(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Area Chamber Ambassadors were hosted by TS Bank on Thursday, March 23rd, 2023. Ambassadors helped welcome new staff and celebrate 100 years of TS Bank serving Southwest Iowa.

The Ambassadors welcomed Megan Sramek to her new role as VP of Ag Business Banking. Megan graduated from KSU and began her career in different facets of lending which include working at the FSA Loan Office at the State Office in Manhattan, and as a realtor, working with rural properties and appraising. Megan was born and raised in agriculture on her family farm and ranch and is currently farming with her husband and family.

Amanda Hansen, Branch Manager, also introduced the Ambassadors to Alex McAfee in the Marketing Department and Adriana Mendez, Front Line Banker, that came on-board in the fall of 2022. Amanda shared that both Alex & Adriana have jumped into their rolls seamlessly and have enjoyed their time building professional relationships in the community.

Ambassador’s Pictured Left to Right: Abby Becker, Kelsey Stupfell, Sue Liston, Adriana Mendez, Jennifer McEntaffer, Bill Saluk, Megan Sramek, Kathie Hockenberry, BJ Hart, Amanda Hansen, Beth Spieker, Carlie Dunlap, Jolene Roecker, Dolly Bergmann, Jo Beth Jensen, Kelli Hecker, Tori Gibson, Ann Johnk, Donnie Drennan, Alex McAfee, Krysta Hanson, Julie Waters, Lacey Sampson, Bailey Smith, Jim Kickland, Dan Rossell, Kelsey Beschorner, John Bricker, Dave Wise, Graydon Schmidt, Brent Mullen

TS Bank’s mission is to Ignite Prosperity in the communities it serves. Dan Rossell shared how the Guttau Family has owned the company since the early 70’s and is continuing to lead by example when it comes to investing in every TS Bank community. TS Bank reinvests 10 percent of its net income locally; hosting educational events, partnering non-profit organizations, sponsoring local events, and organizing programs in community schools. Kelsey Stupfell, Director of Public Relations, shared TS Bank’s financial literacy program has been able to reach over 140,000 students in Southwest Iowa.

For more information on TS Bank’s services and community projects visit https://www.tsbank.com/ or at 1005 E. 7th Street in Atlantic.

(Creston, Iowa) – Sun glare was blamed for a property damage accident this (Friday) morning, in Creston. Police report a 2007 GMC Acadia SUV driven by a 15-year-old female was driving herself and her sister to school at around 7:35-a.m.  As they were traveling east in the 900 block of W. Montgomery Street, in Creston, the driver was hit in the face by intense sun glare. She was unable to see a legally parked 2014 Dodge Challenger until it was too late.

Damage from the accident amounted to $4,500. No injuries were reported, and there were no citations issued.

(Radio Iowa) – Minnesota would be a legal “refuge” for children from Iowa and elsewhere to get “gender-affirming health care” that’s illegal in their home state, under a bill the Democrat-controlled Minnesota House passed early this (Friday) morning after long and heated debate. Representative Larry Kraft, a Saint Louis Park Democrat, asked parents to think about how they’d feel if the government forced them to stop critical care for their child’s health. “How could a government do this,” Kraft says, “and yet, it’s exactly what’s happening with bans on gender-affirming care in too many places, including just next door in Iowa and South Dakota.” Representative Walter Hudson, a Republican from Albertville, responded that South Dakota is passing a law…

“‘…to make these abhorrent practices illegal,” Hudson says. “That is why our neighbors to the south in Iowa have done the same, because they love their children, because they don’t want to see harm come to them.” The proposed law would also protect Minnesota providers from legal action by other states where such care is banned. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed a bill into law this week that makes it illegal to start prescribing puberty blockers or to perform gender transition surgery on anyone under 18.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Supreme Court has overturned lower court rulings that blocked Missouri utility companies from building new electric transmission lines in the state. L-S Power Midcontinent and Southwest Transmission challenged a law passed in 2020 that gave those who already owned electric lines in the state the right of first refusal on new projects. The lower courts ruled the two companies had no case because there was not a current project they were bidding on.

The Iowa Supreme Court ruled the companies are qualified to supply transmission lines and they would be harmed by not being able to bid on new projects. The Supreme Court also ruled in favor of their argument that the Right of First Refusal issue was improperly thrown into an omnibus bill that passed late in the legislative session. The court says the issue did not have the votes to pass on its own and attaching it to a bill that is sure to pass is a hallmark of what’s known as logrolling.

(Griswold, Iowa) – Officials with the Noble Initiative Foundation have announced sufficient funds have been raised for a new Childcare Development Center in Griswold, and now they’re ready to break ground. A groundbreaking ceremony will be held beginning at 10:30-a.m. Saturday (March 25, 2023). Participants and anyone interested in attending the event will first meet in the Griswold Elementary School Gym (20 Madison St) for a brief presentation and refreshments. The scene then shifts to around the corner, to the site of the future Griswold Childcare Development Center.

A one-half million dollar grant from the Charles E. Lakin Foundation is helping the initiative close in on their initial fundraising goal of $2.3 million. The Foundation’s mission it “To provide high-quality and accessible childcare, support a strong school system, improve the local workforce, and expand affordable housing opportunities through community-based projects.”

The Noble Initiative Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization committed to strengthening our community. The Griswold Child Development Center is slated to open in August (2023).

CRESTON, Iowa – March 24, 2023 – The Iowa Dept. of Transportation says if you plan on driving along Iowa Highway 25 near the interchange with Interstate 80 in coming weeks, you may notice some construction work taking place north of I-80.

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Beginning at 7 a.m. on Monday, April 3, weather permitting, construction crews will begin removing and replacing the pavement on Iowa 25 north of I-80. This work will require directing traffic around the work zone with a marked detour route using I-80 and Guthrie County Road F-65/While Pole Road (see map).

Help keep everyone on the road safer. Drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, you should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.

The latest traveler information is available anytime through the 511 system

(Glenwood, Iowa) – A woman from Glenwood was arrested Thursday on two, Mills County warrants. The Glenwood Police Department reports 38-year-old Angelina Carey was arrested on warrants for Child Endangerment and Assault. Her total, cash-only bond was set at $2,300.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa House has sent the Senate a bill that would set a statewide policy for disciplining disruptive and violent students in public K-through-12 schools. It would require an in-school suspension and a counseling session after the first two incidents, but a third episode of violent or disruptive behavior would require the school to consider transferring the student to another class or learning environment. The bill also sets up a process for educators to report incidents of classroom violence and destruction of school property to the State Ombudsman for investigation. Representative Skyler Wheeler, a Republican from Hull, is chairman of the House Education Committee.

“This was not an issue that was on my radar at all when we came into session. This issue sought us out and we hear from individuals who are teaching in our public schools who are extremely concerned or they are being hit and they are being attacked,” Wheeler says. “We cannot just stand idly by and allow that to happen.”  Wheeler says lawmakers are hearing from teachers who don’t believe disruptive behavior in the classroom is being addressed.  “I’m not overly excited that we have to take a topic like this up,” Wheeler says, “but if we do not, I fear we are going to continue to see problems and we are going to potentially lose very good employees in our schools.”

Representative Sharon Steckman, a Democrat from Mason City who’s a retired teacher, says she’d like the policies to be required in Iowa’s private schools as well, but she supports the bill. “This bill has come a long way and I appreciate the collaboration that has been done to make it an improved bill, a bill that will really help teachers,” Steckman says. “And it is an issue that I’ve heard about from a lot of teachers and I’m really pleased that we could work together to get something that I feel will work.” Representative Sue Cahill, a Democrat from Marshalltown who’s a retired teacher, also voted for the bill. “This bill is a good starting point,” Cahill says. “I fully support having safety measures in place for teachers and that they have a recourse to maintain the safety of their own persons not only for their physical health but for their mental health as well.”

However, Cahill says she’s hoping the Senate changes it, to ensure schools have other options for kids in kindergarten and early elementary grades rather than an immediate in-school suspension after an initial fight or disruption in class. The bill passed the House on an 89-to-six vote. If it becomes law, administrators will be required to notify parents if their children have been violent or disruptive in school. The Iowa Department of Education’s report on student violence in Iowa classrooms indicates there were nearly two-thousand assaults during the last school year, causing more than 17-hundred injuries. The agency indicates schools reported more than 11-hundred incidents of property damage caused by students during the last school year.

(Harlan, Iowa) – The Shelby County Board of Supervisors met in a regular session at 9:00 A.M. Tuesday, in Harlan.  According to the meeting minutes provided by Auditor Mark Maxwell, Roger Bissen of the EMS Advisory Council presented funding recommendations as determined by the Advisory Council. A 75 cent per thousand dollar valuation and a 1% state income surtax was proposed as necessary to fund the EMS operation in Shelby County. A public hearing was held on a declaration by the Supervisors that EMS is an essential service and funding options presented.

Alex Londo, Shelby County EMA Coordinator noted that information is on the County website including a frequently asked questions section about this issue. Londo said the countywide ambulance service will require tax dollars to operate and that the long time ambulance business owners are retiring. Local volunteers will still be available, but EMT/EMS certified volunteer numbers are dropping. There are many regulations controlling this type of business or operation. Todd Valline of the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce also spoke and echoed Londos sentiments and added that the medical facilities offered by Shelby County need ambulance service for county residents. It is very important for Shelby County to have this service.

Having heard or received any other comments, the Board approved publicizing public hearings notice at least 60 days before the hearing dates of Thursday May 25th 2023, Tuesday June 6th 2023 and Tuesday June 13th 2023 at 10:00-a.m. each of the days, for public input on the Declaration of Emergency Medical Services as an essential service and the funding of the service.

Chris Nelson of Gronewald Bell and Kyhnn presented the independent audit of Shelby County to the Supervisors. Although Shelby County is in a good position overall financially, some funds generally used for payment of claims against Shelby County have lower than normal resources going forward. It was noted that three service areas were overbudget and that three departments went over budget in fiscal year 2022. Auditor Maxwell said his lack of oversight was the main cause of the unamended $21,779.57 spending in fiscal year 2022. The audit is a snapshot of the financial condition of Shelby County on June 30th, 2022. Parkhurst made a motion to accept the Audit report and Schaben seconded the motion, the motion passed.

Shelby County Roads Superintendent and County Engineer, Brandon Burmeister, presented the 5-year plan for fiscal years 2023-2028 and the currently planned projects. All voted in favor of the proposed 5-year plan. After a short recess to allow County Department Heads to gather and speak with regard to their respective budgets, the Board heard from Brandon Burmeister, who presented the secondary roads foremen wage scale for fiscal year 2024. The wage scale was approved unanimously.

Nick Preston, Shelby County Conservation Director, was present to voice concerns over his FY 23 budget. Using ARPA funds for tourism was discussed to pay for a project and cancelling another also using the funds for tourism. Kyle Lindberg, Shelby County Jail Administrator, voiced his concerns about not being able to run expense reports at a time convenient to his department. Auditor Mark Maxwell assured the Supervisors that this would not be an issue going forward and that the reports are sent out at least monthly.

A draft of the final 2024 budget was shared during the meeting, for the Supervisors to discuss. Current budget conditions were discussed and after discussion, Supervisor Charles Parkhurst made a motion that no departments will be allowed to go over their budget in fiscal year 2024, and if they do that amount will be deducted from their 2025 budget. Supervisor Bryce Schaben seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

(Audubon, Iowa) – The School Board in the Audubon School District met in a regular session Monday evening, during which a Public Hearing was held on the 2024 School Calendar. Superintendent Eric Trager said they approved the state mandated earliest start date of August 23rd. He said they added one-long Spring Break for next year, “Otherwise it’s a pretty standard calendar.” The Audubon School Board set the time and date for a Public Hearing on the Budget, as their next regular meeting, April 17th and 7-p.m. They also approved the Teacher Salary Settlement, and other staff not included in the bargaining unit.

Mr. Trager said also, the Audubon School Board, Monday, approved a track resurfacing quote of $52,500, which was well under budget.

And, they approved a Greenhouse quote.

The Board also approved the purchase of an electric bus and charging station. The bus was ordered and is expected to arrive in January, 2024.

The bus is made possible through an EPA grant amounting to $390,000 ($375,000 for the bus and $20,000 for the charger that comes with). He said “We’re not trying to make a statement one way or the other, in terms of electric vehicles.”

And, Eric Trager said he updated the Audubon School Board on the District’s Building Projects.

In other business, the Board approved a Budget Gurantee Resolution, and AEA Purchasing Agreement and Timberline Billing Services Contract.