(Radio Iowa) — A Las Vegas man who was convicted of sending marijuana plants to Iowa has been sentenced to five years in federal prison. Sixty-two-year-old Oliver Maupin was found guilty in June by a jury of conspiracy to manufacture and distribute marijuana. Court records show Maupin created two separate marijuana grow operations in Oregon that sent large quantities of marijuana to Iowa.

Maupin studied Oregon’s medical marijuana laws and learned how to use them to avoid the detection of the illegal marijuana operations that court records showed created hundreds of pounds of marijuana worth several hundred thousand dollars. He was sentenced to the 60 months in prison and ordered to pay a ten-thousand dollar fine.

(Radio Iowa) — A Denison High School teacher has been placed on administrative leave after students complained the teacher used the “n” word in the classroom. Crystal Holt says she had divided students into juries, to discuss a court case involving the death penalty, and they were making poster boards about the case.

“I asked why they put ‘hate crimes’ on their board,” Holt told KDSN Radio. “And one of the students said: ‘Because in the reading it said he used pejorative terms.’ And another student in that group said: ‘What does pejorative mean?’ And I said it means derogatory. And the student said: ‘What does derogatory mean?’ And I said it means terms that are not nice to race and continued trying to explain that. And I said he used the ‘n’ word and then I said he used the word.”

Holt says there appeared to be no issue that day with the discussion, but the next day the dean of students asked her to speak with another class that had taken issue with her decision to use that word. “I went to that other teacher’s class and tried to explain the context of how I was using the word, the explanation of my teaching,” Holt says. “And I believe there is a videotape that is circulating (online) of me and the other teacher’s voice talking in that class trying to explain how we were using that word in instruction.”

A group of students are planning a protest tomorrow (Tuesday) morning to call for Holt’s firing. The school’s superintendent posted a statement on Facebook Friday, saying the district is conducting an internal investigation. Holt says her use of the word was not a racial slur. “A racial slur, in its intent, is directed at a person or an individual and that did not happen in this case,” she says. “The word was used to teach and help people understand the seriousness of racism in a capital punishment case and racism is a major part of several capital punishment cases.”

Holt spoke with a reporter at Denison’s radio station and was asked if the use of that word outside of an academic setting would be appropriate. “Never, never,” Holt said. “I cannot imagine that being used except in a classroom to combat and explain issues of racism.” Holt’s husband is State Representative Steven Holt, a Republican who in 2018 tabled a bill in the legislature that would have restored the death penalty in Iowa.

Denison’s superintendent — in a statement posted on Facebook — said the district takes the issue of racism “extremely seriously and regret and apologize for any impact” this classroom incident may have had. The superintendent said he’d work with students, their families and the school’s faculty to resolve the situation.

HAMILTON, Iowa (AP) — Crews have found the body of a woman while fighting a mobile home fire in the tiny southern Iowa city of Hamilton. The Marion County Sheriff’s Office says firefighters found the body of 56-year-old Rhonda Kiler early Monday after being called to the fire.

Firefighters worked for about 45 minutes to douse the fire before finding Kiler’s body in the home. Local and state investigators are still working to determine the cause of the fire.

The Atlantic School District’s Board of Education will meet 5:30-p.m Tuesday, in the High School Media Center. On the retiring board’s agenda, is discussion with regard to a retaining wall scheme at the Trojan Bowl, an action on: Revised/updated 500 Series Board Policies; the 2018-19 District Annual Report; 2018-19 Depository Statement; Board Strategic Plan, and the Abstract of Votes from the Nov. 5th School Election.

There will also be recognition of retiring Board members, followed by adjournment of the current Board. Afterward, an Organizational meeting of the New Board will take place. That includes administering the Oath of Office to newly elected Board Members, the election of a Board President & Vice President, an appointment of Board Treasurer & Secretary.

The new Board will act on necessary administrative matters, and hear a special presentation on the Construction Trades Program. Additional action items include: General and Special Education Contracts, the resignations of Food Service Worker Julie Wright and Special Ed Para-educator Kourtnie Beschorner, and Contract Recommendations for the following:

• Katy Christensen – Freshman Girls Basketball
• Wynter Waltz – Special Education Car Driver & Substitute/Activity Car Driver.
• Jeff Christensen – Substitute/Activity Car Driver
• Crystal Sunderman – Substitute Activity/Car Driver.
• And Stephanie Kloewer – Food Service.

Items for discussion include: A Facility Project Update; TLC Compensation Review Process and Strategic Planning. Other, action items include: the Green Hills AEA Board of Directors Election, and a Snow Removal Contract, to name a few.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A jury has awarded $1.4 million to a man who wanted a circumcision but instead was given a vasectomy in Des Moines. The Des Moines Register reports that the jury leveled a $2 million judgment against the physician who performed the vasectomy, Dr. Kevin Birusingh. But the jury also said in its ruling last week that the man who filed the lawsuit, Zaw Zaw, was 30% responsible. Zaw is a 41-year-old refugee who came to the U.S. four years ago from Myanmar. He sued in November 2017, nearly two years after the errant procedure.

Birusingh’s attorney Charlie Wittmack says Zaw signed two written informed consents and completed four consultations before the vasectomy. Wittmack also says both consents and each of the consultations were translated by two separate interpreters. The lawsuit said Zaw isn’t fluent in English and that “vasectomy” is not a word in Zaw’s native language of Burmese. Zaw’s attorney, Marc Harding, says a doctor’s referral documents showed Zaw was seeking a circumcision.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Hundreds of containers — many carrying hazardous materials — have floated into Missouri since flooding in the upper Missouri River basin during the spring. Missouri Department of Natural Resources officials say the agency collected more than 740 containers this year. Many are believed to be from Nebraska and Iowa. The containers range from small buckets to 500,000 gallon tanks. Many contain diesel fuel, pesticides or ammonia. KCUR reports most of the containers washed up on the banks of the Missouri River in northwest Missouri.

Environmental scientist Stephen McLane says the goal is to return the containers to their owners, but many don’t have identifying marks. A recycler in Kansas City has helped the agency dispose of roughly 12,000 gallons of fuel, pesticides and herbicides. McLane said the agency expects to be collecting orphaned containers through at least January.

(Radio Iowa) — Iowa Department of Public Health medical director Caitlin Pedati, says the flu-related deaths of two women should be a reminder to everyone to get a flu shot. Doctor Pedati says a flu shot is still the best way to prevent you from getting sick — and it’s too late in the season to for the shot to still be effective. She says they flu appears to be more prevalent in Iowa now.”On our website you’ll see a flu vaccine finder tool if you are looking for places to get your flu vaccine. You can also work with public heath or your health care provider to do that. And it is definitely not too late,” Pedati says.

She says also, “We really are seeing this activity in our communities and we are seeing it go up a little bit,” according to doctor Pedati. “And the idea with any vaccine is to get it before you get exposed — and so this would be a good time if you haven’t already to take advantage of getting your flu vaccine — and give your immune system some time to learn how to fight it off.” Pedati says the flu vaccine provides protection that goes beyond the person getting it. “It also serves as a way to make it harder for the virus to move between us from person-to-person. And so, it provides protection for people who might have trouble fighting off the virus, as their immune system might not be as healthy as others,” Pedati says.

The two confirmed the flu-related deaths were two women in central and northwest Iowa who had other underlying conditions. Doctor Pedati says you should to take other precautions that will help prevent the spread of flu and other diseases. “We always want to remind people to cover your cough and your sneeze — to wash your hands — and to stay home and away from other people when you are sick,” she says.

The flu is a respiratory illness caused by viruses. Symptoms may include fever, headache, tiredness, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion and body aches. Illness typically lasts two to seven days, and often puts healthy people in bed for days. To learn more about flu in Iowa, go to the Iowa Department of Public Health website.

In an update to our reports over the weekend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg will be campaigning in Atlantic on Monday, November 25th. His campaign says he’ll hold a community conversation at the Venue (307 Walnut St, Atlantic, IA 50022). Doors for the event open at 3-pm, and the event will begin at 3:30pm.

Other scheduled stops in western Iowa include:

Monday, Nov. 25th –

• 12:45 PM CT: Town hall in Creston ·  Location: YMCA | 1201 W Townline St, Creston; Doors open at 12:15-p.m.
• 7:00 PM CT: Town hall in Council Bluffs ·  Location: Abraham Lincoln High School. Doors open at 6:30-p.m | 1205 Bonham St, Council Bluffs.

Tuesday, November 26:

10:30 AM CT: Town hall in Denison·  Location: Cronks | 812 4th Ave S, Denison. Doors open at 10-a.m.

The Adair County Board of Supervisors will meet 9-a.m. Tuesday, in their Boardroom at the Adair County Courthouse in Greenfield. Among the items on their agenda, is a Public Hearing on an Ordinance amending an Assessment of Wind Energy Conversion Property, along with the 2nd and 3rd readings of the Ordinance. During a meeting late last month, the Board voted to move forward with an ordinance to cap wind turbine construction in Adair County. The board decided on a cap of 535 commercial wind energy structures in the county.

During their meeting on Nov. 6th, Tammy Baier read from her letter which expressed several concerns about the wind turbine ordinance. She asked when does the community have a right to say when enough is enough. Baier said the number of turbines is too much, and that some are being slipped in. Baier also expressed concerns  about Mid-American trespassers looking for Indian artifacts and a specific breed of bat. Among the other issues she mentioned in her letter, were with regard to the blades throwing ice, creosote left on their land, gates being left open so cattle get out, and how it is affecting our ecosystem and rural development. She requested a cap be put in place with specific language by a knowledgeable Attorney.

In other business, the Adair County Supervisors will hear reports from County Engineer Nick Kauffman, and County Auditor Mandy Berg.

Des Moines – Governor Reynolds recently proclaimed November 16th through the 24th as Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week in Iowa. Iowa joins with the National Coalition for the Homeless, the National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness as well as more than 700 other organizations throughout the country in bringing awareness to the pressing issues of hunger and homelessness. The Iowa Council on Homelessness reports that 12,180 Iowans were served by homeless shelters in 2018, a slight decline from 12,932 served by shelters in 2017.

Iowa Finance Authority Executive Director Debi Durham says “I encourage all Iowans to join with the Iowa Council on Homelessness this week in recognizing the many causes of hunger and homelessness, the impact it has on families and to support local organizations in their efforts to make a difference in the lives of Iowa’s most vulnerable citizens.” The Iowa Council on Homelessness is a 38-member council made up of representatives of state and local governments, nonprofits, advocates and homeless or formerly homeless individuals that works to identify issues, increase understanding, raise awareness and secure resources that will allow all homeless Iowans to become self-sufficient.

The Iowa Finance Authority provides staff support to the Council to submit a coordinated application for federal funds through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance Program. Iowa Council on Homelessness Board Chair Karin Ford said “The Iowa Council on Homelessness works year-round to advance opportunities for those who are experiencing or are at-risk of homelessness. As the holidays approach, it’s a fitting time for all Iowans to consider donating time or resources to homeless service agencies throughout the state to assist Iowa families in need.”