The Iowa Board of Social Work, last week, acted to suspend the license of a Creston man. The Board ruled on June 10th that Master Social Work practitioner Kenneth Hayes had repeatedly violated the terms of his “Impaired Practitioner Recovery Contract,” as established by the seven-member Impaired Practitioner Review Committee.

Hayes is said to have repeatedly consumed alcohol which was proven through the results of three separate tests. He also ceased participating in a chemical screening program, and was discharged from a treatment aftercare Program facilitated by Zion Recovery Services, for lack of compliance and lack of progress in rehabilitation.

Hayes’ is required to stop practicing social work and pay a total of $130 in fees associated with the proceedings in his case. Hayes has 30 days to appeal his suspension to a district court, with the cost of the appeal his sole responsibility.

Monday’s night’s meeting of the CAM School Board was the last such meeting for Superintendent Steve Pelzer.  Pelzer told KJAN News he officially retired and handed in his letter of resignation, so the district can move forward with its Superintendent sharing agreement with Nodaway Valley. His last day will be June 30th. When asked what he would do in his retirement, Pelzer joked “I think going to be a radio announcer.”

In addition to approving Pelzer’s retirement and resignation, the CAM School Board took action on a few other contracts. He says they had a resignation from Kyle Williams – Head of Maintenance, resignations from various coaching positions because of a moves to different positions, 1st grade teacher Alisha Lindquist resigned to accept a position with the Atlantic School District, and, a contract was issued to new Athletic Director, Joe Wollum.

Pelzer said also, the Board signed a sharing agreement with Nodaway Valley for a part-time counselor. He said that individual will serve the CAM District in the south Elementary and Middle School for about 40% of the contract, two days per week

And, the CAM School Board finalized an agreement with Nodaway Valley for the sharing of their Superintendent, Casey Berlau, effective July 1st.

(9-a.m. News)

Officials with Atlantic Municipal Utilities report a large power outage caused by last night’s storms is effecting several AMU customers. The utility says crews are working on restoring service at this time.  As of 7:40-a.m., AMU officials said with the exception of about 20 customers, most have had their power restored. Those who remain should see the lights come back on within the hour.

The affected AMU customers weren’t the only ones who started off their day without “juice.” Tens of thousands of other Iowa residents were without power early this morning after severe storms packing high winds and heavy rain crossed the state. The Des Moines Register reports MidAmerican Energy had more than 27,000 customers without power early Tuesday morning due to the severe weather. Alliant Energy reported nearly 12,000 Iowa customers without power, including about 6,000 in the Cedar Rapids area.

The Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives showed nearly 800 customers without power, with the most in Franklin County.The storms were part of a large system that walloped parts of other Midwest states, including Nebraska.

Atlantic Parks and Recreation Dept. Director Roger Herring reports the Atlantic Swimming Pool, which has been open since May 24th, has been very, very busy.  He says attendance is way up, with anywhere from 75-to 100 people using the pool each day since it opened. Herring told the Parks and Rec Board Monday evening that there’ve been no equipment problems, the facility was used for two private parties, and there’s been one special theme day, with another, family-friendly, kid-focused event in the works for July 4th.

He says for example, there’ll be a coin toss for a number of age groups, where kids jump in to retrieve coins they can keep, and a gold fish chase. There will also be trinkets from the Oriental Trading Company given away. More details about the events planned for July 4th will be released as the date approaches. Speaking of swimming, Herring reports 60 students are registered for the Swim Team, a number of whom are also registered in the Nishna Valley YMCA program. Herring says the team is doing well in competition. The team has competed two away events thus far, and placed second at both events.

In other business, Roger Herring said grading on the Senior Activity area site at Sunnyside Park has been delayed due to the weather, but work will begin as soon as possible. And, he says the number of people using the walking trails at the Schildberg Recreation Area have continued to grow. Herring said counters keeping track of users for the purpose of obtaining a Vision Iowa grant, have indicated 100-people per day are taking advantage of the outdoor walking paths to get their exercise and fresh air.

He says the counters have been taking their numerical survey for 40-days. So far, on the north side, nearly 4,000 “clicks” have been recorded. A click on the counter represents a person who is observed walking the longest portion of the trail. The inside trail is getting nearly as much use.