Polk County, Iowa — A Johnston day care provider charged in the 2019 death of a child, was sentenced Wednesday to 10-year in prison. 51-year-old Trina Mazza had earlier pleaded guilty to neglect of a dependent person. Her defense attorney had asked for a deferred judgment.

According to court documents, Mazza admitted to leaving a child in a Pack ‘n Play crib in her unlicensed, in-home day care center. Later, while she was upstairs, the child attempted to climb out of his crib and got caught between another crib close by. The child was asphyxiated within minutes.

The child died a few days later. The cause of death was determined to be accidental traumatic asphyxia. Mazza is also facing a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Atlantic School District Superintendent Steve Barber, Wednesday, reported the District has an internal team that has worked extensively to get a registered apprenticeship in the area of welding.

The on-the-job training aspect is for 2,000 hours. There are interests internally, he said, from instructors, business partners, and students.

Students will be mentored by persons in the respective businesses. Once students complete the apprenticeship program, they will receive national credentials. Five prospective business partners are scheduled to meet with Administrators this afternoon, to discuss the program and offer additional, professional input.

(Radio Iowa) –  Today (Thursday) marks one year since an extremely rare, very powerful December derecho swept across Iowa, killing one person and causing widespread destruction. Meteorologist Mike Fowle, at the National Weather Service, says the massive, long-duration storm is cemented in state history and will, hopefully, never be matched. Forty-nine of Iowa’s 99 counties were declared disaster areas and the storm spun off 63 tornadoes, the most Iowa’s ever seen in a single day.

It was the second derecho to hit Iowa in two years, following another on August 10th of 2020, which placed the term “derecho” into the vocabulary of everyone in the state. The 2020 storm packed extremely powerful winds, peaking at 140-miles an hour near Cedar Rapids. Coincidentally, Iowa had a derecho earlier this year, in July, but it was nowhere near as destructive as the previous two.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Red Oak Police report two separate arrests took place Wednesday night (12/14/22). Authorities say at around 10:50-p.m., 31-year-old Jeffrey Dwayne Currie, Jr., of Red Oak, was arrested on a Red Oak Police Department warrant for Possession of a Controlled Substance/1st offense. He was being held in the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center on a $1,000 bond.

And, at around 6:20-p.m., Wednesday, Red Oak Police arrested 28-year-old Sheyenne Linn Eilers, of Red Oak, was arrested, also on a Red Oak P-D warrant for Possession of a Controlled Substance/1st offense. She was also being held on a $1,000 bond.

(Radio Iowa) – The amount of taxes collected that go to fund road projects in the state has remained strong despite some decreases in travel brought on by higher gas prices. The Iowa Department of Transportation’s Shawn Majors says 95 percent of the road use tax fund comes from the fuel tax, registration fees and taxes on the sale of new and used vehicle sales. “One of the reasons we’ve seen favorable numbers as far as our revenue has been, our fee for new registration numbers that have come in this year this year so far. And I would say that based on the initial numbers we’re seeing for the November receipts, that will continue next month, Majors says.

Majors says the registration revenue is not as much as it was prior to COVID. “But definitely higher than we anticipated, given all the impacts of COVID and inflation. I guess that’s one thing I have been a little surprised about that we still continue to see really good numbers for the fees for new registration,” he says. A chip shortage has cut the number of new car sales — which has in turn driven up the cost of used cars — an new registration fees are based on the cost of the vehicle.

“That’s the biggest thing as far as how we’ve made up that balance of not having as much inventory out there for new vehicles — is those increased costs for used vehicles,” Major says. Majors made his comments in a report to the state Transportation Commission.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Congressman Randy Feenstra says the renewable fuel recommendations from the Biden Administration are a combination of positives and negatives. Feenstra, a Republican from Hull, supports the E-P-A’s recommended ethanol production mandate. “The EPA proposed the Renewable Fuels Standard to stay at 15 billion gallons for 2023 and then going up in 2024 and 2025 to go up to 15.2 billion gallons, without waivers,” Feenstra says. “This is a really big thing.”

In the past, the federal government granted some oil refineries waivers, so they did not have to blend ethanol into gasoline. Feenstra says one downside of the E-P-A’s plan is the agency is recommending the production goal for soybean-based biodiesel remain the same for the next three years. “Right now, we are in a diesel crunch,” Feenstra says. “There’s a lot of shortage with diesel and here the EPA had the great opportunity of doing something biodiesel and didn’t.”

The E-P-A is also proposing a new program for electric vehicle manufacturers. It basically would create renewable fuel credits for the electricity used to make E-Vs.”It’s called in eRIN credit. Completely ridiculous,” Feenstra says. “Obviously, we like our (vehicles) that can use E85 and that can use E15 and B10, B11 diesel, things like that. Here we have an EPA that’s just been liberalized and pushing the electric vehicle mantra.”

Others have suggested the electric vehicle industry could be an ally to ag interests battling the oil industry’s aim to get rid of the Renewable Fuel Standard. The E-P-A will host a virtual hearing on January 10th to give the public a chance to comment on its three year plan related to ethanol, biodiesel and electric vehicle production.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – An organizational meeting of the Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education was held Wednesday evening, prior to the start of the regular (reorganized) Board meeting. During the first part of the meeting, the Board elected Laura McLean as Board President. She takes over the position held the past year by Jenny Williams. Kristy Pellett was elected Vice-President. And, Sarah Sheeder was reappointed as Board Secretary/Treasurer. The Board also chose to leave the dates, times and place of their regular monthly meetings the same as the past year: The second Wednesday of the month at 5:30-p.m. in the Atlantic High School Media Center.

In other business, Superintendent Steve Barber reported on areas of Academic Excellence, Team Culture and District Operations.

Zoom image of the meeting

Here are the bullet points of his report (Courtesy Sarah Sheeder):

Academic Excellence…

• We continue to hear that our new math curriculum was the right direction for math instruction.  It has created more dialogue and collaboration with students and engagement amongst students is high.  Big change for our math instructors and has been a challenge with the additional needs of preparation.  Will continue to support.
• Internal team has worked extensively to get a registered apprenticeship in the area of welding.  There are interests internally from instructors, business partners, and students.
• Feedback from teachers, TLC, and administrators has been positive based on the collaborative PD conversations taking place around Instructional Framework.  Principals will conduct mid-year conferences starting on Jan. 2.
• Implementing the three year program has been successful.  Those currently being served in this program we believe will pay big dividends in preparing students for kindergarten and beyond.
• High School has invited different professions to speak with students about their businesses.
• Administrators have been trained on utilizing student achievement data in making instructional decisions.  Close look at our Panorama platform and ensure that data is being recorded accurately, before making it a way we do business.
• Portrait of an Atlantic Trojan is visible throughout our buildings.  Language of the Portrait continues to grow.

Team Culture…

• Having everyone spend a day in Happiness Advantage has been helpful in knowing that being positive is a choice.  Many individuals participated, along with community businesses in our “Wear Orange Day”.
• Some of this work is becoming evident in the student body.
• Administrators/Supervisors have been engaged in a book study called The Advantage.  This dialogue has made all of our departments more connected to our Strategic Plan and the importance of their departments in the Mission of the School.  These positive conversations will continue in the upcoming year.
• Getting into the Middle School at the beginning of the year was not only positive to those who serve in the Middle School, but everyone who had to make concessions the year prior.
• Having consistent schedules for Mental Health Professionals, along with counselors have created more effective intervention pieces.  Students needing Tier III support that do not have it outside are better served in the District.
• Being able to hire an interpreter for our Chuukese population has helped in connecting families to school.
• Feedback from staff on the Washington Playground Project, along with regular leadership meetings have provided input at the district and building level.

District Operations…

• Completed a four year Capital Project plan.  Included input from all departments and buildings.
• Continue to work on improving air quality in all our buildings.
• New sound system at the HS Gymnasium (along with a new floor) has been well received.
• Continue to do walkthroughs with Argent in identifying any unsafe areas or procedures. Includes annual safety training specific to department needs.
• Purchased two buses to help with our transportation needs and help in alleviating the pressure of transportation.
• Principals have consistent procedures in the handbook.
• Completed vulnerable assessments for each of our primary attendance buildings.
• Atlantic School Board receives award from IASB for outstanding Board work.

The Atlantic School Board approved the resignations of: Denise Masker, Preschool Route Driver; Ligia Cohrs, Preschool Bus Monitor, and Danielle Lyons, Paraeducator. They also approved contract recommendations, including: Mark Andersen, Head Boys Soccer Coach; Dayne Nakashima, ELL Paraeducator; Ligia Cohrs, Preschool Bus Driver; Patricia Johnmark, Schuler Food Service, James Pobanz, MS/Schuler Food Service; Karen Vogl, Homebound Instructor; Julie Phippen, Girls Wrestling Chaperone, and Josh McLaren, Volunteer Boys Basketball Coach.

The Atlantic School Board discussed a Registered Apprenticeship Program (more information to come), and an Employee Engagement Survey. Action items they approved include those pertaining to: Depository Institutions and Limits; a Resolution Authorizing Payments; The First Reading of Board Policy Updates for Curriculum & Instructional Materials, followed by a waiving of the second reading; and the purchase of a used (2018) Lunch Truck from Penske Leasing and Rental Company, in the amount of $45,000.

Funds for the purchase will come from the District PPEL (Physical Plant & Equipment Levy). Superintendent Barber said the truck was listed as an FY24 expense on the Capital Projects plan the Board discussed last month, but is needed now, because the current lunch truck is not operational.

The Board also approved entering into an Architect/Engineering Contract with Snyder and Associates, for the construction of a new Washington School playground. They tabled action on a contract for a High School Storage Shed, until their next meeting. The Board wanted to see if the building is something that can be constructed by students in the Carpentry Class.

The price tag for the Playground engineering/design project is $56,000, with the funds coming from the District’s PPEL and/or SAVE (Secure an Advanced Vision of Education) accounts.

(Radio Iowa) – The Linn County Board of Supervisors is pausing action on a pipeline regulation effort after a pipeline developer and anti-pipeline activists alike came out against it. Supervisor Louis Zumbach also voted for the delay. “Taking more time to look at this is fine with me,” Zumbach says. “It’s really surprising that the opposing sides would both like to see more time. That’s interesting to me.”

The ordinance was a response to projects like Wolf Carbon Solution’s 280-mile pipeline project. Wolf opposed the ordinance, asking the supervisors to not make quick decisions on regulations. Activists opposed to Wolf’s pipeline argued the ordinance didn’t do enough to regulate new pipelines. Supervisor Stacey Walker was the first to side with postponing action. He says the county needs to make sure it does everything it can to craft an ordinance to keep residents safe.

“If it truly is the case that we don’t have the ability to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ if a pipeline can be here. If one is to be here what conditions can we create to make it the safest process, the safest project,” Walker says. The new ordinance would have prevented a new hazardous liquid pipeline from locating too close to dwellings, places of public assembly or in future growth areas.

(reporting by Zachary Oren Smith, Iowa Public Radio)

ATLANTIC, IA (December 14, 2022) – Produce in the Park’s Christmas Market is now accepting pre-orders through December 20 at www.produceintheparkatlanticiowa.com, and shoppers will find new vendors offering pre-ordering. Pre-ordering is now available from customer-favorite dessert vendor, Frosting Inc., as well as new vendors Spirits of the Faire (gourmet hot cocoa), Unicorn Clouds (freeze-dried candies), Holaday Baking (dinner rolls, hot cocoa bombs, Trojan Christmas ornaments), and Zipp’s Pizzaria (frozen pizzas). While these are the latest vendors to offer pre-ordered products for holiday markets, many vendors who have offered pre-ordering for the past few years are expanding offerings.

Frosting Inc. is selling cookie decorating kits for Christmas Market.

Brun Ko Farm recently began offering chicken, smoked ham lunch meat, smoked sausage links, bacon, and brat patties. Noble Provisions and Bridgewater Farm have both set up their own online stores in the past year, which showcase their comprehensive product offerings. Noble Provisions sells beef and pork and is selling gift boxes and gift certificates this season. Bridgewater Farm sells organic vegetables, eggs, and meat. Bridgewater Farm vegetables available for Christmas Market include carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, potatoes, and leafy greens. Smudge is offering pre-ordering for their most popular new seasonal shower steamers, hand soaps, and candles—including those in scent Mountain Pine, the official scent of Christmas Market.

Other vendors offering optional pre-ordering for Christmas Market include The Kringleman (Danish pastries, cinnamon rolls, and more), Rolling Acres Farm (squash), Corn 4 a Cause (popcorn on the cob), Johnna Joy Designs (jewelry, art prints), Sweet Sisters Vegan (health and beauty products), and Atlantic Atlas Cinema (gourmet popcorn). While most vendors offer both preordering and in-person shopping, Miss NiNi’s Fine Desserts (cheesecakes, pies, chocolate tortes, and cookies) is only offering pre-ordered products.

Pre-ordering is encouraged for customers who want to plan on a particular food item, or customers who are short on time to shop at the market. Drive through pickup will be available at the Nishna Valley Family YMCA, the location of Christmas Market.

Christmas Market will be held on Thursday, December 22 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Nishna Valley Family YMCA. There is no cost to enter, and the YMCA will offer free bounce house and craft activities for kids during the market.

Produce in the Park continues to accept vendor applications to Christmas Market and other holiday farmers markets (Sweetheart Market Feb. 11, and Spring Celebration Market April 6). For more information visit produceintheparkatlanticiowa.com or contact Market Manager Brigham Hoegh at produceintheparkatlanticiowa@gmail.com or 712-249-5870.

Christmas Market is sponsored by the Atlantic Community Promotion Commission, Cass County Tourism, Deter Motor Co., First Whitney Bank and Trust, Cass Health, Meyer and Gross Real Estate, and the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce.

(Radio Iowa) – More than 20 years after a southwest Iowan dug a large bone out of a creek bed near Shenandoah, researchers from the University of Iowa are publishing a paper about what turned out to be a family of three of the most prime specimens ever found of an ancient creature. Giant ground sloths were descended from tree-dwellers, but U-I Professor Emeritus Holmes Semken says there’s no tree that could have held these sloths, as they were the size of woolly mammoths.

“They were immense. We’re talking an elephant-sized animal here that’s a sloth,” Semken says. “They were super-sized. When one was sitting down, it would be about eight feet from the ground to the top of its head. If it were standing up, it would be about ten feet, and they had incredibly long forelimbs. If they held those up to pull down the branch out of a tree or something like that, you’re talking about 12 feet.” While today’s tree sloths have a reputation of being very slow moving, Semken says the giant ground sloth of 100-thousand years ago likely would have moved more quickly.

Giant Sloth bones. (U-I composite photo)

“Some speculate that this particular kind of sloth would hang the babies in trees to protect them from predators,” Semken says. “These definitely were ground dwellers and there’s really no way to measure their metabolism, but they probably were very much like most other animals.” Their feet weren’t configured to run, he says, and they likely were knuckle-walkers. This type of long-extinct Ice Age ground sloth wasn’t unusual, as they were documented in more than 150 places across North America, however, he says the Iowa find was exceptional as the three sloth skeletons were in near-perfect condition.

“Usually, it’s an isolated tooth, a finger bone, a femur,” Semken says. “What’s different about this, finding almost complete animals is almost unheard of. With this sloth, it could either be the first or the second most complete sloth known.” The person who found the bone had a daughter at the U-I and brought the femur in for study. Semken says his jaw dropped and he knew right away that it wasn’t the typical cow, pig or horse bone most folks find, and that he was holding a career-changer.

“Oh, yes, very definitely,” Semken says, laughing. “It’s always exciting to find something new and this was certainly new, no question about that.” He calls the discovery a type of “Rosetta Stone” for understanding the family life of these mysterious animals. After years of careful excavation, the three sets of giant ground sloth bones were eventually uncovered from the Tarkio Valley river bed in Page County. The research team’s findings are being published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.