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Produce in the Park’s Spring Celebration Market to be held March 30

Ag/Outdoor, News

March 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa; March 17, 2024) – Produce in the Park’s Spring Celebration Market will be held the day before Easter, Saturday, March 30, from 12 PM – 3 PM at the Nishna Valley Family YMCA. Food truck Amos Fabulous Foods will be on site, and the YMCA will set up free activities for kids. There is no cost to enter the market at the YMCA.

Vendors at this year’s Spring Celebration Market will be selling a variety of local foods–from fresh produce and meat, to fresh breads and desserts. Craft vendors will be selling wood products, decorations such as handmade gnomes, crocheted items, candles, and more.

Spring Celebration Market 2024 is sponsored by Cass Health, Gregg Young of Atlantic, First Whitney Bank & Trust, Nishna Valley Family YMCA, Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Atlantic.

For the latest information on Spring Celebration Market and all Produce in the Park markets visit
www.ProduceInTheParkAtlanticIowa.com.

Audubon School Board regular meeting set for March 18th

News

March 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Audubon, Iowa) – Members of the Audubon Community School District’s Board of Education will meet in a regular monthly session beginning at 7-p.m. Monday. View their agenda below:

Audubon Community School

Board of Education – Regular Meeting

Boardroom, High School, 800 Third Ave.

Monday, March 18, 2024 – 7:00 P.M.

Our Mission is to provide a quality education in a positive, equitable & respectful environment that encourages & prepares all students to become life-long learners & responsible members of a rapidly changing society.

1.0 Call to Order

2.0 Approve Agenda

3.0 Approve Consent Agenda

3.01 Minutes – February 19, 2024, Regular Meeting

3.02 Warrants and Financial Reports

4.0 Public Comments – Please contact the Supt. or Board President (Board Policy #213)

Action Items:
5.01 Approve Second Reading – 401.1, 503.1, 503.1R1, 503.2, 605.3R1, 401.13, 401.13R1, 502.7, 605.6, 605.6R1, 605.8, 605.8R1, 701.1, 701.2, 701.3, 701.4, 703.1, 703.2, 704.2R1

Approve Budget Guarantee Resolution
5.03 Approve AEA Purchasing Agreement

5.04 Approve Change Orders – Building Project

5.05 Approve Suburban Purchase

5.06 Approve Transfer of $6868.95 from General to Activity Fund – Safety Equipment

5.07 Approve Transfer of $250,000 from Management to General Fund – Repay Loan

5.08 Approve Roof Repair

5.09 Personnel

6.0 Communication & Updates

6.01 DCAP (District Career and Academic Plan) Report – Mrs. Walter

6.02 Fundraising Update – Free Student Admission – Anne Miller

6.03 Superintendent Report

5.01.1 – Building Project Updates

5.01.2 – Legislative Update

6.04 Principal’s Reports

7.0 Adjournment

Budget Hearing #1 – March 25, 2024, 5:30 PM

Next Regular Meeting: Monday, April 15, 2024, 7:00 PM

Budget Hearing #2
Calendar Hearing

Griswold School Board set to meet Monday evening (3/18/24)

News

March 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Griswold, Iowa) – The Griswold School Board will hold their regular monthly meeting Monday, March 18th, beginning at 5:30-p.m. Here’s the agenda:

School Board Meeting Agenda

Griswold Community Schools

Monday, March 18, 2024

Conference Room, 5:30 p.m.

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Griswold Community School District, in partnership with our families and communities, is to provide leadership for positive change to ensure the best learning opportunities for everyone in a safe and caring environment.

• Call Meeting to Order

• Reading of Mission Statement

• Approval of Agenda (D.R.)

• Public Input

• Superintendent’s Report:

  1. Thank You Card(s) (I)
  2. The Month in Review – Administration (I)
  3. Board Learning Opportunities (I)

– Honor February Recipients

– Select March Recipient(s)

• Consent Agenda (D.R.)

Approval of Minutes

Approval of Financial Statements

Approval of Bills

4. Personnel

5. Gifts, Memorials, Bequests

Old Business

6. Board Policies – Second Reading (D.R.) – 711.4, 711.5, 711.6, 711.7, 711.8, 711.9, 711.10, 712, 712.R1

7. Consider Approval Of Chemical Application Bids (D.R.)

New Business

8. Consider Approval Of Mowing Bids (D.R.)

9. Educational Presentation (I)

10. Consider Approval Of Amendment To Secondary Student Handbook (D.R.)

11. Consider Approval Of Participation Agreement For FY25 Local Government Risk Pool (D.R.)

12. Consider Approval Of Drivers Education Program And Fees (D.R.)

13. Consider Approval Of Snow Make-Up Day Plan (D.R.)

14. Annual Review Of Policies 505.8 And 505.8R1 (D.R.)

15. Board Policies – First Reading (I) – 800, 801.1, 801.2, 801.3, 801.4

16. Consider Entering Into Closed Session Under Iowa Code 21.5(1)i, For The Purpose Of Evaluating The Professional Competency Of An Individual Whose Appointment, Hiring, Performance Or Discharge Is Being Considered When Necessary To Prevent Needless And Irreparable Injury To That Individual’s Reputation And That Individual Requests A Closed Session (D.R.)

• Adjourn

(D.R.) = Decision Required

(I.) = Informational

Final agenda will be posted in the Central Office no less than 24 hours before the meeting.

Fender bender accident in Creston, Saturday afternoon

News

March 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Creston, Iowa) – No injuries were reported following a fender-bender accident Saturday afternoon in Creston. Police say a 1999 Cadillac Escalade driven by 66-year-old Chris Alan Willets, of Creston, was backing out of a parking spot in front of the Creston Walmart Store at around 12:12-p.m., and didn’t see a vehicle that was driving down the aisle. The SUV struck a 2018 Ford Focus, driven by 47-year-old Ma H. Quintanilla, of Edinburg, TX.

The car sustained $1,000 damage. Damage to the SUV was estimated at $500. No citations were issued.

Creston Police report (3/17/24): Lenox man arrested on drug & alcohol charges

News

March 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Creston, Iowa) – Officials with the Creston Police Department report four arrests:

At around 12:30-a.m. Friday, officers arrested 33-year-old Samantha Jo Gile-Smith, of Creston, at the Creston Union County Law Enforcement Center (LEC). Gile-Smith was charged with OWI 1st Offense. She was later released from the Union County Jail on a $1,000 cash or surety bond.

At around 8:15-p.m. Friday, 36-year old John Lennon Willis, of Creston, was arrested at his residence. Willis was charged with Domestic Abuse Assault. He was taken to the Union County Jail and held without bond until seen by the Magistrate. Willis was later released on his Own Recognizance.

Late Saturday night, 20-year-old Calvin Cerda, of Lenox, was arrested at the Creston Union County LEC. Cerda was charged with Driving while Suspended, OWI-1st Offense, Intent to Deliver Cocaine under 100-grams, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Intent to Deliver Marijuana under 50-grams. Cerda was taken to the Union County Jail and later released on a $16,600 cash or surety bond.

And, a little after 3-a.m. today (Sunday), 26-year-old Brooke Leslie McGehee, of Creston, was arrested at the Creston Union County LEC. McGehee was charged with OWI-1st Offense. She was taken to the Union County Jail and later released on a $1,000 cash or surety bond.

LINDA K. ROBINSON, 85, of Irwin (Svcs. 3/22/24)

Obituaries

March 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

LINDA K. ROBINSON, 85, of Irwin, died Friday, March 15th, 2024, at the Black Hawk Life Care Center in Lake View. Funeral services for LINDA ROBINSON will be held 10:30-a.m. Friday, March 22nd, 2024, at the Pauley-Jones Funeral Home, in Harlan.

Visitation at the funeral home is on Thursday, from 5-until 7-p.m.

Burial is at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Irwin.

LINDA K. ROBINSON is survived by:

Her sons – Jamie Robinson, and Lenny (Tiffany) Robinson, all of Irwin.

Her brother – Harry (Betty) Ankenbauer of MI.

Her sisters – Diane (Ray) Kitt, of Audubon, and Judy Ankenbauer, of Dedham.

5 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren.

LAURA ARKFELD MOHR, 72, of Panama (Mass of Christian Burial 3/19/24)

Obituaries

March 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

LAURA ARKFELD MOHR, 72, of Panama, died Friday, March 15, 2024, at The Hansen House in Harlan. A Mass of Christian Burial for LAURA MOHR will be on Tuesday, March 19th at 10-a.m., at St. Mary’s of the Assumption Church, in Panama (IA). Pauley-Jones Funeral Home in Harlan has the arrangements.

Visitation at St. Mary’s Parish Center is on Monday, March 18th, from 4-until 8-p.m., with a Rosary at 4-p.m.

Burial is in St. Mary’s Cemetery at Panama.

LAURA ARKFELD MOHR is survived by:

Her stepdaughter – Kelly Mohr, of Rogersville, MO.

Her brothers – Dan (Jeanne) Arkfeld of Seneca, SC; Pat (Denise) Arkfeld of Fresno, CA; Tim (Denise) Arkfeld of Charlotte, NC; and Phil (Laura) Arkfeld of Chino Hills, CA.

Her sisters – Joanne (Don) Ozbun of Atlantic, IA; Jane (Rich) Hodapp of Matthews, NC; Denise (Scott) Assmann of Panama, IA; and Deanna (Roger) Schwery of Jacksonville, IA.

1 step- granddaughter and her sister- and brother in-laws.

Elliott man arrested for OWI Sunday morning

News

March 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Montgomery County, Iowa) – A traffic stop early this (Sunday) morning in Montgomery County, resulted in an arrest. The Sheriff’s Office says Deputies stopped a vehicle in the 1000 block of Highway 48 at around 12:20-a.m.  Upon further investigation, 37-year-old Ryan Stoneking, of Elliott, was arrested for OWI/1st offense. Stoneking was being held in the Montgomery County Jail in a $1,000 bond.

Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the Nishna Valley: Sunday, March 17, 2024

Weather

March 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Today: Mostly sunny & windy. High near 39. N/NW winds 15-30 mph.
Tonight: Mostly clear & blustery. Low around 16. N/NW winds @10-25 mph. Wind chill values as low as 5.
Monday: Sunny & breezy, with a high near 42. N/NW winds @ 10-20 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny & breezy, with a high near 61. NW @ 10-25 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 45.

Saturday’s High in Atlantic was 53. The Low was 24. Last year on this date, the High in Atlantic was 35 and the Low was 9. The Record High for March 17th in Atlantic, was 84 in 1894. The Record Low was -11 in 1906. Sunrise: 7:29. Sunset: 7:29-p.m.

Champions Again! Iowa State Wins Big 12 Championship

Sports

March 16th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Iowa State men’s basketball team is back on top of the Big 12 Championship podium once again!

Iowa State (27-7) blitzed No. 1 Houston (30-4) on its way to a 69-41 victory Saturday evening at T-Mobile Center as it won the Big 12 Championship for the fifth time in the last 10 tournaments and the sixth time overall.

In a battle of the Big 12’s two best defensive teams it was Iowa State that reigned supreme, holding the Cougars to just 26.8 percent shooting from the field (15-56) to hand the Cougars their worst loss of the Kelvin Sampson era, as well as the largest margin of victory ever in a Big 12 Championship game.

The win also marked Iowa State’s fourth-ever win against a No. 1 team. The 28-point win was also the third-largest margin of victory ever over a No. 1 team.

How It Happened
The Cyclones held a 30-23 lead at the half behind a stifling defensive effort that limited the nation’s top-ranked team to just 28.1 percent field goal shooting.

Houston took an 11-9 lead before the Cyclones heated up from long distance. Three-pointers by Curtis Jones and Milan Momcilovic propelled the Cyclones on an 8-0 run to put them up 17-11 and force a Houston timeout with 9:11 left in the opening period. The teams swapped baskets and the Cougars trimmed the ISU lead to 24-21, but back-to-back 3-pointers by Momcilovic and Tamin Lipsey extended the lead back to 30-21. Houston got a late basket to make it a seven-point deficit at the half. Keshon Gilbert, who scored ISU’s first four points of the game, finished the half with nine points.

The Cyclones went on a 10-0 run to open the second half and never looked back, extending its lead to as many as 32 points. Houston started the second half just 1-for-14 as ISU led 54-28 with 7:52 remaining in the game.

The rest was just semantics as the Cyclones rolled to T.J. Otzelberger’s first championship as head coach at Iowa State.

Top Performers
The freshman Momcilovic led the Cyclones with 18 points, connecting on four 3-pointers.

Gilbert added 16 points, while Hason Ward chipped in 13 points off the bench.

All-Tournament Team
Gilbert, Lipsey, Momcilovic earned spots on the Big 12 Championship All-Tournament team. Gilbert was named the tournament’s most outstanding player.

Up Next
The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament selection show will be held Sunday at 5 p.m. (CT) on CBS.