(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education will hold their regular monthly meeting beginning at 5:30-p.m. on Wed., Jan. 12th, in the Schuler Elementary School Media Center. On their agenda is action on approving the resignations of Melissa Smith – HS Paraeducator, and Richard “Dick” Casady, Bus Driver. The Board will also act on contract recommendations for: Linda Templemann, Schuler Food Service; Hillary Zellmer, Internal transfer to Junior Kindergarten Teacher; Kendra Henningsen, Internal transfer to Elementary Literacy Teacher, and Montana Applegate, Internal transfer to Preschool Teacher.

Separately, the Board is expected to act on Mr. Mitchell’s recommendation to hire fall sports coaches(Football [FB], Cross County [XC] & Volleyball [VB]) for the 2022-23 school year, including:

• Joe Brummer – Head FB Coach
• Lee Saathoff – Varsity FB Asst.
• Oran Perkins and Matt Best – JV FB
• Matt Mullenix & Bryce Smith – 9th Grade FB
• Tim Duff, Chase Roller, Bryce Casey and Clint Roland – MS FB
• Dan Vargason – Head XC Coach
• Derek Hall – Asst. HS XC
• Taylor Williams – MC XC
• Michelle Blake – Head VB
• Alyssa Dovenspike – JV VB
• Tori Dolch – 9th Grade VB
• Faith McCunn, Jessica Larsen and Amber Moore – MS VB
• and Dean Junker – Girls Swimming.

The Board will also consider and act on: SBRC (School Budget Review Committee) Modified Allowable Growth for 2022-23 At-Risk/Dropout Prevention, in the amount of $496,929; An Athletic Dept. Yard Sale to dispose of 100’s of old uniforms and warm ups. The Yard Sale will take place January 20th, during the HS Wrestling meet, and on Jan. 25th, during the HS girl’s basketball game. In other business, the Atlantic School Board will act on approving overnight/out-of-state trips for/to:

• HS Show Choir Invitational in Wahoo, NE, on Feb. 9th,
• and HS Boys/Girls Track – Indoor Track Invite at NWMSU (Maryville, MO.) March 19, 2022.

They will also act on an Engineering Service Contract with Snyder & Assoc. in the amount of $74,750, for the south High School parking lot project, and approving an invoice from FirstOnsite in the amount of $400,000 for the Middle School Restoration Project, using AMS Fire Insurance Proceeds.

(Radio Iowa) – Republican Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley fears Democrats in the chamber are trying to use the “nuclear option” of eliminating the Senate’s 60-vote threshold. Grassley reminds, it doesn’t take 60 votes to pass laws, but it does take 60 votes to stop debate in order to proceed to passing laws. He says getting rid of that 60-vote requirement would bring disaster. Grassley says, “This might seem like a subject that’s very much ‘inside the beltway,’ but Democrat leaders’ first order of business, after destroying this Senate tradition, is going to be the federal takeover of the elections.”

Since the nation was formed, Grassley says it’s always been state laws governing who could and couldn’t vote — with the only exceptions being the Constitutional amendments that granted voting rights to blacks, women and people 18 and older.  “So without this 60-vote requirement, the Senate and the country will be worse off,” Grassley says. “We could have wild swings in federal policy or even more partisan rancor.”

Democrats have a laundry list of “divisive, partisan policies” which Grassley says “could rocket through the Senate without amendment or debate.” He says the Senate is the “only place where minority views can be respected,” noting, the 60-vote margin has long driven Senate compromise. “When I have my Q-and-As in the 99 counties of Iowa, people are most often giving me a question about ‘How come we don’t have more bipartisanship?’,” Grassley says. “This 60-vote threshold forces the Senate divided 50-50 to get together or nothing’s going to get done. You might not believe it, but once in a while, we pass legislation.”

Grassley urges Democrats to “uphold the rights of the minority” because one day, they won’t be in power and “they’ll be sorry.”

(Anita, Iowa) – Members of the CAM School District’s Board of Education met in a regular session last night, and approved the resignation of CAM High School Principal Dominic Giegerich. Superintendent Paul Croghan….

Giegerich started with the CAM School District just before the 2005-2006 School Year. The Board also approved the hiring of

In other business, the Board acted to approve the Covid-19 employee vaccination/testing…

In short….

Croghan says it’s an everchanging situation, and they’re doing what they can to remain legal and safe. He said the CAM Education Association and Board shared opening proposals for Negotiations, but no numbers were exchanged at this time, with regard to pay and benefits.

The Board also continued discussions with regard to the district facilities, but took no action.

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(Radio Iowa) – It was once the fastest and best service available — but the 3-G network phone service is now going away. Iowa Utilities Board spokesman, Don Tormey, says you may be without service soon. “If your mobile phone is more than a few years old — you may need to upgrade your device to avoid losing service before your mobile provider shuts down its 3-G network. And that transition is beginning with some providers this month,” Tormey says.

He says the impact depends on how you see your phone. “Some consumers like to switch their phones all the time whenever they’re eligible for an upgrade. There’s others, if there’s nothing wrong with their phone they don’t want to mess with it,” he says. “If people have had their phone for more than a few years, they should really check with their provider to see if they are impacted by the 3-G transition.” Phones aren’t the only thing that might be impacted. He says if you have a medical device, tablet, smartwatch, vehicle s-o-s device, or home security system that uses 3-G service, you’ll want to check with your provider as well.

You can find out more information on the I-U-B website. He says you can also go to the F-C-C’s website. “And this transition is going to take some time — it’s not all going to happen in the month of January. It’s a phase out, so it happens over time,” Tormey says.Tormey says the phaseout is will vary by company and their timelines.

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(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds will deliver the annual “Condition of the State” address tonight (Tuesday) — and she’s promised to reveal details of what she has described as a bold, yet practical plan to cut income taxes.  “Iowa is moving in the right direction and I’m — and we’re — determined to build on the progress and the momentum that we’ve seen over the last couple of years,” Reynolds says. Reynolds signed a bill into law last June that eliminates the state inheritance tax and cuts personal income tax rates. This follows income tax reductions she approved in 2018.

“Despite tax cuts and record investments, the storms, the droughts and a worldwide pandemic,” Reynolds says, “we still managed to end Fiscal Year 2021 with $1.24 billion surplus and a billion dollars in cash reserve.” Democrats say the surplus wouldn’t have been possible without the billions in federal pandemic aid from the Trump and Biden Administrations. Reynolds took over as governor in mid-2017. Since then, Reynolds notes the state has endured unprecedented events like droughts, flooding, two derechos and a pandemic.

“As we all begin 2022, I really couldn’t be more hopeful about Iowa’s future and there are many reasons for my optimism, but at the top of the list is the strength and the resilience of Iowans in the face of adversity,” Reynolds said. The governor is scheduled to deliver her “Condition of the State” address in the Iowa House shortly after 6 p.m. tonight (Tuesday).

(Red Oak, Iowa) –  A pedestrian child is dead following an incident in Red Oak. According to Iowa State Patrol Trooper/Public Resource Officer Ryan Devault, at around 7-p.m. Monday, (Jan. 10th), several Red Oak Officers were responding in an emergency mode to an apartment fire within the City of Red Oak.

The patrol cars were northbound on N. Broadway Street near the intersection of Joy Street when one of the three patrol cars struck a pedestrian (minor child) that was in the roadway.  The child sustained fatal injuries as a result of the crash.

In an email to parents, Red Oak School District Superintendent Ron Lorenz says the district was able to confirm the victim was a student at the Inman Elementary School. The crash remains under investigation by the Iowa State Patrol. More details will be released after all notifications have been made.

(Look for an update to this story posted at 10:35-p.m.)

(Red Oak, Iowa) – An incident involving a Red Oak Police Officer Monday evening, has resulted in a death of a young girl.  Additional details are expected to be released by the Iowa State Patrol.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – In the spirit of Martin Luther King Day of Service, Healthy Cass County and the Iowa Department on Aging (IDA) Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) have teamed up to sponsor a volunteer opportunity to make a
difference from the comfort of home. The group is asking volunteers to simply write cards or a letter with a bright message. Cards will be delivered to Cass County residents in early February.

Ingrid Stukerjurgen, RSVP Coordinator, said “Winter weather and fragile health often keep people home for longer periods of timeduring the winter. The same conditions might make it hard for some folks to get out and volunteer. This is a safe way to make a difference from home,” said  Volunteers can drop off or mail cards and letters to the Cass County ISU Extension Office (805 W. 10th St. Atlantic, IA 50022) by February 1. Volunteers may use their own cards, or Healthy Cass County has blank cards available for pick up at the ISU Extension Office.

People interested in card writing who do not have transportation are asked to contact Cass County Wellness Coordinator Brigham Hoegh at 712-249-5870 or bhoegh@iastate.edu. Hoegh says “We don’t want transportation to be a barrier to
participating in card writing.” Although anyone can volunteer, Stukerjurgen says the group is especially looking to
engage volunteers, age 55 and better, who might want a weather-proof way to help their community, “We find that those who write cards get almost as much out of the experience as those who received them.”

The group is also looking for volunteers who are willing to deliver the cards as the weather permits. To volunteer or for questions, contact RSVP Coordinator, Ingrid Stukerjurgen at the Iowa Department on Aging, 515-975-3063 or email idarsvp@iowa.gov. Brigham Hoegh, Cass County Wellness Coordinator has also helped Healthy Cass County sponsor this opportunity in the past, “We have found that receiving these notes and cards can really brighten someone’s day, and that feeling carries over because they can re-read the messages,“ Hoegh added.

To nominate someone in Cass County who could use an uplifting card, email their name and address to idarsvp@iowa.gov or call 515-975-3063.

The Iowa Department on Aging (IDA) RSVP offers meaningful volunteer opportunities for adults age 55 and better to make a difference in their community. To learn more about IDA RSVP in Cass County, contact Ingrid Stukerjurgen by emailing idarsvp@iowa.gov or calling 515-975-3063.

Healthy Cass County is a community-focused volunteer network formed to promote the health and well-being of Cass County residents. Reach out to Cass County Wellness Coordinator Brigham Hoegh at bhoegh@iastate.edu or call 712-249-5870 for more information. Healthy Cass County welcomes participants from across Cass County. Healthy Cass County is looking to increase representation from communities outside Atlantic.