Governor Terry Branstad says he’ll recommend that the state pay to have all Iowa high school juniors take a college entrance exam, like the A-C-T. “When you look at the whole budget we have for K-12 education, it’s a relatively small amount,” Branstad says. “But we do have some families with financial needs that are not taking the ACT or not taking a college entrance exam and we think this is something the state can pay for and will maybe help some families that otherwise might not have considered it.” Branstad, a Republican, had recommended last year that the state quit paying for preschool for all four-year-olds and, instead, require those who could afford the tuition to pick up the cost. Senate Democrats resisted that, and Branstad is suggesting this latest proposal is tailored to avoid those kind of objections.

“We’re going to pay it for everybody…so we think this will appeal to Senate Democrats. Sorry, I just couldn’t help that,” Branstad said, laughing. “They like this idea: make it free for everybody. So I’m sure they’ll like this.” The proposal is part of Branstad’s education reform package. Branstad is standing by another proposal that would require reading tests for third-graders, and they’d have to repeat the grade if they failed. Some teachers and administrators have suggesting students who can’t read well may be proficient in other subjects and it would be wrong to make them keep studying the same third-grade material in those subjects for another year.

“We need to make sure that we’re providing the extra assistance that’s needed for students that are falling behind in reading, so hopefully that can be achieved,” Branstad says. “But not having social promotion I think is an important part of making sure that people know that we’re seriuos about that and I think it’s a very important message to send to parents.” Branstad’s staff sent a survey to teachers, administrators and others who attended this summer’s Iowa Education Summit. Six-hundred responded to the survey and nearly 56 percent said making students repeat third grade should be decided on a “case-by-case basis.” The survey also found 58 percent believe 11th graders should take a college entrance exam to see if they’re ready for college.

(O.Kay Henderson/Radio Iowa)

Officials with the Elderbridge Agency on Aging have put out a Request for Funding Proposals (RFP’s) from nutrition providers in its 20-county service area to provide congregate and home-delivered meal services to Iowans age 60+ for Fiscal Year 2012 (July 1, 2012–June 30, 2013). Nutrition services to be considered for funding include congregate meals and home-delivered meals.  Meal services must include client registration, client screening, service tracking and reporting, nutrition education and nutrition counseling.

 Organizations submitting applications must provide services in one or more of these Elderbridge service area counties: Audubon, Calhoun, Carroll, Cerro Gordo, Crawford, Floyd, Franklin, Greene, Guthrie, Hamilton, Hancock, Humboldt, Kossuth, Mitchell, Pocahontas, Sac, Webster, Winnebago, Worth, and Wright. Grants can only be made to organizations, not to individuals.

Applications must be received in the Elderbridge Fort Dodge office by Wednesday, January 11, 2012. For more information or to obtain the application package, you may e-mail jharp@elderbridge.org or call the Elderbridge Fort Dodge office at 515-955-5244 –or- 800-543-3280. 

Elderbridge Agency on Aging seeks to enable older Iowans to live with the maximum dignity, well-being and independence. Created under the Older Americans Act, Elderbridge is a private nonprofit that has been meeting the needs of Iowans age 60 years and older and their caregivers for more than 35 years. With offices in Mason City, Fort Dodge and Carroll, Elderbridge serves older Iowans in a 20-county area in North-central Iowa with the goal of providing the necessary information and resources to empower our constituents to manage their lives and the aging process to the best of their and our abilities.

The Harlan Police Department reports today (Monday), that six people were arrested November 26th on drug and/or alcohol charges. The arrests took place after officers received an anonymous tip about a situation involving drug activity and underage drinking. Taken into custody was:

• 20-year old Joseph Lutz, who was charged with Possession of Alcohol under Legal Age, two-counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance, gathering where controlled substance is unlawfully used, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, prohibited acts, and unlawful possession of prescription medication.
• 21-year old William Brady, who was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Supplying Alcohol to person under legal age, prohibited acts, gathering where controlled substances are unlawfully used, and Possession of a Controlled Substance.
• 18-year old Travis Erwin was faces charges of Possession of Alcohol under the legal age, Possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and prohibited acts.
• 20-year old Alisha Buttry, who was charged with Possession of Alcohol under legal age, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and gathering where controlled substances are unlawfully used.
• 14-year old Christopher Buttry, was charged with Minor in Possession of Alcohol, and gathering where controlled substance are illegally used.
• And, 17-year old Lacey Bird was charged with Minor in Possession of Alcohol, and gathering where controlled substances are unlawfully used.

All six of the individuals were from Harlan. Lutz, Brady, Erwin and Alisha Buttry were transported to the Shelby County Jail. Christopher Buttry and Lacey Bird were cited for the offenses and released to the custody of their parents.