WATERLOO, Iowa – On Saturday, August 13, the Waterloo Police Department requested the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation to investigate an officer-involved shooting that occurred at about 4:30 p.m. near the intersection of Dubuque Road and Adrian Street in Waterloo. Officers with the Waterloo Police Department were originally called to the Flavor Shop at 2301 Lafayette Street on the report of a man waving a gun.  That man was later identified as Michael Ahrens, age 32, no permanent address.  Officers located Ahrens walking west on Dubuque Road and ordered him several times to drop the gun.

Officers fired less-than lethal rounds at Ahrens in an effort to get Ahrens to drop the gun and Ahrens continued to refuse.  Ahrens pointed the weapon at officers twice, after which two Waterloo police officers fired at Ahrens.  Ahrens was struck twice.  Ahrens was transported to the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics where he later died.
The weapon Ahrens held was later identified as an airsoft pistol.

Airsoft Pistol

Audio and video of the incident was captured on several Waterloo PD body cameras.  Upon completion of the investigation, the case report will be forwarded to the Blackhawk County Attorney’s Office for review.  The officers have been placed on paid administrative leave.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater reports numerous arrests from over the past week. A man from Bridgewater was arrested Aug. 7th in Adair County. 23-year-old Randall Lee Dill, III, was arrested on a Cass County warrant and turned over to Cass County Deputies. On the 8th, 39-year-old Dustin Brian Benge, of Greenfield, was arrested after Deputies responded to a report of a vehicle stopped in the middle of Townline Road at around 8:12-a.m.  Upon further investigation, Benge was found slumped over asleep in the driver’s seat. When the Deputy opened the door to speak with the man, he observed an A-R platform weapon next to Benge. Also in the vehicle was a CO2-style pistol and a pellet gun behind the seat. A more through search of the 1975 Chevy pickup resulted in the discovery of numerous needles that contained methamphetamine, and a pipe that contained marijuana.

Benge was arrested for: OWI/2nd offense; Felon in control of a firearm; Unlawful possession of a prescription drug; Poss. of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana – 1st offense; PCS 3rd or greater offense, and Poss. of Drug Paraphernalia. Benge was released later that same day on a $12,000 bond. Separately, Adair County Deputies arrested 48-year-old Jay Ryan Ladd, of Greenfield, on Aug. 8th, for Violation of a No Contact/Protective Order, and False report of an indictable offense to a public entity. He was released later on a $1,300 bond.

On August 9th, 45-year-old Jason Glen Dukes, of Lorimor, was arrested by Stuart Police on a warrant for Violation of Probation, and on a Dallas County warrant for Driving Under Suspension. His total bond was set at $2,300. 36-year-old Samantha Ann Wright, of Creston, was arrested Aug. 9th by Stuart Police, for Driving While Barred. She was issued a citation and released from the scene with a court date.

On Aug. 10th, Police in Adair arrested 35-year-old Michael Allen Leeper, of Adair, for OWI/1st offense. He was cited and released a short time later. On Aug. 11th, 25-year-old Luis David Penaloza Garcia, of Omaha, an inmate at the Adair County Jail, was charged with Assault w/bodily injury, after he allegedly assaulted a fellow inmate without provocation, inside the jail recreation area. Bond on his latest charge was set at $1,000.

Stuart Police arrested 45-year-old Jason Aaron Watson, of Atlantic, on August 13th, following a traffic stop. Watson was charged with OWI/1st offense. He blew a .215% for intoxication during a preliminary breath test, and later registered .172% at the Adair County Sheriff’s Office. Watson was released a short-time later with a citation. And, early Saturday morning (Aug. 13), 21-year-old Kyra Lynn Evans, of Bridgewater, was arrested in Adair County, for OWI/1st offense. She was cited and later released.

(Clarinda, Iowa) – Clarinda Police Chief Keith Brothers reports two people were arrested on drug charges this (Monday) morning. A little before 6-a.m., Clarinda Police Officers and Page County Sheriff Deputies executed a search warrant at 418 Main Street, in Shambaugh. Brothers says approximately 30 grams of a controlled substance believed to be methamphetamine, cash and two motor vehicles were seized.

The homes’ residents, 48-year-old Michael Leo Pickens and 41-year-old Haley Ann Haynes, of Shambaugh, were taken into custody without incident, and are being held without bond in the Page County Jail, pending an initial court appearance. They face charges that include: Felony possession with intent to deliver/methamphetamine; Failure to have the required drug tax stamps, and possession of a controlled substance/methamphetamine. Reports have been forwarded to Page County Attorney’s Office for formal charging decisions.

The search warrant was executed as a result of an on-going investigation by the Clarinda Police Department into the distribution of illicit narcotics by Pickens and Haynes. Clarinda Regional Health Center Emergency Medical Services provided aid during the execution of the search warrant.

All defendants are presumed innocent under our system of criminal justice until proven guilty in a court of law.

(Audubon, Iowa) – The City Attorney in Audubon is tasked with amending an Ordinance that pertains to dogs deemed vicious. The City Council, on August 8^th, expressed its concerns regarding recent dog attacks, by adding to the Ordinance any dog deemed a Vicious Dog be removed permanently from within the City limits.

Any Dog impounded more than three times in a 12 month period, the residence would be banned on owning any animal for two years. The Police Chief will have the power to designate an animal as vicious. The owner will be required to produce written proof of Rabies vaccination.

The current ordinance has fines beginning at $30 and rising $10 for each offense. The first reading of a Dogs At Large Ordinance is expected during the Audubon City Council’s meeting in September.

(Audubon, Iowa) – The Audubon School Board was set to meet this (Monday) evening, but Superintendent Eric Trager says due to some scheduling conflicts, the meeting will be held this Wednesday evening, instead. Here’s the agenda for the August 17th session:

Board of Education – Regular Meeting

Boardroom, High School, 800 Third Ave.

Wednesday, August 17, 2022 – 7:00 P.M.

7:00 – Board Work Session – Policy Review – 203, 402.4, 501.14, 501.15, 504.5, 504.5R1, 505.5, 507.2, 507.2E1, 607.2, 704.6, 804.5, 804.7, 804.7R1, 901

Our Mission is to provide a quality education in a positive, equitable & respectful environment that encourages & prepares all students to become life-long learners & responsible members of a rapidly changing society.

1.0 Call Regular Session to Order

2.0 Approve Agenda

3.0 Approve Consent Agenda

3.01 Minutes – July 18, 2022 Regular Meeting

3.02 Warrants and Financial Reports

4.0 Public Comments – Please contact the Supt. or Board President (Board Policy #213)

5. Action Items

5.01 – Approve Policy Revisions – 203, 402.4, 501.14, 501.15, 504.5, 504.5R1, 505.5, 507.2, 507.2E1, 607.2, 704.6, 804.5, 901

5.02 – Approve First Reading – 804.7, 804.7R1

5.03 – Approve DMACC Student Teacher Observation Contract

5.04 – Approve Student Handbooks

5.05 – Approve 28E with North Central Consortium

5.06 – Approve Change Orders – Building Project

5.07 – Approve Mediation Settlement with Construct

5.08 – Personnel

6.0 Communication & Updates

6.01 Computer Science Update – Matt Wilder

6.02 Superintendent Report

6.02.1 – Update on Building Project

6.02.2 – New Staff Supper

6.03 Principal’s Reports

6.03.1 – Back to School Preservice Days

7.0 Adjournment

Next Regular Meeting: Monday, September 19, 2022

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors have a light agenda ahead of Tuesday’s regular, weekly meeting. It includes a request for ARPA funds from the City of Cumberland, and discuss/possible action on the sale of County-Owned Farmland.

(Harlan, Iowa) – The Shelby County Board of Supervisors’ weekly meeting takes place Tuesday, in Harlan. Auditor/Commissioner of Elections Mark Maxwell provided us with an agenda:

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors are set to meet Tuesday morning. Montgomery County Auditor & Commissioner of Elections Jill Ozuna provided the media with the agenda for the session:

Courthouse Board of Supervisor’s Meeting Room – Regular Meeting, 8:30 A.M., Tuesday, August 16, 2022

Tentative Agenda:

• Call meeting to order
• Pledge of Allegiance
• Roll call of members
• Approval of Agenda – Order at discretion of Chairman
• Read minutes as presented. Chairman to call for any additions/corrections to said minutes
• Board chairman will ask the audience for any comments, limited to two minutes per person.
• Supervisors: Weekly committee/assignment updates
• Secondary Roads Update

New Business

• Public Health update, Samantha Beeson
• Safety Coordinator position. Discussion and action as necessary.

Discuss and start agenda items for next meeting

Announcements – The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 23, 2022

Adjournment

*Please note, this is a public meeting; however, it will be conducted via ZOOM.  Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86185141628

Meeting ID: 861 8514 1628

Dial by your location +1 312 626 6799 If you are calling in, Press *9 to raise your hand if you wish to speak.

(Griswold, Iowa)- The Griswold School Board will hold their regular, monthly meeting this evening. Here’s the agenda:

School Board Meeting Agenda

Griswold Community Schools

Monday, August 15, 2022

Conference Room, 5:30 p.m.

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Griswold Community School District, in partnership with our families and communities, is to provide leadership for positive change to ensure the best learning opportunities for everyone in a safe and caring environment.

• Call Meeting to Order

• Reading of Mission Statement

• Approval of Agenda (D.R.)

• Public Input

• Superintendent’s Report:

1. Thank You Card(s) (I)
2. The Month in Review – Administration (I)
3. Board Learning Opportunities (I)

• IASB Convention
• Board Self-Evaluation

• Consent Agenda (D.R.)

Approval of Minutes

Approval of Financial Statements

Approval of Bills

4. Personnel

5. Gifts, Memorials, Bequests

Old Business

6. Board Policies – Second Reading (D.R.) – 402.2, 501.14, 501.15, 504.5, 504.5R1, 505.1, 505.2, 505.3, 505.4, 505.5, 505.6, 505.7, 505.8, 505.8R1, 507.2, 507.2E1, 607.2, 704.6, 804.5, 804.7, 804.7R1, 901

New Business

7. Approval Of Resolution Of Intent For The Instructional Support Program Levy (D.R.)

8. Determine RSAI Legislative Priorities (D.R.)

9. Junior Class Fundraiser Presentation (I or D.R.)

10. Approval Of Teacher Apprenticeship Program Memorandum Of Understanding

With Western Governors University (D.R.)

11. Appoint IBB Representatives (D.R.)

12. Appointment To County Boards (D.R.)

13. Staff Flu Shots (D.R.)

14. Board Policies – First Reading (I) – 506.1, 506.1E1, 506.1E2, 506.1E3, 506.1E4,

506.1E5, 506.1E6, 506.1E7, 506.1E8, 506.1R1

15. Approval Of Student Athletic Leadership Team (D.R.)

• Adjourn

(D.R.) = Decision Required

(I.) = Informational

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa’s teacher shortage appears to be worsening and one expert says many schools across the state have multiple openings just weeks — or days — before the school year is set to begin. Mark McDermott, associate dean at the University of Iowa’s College of Education, says they routinely get calls from dozens of Iowa’s 300-plus school administrators as fall approaches, checking to see if there are any recent graduates available to fill teaching jobs. “What we have really noticed the last couple of years, there were always some very specific content areas that were shortage areas. We would always have people calling about physics teachers or special education teachers,” McDermott says, “and now it’s really almost all content areas in all types of positions.”

While hesitating to say “most” schools in the state are short on teachers, McDermott says “many” districts are seeking help in virtually every type of course and grade level. McDermott says, “Not only has the number increased but also the variety of the content areas and the types of positions that schools are looking to fill has increased dramatically.” McDermott, a clinical professor of science education at the U-I, says he’s surprised by the degree to which teacher openings are appearing, and in all corners of the state. “Our students would sometimes have trouble finding elementary ed positions because there would be so many applicants for each elementary ed job,” McDermott says. “And now, we’re getting calls even close to the start of school from schools who are saying, ‘I have five elementary teaching positions that are open,’ and a couple of years ago that would have never happened.”

McDermott says the Iowa City institution is working to help meet the teacher shortage and develop pipeline programs to recruit more future teachers, and in particular, to recruit and retain students of color. “One of our goals is to find ways to help people enter teacher preparation,” he says, “but we’re also really concerned with making sure that we continue to provide a sound, strong, cohesive program when we prepare teachers so that we’re not just ‘preparing’ them, we’re also preparing them to be retained, to stick with it, to stay in the field.”

McDermott says part of the shortage may still stem from the so-called Great Resignation that came about during the pandemic, as many workers retired early or simply left their positions and industries to seek something new.