(Radio Iowa) — A new Iowa initiative was launched Monday on Earth Day at a nature center in Sioux City. The “99 Counties, 99 Parks” initiative is designed to show off the wide array of recreational activities the state has to offer within its county parks. The Director of Iowa’s Healthiest State Initiative, Jamie Haberl, says getting outdoors to go hiking or exploring in our parks is a great way to get some exercise. “We are so fortunate to have so many parks that can give us that ability to get outdoors, reduce our stress and just to have more physical activity,” Haberl says. “We don’t always have to go to a gym or fitness facility, we can really just get outside, get into nature, get our hands dirty and really enjoy the great resources that exist right here in our back yard.”

Iowa parks annually welcome about 24 million visitors, and State Economic Development Director Debi Durham says those visiting the parks give a boost to Iowa’s economy: “In Iowa, tourism is actually very big business. It’s an eight-point-five BILLION dollar industry sector for our state — which equates to about 500 million dollars in tax revenue, so it’s very important,” according to Durham.

You may download the “Family Fun Guide” from the “99 Counties, 99 Parks” website to see what the parks have to offer. Many of the parks also include “selfie stands” where visitors can take photos and share their experiences on social media using: #ThisIsIowa or #99parks.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports an alleged assault in Crescent resulted in the arrest of a resident on assault and child endangerment charges. A deputy responded to a call about an assault at around 10:55-p.m. Monday. The incident allegedly happened at a residence in the 100 block of Old Mormon Bridge Road. The deputy made contact with the alleged victim, a 33-year old woman, and determined that her husband, 37-year old Christopher Scott Burbridge, of Crescent, had assaulted her. Christopher Burbridge was arrested on one count of Domestic Abuse Assault/1st offense – causing bodily injury, and one count of Child Endangerment, Deprive Necessary Care – Death. Authorities say their were two children – a 1 year old female and an 8-year old male – in the home at the time of the incident. Christopher Burbridge was being held in the Pott. County Jail on a total of $26,000 bond.

And, two men were transported from jails in Nebraska to the Pott. County Jail, Monday, with regard to warrants for their arrest. 32-year old Sammy Hadeer Aburumuh, of Papillion, NE., was wanted for felony Theft in the 1st Degree. 31-year old Delshonte Lavaille Barber, of Omaha, was wanted for Violation of Parole.

The Iowa Downtown Resource Center will offer several downtown forums in July that focus on the characteristics of a successful downtown. Audubon will be one of the locations for the forums, beginning at 9-a.m. on July 17, at the Cultural Center at the Library. Discussion topics in five major areas and grant opportunities for downtowns. Forums are FREE to attend, but registration is required. You  can register at https://www.iowaeconomicdevelopment.com/downtown

The day will include a self-assessment tool and discussion topics in five major areas – characteristics that contribute to the success of a downtown. There will also be an overview of programs and grant opportunities for downtowns. Attendees will have an opportunity to share experiences relating to the downtown forum discussion and communicate with other community leaders the exciting happenings occurring in their commercial districts.

Sheriff’s officials in Cass County report the arrest of a man from Madison County following an accident early this (Tuesday) morning near Cumberland. Rescue crews were dispatched a little before 4-a.m. to an accident scene off 690th Street, where a pickup had entered the ditch. Reports said a passing motorist saw the vehicle with its headlights on, but it wasn’t clear if anyone was around at the time. 19-year old Korey Cassady, of Earlham, was not seriously injured in the crash and refused medical treatment. He was subsequently arrested, however, on felony charges that include Possession with Intent to Deliver Marijuana, and Failure to Affix a Drug Tax Stamp, as well as lesser charges of Possession of Paraphernalia and OWI 1st offense.

Cassady was taken to the Cass County Jail and held on a $10,000 bond.

FORT DODGE, Iowa (AP) — An Indiana man accused of killing a woman and burning her body has been sentenced to 30 years in an Iowa prison. Webster County District Court records say 26-year-old Phillip Williams, of Lafayette, Indiana, was sentenced Monday in Fort Dodge. He’d pleaded guilty to attempted murder and abuse of a human corpse. He and 27-year-old Mackenzie Knigge were charged with first-degree murder in the August 2017 slaying of 26-year-old Jessica Gomez in Knigge’s Clare apartment. Prosecutors lowered the murder charge against Williams in return for his pleas. Knigge’s trial is scheduled to begin June 10.

Shelby County Emergency Management officials report a test of the Storm Sirens will be conducted in Defiance beginning at 10-a.m. on May 6th. Authorities say the tests are an important part of the Weather Alerting System in Shelby County. In the event of actual severe weather, the tests will of course be postponed.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Des Moines leaders intend to bar people from loitering on medians at about 200 city intersections. The City Council voted Monday for an ordinance that takes effect next month. It bars people from “standing, sitting or staying on a median for any purpose other than to cross the street.” It won’t apply to medians that are 6 feet or wider. Officials cited safety reasons for the proposal.

The council voted more than six months ago to rescind its ordinance barring panhandling without a city license. That decision came after the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa urged Council Bluffs, Des Moines and Grimes to repeal their panhandling restrictions. Panhandlers holding signs asking for money often are seen standing on the medians at some of the 200 intersections included in the new Des Moines ordinance.

A Special Meeting of the Griswold School Board was held Monday evening to discuss the process used to fill a job vacancy. Superintendent Dave Henrichs told KJAN News the meeting was called with regard to the hiring to fill a Softball Coach vacancy and any other vacancy for that matter, where timing is of the essence. Some wondered why a committee wasn’t formed to select a candidate. Henrichs said both Mrs. Elwood and Mr. Horton noted that based upon some jobs and on the timing, they do use committees at some point, but it was not used in this case because Mr. Gross’s resignation came not long before Spring Softball practice is set to begin May 6^th. The Board agreed there is a need to get more stakeholders involved in the selection process when opportunities present themselves.

During their meeting April 15^th, it was noted the position of head softball coach was offered and accepted by an individual prior to that meeting, but during the Public Comment period, a number of people in attendance voiced their displeasure with the selection. Henrichs said during the Board’s next regular meeting in May, they will review some of the policies involved in hiring. The Board Monday night, learned there were two candidates for the Head Softball Coach, but as of last Thursday, one of the candidates asked to withdraw from consideration. A vote was held following a closed session to discuss the remaining candidate. When the open session resumed, the Board voted 5-2 to hire Jody Rossell as the Head Softball Coach. Heather Pelzer and Scott Peterson voted No. Rossell is the current head high school volleyball coach, and has served as assistant high school softball coach.

Now the search begins to fill the assistant softball coaches position at Griswold. The District will advertise for the post. Henrichs said also, an item was added to the agenda with regard to an offer having been made on the Elliott Building, which is listed for sale by Bergren Real Estate in Griswold. Discussion followed as to whether to negotiate with the potential buyer, or accept the proposal. He said they will discuss that more during a special meeting Monday, April 29^th. Henrichs said it appears a group of people with multiple plans may be investing in the building. That might include using a couple of rooms for a daycare, a couple for a boutique, the gym for an auctionhouse and/or events center, the kitchen for a catering business, and maybe even a teen center.

More State and area news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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Members of the Atlantic School Board will meet 5:30-p.m. Wednesday in the High School Media Center. On their agenda is discussion with regard to:

• A timeline for the financing of General Obligation Bonds
• The Washington School Parking Lot Project (W/Snyder & Assoc. Engineer Dave Sturm present)
• A synthetic turf field at the Trojan Bowl
• The FY 2018 Audit Report
• and, a Board Policy Review.

The Atlantic School Board will also act on;

• Contract recommendations for Katy Kuiper (5th Grade Teacher) and Emily Krummel (MS Math Teacher)
• The tentative 2019-2020 Master Contract w/the Atlantic Education Assoc. (which costs the District $144,782, or an increase of 2.14% on the salary). The current salary schedule it was noted, does not include a Teacher Salary Supplement (TSS) payment that is paid to all teachers. Atlantic’s new money for FY 2020 is expected to show a net loss of $126,689.
• Setting a Public Hearing on the 2018-19 Amended Certified Budget for the Board’s regular meeting on May 8th at 5:30-p.m. If approved, the FY 2018-19 Budget would increase from a little more than $1.54-million to $2.04-million, due to unexpected Capital Project expenditures. There will be no increase in taxes to be paid in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019.
• and a contract with FRK architects.