The second of two public hearings and votes on a change to the Cass County Zoning Ordinance will be held Wednesday morning, in Atlantic. The action takes place during a regular meeting of the Cass County Board of Supervisors, and would allow an indoor shooting range and/or a gun sales and service shop to be located within the County. The amended ordinance was unanimously approved during the first reading held during the Supervisor’s meeting, last week. Kevin McCunn, of Massena says he plans to open an indoor shooting range and gun sales/service shop near Massena this Spring, if the ordinance is adopted.

In other business, the Board will act on approving four applications:  Two for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Multi-family Unit Production-New Construction Program, Round 5 grants; One for a CDBG Multi-family Unit Production- Round 5 grant; and one for a CDBG Multi-family Housing Application project Round 5 grant. The grants are being made available through 2008 Disaster Recovery Funding, and if approved, be administered through the Southwest Iowa Planning Council (SWIPCO).

The Cass County Supervisors will also act on a Resolution to approve an application for establishment of an enterprise zone, and on appointing a member to the Cass County Local Food Policy Council. Their meeting begins at 9-a.m., Wednesday.

The Harlan Community School District’s Board of Education offered a counter-proposal to the Harlan Education Association (HEA), Monday. The HEA made its initial proposal at a meeting with the school board two-weeks ago. During that meeting, the association had asked for a 5% wage increase and some policy changes, with regard to personal leave, the adding of duty free recesses for teachers at the Primary and Intermediate buildings to work with students, and early retirement.

During Monday’s meeting, Harlan Superintendent Justin Wagner made a few changes to the contract proposal, including one pertaining to realignment. Previously, the rule stated an employee would have first priority to a vacancy in the district. However, the new proposal says an employee may apply for the vacancy and be considered for the position before the district seeks an applicant from outside the bargaining unit.

Also in the realignment, the school district added, “After a teacher has been realigned at their request, the teacher will not be eligible for any other voluntary realignment until they have completed 3 full years in the new position.” And, with regard to compensation, the Harlan School board proposed a 2.05% increase for the teacher’s total package. The Education Association will have a chance to review the counter-proposal before further meetings will take place between the HEA and the school board. The subsequent meetings will take place in closed session.

And, as we reported Monday, Harlan Superintendent Secretary/Board of Education Secretary Terry Cox is retiring from her position. Cox has been the board secretary since 1999 and has been with the district a total of 32 years. She told the board she has seen many changes at the district over the years, but the goal has always been the same: To educate the kids.

(Joel McCall/KNOD)

Officials with the Atlantic Police Department report three people were arrested Monday. 26-year old Jeffery Knight, of Atlantic, was arrested for Domestic Assault, involving a female victim. 24-year old Johnny Kirchner, of Atlantic, was arrested for Harboring a 15-year old female Runaway, who was not from Atlantic,  and, 36-year old Mish Loghry, of Lewis, was arrested for Domestic Assault involving a female victim. All three were booked into the Cass County Jail and held, pending an appearance before the magistrate.

ONAWA, Iowa (AP) – A Sioux City man has been given 11 years in prison for vehicular homicide and driving while intoxicated.  The Sioux City Journal reports Lenley Schofield Jr. had pleaded guilty on Feb. 4th. His agreement with prosecutors included the 11-year prison term. He was sentenced on Monday.

Prosecutors say the 28-year-old Schofield was driving on Iowa Highway 141 near Mapleton in November 2011 when his car veered into an oncoming truck. His passenger, Robert Palmer, later died.  Schofield also must pay $150,000 restitution to Palmer’s estate.