CRESTON, Iowa (AP) – A family’s estate has donated more than $3 million to a Catholic parish and school in Creston after the last of nine siblings died and their farmland was sold. The Creston News Advertiser reports) that after Irene Pesik died in September 2012 at age 93, the 440 acres her family had owned was put up for sale. It sold for just over $3 million in January.

The money was split between Holy Spirit Parish and the St. Malachy Foundation, which funds the St. Malachy School. A committee that represents the parish and foundation agreed to invest the money with a goal of only spending the interest. None of the nine Pesik siblings married or had children.

Plaques to honor the family will be installed at the parish and school.

The Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education Monday night, discussed their 5-year Capital Improvements Plan and student motivation during their work session. Superintendent Dr. Michael Amstein told KJAN News today (Tuesday), he’ll be bringing his recommendations to the Board for action during their meeting in March, but he says they typically include replacement of normal, wear and tear items. That includes carpeting, furniture, tuck pointing of the brick buildings, and parking lot paving and/or line repainting.

But he’ll also recommend replacing the some of the heat pumps at the high school. He says they’ll look at a 3-to 4-year cycle of replacing the pumps in different parts of the building, as the current pumps are at or near their expected life span. Amstein said also, the district’s Building Leadership Team, Monday night, discussed how they can affect and improve student motivation. They also talked about the technology needs of the students and teachers are, following the implementation of the 1-to1 laptop computer initiative.”

Amstein says they also discussed taking another look at the budget for the 2015-16 school year, and moving ahead with plans despite not knowing again, what the Iowa Legislature will allow for Supplemental Aid. He says the legislature has already surpassed the 30-days required by law to set the percentage of Supplemental Aid. Therefore, the Board laid-out some scenarios with regard to the current levies and funding appropriations at varying percentages of Supplemental Aid and the effect each would have on the levy.

In addition, Amstein said he’s not sure the district could manage some of the legislative proposals for bullying when it comes to incidents that happen off campus. He said “It’s a fine line for them to walk,” and he’ll be interested in seeing how that plays out. An amendment discussed Monday would change some language on guidelines for educators looking at why a student might be bullied. It would also create a group of experts who would study the issue. The bill was proposed by Gov. Terry Branstad, who has made anti-bullying legislation a priority this session. Lawmakers failed to agree on a measure last year.

The latest forecast shows a large portion of the state could soon be buried under a half-foot or more of snow. National Weather Service meteorologist Allan Curtis says snow should start falling early tomorrow (Wed) morning in northwest Iowa and move diagonally across the state throughout the day. “The heaviest band of snow…we’re looking at northwest Iowa, coming across into central Iowa, even parts of south-central and southeastern Iowa…being in that 4 to 6 inch range,” Curtis said.

Other areas of the state may not get any new snow.  “For the most part, southwest Iowa will likely see something, probably up to an inch,” Curtis said. “The only parts of the state that are looking at possibly seeing nothing are the extreme eastern and northeastern sections.” The snow is expected to arrive in northwest Iowa around 2 a.m. tomorrow (Wednesday) and exit southeast Iowa either late tomorrow or early Thursday. “This one is going to be a pretty long duration event,” Curtis said.

The snow will be followed by some bitterly cold temperatures to close out the month of February. “We’re looking at highs on Thursday and Friday in the single digits and lower teens,” Curtis said. Another round of snow is possible over the weekend. “Currently, it’s looking like the totals will be less than what we see Wednesday,” Curtis said. “Obviously, that can change, but the big difference with what’s coming through for the weekend…it looks like it’s going to be a more widespread event.”

(Radio Iowa)

An one-day conference for women from all walks of life will be held at the Shenandoah Historical Museum Building, next month.  on Saturday, March 21. The Mills County Extension Office reports the “Women Gaining Ground” conference, presented by Women, Land and Legacy, takes place 8-a.m. March 21st.

Officials say a series of six interesting and insightful sessions will be held throughout the day. Participants can attend three of the following sessions:
• Reducing Your Risk of Identity Theft: Identity is an asset—as valuable as cash in hand. Learn how to protect your assets by becoming more informed about which types of personal information thieves are stealing.
• Local Foods: Grow It Here, Eat It Here: Learn about the benefits of eating food grown close to home and get tips for becoming a successful ag entrepreneur.
• Creative Start-Ups: Hear the story of Joe Sweeney, a 5th generation cattle farmer who is now part of a new wave of agriculture with the establishment of Buckeye Fish Company.
• Travel Time Not Required: Find out more about some of the wonderful things close to home that Western Iowa has to offer.
• The Business of Bees: Interested in the intriguing lives of bees and their role in the environment? Two local beekeepers will share their expertise.
• Spring Decorating—With Junk: The Farmer’s Daughters will share some tips and tricks for freshening up your home, porch and yard, just in time for spring.

Keynote speaker for the event is Holly Hoffman, a former contestant on TV’s “Survivor” show, who is scheduled to make her presentation at 10:15-a.m.  Hoffman is an inspirational and motivational speaker who encourages others to take opportunities and focus on attitude, confidence, determination, desire, and faith.

The day will start with donuts and fresh fruit. Lunch will be feature a baked potato bar and desserts. To finish the day, participants will be sent home with locally prepared cookies.  All that good food may have some women worrying about their figures, so Bobbi Schaaf will be teaching some yoga moves after lunch that will help burn off a few calories and promote life-long fitness.

The conference features a variety of local merchants displaying some of their most popular products. Pre-registration is required, with registrations postmarked by March 10th eligible to win $100 cash. Details for the conference, including access to the registration form, are available on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/womenlandlegacywgg.

Any questions can be directed to Mills County ISU Extension at 712-624-8616; Fremont County ISU Extension at 712-374-2351; or Montgomery County ISU Extension at 712-623-2592.

MOUNT PLEASANT, Iowa (AP) – A mental hospital that Gov. Terry Branstad wants to close has fired three workers and made changes after a patient’s attempted suicide revealed major safety gaps. Administrators at the Mental Health Institute in Mount Pleasant say three workers walked past a psychiatric patient who’d tied a bedsheet around his neck to a bathroom doorknob Oct. 19. They say all three should have stopped immediately to help the patient, who had a history of assaulting employees.

But the workers dispute that the patient, who ultimately wasn’t harmed, was in immediate danger or that they did anything wrong. They say they weren’t given training on responding to suicide attempts.
An investigation by the Department of Inspections and Appeals concluded that “systemic failures and deficient practices” led to an unsafe environment for patents.