Members of the Audubon and Coon Rapids-Bayard School District Boards of Education have voted to continue a sharing agreement for the services of Superintendent, Human Resources, Transportation Director and Elementary School Counselor. The Audubon School Board approved a Memorandum of Understanding for the Superintendent and sharing agreement for the other positions, during their meeting Monday evening.

The contract for Superintendent Eric Trager is for three years, whereas the other posts are on a year-by-year basis. In other business, activity, the Board set March 11^th during their regular meeting to hold a public hearing for the School Calendar. And, the Audubon School Board approved will offer their non-certified staff health insurance, including to their associates and cooks, in hopes of attracting and retaining quality people.

The Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton School Board, Monday, held a Public Hearing with regard to a proposed 2020-21 School Year Calendar. Superintendent Trevor Miller said there were some questions raised during the hearing. Including about having the Monday after Easter off, instead they have Good Friday off, as well as the Thursday before, because that is a Professional Development Day. The District will have more hours than the State Minimum 1,080, with the flexibility to allow for snow days, moving forward. The Board approved the Calendar, which has school starting Aug. 24, 2020, and ending May 21, 2021.

The Exira/EHK Board also approved an 80/20 Superintendent sharing agreement with the IKM/Manning School District. The one-year agreement stipulates Mr. Miller will serve four days in the IKM-Manning District and one-day in the Exira-EHK District, while getting all the work done by serving different hours and through the use of technology. And, they approved Personnel transfers, hires and resignations. Brittany Williams is transferring from 1st grade Teacher to 3rd grade, which opens up the 1st grade position that’s been posted on various educational employment websites.

Special Education teacher Bev Ohlinger is going to retire. She came to the district from Tri-Center last year. Kathy Blazek was hired as a half-time, long-term substitute in the Elementary, covering Special Education; Dave Burkett’s contract was renewed as a para educator in the Elk Horn Building; and many contract renewals mean Athletic personnel will be returning for the upcoming school year. Miller says the District is in the processing of looking for a K-8 Guidance/P.E. position, a High School Business position, and a Middle School Special Education position.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (Sioux City Journal) — A northwest Iowa man has been given 11 years in prison for the drunken driving death of a cousin last year. The Sioux City Journal reports that Darrick Toel was sentenced Monday. He’d pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide while driving recklessly and to operating while intoxicated. Authorities estimate Darrick Toel was speeding at 90 mph July 1 on a rural highway just northeast of Sergeant Bluff when he lost control of his car and struck a tree. Toel’s passenger, 37-year-old Ryan Toel, of Struble, died two days later from his injuries.

The Harlan Police Department reports two recent arrests. Last Thursday (Feb. 13), 43-year old Alejandro Isidoro Hernandez, of Harlan, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault, and Child Endangerment. His initial court appearance was set for Feb. 24th. And, on Feb. 11th, 38-year old Matthew James Baucom, of Harlan, was arrested and charged with Disorderly Conduct.

(Radio Iowa) — While freedom of religion is a protected constitutional right thanks to the First Amendment, Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says that freedom is under attack here in the U-S and abroad. Grassley, a Republican, says religious discrimination endangers innocent lives in cultures and societies around the world but the work to halt the intolerance and violence has to start in America. “You can see what happens to Jewish places of worship,” Grassley says. “I suppose we have some anti-Muslim, then we have some anti-Christian attitudes in the United States. That all has to be overcome.”

He’s calling on the U-S to help people in countries like Russia, Bangladesh and Sudan who live under authoritarian regimes and face persecution for their religious beliefs.  Grassley says, “Through various U.N. resolutions and the United States setting a moral standard for the rest of the world and demanding more religious freedom where it doesn’t exist in the world is our goal.”

Grassley says the U-S should use proposed and future trade agreements to pressure nations like China, North Korea and Pakistan to allow their citizens to practice their chosen religions and worship without fear. He says the U-S has built into its negotiations demands for improvements to working conditions and for the environment, so why not religious freedoms? “Like the USMCA and what we were negotiating in the Trans-Pacific Partnership before we pulled out,” Grassley says, “I think the same focus on religion is helpful to make sure that the moral standard we set on the environment and labor carries over to other freedoms as well.”

Grassley was asked if President Trump might consider including religious freedom issues in his talks with China. Grassley responded, “I don’t think so. I think the president’s mostly concerned about economics.”

(Radio Iowa) — Members of the Iowa House are considering a bill that would launch another study of the 38 Interstate rest areas in Iowa. Representative Brian Lohse of Bondurant is leading the discussion. “The point of the bill is just to take another comprehensive look that hasn’t been done for about 30 years as to the rest areas,” Lohse says, “what goes into them, where they should be, whether or not there are ones that are truly cost-effective and are continuing to operate.”

In 2018, Iowa D-O-T officials unveiled a proposal to gradually close 11 rest areas, which have rest rooms AND close ALL the “parking only” rest stops — all after completing a study of usage. The bill that’s pending in the House committee calls for the Iowa D-O-T, the Iowa Economic Development Authority and the Iowa Finance Authority to evaluate existing rest areas and come up with a list of any necessary updates — plus offer some analysis of how the traveling public uses rest areas.  “I think they fill a necessary role, especially for truckers. They also serve a necessary role for anybody with young kids,” Lohse says, with a laugh. “They are there for a reason.”

Lohse says HIS kids are grown now and he makes fewer stops when traveling — and tends to patronize gas stations and restaurants rather than pull over at a rest stop. In 2018, state officials estimated 15-and-a-half MILLION interstate travelers stopped at an Iowa rest stop.

HAMBURG, Iowa (AP) — A man accused of pushing a co-worker off the top of a grain bin in southwest Iowa has been found in Mexico and returned to the United States. The U.S. Marshals Service said in a news release Tuesday that Pedro Andrade was taken into custody outside Medina, Mexico. He’s been returned to a jail in Houston, awaiting his return to Iowa.

A court document says the co-worker survived his 60-foot fall Oct. 10th, in Hamburg. He told an investigator that Andrade had found out that Andrade’s wife and the co-worker were having an affair.

The Cass County Board of Supervisors today (Tuesday), set March 3^rd as the date for a public hearing with regard to the “Maximum Property Tax Asking”(as per Iowa Code 331.433A). They also approved the appointment of Nadine King, from rural Lewis, as a non-resident member of the Lewis Public Library Board of Trustees.

And, they appointed Natalie Ritter along with LaVon Eblen, to the Cass County Local Foods Policy Council. Supervisor Board Chair Steve Baier explained the appointments were needed to replace Jan Steffens and Deeann Schreiner, who had submitted their resignations from the Council. On a related note, Supervisor Steve Green said the LFPC is looking for people from various walks of life who may be interested in what the Council does, to join them. They would love to hear from you. Please contact Cass County Wellness Coordinator Brigham Hoegh, at bhoegh@iastate.edu for more information. The Local Food Policy Council is a Cass County Government advisory body charged with promoting a vibrant and diverse local food system that supports the health and well-being of Cass County residents.

In other business, the Cass County Supervisors approved a Class-C Liquor License application for the Griswold Golf & Country Club, and authorized the signing of a new 28-E (cost sharing) agreement to be part of the Southwest Iowa Mental Health and Disability Services Region. The agreement must be submitted by Feb. 23^rd in order to be eligible for grant funds.

Montgomery County Sheriff Joe Sampson says anyone is welcome to attend Crimestoppers meetings, voice their ideas, and/or volunteer for upcoming events with the group. Red Oak VFW members co-sponsor the Crimsetoppers group activities. Their meetings take place the first Tuesday of every month at the Red Oak American Legion (211 E. Washington St.), beginning at 6-p.m.  The Sheriff says support of Montgomery County Crimestoppers is critical, and he, along with Chief Deputy Jon Spunaugle and Red Oak Police Chief Justin Rhamy, want the support to continue, and increase.

The Crimestopppers program is designed to reduce crime by partnering with the community, media and local law enforcement, and works when the community helps to identify criminals, reports suspicious activity that may be relevant to crimes, and identifies vehicles. Tips are processed anonymously, and may be eligible for a reward if they lead to an arrest and conviction. Anyone with information on a crime may call Montgomery County Crimestoppers at 1-888-434-2712.

The group’s phone number has changed, and renewed efforts are underway to bring the program back to maximum effectiveness. Donations and fund raising are the only activities that keep the organization afloat, according to Sheriff Sampson, who says also, members will be circulating new materials around the county in the near future. In addition, a Fundraising Benefit is planned for March 21st, at the Eagles.

The Trevor Frederickson Foundation reports applications are now being accepted for the 11th Annual Trevor Frederickson Memorial Scholarship. Applications may be obtained from the Atlantic High School guidance office at 1201 E. 14th Street, or the Atlantic High School’s website: www.atlanticiaschools.org. Up to two $750 scholarships are available to those graduating from Atlantic High School in the spring of 2020. Applicants must plan to attend a college or vocational school, show involvement in school and/or community activities, supply a copy of their college acceptance letter, provide two letters of reference along with their 7 semester transcripts, and maintain academic achievement of 2.5 or better. The scholarships will be awarded at the Atlantic High School Class Night held in May.

Trevor Frederickson (Photo submitted)

Trevor Frederickson graduated from Atlantic High School in 2006. He went on to further his education at Southwestern Community College in Creston where he studied automotive mechanics and played baseball for the Southwestern Spartans. Two additional $750 scholarships will be available for Southwestern Community College students this fall. Trevor, who passed away in 2009, had plans of pursuing a career in law enforcement and returning to his hometown of Atlantic. Trevor’s mom, Melanie Petty, says “Anyone who knew Trevor, knew he valued family, life and community. Trevor continues to live on in our hearts and minds. To this day, Trevor is still giving back to the community he loved to be a part of.”

Funds for the scholarships are raised at an annual golf tournament. Plans are already in the works for the 12th Annual TFred Memorial Golf Tournament to be held on Saturday, August 8th, 2020. Organizers look forward to another successful tournament so they can continue to grant scholarships for many years to come.