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Iowa county gave private, religious schools $844,000

News

June 18th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa county gave $844,000 in grants to ten private, religious schools despite a state law prohibiting public funding for such schools. The Des Moines Register reports that Polk County gave the money in 2012 and 2013 to nine local Catholic schools and one Christian school by giving the grants to a corporation that passed the money to the schools.

The money given to the schools came from gambling revenue generated by the Prairie Meadows Casino and Hotel. Mark Stringer of the ACLU of Iowa says that it is unacceptable for state tax money to be intentionally sent to religious schools.
Polk County Attorney John Sarcone says he believes the grants to the private schools were legal, and he said the nonprofit wasn’t set up to get around state law.

Posted in News |

Allgaier wins Xfinity race at Iowa, leads 182 of 250 laps

Sports

June 18th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

NEWTON, Iowa (AP) — Justin Allgaier won all three stages and the NASCAR Xfinity Series race Sunday at Iowa Speedway for his second victory of the season. Racing for Dale Earnhardt Jr. in JR Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet Camaro, Allgaier led 182 of 250 laps and survived an unlucky late caution by winning the restart.

Allgaier also won last month at Dover. He has seven career victories — but few of those runs were as dominant as the one Allgaier pulled off in the searing heat on Iowa’s short track. Despite Allgaier’s dominance, Christopher Bell made him work to keep the lead throughout the final stage — at times closing to within a tenth of a second of taking the lead — before finishing second.

Daniel Hemric was third, followed by Cole Custer and Brandon Jones, and Riley Herbst was sixth in his series debut. Points leader Elliott Sadler lost a tire at the end of stage one. He finished 28th and saw his lead dwindle to just four points.

Posted in Sports |

Heat Advisory continues until 7-p.m. Monday, 6/18

Weather

June 17th, 2018 by Ric Hanson 

646 PM CDT Sun Jun 17 2018

...Persistent And Oppressive Heat Will Continue into Monday over
portions of Central and Southern Iowa...

.The combination of hot temperatures and humidity will produce
dangerous heat conditions into Monday for portions of central and
southern Iowa. Improvement is expected by Monday over northern
Iowa as a boundary enters the area and chances for thunderstorms
increase. Cooler conditions will arrive for the remainder of the
area by Tuesday.

Audubon-Guthrie-Dallas-Polk-Jasper-Poweshiek-Cass-Adair-Madison-
Warren-Marion-Mahaska-Adams-Union-Clarke-Lucas-Monroe-Wapello-
Taylor-Ringgold-Decatur-Wayne-Appanoose-Davis Counties...

...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT MONDAY...

* TEMPERATURE...One more day of hot and humid conditions are
  expected. Highs temperatures on Monday will again be in the
  low to mid 90s with dewpoints in the lower 70s. This
  combination will result in heat index values of 100 to 105
  degrees.

* IMPACTS...Lack of overnight relief from the heat will lead to
  additional stress. Gusty winds today will increase the risk of
  dehydration. The wind gusts will not be as strong on
  Monday.The prolonged nature of this event will compound and
  amplify heat- related impacts.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Heat Advisory means that a period of hot temperatures is
expected. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity
will combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses are
possible. Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned
room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and
neighbors. Never leave infants, children or pets in a parked car,
even for a minute.

Posted in Weather |

Atlantic CPC to discuss changes to City Code w/regard to Tree Trimmers

News

June 17th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

The City of Atlantic’s Community Protection Committee (CPC) is set to meet Monday evening at City Hall. During their 5:30-p.m. session, the Committee will discuss and make a recommendation to the City Council, with regard to the administration of tree trimming bills for 1110 Locust Street, and discussion with regard to changes to the City’s Code of Ordinances pertaining to “Tree Trimmers,” and “Trees,” to include a recommendation to the City Council.

Posted in News |

Area School Board meetings set for Monday evening

News

June 17th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

At least three area school district Boards of Education will hold their regular, separate meetings, Monday evening. The Griswold School Board meeting begins at 5:30-p.m. in the Central Office at the Middle School/High School Building. The CAM School Board meets at 6:30-p.m. in the CAM High School Media Center, and the Audubon School Board meets in their High School Board Room, beginning at 7-p.m., Monday.

During the Griswold School Board meeting, they’ll act on approving: Fuel bids; Tech Support Bids; Bid specs for Bakery, Dairy, Snow Removal and Trash collection; City Agreements, Student Handbook changes; and an APEX contract with the Glenwood CSD. They’ll also hold discussion with regard to a crosswalk, and the sale of the Elementary buildings.

The CAM School Board will take action on: Principal and salaried employee contracts for 2018-19; an agreement with Casey Computer Consulting; and a request to change lanes on the salary schedule for the 2018-19 School Year. Discussion and possible action items will include: A request to purchase new math curriculum materials; revisions to board polices (series 504.3, 505.8 and 604.6); Facility projects and other matters.

And, the Audubon School Board will act on several matters, including: Student Handbook changes; renewal of a FY 2019 sharing agreement with the Coon Rapids-Bayard CSD for an Elementary Counselor, and renewal of FY 2019 sharing agreements with the Harlan CSD for Transportation and Human Resources positions. They’re also expected to receive from Superintendent Brett Gibbs, an update on Summer Projects.

Posted in News |

Atlantic Parks and Rec Board to meet Monday

News

June 17th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

The City of Atlantic’s Parks and Recreation Department Board is set to meet Monday evening in the Council’s Chamber at City Hall. During the 5:15-p.m. meeting, the Board will receive updates on the Schildberg Development Project, including the West Shelter and East Playground, along with the status of the Community Parks Project (Cedar and Mollett Parks).

Parks Director Seth Staashelm will also talk about an IDALS (Iowa Dept. of Ag & Land Stewardship) Park Project, with regard to approval of an Engineering Services Agreement. Other updates include those pertaining to the entrance sign at Sunnyside Park, Summer Programs, the Park Foreman position, and Schildberg Park campground.

Posted in News |

Severe Thunderstorm Warning: SE Monona/NE Harrison/NW Shelby Counties

Weather

June 17th, 2018 by Ric Hanson 

Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley Nebraska
429 PM CDT SUN JUN 17 2018

The National Weather Service in Omaha has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Southeastern Monona County in west central Iowa...
  Northeastern Harrison County in southwestern Iowa...
  Northwestern Shelby County in southwestern Iowa...

* Until 500 PM CDT.

* At 429 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
  extending from Pisgah to 8 miles south of Dunlap to 4 miles
  northeast of Persia, moving northeast at 40 mph.

  HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...
  Earling, Defiance, Woodbine, Dunlap, Panama, Portsmouth,
  Westphalia, Manteno Recreation Area, Schaben Park and Willow Lake
  Recreation Area.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

Posted in Weather |

Severe Thunderstorm Warning: N. Central Pott/Harrison/W. Central Shelby Counties

Weather

June 17th, 2018 by Ric Hanson 

Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley Nebraska
409 PM CDT SUN JUN 17 2018

The National Weather Service in Omaha has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  North central Pottawattamie County in southwestern Iowa...
  Harrison County in southwestern Iowa...
  West central Shelby County in southwestern Iowa...

* Until 445 PM CDT.

* At 408 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Mondamin, or
  29 miles north of Omaha, moving northeast at 40 mph.

  HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...
  Missouri Valley, Logan, Mondamin, Persia, Modale, Pisgah, Woodbine,
  Portsmouth, Magnolia, Willow Lake Recreation Area and Historical
  Village Welcome Center.

This includes Interstate 29 between mile markers 79 and 89.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

Posted in Weather |

Severe Thunderstorm Warning: NW Pott & SW Harrison Counties

Weather

June 17th, 2018 by Ric Hanson 

Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley Nebraska
346 PM CDT SUN JUN 17 2018

The National Weather Service in Omaha has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Northwestern Pottawattamie County in southwestern Iowa...
  Southwestern Harrison County in southwestern Iowa...
  Eastern Washington County in east central Nebraska...

* Until 415 PM CDT.

* At 345 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 4 miles west of
  Fort Calhoun, or 15 miles north of Omaha, moving northeast at 45
  mph.

  HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...
  Blair, Missouri Valley, Fort Calhoun, Mondamin, Kennard, Modale,
  Desoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge, Wilson Island State Park and
  Historical Village Welcome Center.

This includes Interstate 29 between mile markers 71 and 89.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

Posted in Weather |

Reminder: Cass County Primary recount set for Mon. afternoon

News

June 17th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

A recount of the votes cast during the June 5th Primary Election for nomination of a Republican candidate for the District 3 Cass County Board of Supervisors will be held tomorrow (Monday), in Atlantic. The recount takes place in the Supervisors Board Room at the Courthouse, beginning at 3-p.m.

Ballots cast in Wards 4 and 5 as well as Absentee will be re-counted at the request for Dana Halder, who came in a close second in votes to John Hartkopf. Immediately after Primary, Hartkopf had a total of 161 votes, Halder 157, and Linda Templeman 103.

A three-member Board was appointed to conduct the recounts, with two of the three selected by Hartkopf and Halder, the third selected by the two other appointees.

Posted in News |