(Marne, Iowa) – The smell of chili and pies will permeate the air in Marne this weekend. This Saturday, February 19th, is the date of the Annual Chili Contest sponsored by the Marne Community Club.

At the same time, the Annual Men’s Pie Baking Contest will be held. Judging for both contests will be “people’s choice.”

Anyone interested in entering the Chili Contest should bring a gallon crock pot of chili to the Marne Community Center by 6:00 p.m. on the day of the contest. The same goes for entering the Men’s Pie Contest. There are no fees for entering. Trophies for both chili and pie winners are on display at the Marne Community Center, and the  1st place winners’ names will be added to their respective trophy.

Everyone is welcome to join the fun, either as a participant or a judge! Come to Marne and share a meal. The main course will be, of course, chili. Please bring a potluck salad to share. Pie for dessert! Beverages will be provided.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Primary Election in Iowa is a little more than three months away (June 7th), but the time for opening of the window for filing nomination papers is much closer. The Cass County Auditor’s Office reminds interested persons that the first day for Democratic and Republican candidates for county offices to file nomination papers in the office of the county auditor is Monday, March 7, 2022. Last day to file is Wednesday, March 25, 2022.

Nomination papers may be circulated prior to first date for filing as well as during the filing period. Nomination papers and candidate information are available at the office of the county auditor and from the secretary of state: www.sos.iowa.gov

The county positions to appear on the Cass County ballot for the 2022 PRIMARY ELECTION are:

• Attorney (incumbent: Vanessa Strazdas, Republican)
• Recorder (incumbent: Mary Ward, Republican)
• Treasurer (incumbent: Tracey Marshall, Republican)
• District 2 Supervisor (incumbent: Mark O’Brien, Republican)
• District 3 Supervisor (incumbent: John Hartkopf, Republican)

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT: The Cass County Auditor, Courthouse 5 W 7th St, Atlantic, IA 50022
Phone: 712-243-4570 and Fax: 712-243-4572. Email: auditor@casscoia.us

For the 2022 Primary Election, the following number of signatures are required for a person’s name to appear on the ballot:

GENERAL ELECTION (Tuesday, November 8, 2022) INFORMATION:

The filing periods for the November 8, 2022, General Election are:

• U.S. Senate, U.S. Representative and State Office: February 28 – March 18, 2022 (5:00 p.m.)
• County Office: March 7 – March 25, 2022 (5:00 p.m.)
• Ag Extension, Soil & Water Conservation District, Hospital Trustee: Anytime up until August 31, 2022

List of current position holders for non-partisan offices that will appear on General Election Ballot:

Agricultural Extension Council: David York; Bradley J Pellett; Kristi Plagman; Chad Becker and Todd Weppler.

Soil & Water Conservation District: John J Hansen (Grove Township) and Greg Zellmer (Pymosa Township)

Hospital Board of Trustees: Jody Lorence; Julie Pollock; and Michael Klocke; Roger Herring.

Edna Township; Kevin Stender-Trustee; Patrick Erickson-Trustee; Travis Erickson-Clerk:

Union Township: Richard Hoffman-Trustee; Daryl Schrier-Trustee; Cheryl Christensen-Clerk.

Monday, March 7, 2022 is the first day for candidates nominated by petition to file nomination papers for county-wide or township offices with the County Auditor’s office. Last day to file is Friday, March 25, 2022. Nomination papers may be circulated now. Nomination petitions and other election forms (including a Candidate’s Guide to the General Election) are available at the office of the County Auditor, and also from the Iowa Secretary of State (sos.iowa.gov) via the internet.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Senate Education Committee is advancing its own version of a bill that would forbid transgender athletes from participating in girls’ sports. The Senate proposal includes sports at community colleges and the three state universities as well as public and non-public K-through-12 schools. Roshna Mishra is a junior at Lincoln High in Des Moines who testified against the bill at a subcommittee hearing.

“There’s no place for politics regarding children’s physical and mental health,” she said. “Trans children are still just children who want to feel protected and feel seen and feel included.” Holly Branian, a senior at Carlisle High School, told lawmakers the bill would create a level playing field. “No girl should ever have to be sidelined because of a biologically male individual,” she said. “No girl should ever be made out to feel like her hard work doesn’t matter.”

Last spring, Governor Kim Reynolds called on legislators to pass a law limiting girls’ and women’s sports to those who are identified as female on their birth certificate. At least nine states have passed similar laws. Critics say the laws discriminate against a small group of students who are at greater risk of depression and suicide.

(Reporting by Iowa Public Radio’s Grant Gerlock)

DES MOINES, Iowa – On Thursday (Today), Governor Reynolds signed into law the first bill of the 2022 legislative session. House File 2316 increases the state’s public education budget for fiscal year 2023 by 2.5% per pupil, resulting in $159 million in new money for Iowa’s public schools.  Her office says 56-percent of the state’s entire budget funds public education alone.

In fiscal year 2023, which begins July 1 of this year, that amount will total more than $3.6 billion. Eighty percent of the education budget goes to preK-12 schools including more than $3.5 billion for state foundation school aid and nearly $29.5 million for transportation equity. Additionally, the state’s investments in STEM education, work-based learning and registered apprenticeship programs enhance the educational experience for Iowa students.

More than $700 million in federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds remain unused by Iowa’s public school districts for pandemic relief. Information and guidance on the relief packages are available on the Iowa Department of Education website here. Reynolds also issued information today about how teachers, law enforcement officers and child care workers can claim their pandemic-related $1,000 retention bonuses, which she announced last month.

$1,000 premium pay lump-sum payments will be disbursed through different funding sources and therefore have different processes and tracking requirements.

• Teachers: The Department of Education will work to issue payments to qualifying teachers at public schools, accredited nonpublic schools, independently accredited nonpublic schools, and state-operated schools through their respective employer.
• Certified Peace Officers: Local law enforcement agencies will request payment on behalf of their qualifying employees through Iowa Grants Online. Submissions will be reviewed by the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy prior to payment via mailed individual check by the Department of Administrative Services. Certified peace officers employed by the State of Iowa will receive payment through their regular state paycheck.
• Corrections Personnel: Qualifying Department of Corrections corrections officers and medical personnel will receive payment through their regular state paycheck.
• Child Care Workers: Qualifying child care workers will be able to apply through the Department of Human Services’ web page starting later this month.

All qualified individuals receiving a $1,000 payment through the Iowa Worker Premium Pay Program should receive it this spring. Final counts and totals will be made available by the Governor’s Office upon conclusion of the program this spring.

(Harlan, Iowa) – The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office reports seven arrests took place between Feb. 3rd and 10th. Authorities say 60-year-old Dorothy Linn Yorgensen, of Denison, was arrested following a traffic stop on Feb. 10th. She was charged with Failure to provide insurance, and driving while license is denied or revoked.

On Feb. 9th, 36-year-old Zachary Thomas Scheffler, of Harlan, was arrested following a traffic stop. He was charged with Driving while license is suspended, Failure to Carry Registration Card, Failure to Provide Proof of Insurance, and Speeding.

Two separate arrests happened Feb. 8th in Shelby County: 24-year-old Jhonatan Rueben Vasquez, of Omaha, NE. was arrested following a traffic stop. He was charged with Prohibited Acts, Possession of a Controlled Substance, No Valid Drivers License, and Speeding; and, 28-year-old Robert Paul Joens, of Exira, was arrested on an active Shelby County Warrant for charged with Driving While Barred.

There were two arrests also, on Feb. 4th: 38-year-old Jessica Erin Cowlthorp, and 28-year-old Jacob Patrick Sweeney, both of Harlan, were arrested on an active Shelby County Warrants, and charged with Child Endangerment.

And, on Feb. 3rd, 59-year-old Kimberly Ann Thomas, of Harlan, was arrested following the execution of a search warrant.  Thomas was charged with Controlled Substance Violation, Possession of Controlled Substance 2nd Offense, Failure to Affix Drug Stamp, Prohibited Acts, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia