Today (Tuesday), at the Governor’s Bullying Prevention Summit, Governor Branstad announced the launch of a new “go-to” resource where youth, parents, school personnel and all concerned Iowans can get help and information about bullying and youth suicide. Available 24/7, Your Life Iowa is a phone call or text away at www.Yourlifeiowa.org or 855-581-8111.

Trained counselors will provide guidance and support about bullying, and critical help to youth who feel they’ve run out of options and are considering suicide. Your Life Iowa is funded by the Iowa Department of Public Health in partnership with Boys Town, the State of Iowa Youth Advisory Committee, and the Iowa Department of Education Bullying Prevention, Intervention and Reporting Initiative.

Officers with the Atlantic Police Department have been keeping busy early this week. Today (Tuesday), they arrested 33-year old Ryan Richards and 26-year old Justin Knutsen, both of Atlantic, on charges of Theft in the 5th Degree. Richards was also cited for Criminal Trespassing and subsequently released, while Knutsen was booked in to the Cass County Jail.

And, on Monday, 24-year old Jonathan Poeppe, of Atlantic, was arrested for Driving While Suspended. In addition, 33-year old Essex Mullins, of Atlantic, was arrested for Theft in the 5th Degree/Shoplifting. Both were booked in to the Cass County Jail.

Members of the Exira and Elk Horn-Kimballton Community School District’s Boards of Education met Monday night in Exira for a joint Board meeting on the topic of reorganization. Exira-EHK Superintendent Dean Schnoes said no action could be taken due to the lack of a quorum from the EHK Board. Schnoes said the meeting essentially turned into a work session, which featured Area Education Agency (AEA) representatives Paula Vincent and Lane Plugge.

Schnoes said a few members of the community showed up to listen and ask questions about reorganization and consolidation of the two school districts. He says the Q-and-A and discussion process won’t stop with the most recent meeting. Schnoes said they will continue to hold community meetings every time there is new information that’s made available. Information will also be available on the district’s website and their related FaceBook page.

Once the final petition is put together and approved, the matter could be put to a vote of members in both school districts, by early April 2013. He says if other issues crop up, the vote might end-up being pushed back until June of next year, but he hopes that doesn’t happen.

JOHNSTON, Iowa (AP) – A committee has decided to recommend Iowa provide education services for blind and deaf students at existing campuses in Vinton and Council Bluffs and three new sites in a regional system. The proposal will be forwarded to the Iowa Board of Regents. A board vote isn’t expected until February.

The proposal will cost $3.2 million more than current spending to serve the deaf and blind students. But School for the Deaf Superintendent Patrick Clancy says the extra cost would be shared by various entities, including local school districts.  The regents charged the committee to review the effectiveness and efficiency of the services.

The state serves about 500 students who are blind or visually impaired. It serves about 1,500 students who are deaf or hard of hearing.