Gov. Terry E. Branstad today (Wednesday) appointed 53-year old Susan “Suzy” Christensen, of Harlan, as Judge to the 4th Judicial District. Christensen was appointed to fill the vacancy created by the Honorable Timothy O’Grady. Christensen currently serves as a District Associate Judge in the 4th District.

Prior to her appointment as District Associate Judge, she was in private practice. Christensen received her undergraduate degree from Judson College in 1988 and her law degree from Creighton University in 1991.

District 4 consists of the following counties: Audubon, Cass, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie, and Shelby.

Audubon Police Chief Matt Starmer reports his officers made two arrests, recently. On Oct. 27th, 49-year old Timothy Duane Smith, of Audubon, was arrested for Driving While Barred. Smith was transported to the Audubon County Jail where he posted a cash bond and was released. The same day, 43-year old Doanna Dawn Lauritsen, of Audubon, was arrested for Allowing An Unlicensed Driver to Operate a Motor Vehicle. Lauritsen was cited and released on promise to appear later, in court.

Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Image Committee awarded several residents along 10th Street with the Community Improvement Award. This award recognizes the successful efforts to improve a property in the Atlantic Area.

“This residents have beautiful manicured and landscaped yards year after year. It was especially important during the Highway Six project. They worked very hard to maintain an attractive yard,” Ouida Hargens, Executive Director of the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, said.

Pictured: Chuck & Marcia Westphalen, Gary & Judy Warwick, Bob & Pam Cord, Denny & Connie.

The Community Improvement Award is given to a businesses and residents that takes pride in making Atlantic a welcoming and beautiful community by continuing to improve its appearance. If you would like to nominate a business or community member for a Community Improvement Award please contact the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce: 712-243-3017 or

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – Two people have died after the stolen car they were in struck several vehicles and a tree and then overturned in Sioux City. Police say the speeding car crashed and flipped onto its top Tuesday afternoon. The 34-year-old man and 28-year-old woman inside were taken to a hospital but died of their injuries. Their names haven’t been released.

Police Sgt. Scott Hatting says investigators were checking into whether the two people were suspected of stealing the car, which was reported stolen on Oct. 29.

Although Iowa’s beautiful fall has lingered longer than usual this year, camping season will come to a close very soon for most people, if it hasn’t already. State Park Bureau Chief Todd Coffelt, says don’t let the changing seasons limit your enjoyment of Iowa’s state parks, or the chance to stay overnight. According to Coffelt, “We have nine parks scattered around the state with beautiful, comfortable year-round cabins. Allowing couples and families, and even larger groups to enjoy our parks in what we sometimes refer to as the ‘off season.’”

A total of 35 year-round cabins are available to rent for two-day minimums for anywhere from $35 per day to $200 per day. Visitors will need to bring their own bedding and towels, and some cooking utensils. Amenities of each cabin may vary slightly. Depending on the type of cabin, they can sleep between two and ten people, and are located in the following parks:

· Backbone (Fayette County)

· Black Hawk (Sac County)

· Honey Creek (Appanoose County)

· Lake of Three Fires (Taylor County)

· Lake Wapello (Davis County)

· Pine Lake (Hardin County)

· Springbrook (Guthrie County)

· Union Grove (Tama County)

· Waubonsie (Fremont County)

“Fall and winter in our parks offers a completely different experience for a lot of people,” says Coffelt. “There is a quiet solitude that is very appealing and we invite folks to come out and experience it, whether they stay in one of the cabins or just drop in for a hike.”

For more details about each cabin and park, visit the Iowa state park reservation system at iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com or call 1-877-427-2757. Currently, reservations for the two family cabins at Union Grove State Park are made through the park manager by calling 641-473-2556. Honey Creek Resort State Park’s 28 one-, two- and three-bedroom luxury cottages may be reserved throughout the year. Details are available at www.honeycreekresort.com or by calling 877-677-3344.

A grant writing workshop is scheduled to be presented in Montgomery County November 18th for representatives of nonprofits, local government and schools. Grant Writing 101, a workshop sponsored by ISU Extension and Outreach – Montgomery County, will provide hands-on training in seeking and writing successful grant applications. The workshop will be presented from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday November 18th at Southwestern Community College, Room 111, 2300 N. 4th Street, Red Oak.

Cost of the workshop is $25, which includes a light supper that will be served at the start of the program. Registration is required by noon, November 17th; call the Montgomery County Extension office at 623-2592 to register.

Participants are asked to bring a laptop computer or iPad/tablet device, if possible, to use to search online for grants and other resources during the workshop. A limited number will be available for use.

The training will be presented by Jane Nolan Goeken, a Community and Economic Development program specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Goeken has more than 27 years of successful grant writing experience, including extensive work with a variety of federal, state, local and foundation grant programs. She has also served as a grant application reviewer and has helped set up grant award and review programs.

Goeken will assist workshop participants in exploring various public and private funding sources, and provide instruction and tips on planning projects and writing successful grant applications. For more information about the workshop, contact Jane Goeken at jngoeken@iastate.edu or 712/240-2504; or Stephanie Langner, Montgomery County Extension Program Coordinator, at 623-2592.

A former Lewis Central teacher was reprimanded after allowing her students extra time on a standardized test. According to the Daily NonPareil, the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners issued a final order at its most recent meeting requiring Marlys Frohwein to complete a 15-hour course on ethics for educations.

Frohwein had been a special education teacher for the Lewis Central Community School District for the past 23 years. She resigned effective June 16th, with the school board accepting her resignation as part of a special meeting held June 17th, according to meeting minutes.

According to the Board of Educational Examiners, a complaint was filed June 29 alleging Frohwein violated the state’s professional code of ethics. The board found probable cause Aug. 7 that Frohwein violated Iowa Administrative Code, and she entered into a settlement agreement with the state agency. In its decision, the Board said Frohwein “Admitted she provided students extra time to think through questions on their tests, an accommodation not provided in any of the students’ IEP.” IEPs are individualized education programs, which outlines students’ current level of performance, educational goals and special services or accommodations.

Lewis Central Superintendent Mark Schweer confirmed the finding but did not further comment on the case. He said the district does not suspect additional cheating took place. Frohwein received a written reprimand on her license, which was shared with a national database, but she maintained her credentials as an Iowa educator. She carries several special education and instructional endorsements, as well as a general middle school endorsement, athletic coach and physical education endorsements.

Police in Council Bluffs say three juveniles who went missing Tuesday night from a group home, returned to the facility this morning, at 8:20. Bluff Police Sgt. Chad Meyers said authorities thank the public and media for assistance in getting the word out and in looking for, 15-year old Leah Carpenter and 11-year old Malakai Cayton, of Council Bluffs, and 9-year old Cassandra Gomez-Watson, of Carroll.
The trio were last seen leaving Children’s Square in Council Bluffs heading west on Avenue D, at around 9:15-p.m., Tuesday. Children’s Square is a group home for children in need of mental, physical and social support.

The Audubon County Auditor’s Office says it will have to contact the Iowa Secretary of State’s Office to determine how a tied vote on a Public Measure will be resolved. Voters in Brayton voted 10-10 on the measure, which asked them to approve an increase in the levy not to exceed $1.50 per thousand dollars assessed property valuation, for the purpose of paying the Audubon County Sheriff’s Office for police protection, in lieu of the community having it’s own police force.

In Guthrie County, two public measures were on the ballot in Casey. Both were approved by majority vote. The first asked if the Mayor’s term should be for two-years instead of four, beginning in 2020. The Yes votes tallied 81. No votes amounted to 62. And, Casey voters were asked if the Library Board should be comprised of five members, with two being non-residents of the community. The answer was an overwhelming 120 Yes votes. 23 No votes were cast.

Area and State news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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