(Cumberland, Iowa)  – Cumberland Mayor Virginia Coughlin reports the City is conducting maintenance at the treatment center this morning. In a statement on social media, the Mayor said “At this time we are [asking] residents to boil water until we let let you know otherwise. Thank you.”

Police in Red Oak (IA) report the arrest at around 9-a.m. today (Tuesday), of a woman on a Theft charge. 61-year-old Brenda Marie Mutschler, of Red Oak, was arrested at the Red Oak Rehab and Care Center, for Theft in the 5th Degree. Her bond was set at $300.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Choral Society will present their annual Holiday Concert Thursday, December 21.  The program will be in the Atlantic Middle School Auditorium at 7:00 pm.  There is no charge for admission, but free-will donations will be accepted.  Donations are used to fund the group’s music and support the Atlantic Ministerial Association’s Helping Hand Fund.

In 2018, Ray McCalla and Jan Highfill came up with the idea of forming a Choral Society.  Their first concert was that Christmas and was followed by a summer show and Christmas concert in 2019.  “I had wanted to field a community choir for years, and it seemed like the right time to do it,” McCalla said. “Making music together with others is a joy. It brings people together.” Covid forced the group to pause performances in 2020, but they resumed with Christmas concerts in 2021 and 2022.  The group is directed by McCalla and Michelle Andersen.

Any community member is welcome to join the Choral Society; rehearsals for Christmas concerts usually begin in October and are held on Sunday afternoons.  For more information, contact Ray McCalla at 712-250-1607.

DES MOINES, Iowa, Dec. 12, 2023 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director in Iowa Theresa Greenfield today (Tuesday), announced that the Agency is investing $1,084,171 in grants to 16 rural Iowa projects to connect medical professionals to patients, support water system planning, and establish basic quality-of-life and services for individuals and families in rural communities.

With funding from the Distance Learning and Telemedicine program, Trinity Regional Medical Center received a $122,371 grant to equip one hub site and ten end-user sites throughout Buena Vista, Calhoun, Humboldt, Pocahontas, Sac, Webster, and Wright counties in northern Iowa with telemedicine equipment. Medical professionals at Trinity Regional Medical Center in Webster County will provide nephrology, dermatology, pulmonology, women’s health, pediatrics, and mental health care to ten locations benefiting 16,800 individuals.

Three grants were funded through the Water and Waste Disposal Predevelopment Planning Grants. The program is designed to assist eligible low-income communities plan and develop applications for proposed USDA Rural Development water or waste disposal projects.

-City of Knierim received a $22,000 grant to help create a water facility plan developed by engineers. This project will address water system conditions and performance, including alternatives and recommendations, to meet the rehabilitation needs of the entire water system. This project will assist with the costs of planning for construction and will promote water quality for residents of this rural Calhoun County community.

–City of Murray received a $22,500 grant to help complete a wastewater system plan. The project will supply a plan created by engineers with alternatives and recommendations to address rehabilitation of the city’s wastewater infrastructure. The project will help support much-needed wastewater upgrades that will promote the health and safety of residents of this rural community in Clarke County.

–City of Pisgah received a $22,000 grant to create a water facility plan developed by engineers. This project will address water system conditions and performance and will include alternatives and recommendations to meet the rehabilitation needs of the entire water system. This project will promote better water quality for residents of this rural Harrison County community.

Twelve of today’s (Tuesday’s) investments were funded through the USDA Rural Development Community Facilities Grants program. The program is designed to provide affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. An essential community facility is defined as a facility that provides an essential service to the local community for the orderly development of the community in a primarily rural area, and does not include private, commercial, or business undertakings. Among the grant recipients is:

-The City of Griswold, which received a $7,100 grant to help purchase communications equipment. This project will provide voice pagers for the city’s fire department personnel. Once completed, the project will streamline fire department operations and promote the safety of residents of this rural Cass County area.

-The City of Lenox received a $43,000 grant to help purchase equipment for the fire department. This project will promote the operational efficiency of fire personnel. Once completed, the project will streamline fire department operations and promote the safety of residents of this rural Taylor County area.

-The City of Blockton received a $50,000 grant to help purchase a vehicle. This project will provide a tanker truck for the city’s volunteer fire department to increase water capacity in fire-fighting operations. Once in service, the project will promote the safety of residents and property in this rural Taylor County community.

–Montgomery County Memorial Hospital received a $50,000 grant to help purchase medical imaging equipment for Villisca Medical Clinic. This project will provide an X-ray machine to make more accurate diagnosis and to save patient travel time to distant hospitals. Once in place, the new equipment will promote the health and safety of residents of this rural Montgomery County area.

–City of Corning received a $49,000 grant to help remodel city hall. This project will renovate and update the shingles, concrete, and lighting on the building. Once completed, this project will better facilitate official business of the city and improve on-site safety for residents using the adjoining community center in this rural area in Adams County.

–City of Anita received a $50,000 grant to help purchase an ambulance. This project will expedite vehicle access to response sites and make patient transport safer and more reliable. Once in operation, the new ambulance will facilitate emergency services for the residents of Cass County and nearby rural areas.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Board of Supervisors in Cass County (IA), today (Tuesday), passed a Resolution approving the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the County Sheriff’s Office and AFSCME, the union representing the Sheriff’s Office. The Board also approved continuing with the County Wellness Plan, and the removal of Ronnie Ross and Medical Examiner Investigator, retroactive to Dec. 6, 2023.

The Board also passed a Resolution to set the Posted Weight Limits on County Bridges, based on the most recent bridge inspections. Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken said it won’t be hard to figure out which bridges have an embargo on their load limit.

Cass County BOS mtg. 12-12-23 w/Engineer Wolken in the background.

Wolken also updated the Board on Secondary Roads Department maintenance and activities, especially with regard to box culvert projects.

The Cass County Supervisor’s next meeting is on December 19th.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Board of Supervisors in Montgomery County, this (Tuesday) morning, agreed to receive, but take no action on, the salary recommendations by the County Compensation Board for Fiscal Year 2024-25, “With possible modifications.” Supervisor Donna Robinson said she attended the Compensation Board meeting. She said there were two motions made during that meeting.

When the motion died, there was additional discussion, followed by a second motion.

The Compensation Board passed the motion, 4-to-1. It amounts to $100,000. The Supervisors, by a vote of 4-to-1, with Randy Cooper voting “Nay,” also passed the motion.

Montgomery County BOS mtg. 12-12-23

Robinson said there was also discussion about new legislation coming down that would maintain the levy two caps. Robinson said Montgomery County is already capped on those two levies.

She said there are 30 counties above the cap statewide, and their budgets are struggling, yet their salaries are higher than what Montgomery County currently has.

In other business, the Montgomery County Supervisors set their organizational meeting as January 2^nd at 8:30-a.m.

(Radio Iowa) – Leaders of the Iowa Bicycle Coalition are on a road trip this week with the goal of visiting 99 Iowa bike shops, giving a nod to Iowa’s senior U-S senator in calling this a “Full Grassley Tour.” Coalition executive director Luke Hoffman says they’re striving to highlight and support local bike shops and their economic impact while generating interest in cycling, even as winter looms.  “The Iowa Bicycle Coalition, being the statewide nonprofit organization around bicycle advocacy and shared safe roadways,” Hoffman says, “we, to that end, want to talk to cycle groups, bike shops, bike-friendly businesses about how we can be building community together.” As part of the tour, Hoffman says they’re meeting with cycling enthusiasts, which includes those who love riding in the cold weather with specially-equipped winter bikes. All of the visits center around local bike dealers and mechanics.

“It’s about doing local bike rides, visiting the bike shops,” he says, “and then talking to those business owners about how they can be part of our advocacy work, as well, in the legislative session.” Hoffman says the coalition is working to promote safe and accessible bicycling in Iowa through education, events, better policy, and growing a community of supporters. He says this week-long tour is part of that vision, to make bicycling in Iowa safe, enjoyable, and accessible for all.

“We’re doing it because we want to start something new and unique and that’s Support Your Local Bike Shop,” Hoffman says. “This time of the year is a time where bike shops typically see a little bit of a dip in business just because it’s not the summer months, it’s not close to RAGBRAI. So we want to show them some love ahead of the holiday season and let people know they can support their local bike shop this time of the year.”

The annual Iowa Bike Expo is scheduled for next month at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines, one of the Midwest’s largest one-day bike shows. Later that same day, January 27th, will be the RAGBRAI Route Announcement Celebration.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Members of the Atlantic School District’s Board of Education will meet in a regular session 5:30-p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023, in the High School Media Center. The Board is expected to discuss Student Academic State Data, and act on the following:

• An ELL need for an additional teacher.
• Amending the 2023-24 School Calendar.
• Authorizing the district’s administration to submit a request to the SBRC (School Budget Review Committee), for a modified supplemental amount of $93,910.50, due to an increase of certified enrollment from the prior year, and,
• a request to the SBRC for a modified supplemental amount of $8,398.50, related to the English Language Learning (ELL) program, for students who have exceeded five-years of weighting, that are included on the Fall 2023 Certified Enrollment headcount.

The Board will also act to approve the resignations of: Allison Spieker, Schuler Elementary Paraeducator (effective 12/22/23); and Caroline Pellett, 7th Grade Softball Coach. The approved also, Contract Recommendations for: Emma Maassen-Thies, Communications Specialist; Charisma Burg, Washington Elem. Para, replacing Taylor Jones, and, Summer Sport Coaches.

YouTube link to viewing the meeting HERE.

See the full agenda, below:

Regular Meeting Agenda
1406 SW 7th Street, Atlantic, Iowa
High School Media Center
Wednesday, December 13, 2023; 5:30 p.m.
LIVE YouTube Link
1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Approve agenda
4. Public Comment
5. Presentation
6. District Reports
a. Principal Reports:
b. Superintendent Report
c. Board Report
i. Board Calendar of Meetings & Agenda Topics
d. Financial Reports
7. *Consent Items (See below)
8. Discussion Items
Student Success
Empowering Achievement:
a. Review Strategic Plan
b. Review Superintendent Goals
Trojan Pride:
a. Student Academic State Data Review
Supportive Environment
CommUNITY & Wellbeing of All Trojans:
Trojan Safety:
Stewardship:
9. Action Items
Student Success
Empowering Achievement:
a. ELL need for additional teacher
Trojan Pride:
Supportive Environment
CommUNITY & Wellbeing of All Trojans:
a. Amend 2023-24 School Calendar
Trojan Safety:
Stewardship:
a. Increased Enrollment – The district’s administration is authorized to submit a request to the School Budget
Review Committee for a modified supplemental amount of $93,910.50 due to an increase of certified enrollment
from the prior year.
b. Limited English Proficient (LEP) Instruction Beyond 5 Years – The district’s administration is authorized to
submit a request to the School Budget Review Committee for a modified supplemental amount of $8398.50
related to the English language learning program for students who have exceeded five years of weighting that
are included on the Fall 2023 certified enrollment headcount.
10. Upcoming Dates
a. Regular Board Meeting, Wednesday, January 10, 2024
11. Board Meeting Evaluation Question: Did we consider the expertise of staff and the data and needs of our
district?
12. Adjournment

*Consent Agenda
a. Meeting Minutes 11/29/23
b. Monthly Bills for 12/2023
c. Open Enrollment-In Applications (Go to December tab on attached spreadsheet)
d. Resignations
i. Allison Spieker, Schuler Elementary Para. Last day Dec 22 2023
ii. Caroline Pellett, 7th Grade Softball Coach
e. Contract Recommendations and/or Letters of Assignment
i. Emma Maassen-Thies, Communications Specialist
ii. Charisma Burg, Washington Elementary Para, replacing Taylor Jones
iii. Summer Sport Coaches
f. Gifts, Grants and Bequests
g. Fundraising Requests: Student Council – MS Fundraiser HS Student Council

(Please note: Any item that appears on the consent agenda may be removed from the consent agenda by a board member. If an item is removed from
the consent agenda, the item will be taken up later in the regular agenda. That item is then discussed and voted on separately, after the rest of the
consent agenda has been approved, or may be moved to a following board meeting.)

(Anita, Iowa) – The CAM School District’s Board of Education met Monday evening (Dec. 11). First-up was a session featuring the retiring School Board. Superintendent Paul Croghan told KJAN News the Board received the Treasurers Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2023, and accepted the Abstract of Votes of the November 7th Election.

The Organizational Board meeting was then convened.

The New Board approved their consent agenda, which included resignations and contracts.

The Board decided to leave their regular meeting dates and times as the second Monday of the month at 6:30-p.m., in the Anita High School Media Center. Other administrative action included approval of a request to the SBRC for a modified supplemental amount of $61,389 for Open Enrolled-Out, and $135,152 for At Risk and DropOut Prevention Programs.

Croghan said the rest of the meeting was with regard to the District’s facilities.

He said another Community Engagement meeting pertaining to District facilities will be held 6-p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13th, in the High School Media Center.

Superintendent Croghan said the District continues to move forward with discussions as they shoot for a potential bond referendum in November, 2024.

(Mason City, Iowa) — Police in a northern Iowa community report a man was taken into custody late Monday morning, following a shots-fired incident. A man reported to Mason City Police that another male had fired a handgun at him while the resident was inside his home. The incident happened at around 11:30-a.m., Monday, at 123 12th Street NW. The resident was not injured.

Law enforcement, including officers from the Mason City Police Department, Deputies with the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Department, the Iowa State Patrol, and, Mason City Fire Department responded to the scene. Officers surrounded the house and blocked nearby vehicle traffic while the incident unfolded.

Officers were able to get some of the occupants out of the house but one occupant would not exit. They maintained a perimeter for several minutes while a search warrant was requested for the property and remaining occupant. Members of the North Iowa Special Operations Group (SOG) later approached the house, with the remaining occupant exiting the home a little after 1-p.m., Monday.

Authorities say 50-year-old John Compher, of Mason City, was arrested and charged with 2nd Offense Domestic Abuse Assault. He was being held in the Cerro Gordo County Jail. The incident remains under investigation.