Red Oak Police report a man was arrested at around 9:50-a.m. today (Tuesday), on a drug charge. 31-year old Bret Wade Sheppard, of Emerson, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance/1st offense, and Possession of Drug Equipment. Sheppard was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $1,000 bond.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — A Dubuque hospital wants a state oversight board to reconsider the hospital’s application for buying equipment for a new cancer center. The Telegraph Herald reports that Mercy Medical Center-Dubuque filed the application last month with the State Health Facilities Council. In October the council rejected Mercy’s request for permission to purchase equipment that would be key to development of a $25 million cancer center. UnityPoint Health-Finley Hospital argued at the time that its Wendt Cancer Center already provides the necessary services in Dubuque.

Officials say the two hospitals are discussing a joint venture. One of the state board members who voted against Mercy’s request has left the five-member council and so far hasn’t been replaced. Mercy officials hope to gain approval from what could be a more sympathetic council.

Two public hearings are set to take place Wednesday evening, during a meeting of the Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education meeting. The first, at 5:30-p.m., is with regard to the proposed 2018-19 School Calendar, which indicates the 2018-19 school year will begin August 23rd. The Winter break is from Dec. 24th through Jan. 2nd. There is no Spring Break on the schedule, and barring any snow makeup days, classes will end May 23rd. The second Public Hearing is at 5:45-p.m. Wednesday, and is with regard to the 2018-19 Certified Budget. The School Board meeting takes place in the Media Room at the Atlantic High School.

In other business, the Board will discuss technology purchases, and act on the resignations of Andrea Reilly (TLC Model Teacher), Paul Iekel (Achievement Center 6-12 Teacher), and Lisa Munsey (8th Grade Math Teacher & track Coach/7th Grade Volleyball Coach, Middle School/Schuler Elementary TLC Supporting Instructional Coach). They’ll also act on: approving the 2018-19 School Calendar & Certified Budget, along with the Audit report, and the setting of a Public Hearing for the 2017-18 Amended Certified Budget.

The Board will also take action on Industrial Tech and Transportation Director position agreements with the Griswold School District, the purchase of a 2018 model bus for $85,000 (which replaces an older model bus, and includes an EPA grant the district received for $20,000). They are also expected to approve a High School HVAC replacement project costing $79,980, with that low bid coming from Camblin Mechanical. The other bid, from Proctor Mechanical, was for $105, 645. The project would cover the replacement of two High School gym Heating, Ventilation and Cooling (HVAC) units. The final action item is the selection of Driver’s Education services among two bidders. Both bids are nearly identical, with only the reduced costs for Free/Reduced lunch students the difference. The district currently pays Deluxe Driving Academy of Carroll, for the service. Their bid is $340 per student, and $320 for Free/Reduced lunch students. The competing bid is from White Knuckle Driving School in Atlantic. Their bid is also $340 per student, with Free/Reduced charged $315. Classes are taught at the high school, with Atlantic employees serving as the instructors.

The Exira-Elk Horn/Kimballton School Board held a Public Hearing Monday evening, on the 2018-19 Budget. Superintendent Trevor Miller told KJAN News there were no comments from the public during the session. He said the tax asking for the coming school year is $12.09/per $1,000 taxable valuation, which is a little higher than expected, due to the budget guarantee which covers decreased enrollment, and, the General Obligation Bond. Miller says it’s still a decent tax rate compared to some of the districts around them. The tax is an increase of $1.42/per $1,000. After the Board approved the Budget, they discussed and approved several legal matters related to the bond, which was simplified for their approval, by work conducted through the District’s Attorneys.

Miller said also, the Exira-EHK Board approved renewing a contract with Marne-Elk Horn Telephone Company (METC) as the district’s telephone and internet provider. The Board also discussed matters pertaining to Transportation, such as the number of routes and what they will look like during the coming school year. He said they talked about ways of finding new and/or substitute drivers to replace those who may be retiring. The job of finding those drivers he said, is becoming more difficult due to scheduling and the hours.

And, the Board approved a reduction-in-force due to realignment of the buildings and decrease in the number of students, which resulted in the reduction of one-teacher from the staff.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports an inmate at the Pott. County Jail was charged with possessing contraband (.7-gram of Meth in a baggie), inside the jail facility. 23-year old Omar Gastelum Moreno, of Council Bluffs, was read the charge against him, and returned to his cell. Another inmate at the Pott. County Jail was presented with warrant for two counts of Probation Violation. 41-year old Jeremy Todd Casteel, of Carter Lake, was returned to his cell after the warrants were served.

And, a traffic stop Monday night on an SUV in Pott. County, resulted in the arrest of 55-year old Frank G. Schweigart, of Omaha. He was taken into custody for OWI/2nd offense.

A Special Session for the Audubon Community School District Board of Education will be held 5:30-p.m. Wednesday, in the Board Room at the Audubon High School. During their session, a Budget Hearing will be held, featuring a Public Hearing on the proposed 2018-19 School Budget. Afterward, the Board will act on approving a Budget Guarantee Resolution, a Budget Plan for Certifications, and Personnel matters. An exempt session will follow the conclusion of regular business, for the purpose of discussing a negotiation strategy with the Collective Bargaining Unit.

The Cass County Board of Supervisors will hold their regular weekly meeting Wednesday (April11th), in the Board Room at the Courthouse, in Atlantic. During their session, which begins as always, at 8:30-a.m., the Board will act on a request from the City of Atlantic, to abate all tax, penalties and interest on a total of 10 city-owned parcels. They’ll also act on a Resolution entering into an agreement to abate the tax and assign a tax certificate on a County-held Tax Sale Certificate for a parcel in Cumberland, and Griswold.

In other business, the Board may act on the appointment of a member to the Cass County Zoning Board of Adjustment, to fill a vacancy term, as well as the appointment of a Cass County Weed Commissioner for 2018. Their final order of business is to approve a permit for the display of fireworks requested by the Lewis Celebration Committee, for a display in an unincorporated area.

Clarinda Police Chief Keith Brothers says his officers, Monday evening, arrested 25-year old James Robert Castillo, of Clarinda. Castillo was taken into custody at around 6-p.m., for possession of an illegal substance believed to be methamphetamine. Castillo was arrested during a traffic stop at the intersection of South 27th Street and State Highway 2. The substance believed to be methamphetamine was discovered during a search of the 2003 Kia Rio Castillo was operating. Castillo was also charged with operating a motor vehicle while his driving privilege is suspended. He posted bail through a bonding company and was released pending further court proceedings.

Reports concerning the incident have been submitted to the office of Page County Attorney Carl M. Sonksen for review regarding the filing of formal charges.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — A former Davenport elementary teacher has been imprisoned for possessing and distributing child pornography. U.S. District Court records say Michael Ross was sentenced Monday to 15 years in federal prison. He’d pleaded guilty in December. Investigators say they found hundreds of images and videos on Ross’ computer, laptop and smartphone. The Davenport Community School District says Ross was hired in August 2013 and had worked at Buchanan and Wilson elementary schools. He’s surrendered his teaching license.

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

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