(Stanton, Iowa) – A collision in Montgomery County, Tuesday morning, between a semi tractor-grain hopper trailer, and a pickup pulling a grain vac, caused $14,500 damage, but no one was injured. The accident happened at around 10-a.m. west of Stanton, on Highway 34 at the intersection with Nature Avenue. Upon arrival, Deputies saw a 1998 Chevy K2500 pickup driven & owned by 78-year-old John L. Poston, of rural Villisca. The vehicle was facing southeast on Nature Avenue. Attached to it, was an AFI Rem grain vac, owned by Keast Enterprises, of Henderson (IA). It was overturned onto its right side.

Also on the scene, and located on the south shoulder of Highway 34 to the east of the pickup/grain vac, was a 2022 Kenworth W900 semi tractor and a hopper-bottom trailer. Both are owned by Kaiser Trucking out of Winning, SD. The semi was driven by 62-year-old William L. Assarsson, of Bassett, NE.

Authorities say as a result of their investigation, it was determined that the pickup pulling the ag equipment was traveling west on Highway 34 and slowing to make a left-hand turn onto Nature Avenue. A non-contact car behind the pickup heading westbound slowed to prepare for Poston’s turn. As the semi approached from the rear, Assarsson saw the vehicles ahead of him were slowing. He tried to avoid hitting the vehicles, by entering the eastbound lanes while still westbound. As the pickup & grain vac were turning, they were struck by the semi on the left side, causing the grain vacuum to overturn and come to rest on its side.

Assarsson drove the semi onto the shoulder of the road and parked it, to minimize the danger to other motorists. The semi sustained $2,500 damage. Damage to the pickup was estimated $5,000, and the grain vac sustained $7,000 damage. There were no citations issued.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic School District’s Board of Education will hold their first regularly scheduled meeting of the New Year, this evening, at in the High School Media Center. Their session begins at 5:30-p.m.  Action items on the agenda include approval of two resignations: Lisa Krogman, K-1st Reading Support (at the end of the 2022-23 school year), and Mark Andersen, Assistant Boys Soccer Coach. The Board will act on several of Superintendent Steve Barber’s Contract Recommendations and/or Letters of Assignment, as well, including those for:

• Aya Hamanaka, English Language Learn (ELL) Teacher
• Savannah Bell, Title 1 Teacher
• Cale Roller, Volunteer Wrestling Coach
• Gaylord Schelling, Interim Head Baseball Coach
• Sam Kennedy, Preschool Bus Monitor
• Jenny Madsen, Mentor, and,
• Hannah Misner, Long-Term Substitute.

Other action items include Resolutions: To consider participation in the ISL (Instructional Support Levy), and the setting of a Public Hearing. By passing the Resolution, the District may receive $748,572 for FY 2023; and a Resolution re: Public Purpose Expenditures in the amount of $3,000 in addition to $5,000 that was approved in Aug., 2022. The Board will act on approving a two-year Driver’s Education Contract with Deluxe Driving Academy, at a proposed rate of $350 per student, and $335 for individuals who qualify for free and reduced lunch.

The Atlantic School Board will also act on Fall 2023 Coaching Contracts for:

And, they are expected to approve an application to the SBRC (School Budget Review Committee) Allowable Growth in the amount of $519,614, for At-Risk/Dropout Prevention. The funds are used to help fund the District’s CCEOC Alternative program, and to allow support services for students at all levels. Superintendent Barber says the work that is done in the college and career readiness are enhances with these funds. In other business, the Board will act on approving a $15,000 Architect/Engineer Contract with Snyder and Associates, to complete the scope of work outlined in a proposal for a High School Storage Shed.

CLIVE, Iowa — A southwest Iowa woman won $30,000 on a scratch ticket she received from her husband as a Christmas gift. April Miller, from Walnut, said her husband Mitch bought the ticket at the Walnut Kum and Go and put it in her stocking.

She won the big prize in the Iowa Lottery’s “Merry Money” scratch game.

April Miller, of Walnut, IA (Photo & story courtesy of the Iowa Lottery)

Miller said she plans to put her winnings toward home improvements, a new purse and a tropical vacation.

Merry Money was a $3 scratch game with a holiday theme. It began sales in October and ended this month after the conclusion of the holiday season.