The Audubon School District, Tuesday evening, passed a Resolution directing the sale of approximately $9.11-million in General Obligation School and Refunding Bonds for the District’s HVAC system and other facility improvements. The 9.11-million includes $7.5-million for the voter approved Bond Referendum, plus $1.6-million in refunding 2013 series bonds.

Superintendent Eric Trager said when the District’s Financial Advisor Travis Squires from Piper/Sandler opened the bids and shared them with Trager and the Board Secretary Tuesday morning, Squires said the rates were “Historically low,” which Trager said made for “A good day.”

The reason he was happy, is because with five bidders, all were well below the estimated interest rate of 3.5% the District was expecting to pay, with the low bid from D.A. Davidson & Company from Denver, CO., coming in at 1.76%, which Squires said was virtually tied with the lowest bond rate they’ve seen in the State of Iowa. He said also, the last time bond rates were this low was in 2012, when they were at around 2.12-percent. After adjustments were made, the actual interest rate was 1.74-percent. The purchase price was $9, 326, 795.38.

The result was a savings on interest of $1.8-million. That means the anticipated 76-cent increase in the property tax asking will instead be reduced by about 35-cents. The District had originally said the $1.35 per 1,000 assessed valuation would be increased by 76-cents to $2.11/per thousand, but with the savings on interest, the actual increase amounts to about 30-to 35-cents/1,000. In addition, the District saves about $30,000 by redeeming the Outstanding General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2013.

The next steps includes a series of Resolution at the next Board meeting that finalize the transactions. After that, the District will be working with a construction manager to determine a cash flow, and if there are any investment options for the remaining bond proceeds that the district would like to pursue.

In other business, the Audubon School Board, Tuesday, approved a recommendation from Mr. Trager to place a duplex property in Washington State on a real estate listing, since efforts to sell the property privately, have not met expectations. The duplex, which was bequeathed to the district in the will of an Audubon graduate, is valued at $205,000.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Coronavirus tests have revealed that 224 employees of a Tyson beef and pork processing plant in Council Bluffs have the virus, company officials said Tuesday. The company said 103 workers stayed home the required quarantine time and have returned to work. The company has more than 1,400 employees at the plant.

Tyson also says testing at its pork processing plant in Storm Lake indicated 591 positive cases out of 2,300 workers. Iowa surpassed 20,000 positive cases on Tuesday and with 21 additional deaths, 561 people have now died.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Des Moines police have identified the victim in the city’s latest homicide case. Police say 37-year-old Zachary Brooks of Des Moines was found dead in an apartment Monday evening after someone reported a suicide there.

The officers who arrived found Brooks’ body, but said his death didn’t appear to be a suicide. Police later declared Brooks’ death as the city’s 12th homicide of the year, but did not detail how Brooks died or announce any arrests..

The body of a western Iowa man missing since May 7^th was found late Monday night in the Missouri River. Sheriff’s officials in Nebraska told KETV in Omaha, the body of 28-year old Steven Delayne Sears, of Council Bluffs, was found caught in an area with fallen trees, about a mile and a-half south of the Rock Bluff Elevator.

Sears was the apparent victim of a boating accident that took place on the Missouri River, near Honey Creek. An autopsy was scheduled. Any charges in the case will be handled by Pottawattamie County.

Officials with the Harlan Police Department have released a report on arrests, citations and incidents that date back to May 21st. Last Friday, 29-year old Amber Dawn Hadfield, of Portsmouth, was arrested following a traffic stop. Hadfield was transported to the Shelby County Jail where she was charged with operating while intoxicated and turning from improper lane. Last Thursday, 26-year old Kevin Jose Tacuri, of Denison, was arrested following a traffic stop. Tacuri was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with possession of a controlled substance, prohibited acts penalties, possession of drug paraphernalia, improper rear lamp, and windshield requirements.

On May 25th, 70-year old Russell Dwane Field, of Harlan, was cited for open container, following a traffic stop. On the 23rd, 18-year old Randi Lynn Hess, of Harlan, was arrested following a traffic stop. Hess was transported to the Shelby County Jail where she was charged with possession of a controlled substance, failure to affix drug tax stamp, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

And, on May 21st, 21-year old Austin Lee Thomas Dusenberry, of Harlan, was cited for driving while suspended following a traffic stop.  59-year old John Allen Veydt, of Harlan, was arrested following a traffic stop. Veydt was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with driving while barred and improper brake light.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Authorities in Davenport say seven heavily armed men are linked to shootings that wounded a man outside a jewelry store and a police officer during unrest that rocked the city this week. Documents from the Scott County Attorney’s Office allege the local men were responsible for some of the violence that began late Sunday and prompted the county to impose a curfew. Police are still investigating the deaths of a 22-year-old woman who was shot while leaving a protest and of a man who was found near where the suspects exchanged gunfire with police.

Officials with the Cass County Health System (CCHS), in Atlantic, report funds granted to CCHS from the Southwest Iowa COVID-19 Response Fund are still available. Public Health Director Beth Olsen says “We have a number of volunteers and organizations partnering together to make sure all people who are isolating at home in Cass County will have access to food and food delivery. Our main goal is to keep everyone home and fed, no matter the income level.”

Individuals should contact Cass County Public Health Monday through Friday at 712-243-7443 with questions or for grocery and delivery needs. According to Olsen, “Some people may be able to pay in full for their groceries, but they need help with ordering and delivery. Or, some people may be able to only pay for a portion of their grocery needs. We’re happy to help in any way that we can. We want to thank all of the community members who have been already helping out, and we’re thankful for this grant that will continue to support Cass County residents.”

The Southwest Iowa COVID-19 Response Fund is a partnership between the Iowa West Foundation, Pottawattamie County Community Foundation, and Council Bluffs Schools Foundation.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, today (Tuesday), announced the formation of six Regional PPE (personal protective equipment) stockpiles, in conjunction with the Iowa Emergency Management Association and county emergency managers statewide. The stockpiles are designed to ensure regional and local preparedness for any future events.

The Governor also spoke about the recent protests over the May 25^th death of George Floyd while in Minneapolis Police custody. She said Monday night, “Hundreds of people gathered in several communities across the State in Peaceful protest, to speak their mind and have their voices heard.”

Reynolds said she’s committed to move the process of peaceful discussion and action forward, but that she won’t hesitate to call on the National Guard to restore order if it becomes necessary to restore law and order. She explained that decision would rely on the advice of state and county law enforcement experts.

If the Guard were to be deployed, she says  it would only be to support what is already taking place.