(Griswold, Iowa) – Rather than face a possible $136,000 penalty for a potentially willful, blatant violation of the Federal Government’s Mandatory COVID-19 vaccine requirement for businesses with more than 100 employees, the Griswold School Board, like many others in our area, have enacted a policy for its staff, effective Monday, January 10th. Griswold Superintendent Dave Henrichs told KJAN News the board voted Thursday night to adopt a policy presented by the School Board Association.

He said some of the vaccination cards were collected before Christmas.

If any employee is not vaccinated as of Monday, they will be required to wear a face mask while at school, in the building and in district vehicles.

Henrichs says a District employee may request a medical or religious exemption for any or all of the three requirements (Vaccine, mask and tests) if they provide proof from their physician and/or clergy why they should be exempt. As of this writing, the case is currently before the Supreme Court. If the high court places a stay on the mandate, District Administration will re-evaluate the policy. On another note, the Griswold School Board will hold their Regular monthly meeting January 17th, which includes a public hearing that follows a presentation on the 2022-23 School Calendar.

Henrichs says the calendar is very similar to the 2021-22 school year.

ALTOONA, Iowa (Via KCCI) — Authorities in central Iowa are investigating a phone-in threat against the Southeast Polk School Board. The incident happened during Thursday night’s Board meeting in Altoon. Altoona police evacuated and searched the district office after the threat was called in. Specifics regarding the nature of the threat were not revealed.

School board member Whitney Smith-McIntosh posted on Facebook that the board members were escorted out of the meeting about an hour into it. Authorities report nothing was found, and that they believe they have identified the caller.

(Waterloo, Iowa/KCCI)— An 18-year-old in eastern Iowa got a new set of wheels and a speeding ticket to match, according to the Iowa State Patrol. Authorities say a state trooper pulled the young man over on Highway 218 a little after 5-p.m. for traveling as fast as 133 miles per hour, in a 60 mile per hour zone.

The incident happened Thursday afternoon on Highway 218 near Waterloo. The unnamed driver now faces a $515 fine and a reckless driving charge. In its social media post, the Patrol said “It’s a New Year folks, please slow down!”

(Creston, Iowa) – The Union County Sheriff’s Office says a man from Lorimor was arrested at around 1:45-p.m. Thursday, on a Union County warrant for failure to appear original charge Burglary 2nd degree and Criminal mischief 4th. Authorities say 41-year-old Michael James Wilson was arrested at the Creston Union County Law Enforcement Center. He was being held at the Union County Jail on an $11,000 cash-only bond.

(7-a.m. News)

DES MOINES, Iowa – State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald, Thursday, said there are several new updates to IAble, Iowa’s Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) plan. “One major update is the annual contribution limit has been raised,” announced Fitzgerald. “Now, account owners and their families can contribute up to $16,000 a year in their IAble account. That’s an additional $1,000!”*

IAble, a program administered by Fitzgerald, provides individuals with disabilities and their support systems a way to save for disability-related expenses while still maintaining their eligibility for federal means-tested programs such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid. Prior to ABLE plans, resource limits were capped at $2,000 if persons with disabilities wanted to qualify for monthly benefits. Money contributed to an IAble account can be used to pay for assistive technology, support services, basic living expenses, medical bills and more.**

In addition to the increase for the annual contribution limit, there was also an increase to the state tax deduction. “For 2022, Iowa taxpayers who contribute to an IAble account – not just the account owner – can deduct up to $3,522 from their state income taxes,” said Fitzgerald. “When you help someone with a disability save for their version of a better life experience, you also get an added bonus of saving on taxes.”***

Since its launch, the plan has accumulated 1,430 accounts totaling over $12.8 million in assets. “I am proud to administer a plan that helps persons with disabilities and their families save for necessary expenses that help to improve quality of life, health and independence,” added Fitzgerald. “Providing them with tax advantages is just another added perk of IAble.”

Visit IAble.gov for more information on the plan. Follow the Treasurer on Twitter and Facebook for updates and facts about IAble.