A former Harlan Community School District vocal teacher has been charged by the Iowa Board of Education Examiners. The Harlan News-Advertiser reports Heidi Schwery was charged with student abuse and unethical practice. Schwery resigned from her position back in October 2012. She is accused of encouraging or consummating a romantic or otherwise inappropriate relationship with a student. The relationship was not sexual in nature. Schwery is also charged with unethical practice by failing to make reasonable efforts to protect the health and safety of students or creating conditions harmful to student learning.

Her hearing is set for Thursday, May 23rd. The paper says the matter may be resolved by Schwery surrendering her teaching license or an agreement to a lesser sanction. She was employed by the Harlan Community School District in August of 2005 and resigned on October 22nd, 2012.

Police in Atlantic report the arrest Wednesday, of an Oakland man. 31-year old Jesse Westover was taken into custody for Driving While Barred. He was brought to the Cass County Jail and held pending an appearance before the magistrate.

(12-p.m. News)

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Department reports the arrest Wednesday afternoon of a Cass County and Pottawattamie County man on weapon and drug charges. 49-year old George Otis Brittain, of Atlantic, was charged with Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Possession of Methamphetamine/3rd offense, Possession of Marijuana/3rd offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

45-year old Danny Lawrence Brittain, of Council Bluffs, was charged with Possession of Meth/2nd offense, and Possession of drug paraphernalia. The charges stem from a search warrant executed at 3210 Zinnia Road, in Audubon County.

Both men were brought to the Audubon County Jail and held. George Brittain appeared in magistrate court this (Thursday) morning, and was being held in the Audubon County Jail. His preliminary hearing is set for April 8th. Danny Brittain also appeared in magistrate court, and was released. His preliminary hearing was set for April 15th.

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office was assisted in the execution of the search warrant, by deputies from the Cass and Shelby County Sheriff’s Offices.

(12-p.m. News)

Officials with the White Pole Road Development Corporation have announced the return of theirs popular “Progressive Dinner,” but for only one last supper on Saturday, April 20th at 5:30 p.m. In honor of the night’s new starting place, the menu will take on an Italian theme with each of the group’s five towns hosting a different course for a five-course meal.

Drinks and antipasti (appetizers) begin at Zipp’s Pizzaria, 301 Audubon Street in Adair.  Dinner guests will then proceed east on buses to the Casey Visitor’s Center for homemade zuppa (soup), the Menlo Café for insalata (salad), the Saints Center in Stuart for piatto principale (main entrée), and then finish the night at the Dexter Roundhouse for dolce (dessert). But according to the event organizer, this year’s dinner will be the last one for a while.

Liz Gilman, event chair says “The people who have attended these dinners have a blast. But after producing nine of these as a volunteer,” Gilman says she’s “Ready to take a little break.” She added that “If you are one of those people who have said ‘Oh, I want to do that sometime’, now is the time. Come make some friends and toast to a fun night all along the White Pole Road.”

Advance tickets are required and must be purchased prior to April 17^th. The cost is $25 per person which includes roundtrip bus transportation from town to town. Tickets can be purchased at Town & Country Insurance in Stuart (515-523-2026) or Fisher, Fisher & Groetken, P.C. in Adair (641-742-5231). Guests are also welcome to drive themselves or for those wanting to leave their cars in Dexter for the end of the night, a shuttle bus for Adair will leave the Dexter Roundhouse at 5 p.m. SHARP.

For more information on this event and the White Pole Road Development Corporation, please visit www.whitepoleroad.com.