAT AND GET INTO AN AIR CONDITIONED SPACE. DO NOT LEAVE PETS AND/OR CHILDREN IN UNATTENDED VEHICLES. CAR INTERIORS CAN REACH LETHAL TEMPERATURES IN A MATTER OF MINUTES IN THESE CONDITIONS.

KNOW THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEAT EXHAUSTION AND HEAT STROKE. WEAR LIGHT WEIGHT AND LOOSE FITTING CLOTHING WHEN POSSIBLE AND DRINK PLENTY OF WATER. HEAT STROKE IS AN EMERGENCY…CALL 9 1 1.

MONONA-HARRISON-SHELBY-POTTAWATTAMIE-MILLS-MONTGOMERY-FREMONT- PAGE COUNTIES….353 PM CDT TUE JUL 19 2016 …EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM WEDNESDAY TO 8 PM CDT FRIDAY…

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN OMAHA/VALLEY HAS ISSUED AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING…WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM WEDNESDAY TO 8 PM CDT FRIDAY. THE EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.

Excessive Heat Warning: Counties in pink; Excessive Heat Watch: Counties in deep red color.

TEMPERATURE READINGS ON WEDNESDAY WILL BE IN THE MID TO UPPER 90S WITH HEAT INDEX VALUES AROUND 105 DEGREES. HEAT INDEX VALUES RANGE FROM 105 TO 112 BOTH THURSDAY AND FRIDAY. NIGHTTIME TEMPERATURES WILL ONLY DROP INTO THE MID TO UPPER 70S.

EACH DAY THERE WILL BE A GOOD SOUTHWEST BREEZE, HOWEVER WINDS DIMINISH OVERNIGHT MAKING IT FEEL MORE STIFLING. THE LONGEVITY OF THE EVENT WILL RESULT IN A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS… INCLUDING CHILDREN…THE ELDERLY…OR THOSE WITH MEDICAL CONDITIONS.

LEAVING A CHILD OR PET IN AN ENCLOSED VEHICLE CAN BE DEADLY…EVEN FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS IF YOU WORK OR SPEND TIME OUTSIDE. WHEN POSSIBLE, RESCHEDULE STRENUOUS ACTIVITIES TO EARLY MORNING OR EVENING. KNOW THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEAT EXHAUSTION AND HEAT STROKE.

WEAR LIGHT WEIGHT AND LOOSE FITTING CLOTHING WHEN POSSIBLE AND DRINK PLENTY OF WATER. TO REDUCE RISK DURING OUTDOOR WORK, THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDS SCHEDULING FREQUENT REST BREAKS IN SHADED OR AIR CONDITIONED ENVIRONMENTS.

ANYONE OVERCOME BY HEAT SHOULD BE MOVED TO A COOL AND SHADED LOCATION. HEAT STROKE IS AN EMERGENCY SO CALL 911. AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING MEANS THAT A PROLONGED PERIOD OF DANGEROUSLY HOT TEMPERATURES WILL OCCUR.

THE COMBINATION OF HOT TEMPERATURES AND HIGH HUMIDITY WILL COMBINE TO CREATE A DANGEROUS SITUATION IN WHICH HEAT ILLNESSES ARE LIKELY. DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS, STAY IN AN AIR-CONDITIONED ROOM, STAY OUT OF THE SUN, AND CHECK UP ON RELATIVES AND NEIGHBORS.

The Page County Sheriff’s Office, today (Tuesday) issued a reminder to citizens that it is the time of the year when traveling companies approach residents about selling items “door to door”. Sheriff Lyle Palmer says the products and/or services are usually too good to be true, and sometimes the companies are not honest in their products.

Some of the sales pitches are that they are working on a project in the area and have some material of some sort left over and will sell it at a reduced price rather than take a loss. Usually these sales are too good to be true. Palmer says if residents sign contracts they could be legally binding and there may be fine print involved in the paperwork.

Acting on tips from the public, Police in Council Bluffs, Tuesday afternoon, arrested a man on charges associated with the armed robbery of a credit union. 31-year old Ryan Lamere, of Council Bluffs, was booked into the Pottawattamie County Jail on a charge of 2nd Degree Robbery.

Ryan J. Lamere

The incident leading to his arrest began at around 12:34-p.m., when officers from the Council Bluffs Police Department responded to an armed Robbery at the United Credit Union 1900 West Broadway. As officers were checking the area for the suspect, neighbors in the area of the 2000 block of Avenue A reported seeing a suspicious subject at a vacant house 2024 Avenue A who took off running the other direction when he saw a police cruiser drive past.

Officers were able to locate Lamere who was identified by the neighbors as being the suspicious subject who had run from officers. Lamere also matched the physical description of the Robbery suspect that was provided by employees of the Credit Union. Several items of evidence to the Robbery were recovered on Lamere or in the area of 2024 Avenue A.

The weapon recovered was determined to be an air soft gun.

Cass County Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Kennon reports in response to the area being under an Excessive Heat Warning Wednesday through Friday, several facilities will be open in the County to serve as cooling stations for Cass County residents needing to find relief from high heat and humidity. The locations include:

• The Nishna Valley YMCA, 1100 Maple Street, Atlantic, open from 4:30am to 8:30pm this Wednesday and Thursday and 4:30am to 6:00pm on Friday.
• Atlantic Public Library, 507 Poplar Street, open 9:00am to 6:00pm Wednesday thru Friday.
• Griswold City Library is open 10:00am to 12:30pm and 1:30pm to 6:00pm Wed. and Thurs., 10:00am to 4:00pm Fri.
• Anita Public Library is open 10:00am – 6:30pm Wed. and 2:00pm – 6:30pm Thurs. and Fri.

Kennon says the National Weather Service predicts very hot and humid conditions will build into the region by Wednesday and last through the end of the week. Heat index values of 100 to 115 degrees are likely Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday afternoons. The hottest period will be Thursday and Friday.

Residents are advised to keep cool and stay hydrated during the prolonged period of excessive heat. The hot temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a dangerous situation in which heat illnesses are possible. Drink plenty of fluids, avoid strenuous outdoor activity during the heat of the day, stay out of the sun and check up on relatives and neighbors. Do Not leave pet and/or children in unattended vehicles.
Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency…call 9-1-1.