(Creston, Iowa) – The Union County Sheriff’s Department says no injuries to a motorist from Cass County, after a vehicle struck a deer Tuesday night. Authorities say a 2010 Dodge Caliber driven by 66-year-old Anita Ruth Shimer, of Griswold, was traveling west on Highway 34 at around 8:40-p.m., when a deer came out of the south ditch and crossed the road. The car struck the deer, causing $1,500 damage to the vehicle.

And, Creston Police say a woman residing in the 100 block of S. Jarvis Street, in Creston, reported on Tuesday, that two tires on her vehicle had been slashed overnight. The loss was estimated at $299.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic School Board will hold their regular monthly meeting this evening in the Schuler Elementary School Media Center. The meeting (which can be viewed on You Tube) begins at 5:30-p.m., with three Public Hearings on:

• The 2021-22 Amended Certified Budget. The change estimates of expenditures will be financed from increased receipts and balances not budgeted or considered in the current budget. There will be NO increase in taxes paid in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022. School officials say the $8-million increase is due to unforeseen events that took place after the budget was approved, including: The Middle School Fire Damage; ESSER Expenditures & the Teacher Retention Payments, as well as the HS Greenhouse Project. The amendment is necessary because a school district cannot overspend amounts found on their annual Certified Budget. The certified budget is due in to the State by April 15th.
• The proposed 2022-23 Certified Budget, for which the tax rate is estimated to be $13.25/$1,000 valuation, as opposed to $13.95 in FY22.
• The creation and expending of Flexibility Accounts. Superintendent Steve Barber recommends the following transfers from “categoricals” to a flexibility account in the general fund: $200,000 from the Teacher Leadership Supplement; $15,439.18 from Model Core Curriculum, and $100,000 from the Home School Assistance Program.

In other business, the Atlantic School Board will act on the following resignations and contract recommendations:

Other action items during the Board’s meeting include:

• Approving the 2021-22 Amended, Certified Budget.
• A Resolution – Levying a tax for Fiscal Year 2022-23 for the future optional redemption of General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2019, and to approve related documents.
• A Resolution with regard to the Flexibility Fund Transfers

The Atlantic School Board will also act on approving Winter Season Coaching contracts for

And, the Board is expected to approve a sharing agreement with the Griswold CSD for Transportation Director. Their final order of business before entering into a closed session, is with regard to a Long-Term Suspension Agreement. After the Board comes out of their closed session for discussion with District Legal Counsel, they are likely to act on a Legal Complaint with regard to the Middle School Fire.

(Elk Horn, Iowa) – The Exira-EHK School District met Monday evening and accepted the resignation of Secondary Principal Nate McDonald, who has accepted a similar role with the Missouri Valley School District. The board also approved the FY 2023 School Budget, which calls for the tax levy rate to decrease roughly twenty cents, to $11.68/$1,000 valuation.

The Exira-EHK Board approved a list of 26 Seniors for graduation for May 15^th, pending completion of students’ respective course requirements. The board renewed sharing agreements with Green Hills AEA for a Librarian and School Based Interventionist, and they approved a bid $14,500 from Audubon Furniture Mart for new flooring in the Elk Horn cafeteria. The project will begin as soon as school is out for summer break.

As expected (and previously announced as an action item), the Exira-EHK Board approved the resignations of: Ryan Gaumer (4th Grade Teacher); Emma Bireline (HS English Teacher); Para-Educators Stephanie Thompson and Kristi Madsen, and (as mentioned), Nate McDonald (Secondary Principal).

And, they approved the hiring of the following personnel: Sara Myers (MS/HS Guidance Counselor); Stephanie Ford (5th Grade Teacher); Derek Reischauer (HS Social Studies Teacher); Andrea Schwery (Head Softball Coach), Courtney Peppers (Assistant Softball Coach); Tom Petersen (Head Baseball Coach), and Drew Buckholdt (Assistant Baseball Coach).

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Police in Red Oak, Tuesday night, arrested a man for Public Intoxication. Authorities say 67-year-old Randal Joe Barr, of Red Oak, was arrested at around 7:40-p.m. in the 500 block of E. Maple Street, in Red Oak. He was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $300 bond.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputies, Tuesday evening, arrested a Nebraska man two Montgomery County warrants. Authorities say 34-year-old Charles R. Brown III, of Omaha, was arrested in Red Oak on warrants charging him with a Probation Violation on an original charge of assault causing bodily injury, and a second charge of Child Endangerment causing Bodily Injury.

Brown was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $10,000 bond for the assault charge, and a $5,000 bond for the child endangerment charge.

(Audubon, Iowa) – The City of Audubon has a new, full-time Police Officer. According to the City Council minutes from their meeting on Monday, Sean Staples was hired. He will be on probation for a couple of months. Officer Derrick Seaton has turned in his resignation, and was hired by the County.

In Fire Department news, it was noted radios are in all vehicles, and handhelds are being tested. Next week Motorola is to meet with County about a tower. Some of the officers attended a class to understand ISO ratings. The Fire Association is starting up fundraising again. April 23rd will be a comedian at the Parish Center. May 28th will have the annual Golf Tournament.

Chief Tyler Thygesen discussed with the Council a change in the floor plan to try and add a severe weather shelter. He also discussed putting the matter back on the ballot for the November General Election. And, the Council adopted a resolution that approves the hiring of TJ Jacobsen as a Volunteer Firefighter.

Theresa Murray , representing the Audubon Chamber, addressed the Council about a letter sent to them. She stated that she had talked to Barb Smith about the Christmas lights and was told that the City put them up in the past. Mayor Jacobsen stated that when she talked to Barb Smith she got a different answer. Mayor Jacobsen stated that the new resolution would establish a process for use of City property that would clarify who is responsible along with when and how long. Molly Christensen explained that the Chamber has never in an official capacity put them up or taken them down. It has been by volunteers. The Chamber does not want to be involved in the hanging of the Christmas lights.

The Council moved to adopt the First Reading of this Ordinance that amends the width of R-2 and R-3 property. It essentially allows homes to be built on smaller lots.  They then waived the second and third readings. In other action, the Audubon City Council approved eliminating the cap and setting a 5- year sliding scale for abatement. And, they agreed to set the Public Hearing on the Amendment to the Urban Revitalization Plan for May 9^th, at 5:30pm