The Natural Resource Commission for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources approved two Resource Enhancement and Protection Public Private Cost-share grant requests from the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation at its October meeting. The projects were awarded more than $510,000.

Public private grants are used for land acquisition with 75 percent of the acquisition costs come from REAP and the remaining 25 percent coming from private contributions.

REAP Private Public Grants:

Fremont County, Botna Bottoms Acquisition, $135,750 – The project will combine two EWP/WRP properties into one 179-acre tract bordering the East Nishnabotna River. Botna Bottoms contains quality wildlife habitat, including: grassland, riparian woodland, wet prairie, sedge meadow and wetland. Funds received for this project will transfer the property to the IDNR – Nishnabotna Wildlife Unit. Major benefits of this acquisition include public hunting, wildlife and plant habitat and improved water quality.

Fremont County, Biscuitroot Bluff, $378,972 – The goal of this project is to protect and restore property in Fremont County along the Loess Hills Scenic Byway that contains rare Loess Hills remnant prairie and oak woodlands. Funds received for this project would be used for acquisition of 173.2 acres. Future use includes wildlife and native plant habitat, public hunting and scenic views.

The Exira-EHK School Board Monday evening, discussed refinancing of the sales tax bond. Superintendent Trevor Miller said the board wants to move forward with looking at the myriad of options available to them. (click on the audio bar to listen)

Miller said also the Board will hold a work session in November or early December to go over the budget situation.

Miller said he intends to offer a better explanation to the board and public about the finances, what’s available and where the funds come from.

And, they approved a contract with Christine Wahlert, who will serve as School Nurse.

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office says an Atlantic man was arrested Monday night following a traffic stop, in Audubon. 32-year old Adam Lee Morris was charged with OWI/2nd offense, and Open Container. Morris was brought to the Audubon County Jail and later released after appearing before the magistrate. Audubon Police assisted in handling the incident.

Republican Senator Chuck Grassley says if Hillary Clinton’s the next president, he will not “stonewall” any person she nominates for the vacancy on the U.S. Supreme Court. “I think we have a responsibility to very definitely vett, if you want to use the word vett, whoever nominee that person puts forward,” Grassley says. On Monday, Arizona Senator John McCain said Republicans in the Senate “would be united against any Supreme Court nominee that Hillary Clinton” sends to the senate. McCain’s spokeswoman later said McCain would “thoroughly examine” the record of any person Clinton might nominate and vote for or against that person based on that record.

Grassley says he expects Clinton, if she’s the next president, will nominate “judicial activists.” “We know more the type of people Trump would nominate because he’s listed 20,” Grassley says. “They fall more into the category of strict constructionists.” Grassley is currently chairman of the Senate committee that holds hearings for Supreme Court nominees. He has not scheduled one for President Obama’s choice to fill the Supreme Court vacancy. Grassley has been saying since February that the next president should make that choice.

“If that new president happens to be Hillary, we can’t just simply stonewall,” Grassley says. In other Senate Judiciary Committee business, committee staff who work for Grassley and other Republicans have co-authored a report on obstacles faced by federal agency “watchdogs” known as inspectors general. “The report found that more than 15,000 recommendations by inspectors general to improve agency actions have not been implemented,” Grassley said.

The Republican staffers’ report concludes 87 billion dollars could have been saved over at least the past 15 years if those recommendations had been followed.  “That’s not the kind of fiscal responsibility Iowans expect of their federal government,” Grassley says. The Pentagon has failed to implement more than 800 cost-saving recommendations from inspectors general.

(Radio Iowa)

The CAM School Board is moving forward with tentative plans for an addition to the Massena Elementary School to help ease overcrowding. Board Secretary Linda Edwards said they approved the plan as presented by Snyder and Associates Engineers. She said they are moving forward with the bid process, since the goal is to be in the building by next fall.

The plan tentatively calls for a 40-by 80-foot expansion of the four-year old preschool and music room. The Board, in their brief meeting, also approved revisions to, and adopted, a Parent and Family Engagement Policy.

The policy was reworded to say “Parent and family engagement is an important component of students’ success in school. The Board encourages parents and families to become involved in their children’s education to ensure the child’s academic success.” The wording adds “and family involvement”, instead of just “parental.”

(9-a.m. News)

The Union County Sheriff’s Office recently took two reports of theft. An Afton man reported last week that sometime during the day on Oct. 10th, someone broke into his shed and took a Champion pressure washer, Stihl chainsaw, Nesco tap & die set, gear puller set and a .22 rifle.  The items were valued at $935.

And, on Oct. 8th, a woman from Creston reported that sometime between 5:30-and 6:00-p.m that day, while her vehicle was parked in the 1900 block of 180^th Street, someone broke the front side window and took several items.  Taken was gift cards, cellphone charger, billfold, purse, cash, clothing, IPad, Samsung Galaxy Note cellphone, checks and other personal items.  Those items were valued at $3,000 altogether.

(9-a.m. News)

Holiday wreaths, sprays and centerpieces are available for purchase in Cass County, from any member of Xi Beta Phi, a local women’s service organization.  The group sells the holiday greens annually, with proceeds going to various community projects.  This year’s proceeds will be donated to the Cass County Health System Foundation as part of a campaign to purchase a 3D mammography unit for Cass County Memorial Hospital.

Nancy White, project chair, says “We are very excited to support the purchase of a 3D mammography unit for our local hospital.

“Nancy White displays one of the holiday wreaths for sale from Xi Beta Phi members this month.” (photo submitted)

We know that early diagnosis is key to successful treatment, and 3D technology provides the information necessary for that early diagnosis.”

Holiday items for sale include wreaths, sprays, centerpieces, garlands and live potted evergreen and holly trees.  Prices range from $20 – $50.  Products will be delivered locally before Thanksgiving, and can also be shipped directly to friends and family out of town.

For more information or to make a purchase, contact Nancy White, 254-0471 or Bonnie Williams, 254-0997, or any other Xi Beta Phi member.  All orders must be placed by October 30^th.

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

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This is Character Counts Week in Iowa, which celebrates the six pillars of character including Caring, Citizenship, Fairness, Respect, Responsibility and Trustworthiness.  Amy Smit is with the Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University in Des Moines. “We try to think of something different to do every year with it and this year we don’t have to look very far to find news stories that are kind of sad or might make us fearful or angry. You can’t ignore the negative,  that’s part of the human experience and I think sometimes that can move us to change the world around us. For Character Counts Week  we really want to be inspired by the good things that are happening out there,” Smit says.

She says they are asking people to share their good stories. “We know that there’s tons and tons of great people doing great things and those stories don’t always get the platform they deserve,” Smith says. “We’re asking everyone to find those great stories that they might stumble upon through their social media feeds or that they hear about — and we want to fill the world with those great positive stories.”

Representatives from the program went to Waterloo Monday to formally present  their School of Character award to Poyner Elementary in Waterloo so that everyone there could share in the moment. She says the often present the Character Awards in August and only a few administrators or staff get to attend that event.

You may find out more about Character Counts at www.drake.edu/raycenter.

(Radio Iowa)