On Saturday, Sept. 21st, Members of Chapter 1373 of the Royal Neighbors of America, based in Atlantic, surprised Natalie Groves, of Exira, with a $500 check from the organization’s “Nation of Neighbors Program,” to her Groves with her ministry at the Bethany Farm Christian Center in Brayton. The funds will help keep the cost of activities at the retreat for women and couples reasonable, and to purchase bunk beds for children.

Royal Neighbors has given nearly $1.5-million to more than 1,000 families and individuals in reaching their goals and rebuilding their lives through its Nation of Neighbors Program, which was launched in 2007. Officials say the program demonstrates a vision of protecting women financially and empowering them to improve their lives, families and communities, based on a philosophy founded in 1895.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest of 25-year-old Richard Dean Pierce of Red Oak for Driving While Suspended (13th Offense) at 3:16pm Friday (9/20).  Pierce was arrested at N 8th Street and East Chautauqua in Red Oak.  He was transported to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $566.25 bond.

The Red Oak Police Department reports two arrests for Public Intoxication on Friday.  At approximately 9:57pm officers arrested 24-year-old Megan Renea Guffey of Red Oak and 29-year-old Robert James Welch of Council Bluffs for Public Intoxication at Broadway and 1st Avenue in Red Oak.  Both defendants were taken to the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center.  No bond was set for Welch and Guffey was being held on $300 cash bond.

The Red Oak Police also report the arrest Friday of 31-year-old Keith Andre Smith of Omaha for Breach of Peace.  Smith was arrested at approximately 7:45pm in the 1800 block of East Summit Street in Red Oak.  Smith was transported to the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center and held on $300 cash bond.

A couple of area school board meetings are set to take place Monday evening. In Exira, an Exira-EHK Regular Joint Board and Organizational Meeting will begin at 7-p.m. in the Media Center at the High School. Board members will answer any questions about the New Board, and the EHK Board will act on approving a bid from Feld’s Security for an entrance door. Both board will also act on Allowable Growth Funding for Special Education.

The Joint Board meeting will then adjourn, followed by the convening of an Organizational meeting for the new Exira-Elk Horn Kimballton Community School District. Their agenda includes the election of a new, seven member Board, followed by approval of Tami Jacobsen as Board Secretary and Marie Larson as Business Manager.

And, the Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education will hold an Organizational Meeting and Work Session at 7:30-p.m. Monday, in the High School Media Center. The session will begin with business for the retiring board, approval the canvass of elections, Certified Annual Report and Special Education Supplement. Following adjournment, the New Board meeting and work session will begin.

It will include the administration of oath for newly re-elected Board Members Kristy Pellett and Josh McLaren, the election of a Board President and Vice President, and other administrative matters. The Board will also discuss the Building Budget and Capital Projects, prior to adjourning.

The Red Oak Police Department reports the arrest of 30-year-old Matthew Lee Gusman of Red Oak on a 3rd Degree Burglary charge Friday night.  Officers responded to a call of a burglary in progress at approximately 9:50pm Friday at 205 East Corning Street in Red Oak.  Gusman was found at the property when Red Oak Police and Montgomery County Sheriff’s officials arrived on the scene.  Gusman was arrested and charged with 3rd Degree Burglary, which is a class D felony and was being held on $5,000 cash bond.