Police in Red Oak report the arrest at around 9-p.m. Wednesday, of 40-year old Shawn Lyle McKenzie. The Red Oak man was taken into custody for Theft in the 5th degree, a simple misdemeanor. He was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $300 bond.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:45 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Officials have announced that a portion of Interstate 29 in southwestern Iowa has reopened after being damaged by flooding in March. The Iowa Department of Transportation says I-29 between U.S. Highway 34 near Pacific Junction and the Missouri border has reopened, but that travelers should expect some lane closures and slower travel times. Nebraska Highway 2 between Nebraska City and the Iowa state line remains closed.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A stretch of interstate highway in northwestern Missouri is open again for the first time since floodwaters shut it down in March. Interstate 29 reopened Wednesday to the Iowa state line. Historic flooding in March forced closure of the busy north-south roadway. I-29 also is open in Iowa, but with some restrictions. Many other roads and highways in northwestern Missouri and southwestern Iowa remain closed due to flood damage.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has signed a measure into law that gives her greater control over the way judges are selected and weakening the influence of attorneys. Reynolds signed it Wednesday with no fanfare, announcing her approval in an email that also noted four other bills. She says she’s proud to sign it “to give all Iowans a greater voice in the process.” Democrats accused Republicans of trying to stack the courts in their favor after losing abortion and same-sex marriage cases.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A former Iowa State University employee will get a settlement of more than $27,000 from the state after claiming discrimination in the way the university managed its health insurance for transgender employees. Elyn Fritz-Waters sued the state in January when her employee health insurance denied care for gender dysphoria, which included her request for hormone therapy and a sex reassignment surgery.

The Atlantic School District’s Board of Education, Wednesday, approved the 2018-19 Amended Certified Budget. Their action followed a public hearing, during which there were no comments. It allows the district to complete building improvements this summer without overspending the certified budget.

Atlantic School Board 5-8-19

Among the expenditures included in the amended budget and not budgeted for during the current school year is: A sewage problem at the Washington School; Replacing two small sections of the Middle School auditorium roof; LED lighting for the High School Commons area; Replacing a bus transmission, and Technology expenses. Officials said there will be no increase in taxes to be paid in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018.

In his report to the Board, Superintendent Steve Barber said “There is a lot of excitement for next year in the Atlantic Trades Program. Initial enrollment numbers are averaging 13-to 15 students. Given most of these classes are shop classes, these are good manageable numbers in maintaining safety.” Barber said the Steering Committee continues “To be active in helping design workplace skills and expertise necessary in creating a world class program.”

And, he said Atlantic is in the process of identifying equipment needs to get an Aviation curriculum implemented this fall. “Early indication,” he said, is that “A large number of students [who] have expressed interest in the class.” And, the high school will be offering a Coding training curriculum, once a steering committee comprised of community members in the technology world is formed. Coding is used to communicate, create and problem solve in computer and device programming.

In other business, the Atlantic School Board approved the resignation of Taylor Williams, Student Council Advisor, and as previously announced, contract recommendations and/or Letters of Assignment for several individuals, with the addition of Susan Wedemeyer, High School Art Teacher, and Bryce Casey, Summer Grounds keeper. In addition, the Board approved a 2.20 % total package increase for Central Office staff, Technology staff, and all Directors including the Business Manager. The amount recommended was between the settlement of the two Unions of 2.14% and 2.24%.

They also approved several, previously mentioned Winter Sports Coaching Contracts, 2019-20 sharing agreements with CAM & Exira-EHK for Girls Soccer, and Griswold, with regard to Industrial Technology and Transportation Director.

Their final piece of business was to approve a recommendation from Superintendent Steve Barber to change the surface of the Trojan Bowl turf from natural grass to synthetic turf, with the $600,000 cost paid by private fundraising and donations. In previous meetings, it was pointed out that seeding a natural grass surface at the athletic facility would require the loss of one season of activity at the Trojan Bowl, and using sod has a number of negative consequences. Private members of a fund raising committee have said they could secure $300,000 over the duration of the improvements, with the intent to raise all $600,000 to turf the Trojan Bowl and not lose a football season. If the committee is unable to raise the entire $600k, the district would be responsible to cover the remaining costs.

The Nodaway Valley and CAM School District Boards of Education, Tuesday night, agreed to hire Grundmeyer Leader Search, to support the search for a new, shared superintendent. School officials say the search will begin immediately, and conclude with the hire of a new, successful leader.

To that end, the Boards are requesting feedback from the public, with regard to what “desired qualifications” are most important for the position, to ensure the person selected is a good fit for the school districts and their respective communities.

Patrons of both districts are invited to take an online stakeholder survey accessed by a computer or mobile device, at: https://tinyurl.com/NVCAMSuptSurvey. The survey is completely anonymous, unless you provide your name voluntarily.

The Stakeholder survey is available until May 19th. The search team will produce a general report based on the information gathered in the survey. The report will be shared with the board to advise them on what priorities the district and community stakeholders are looking for in a new leader.

The hiring timeline is as follows:

• April 19-May 12 Application period
• May 30 Board reviews candidate pool (closed session)
• May 28 Board screens candidates.
• June 6  Formal interviews with finalists.