(Audubon, Iowa) – The Board of Education for the Audubon Community School District, Monday, approved the establishment of a fundraiser that will allow student free admission to all local school activities. Currently, students need to buy a Student Activities Pass or pay admission at the gate for various activities. Superintendent Eric Trager said the Board acknowledged that for some families, the cost is barrier to attending school events.

More information will be forthcoming on plans for the fundraiser. And, while the pilot program will be new to the Audubon District, it’s not an entirely new concept.

In other business, the Audubon School Board approved facilities project change orders amounting to just $127.

Mr. Trager updated the Board on plans for the Bus Garage project, during Monday night’s meeting.

And, the Board, Monday, approved the hiring of Kris Obermeier – Head Softball Coach, and the resignation of Jaime Christensen, who serves as the front office Secretary, Human Resources, and Assistant School Business Official (SBO), among many of her duties.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – While the State was dealing with trying to keep the roads clear during and after the most recent snow storm, area officials were also dealing with the snow drifts and challenges. Montgomery County Engineer Karen Albert, Tuesday, spoke to the Board of Supervisors in her County about the challenges, which included not only stranded motorists, but equipment break-downs early on in the week.

The problems continued into the weekend Friday, when the second snowstorm hit.

Montgomery Co. Engineer Karen Albert addresses the BOS Tue. Jan. 16, 2024

Crews worked long-hours fighting the wind and blowing snow. She said each motor-grader covered approximately 82 miles of road in one direction. Karen Albert thanked area residents who tried to do their part using private equipment to help open-up some of the gravel roads. Montgomery Supervisor Chairman Mike Olson acknowledged Engineer Albert for her recognition of citizen efforts to clear the gravel roads.

In other Montgomery County Secondary Roads news, Karen Albert said the 250^th Street bridge, crews were able to finish installing the pilings for the west pier last Thursday, before the second wave of snow hit.

(Radio Iowa) – Dates are now set for residents to say goodbye to Perry High School Principal Dan Marberger. Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home says the visitation for Marburger will be held from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday in the Perry Elementary School gym. The funeral is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. Saturday at Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines — and the service will be livestreamed. Marburger will be buried in Perry.

The 56-year-old died Sunday, ten days after the shootings at Perry High that left an 11-year-old student dead, and four students and two other staff members hurt. Hailed as a hero, Marburger was shot trying to distract the 17-year-old gunman, who took his own life.

Dan Marburger (Perry Community School District photo)

Governor Kim Reynolds has ordered flags to remain at half staff statewide in Marburger’s honor until after the funeral.

(Radio Iowa) – Two people were killed in an eastern Iowa fire which investigators say may have been intentionally set.  Davenport police are investigating the possible arson case at an apartment on the city’s northwest side. Firefighters were called to the structure just before 4 AM on Tuesday. There was moderate smoke and crews were able to quickly extinguish the flames — and during a search, the two bodies were found inside.

No information is being released about the victims. Police say the origin of the fire is suspicious, as is the cause of the deaths.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports a recent arrest. Tuesday night (1/16), 42-year-old Donovan Edward Hankins, of Tabor, was arrested at the Mills County Sheriff’s Office, for Violation of a No Contact Order. Hankins was being held without bond in the Mills County Jail.

(Adair, Iowa) – The Adair-Casey and Guthrie Center (AC/GC) Community School District Boards of Education will meet tonight (Jan. 17) beginning at 7 o’clock, in the AC/GC Junior High Media Center. Here’s tonight’s agenda:

SHENANDOAH, Iowa — (KETV) As sub-zero temperatures kept most people indoors last Friday, a woman from Shenandoah was making her way to the hospital anticipating the birth of her baby. KETV reports Krystal Gardner was due to have her baby, and Dr. Chase Brown knew his four-wheeler was the only way he’d make it to the hospital. He cleared snow drifts by hitting them at 20 miles per hour.

Shenandoah Medical Center Facebook photo

Dr. Brown wasn’t along, in fact the whole medical team braved the snow and cold to make sure the baby would be delivered. The baby arrived at around 8:30-a.m., Friday.The Gardners were blessed with a baby girl named Birkley.

At Tuesday’s check-up, Brown says she’s healthy as can be.

Dr. Chase Brown arrived at the SMC in this ATV (SMC Photo)

WASHINGTON, D-C – Officials with the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) report approximately 133, 039 pounds of ready-to-eat turkey kielbasa products sold in parts of Iowa (including at the Council Bluffs Aldi Store) and 35 other states have been recalled. The products manufactured by Salm Partners, LLC, a Denmark, Wis. establishment, may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically bone fragments. The ready-to-eat turkey kielbasa items were produced on October 27, 2023, and October 30, 2023. The following products are subject to recall [view labels]:

• 13-oz. plastic vacuum-sealed packages containing “PARKVIEW TURKEY POLSKA KIELBASA”, with P-32009 and “USE BY APR 24 24” or “USE BY APR 27 24” printed on the package.

The products subject to recall bear establishment number “P-32009” printed with the use by date on the front of the package. These items were shipped to retail locations nationwide (https://www.fsis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/distro_list/2024-01/RC-002-2024-Retail-List.pdf). The problem was discovered after the firm notified FSIS that it had received consumer complaints reporting that pieces of bone were found in the turkey kielbasa product. In addition, FSIS received two consumer complaints regarding this issue.

There has been one reported minor oral injury associated with consumption of this product. FSIS has received no additional reports of injury or illness from consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.

FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate has announced that nominations are now open for the 2024 John Lewis Youth Leadership Award. Iowans aged 25 or younger who have made a meaningful commitment to addressing civil rights and bringing about authentic change in their communities are eligible. “Many young Iowans will hear throughout their young adulthood that they are the leaders of tomorrow, but I maintain that most of these Iowans are already accomplished leaders in their own right,” said Secretary Pate. “The John Lewis Youth Leadership Award is just one way for our office to recognize the bright young Iowans who are dedicated to making a difference in their communities.”

This will be the third time Iowans have been honored with the John Lewis Youth Leadership Award. Most recently, Secretary Pate recognized SirMichael Carrington Williams-Thomas, a 9^th grader from West Des Moines, and J.J. Kapur, an American Connections Corps Fellow at CultureAll with the award. “Congressman John Lewis has made a long-lasting impact on so many of us and we are honored to recognize his legacy with this award,” Pate said. “So many young Iowans are exemplifying the leadership abilities of Congressman Lewis in their everyday lives, and we are lucky to be a small part of it.”

IA Sec. of State Pate with SirMichael Carrington Williams-Thomas, a 9th grader from West Des Moines, and J.J. Kapur, an American Connections Corps Fellow at CultureAll with the 2023 award.

The John Lewis Youth Leadership Award was established in 2021 by the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) as a way for every state to honor the extraordinary accomplishments of Congressman John Lewis. Secretaries of State across the nation are encouraged to recognize gifted, civic-minded young people with demonstrated leadership abilities with the award each year. The deadline to submit nominations is noon on Friday, March 1, 2024.