A good-sized crowd turned out for Monday morning’s meeting in Atlantic of ISU Extension officials, to hear what the Extension Service is offering for the future, and to offer opinions on the direction the Service is taking.

Cathann Kress, ISU Extension & Outreach Vice President

Appearing at the meeting held in the Cass County Community Center, was Cathann Kress, ISU Extension and Outreach vice president, and Terry Maloy, Iowa Association of County Extension Councils executive director. Kress told the audience and Extension Council members about four trends currently guiding the work of the Extension and Outreach service. The first was “Economic Development.” She said their economic development programming is focused on actions to help Iowa’s economy grow and prosper, in addition to enhancing the health of communities, and growing businesses. She said it’s also focusing on the future careers of young people.

Kress said the second “signature issue” area the are focusing on, is “Health and Well being,” in alliance with Governor Branstad’s Healthier State Initiative. The third signature issue, according to Kress, is “Food and the environment.” She says that focuses on “Local actions to produce a safe, sustainable, accessible and affordable food supply.” Kress said the fourth “Signature Issue” they’re focusing on at ISU Extension, is K-through 12 Youth Outreach, through STEM (or Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. While STEM jobs are expected to grow by 16% this decade in Iowa, ACT test scores in 2009 indicated 50% of Iowa students were not ready for college-level mathematics study, while only 37% were ready for college-level work in the field of Science. ISU Extension has been recognized by the Governor’s Office, as one of the vital STEM “hubs,” tasked with increasing student preparedness for entering the STEM sectors. Kress said their goal is to “Get young people excited about learning, and discovering new career choices,” including those in the High Tech Sector in Iowa, with the idea being to encourage them to remain in the State and “Pursue an education beyond high school, and build skills that will continue to improve our communities across the State.”

Afterward, during the Q&A session, Kress was asked about how the Extension can help young people become aware of what goes on in manufacturing facilities, and why so-called “Middle skilled” workers are so desperately needed to fill those jobs. Kress said the manufacturers have brought that to their attention, and they are working to overcome the stereotype of high-tech jobs are merely those that belong to “rocket scientists,” or chemists.  She says they’re trying to make sure that they build into their programming hands-on experience for young people, to create opportunities for high school internships and early years in college.

A program which will be incorporated into the STEM hub, is called “Into the Field,” which is intended to create shorter “excursions” into the workforce, which instead of a whole semester-long ordeal, would be for a week or so, to see first-hand what it’s like to work in manufacturing, and what skills and education are needed. She says they’re also looking at creating “Destination  Science” web page, where educators, 4-H volunteers, boy scout leaders and others, can come and let it be known what their interests are, with the idea being to provide points of reference for manufacturing and campus visits. She also said there are opportunities to model some programs after what the World Food Prize organization is doing with the Youth Institute, which gives young people an opportunity to solve problems.

The Atlantic Police Department reports an Adair man was arrested Sunday. 29-year old Zlatko Kendic was taken into custody on a charge of OWI/1st Offense. Kendic was booked into the Cass County Jail and held pending an appearance before the magistrate.

Official said also, Kody Hansen, of Atlantic, was cited following an accident Friday evening at 7th and Plum Streets. Vehicles driven by Hansen, and Jeffrey Richter, of Atlantic, were traveling east on 7th Street at around 5:25-p.m., when Richter stopped at the stop light. Hansen failed to stop in time, and collided with the rear of the Richter vehicle, causing a total of $2,300 damage. Hansen was cited for Failure to Maintain Control.

(12-p.m. News)

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Department reports three people were arrested over the weekend on unrelated charges. Saturday night, 64-year old Ada Jo Carter, of Coon Rapids, was arrested on an outstanding Audubon County warrant for Theft in the 5th degree. The warrant was issued following an investigation into bad checks written to an Audubon County business on May 16th. Carter was booked into the jail, and appeared before the magistrate this (Monday) morning. The woman plead guilty to the charge and was fined.

Sunday afternoon, 47-year old Julie Ann Tigges, of Newton, turned herself-in to Audubon County authorities. Tigges was wanted on an outstanding Audubon County warrant for Revocation of her probation. She had been placed on probation in March 2011, after pleading guilty to a Possession of Methamphetamine/2nd offense, charge. Tigges posted bond and was released, with orders to appear in court on September 17th.

Earlier that same day, 33-year old Gregory Alan Carter, of Audubon, was arrested on charges of OWI/2nd offense, Failure to have a valid license, and speeding. The charges were the result of a traffic stop on Highway 71, near Hamlin. Carter was brought to the Audubon County Jail, appeared before the magistrate, and released. His preliminary hearing was set for September 27th.

(12-p.m. News)

Pottawattamie County Sheriff Jeff Danker says a woman injured during a motorcycle accident Saturday afternoon on Highway 83 near Walnut, will be cited for Failure to Maintain Control, along with other moving violations. Danker says 39-year-old Renae Hansen was transported to the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic and later transferred by helicopter to Creighton Medical Center, after the motorcycle she was driving southbound on Highway 83, ran off the roadway on a curve and entered the south ditch. The accident happened at around 4-p.m., Saturday. It was not clear from the Sheriff’s report where Hansen was from.