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Pence says Trump’s arrest in NYC would be ‘politically motivated’

News

March 18th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Former Vice President Mike Pence says the potential arrest of former President Donald Trump is politically motivated and Pence says that’s deeply troubling. Pence spoke with reporters in Iowa shortly after Trump announced he expected to be arrested Tuesday in connection with a New York grand jury probe.

Trump, in a post on his social media platform, called for protests. Pence says he respects the right of every American to speak their mind about the situation.

Pence was in Des Moines Saturday for a discussion about foreign policy that was hosted by Senator Joni Ernst. Pence says America isn’t the world’s policeman, but, as the leader of the free world, the U.S. must support Ukraine to ensure peace in eastern Europe.

Pence’s remarks are in contrast to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a likely 2024 presidential candidate, who recently said the war is a territorial dispute and Ukraine is not of vital national interest to the United States.

Pence said “…I know some people say we can’t take care of getting our economy moving again, securing our border, taking care of things here at home and doing that, but that’s a pretty small view of the greatest nation on earth. We can do both.” Pence told reporters he’ll be making a decision about whether to launch a presidential campaign of his own this spring. He told the audience at the event Iowa’s Caucuses will again play an outsized role in shaping the nation’s destiny.

Pence, who served in the U.S. House for a dozen years, was Indiana’s governor when Trump chose him as his running mate in 2016.

Marshalltown man’s death under investigation

News

March 18th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Marshalltown, Iowa) –  Police in Marshalltown are investigating a suspicious death. Authorities said Saturday (today), that on Friday, March 17, 2023, at 4:03pm, law enforcement responded to 618 West Boone Street after receiving a 911 call reporting someone had been injured at this location and was not breathing. Upon arrival, officers found a 27-year-old male deceased. The victim has been identified as Isaiah Montell Forest, of Marshalltown. On March 18th, an autopsy of the victim was performed by the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner. The final autopsy results and conclusions are pending. Details are not available at this time while this investigation is ongoing. The circumstances surrounding this death are suspicious. No arrests have been made.
At this time, there is no evidence or information available that would suggest a threat to the general public. The police department says it’s making every effort to quickly resolve this investigation.
The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation is assisting the Marshalltown Police Department with the investigation. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Marshalltown Police Department at 641-754-5729. Tips may also be submitted anonymously by calling Marshall County Crime Stoppers at 641-753-1234 or via text by texting the word “marshall” followed by the tip to CRIMES (274637).
Tips may also be submitted online at www.marshallcountycs.com.
The Marshalltown Police Department was assisted at the Boone Street address by the Iowa Division of Criminal
Investigation Crime Scene Team, the Marshall County 911 Communications Center, the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, the Marshalltown Fire Department and the Unity Point Ambulance Service.

Griswold School Board set to meet Monday evening

News

March 18th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Griswold, Iowa) – The Griswold School Board will meet 5:30-p.m., Monday, March 20, in the Conference Room at the High School. Their agenda (as follows) includes an Exempt (closed) session for matters relating to negotiating sessions.

• Call Meeting to Order

• Reading of Mission Statement

• Approval of Agenda (D.R.)

• Public Input

• Superintendent’s Report:

  1. Thank You Card(s) (I)
  2. The Month in Review – Administration (I)
  3. Board Learning Opportunities (I)

– Honor February Recipient

– Select March Recipient

• Consent Agenda (D.R.)

Approval of Minutes

Approval of Financial Statements

Approval of Bills

4. Personnel

5. Gifts, Memorials, Bequests

Exempt Meeting – An exempt meeting will be held prior to conducting the Old Business portion of the regular March 20, 2023 Griswold Board of Education Meeting.

The purpose of the Exempt Meeting is to discuss strategy in matters relating to negotiating sessions pursuant to Iowa Code 20.17(3)

Old Business

6. Board Policies – Second Reading (D.R.) – 216.2, 603.6, 603.7, 603.8, 603.8R1, 603.9, 603.9R1, 603.10, 603.11, 607.1, 701.5, 701.5R1, 705.1R2, 804.7R1

7. Consider Approval Of Track Maintenance Bid (D.R.)

8. Discussion And Possible Action On Griswold Sports Club Concession

Stand Proposal (I or D.R.)

New Business

9. Discussion On Possible Meeting Dates With The Labor Management

Committee And An IASB Workshop (I)

10. Approve Master Contract For GCEA (D.R.)

11. Accept GCEA Human Resource Handbook (D.R.)

12. Approve Master Contract For School Based Interventionist (D.R.)

13. Accept School Based Interventionist Human Resource Handbook (D.R.)

14. Approve Master Contract For Technology Coordinator (D.R.)

15. Accept Technology Coordinator Human Resource Handbook (D.R.)

16. Approve Master Contract For Non-Certified Staff (D.R.)

17. Accept Non-Certified Human Resource Handbook (D.R.)

18. Approval Of Contract Renewals For Certified Staff, Coaches/Sponsors,

Administration, Quasi-Administrators, And Support Staff (D.R.)

19. Approve The 2023-24 Elementary Guidance Sharing Agreement With

Riverside (D.R.)

20. Approve The 2023-24 Transportation Director Sharing Agreement

With Atlantic (D.R.)

21. Approve The 2023-24 School Business Official Sharing Agreement With

Riverside (D.R.)

22. Consider Approval Of 2023-24 Shared Girls Wrestling Program (D.R.)

23. Consider Approval Of The 2023-24 Athletic Handbook (D.R.)

24. Consider Approval Of The 2023-24 Preschool Handbook (D.R.)

25. Set Drivers Education Fees (D.R.)

26. Consider Approval Of Updated Job Descriptions (D.R.)

27. Consider Approval Of Mowing Bids (D.R.)

28. Consider Approval Of Participation Agreement For FY24 Local Government

Risk Pool (D.R.)

29. Consider Approval Of Skip The Trip Program (D.R.)

30. Consider Approval Of Open Enrollment Request – In (D.R.)

31. 4-Day School Week Update (I)

32. Youth Sports Update (I)

33. Annual Review Of Policies 410.2, 603.2, 711.4 (D.R.)

34. Board Policies – First Reading (I) – 413.6, 413.7, 604.1, 604.2, 604.3, 604.4,

604.5, 604.6, 604.7, 604.8, 604.9, 604.10, 604.11

35 Discussion And Possible Action On Small Claims Court Award (I or D.R.)

• Adjourn

(D.R.) = Decision Required

(I.) = Informational

Final agenda will be posted in the Central Office no less than 24 hours before the meeting.

Audubon School Board to meet Monday evening

News

March 18th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Audubon, Iowa) – Members of the Audubon School District’s Board of Education, Monday, will hold a work session, public hearing on the FY 23 School Calendar, and their regular monthly meeting. Their session takes place in the High School Board Room.  Here’s a look at the agenda:

6:45 – Board Work Session – Board Goals

7:00 – Public Hearing – FY24 School Calendar

Board of Education – Regular Meeting

1.0 Call to Order

2.0 Approve Consent Agenda

2.01 Agenda

2.02 Minutes – February 20, 2023

2.03 Warrants and Financial Reports

3.0 Public Comments – Please contact the Supt. or Board President (Board Policy #213)

4.0 Action Items

4.01 Set Time and Date for Budget Hearing

4.02 Approve Budget Guarantee Resolution

4.03 Approve FY24 School Calendar

4.4   Approve AEA Purchasing Agreement
4.05 Approve Timberline Billing Services Contract

4.06 Approve Teacher Salary Settlement

4.07 Approve Salaries – Staff Not Included in Bargaining Unit

4.08 Approve Change Orders – Building Project

4.09 Approve Track Resurfacing Quote

4.10 Approve Greenhouse Quote

4.11 Approve Electric Bus Purchase

4.12 Approve Electric Bus Charging Station Purchase

4.13 Possible Approval of Surplus Property Sale – Choir Shells

4.14 Personnel

5.0 Communication & Updates

5.01 Superintendent Report

5.01.1 – Building Project Updates

5.01.2 – Legislative Update

5.02 Principal’s Reports

6.0 Adjournment

Next Regular Meeting: Monday, April 17, 2023, 7:00 PM

Atlantic Parks & Rec meeting set for Monday

News

March 18th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City of Atlantic’s Parks and Recreation Department Board of Directors will meet 5:15-p.m. Monday, March 20, in the City Council’s Chambers at City Hall.

Old Business:

  • The Ambassadors (Chamber of Commerce) visit is scheduled for Thursday, April 6th, 2023, at 10:00 am at the Parks & Recreation office.
  • Disk golf course signage grant update
  • Schildberg Trail update
  • Splash pad update- Ali Pieken

Action items/New Business includes:

  • Vote to grant James McEntaffer permission to install mile markers around the walking path at Schildberg Recreation Area. *
  • Vote to grant Amy Maes permission to have a bench installed at Schildberg Recreation Area. *
  • Vote to allow Olsen to have a bench installed at Schildberg Recreation Area. *
  • Vote to grant Frank Saddlemire permission to plant trees in Sunnyside Park. *
  • Discussion regarding the prioritization of repairing and updating Sunnyside Pool
  • Vote to allow the Park Director to move forward with the purchase of a new waterslide at Sunnyside Pool, contingent on staying within the City Administrator’s determined budget. *
  • Vote to allow the Park Director to move forward with painting Sunnyside Pool, contingent on staying within the City Administrator’s determined budget. *
  • Vote to allow the Park Director to purchase the Pool-Pass software to help the Department handle membership registration, pool entry, point-of-sale, and resale inventory. *
  • Vote on setting the 2023 season pool membership fees. *

(Starred items * require a vote of the Board)

Parks Director Wyatt Adderton will report on:

  • Certified Pool Operator class update
  • Lifeguard certification update
  • Iowa Parks & Recreation Association annual conference update
  • Zero-turn mower
  • Art in the Park Update
  • Acknowledgements

1 dead, 3 injured in eastern Iowa 3 vehicle crash

News

March 18th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Oskaloosa, Iowa) – A collision involving three vehicles Friday night, north of Oskaloosa, resulted in one death and three injuries. According to the Iowa State Patrol, a 2000 GMC Sierra pickup driven by 40-year-old Jamie L. Buckley, of New Sharon, was southbound on U-S Highway 63 at around 8-p.m., as the same time a northbound 2014 Chevy Equinox SUV driven was being driven by 74-year-old Alan W. Buitenwerf, of Worth, IL.

The SUV crossed the center line of the road and hit the pickup, causing that vehicle to cross into the northbound lane, where it struck a northbound 2012 Dodge Ram 1500, head-on. The Dodge was driven by 83-year-old Billy G. Brubaker, of Eldora.

Jamie Buckley and Billy Brubaker, along with two others, who were passengers in the SUV and DODGE, were transported by Mahaska County Ambulance to the Mahaska County Hospital, where Buckley died from his injuries. He was not wearing a seat belt.The remaining crash victims were buckled-up.

69-year-old Robin C. Buitenwerf, of Worth, Il, and 81-year-old Joan F. Brubaker, of Eldora, were injured in the crash.

NE man arrested on Cass County (IA) warrant for Sexual Exploitation

News

March 17th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports four arrests. On March 16th, 20-year-old Lucas Robert Swanson,  of Elk Horn, NE, was arrested on a Cass County (IA) warrant for the Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, Extortion and Harassment 1st.  Swanson was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was being held on $250,000 bond.

And, Cass County deputies arrested 32-year-old Kirstin Gail Winters, of Sioux City, March 16th, on the charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance.  Winters was transported to Cass County Jail, booked and later released on her own recognizance.

The previous day (March 15), 24-year-old Marty Delanie Pelzer, of Griswold, was arrested on charge of OWI 1st Offense.  Pelzer was transported to Cass County Jail here he was booked and later released on his own recognizance.

And, on March 12th, 2023, 41-year-old Daniel Phillips Faulkner Jr., of Casey, was arrested by Cass County Deputies, on charges of OWI 1st Offense and Driving Under Suspension.  Faulkner was transported to Cass County Jail where he was booked and later released on his own recognizance.

Cass County Sheriff releases info. on accidents

News

March 17th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office has released information about three separate accidents.

Authorities say that on Friday, March 17, 2023, Deputies responded to an accident at 5th and Olive Streets, in Atlantic.  James Richard Cisar, Jr., of Atlantic, was driving a 2006 Chevy Cobalt eastbound on 5th Street.  As he approached the intersection of 5th and Olive St, his car collided with a southbound 2016 Kia Optima, driven by Jennifer Lynn Conrad.  No medical attention was needed at the scene.

On March 9th, 2023, at around 7:30-am., Cass County Deputies responded to a four vehicle accident on Highway 92 and 710th Street, near Massena.  Officials say Micheal Ann Rimel, of Massena, was traveling eastbound on Hwy 92 driving a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee.  The SUV slid and crossed the center line due to the adverse weather conditions. It struck a 2017 Ford Fusion driven by Erin Ann Propp, of Melbourne.  A 2003 Dodge Ram pickup, driven by Michael Jay Kaloides, of Greenfield, traveling westbound and slowing to avoid the collision, when he was struck from behind by a 2013 GMC Terrain driven by Kaitlyn Sue Wilson, of Fontanelle.  Kaloides was transported to Cass Health by Massena Rescue. No other injuries were reported.

And, less than an hour later (at 8:21-a.m) Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a single-vehicle accident near 608 Marne Road, in Marne.  Amber Nicole Scott, of Avoca, was driving a 2019 Ford Expedition eastbound on Marne Rd when the SUV began to slide on the roadway due to the weather conditions.  The Ford slid off the right side of the roadway and struck a garage located at 608 Marne Rd. No injuries were reported.

Humboldt woman arrested in Audubon County

News

March 17th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Audubon, Iowa) – The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest on March 10th, of 30-year-old Krystal Frock, from Humboldt. She was arrested on a warrant for Violation of Probation. Frock appeared before the magistrate and was held on a $5,000 cash only bond.

Ready to leap into spring cleaning projects? Careful with those chemicals!

News

March 17th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa_ – Believe it or not, Monday marks the first day of spring, and it’s also the start of Poison Prevention Week in Iowa. Tammy Noble, a registered nurse and spokeswoman for the Iowa Poison Control Center, says once people launch into their spring cleaning projects, the risks rise of someone, often a child, being exposed to powerful household cleansers.

“We’re focusing on trying to remind people that when poisons happen, we’re here for you. Poison centers are always available 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” Noble says. “And poisonings happen to people of all ages. So it’s not just something that we have to worry about with kids.” The Sioux City-based poison center suggests parents can prevent poisonings by storing chemicals in a locked cupboard, not just under the sink. Noble says they should be out of a child’s reach.

“Last year, we had over 23,000 human exposure calls, so people in Iowa that had some type of an exposure to poison,” Noble says. “Sixty-four-percent of those involved a medicine, and when you look at what’s the top medicine that people have exposures to, it’s pain medicine.”

Learn more at the website Iowa Poison-dot-org (iowapoison.org). Noble suggests putting the hotline in your smartphone’s contact list so it’s always handy — at 1-800-222-1222.