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Iowa State Heads to Omaha for NCAA Tournament

Sports

March 17th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – For the 23rd time in school history, the Iowa State men’s basketball team has earned a bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Cyclones have reached 10 NCAA Tournaments since 2012, one of 10 teams in the field this year to do so.

Iowa State (27-7, 13-5 Big 12) earned a No. 2 seed in the West Region and will face No. 15 seed South Dakota State (22-12, 12-4 Summit) on Thursday, March 21, in Omaha. Game time and TV information will be announced by the NCAA later tonight.

In his third season as head coach of the team, T.J. Otzelberger joins Tim Floyd as the only coaches in school history to take a team to the NCAA Tournament in their first three seasons at the helm. Otzelberger will be making his fifth appearance in the NCAA Tournament, as he also led South Dakota State to the 2017 and 2018 tournaments.

DON E. CHRISTENSEN, 74, of Atlantic (Celebration of Life 3/21/24)

Obituaries

March 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DON E. CHRISTENSEN, 74, of Atlantic, died Saturday, March 16, 2024, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. A Celebration of Life Memorial service for DON CHRISTENSEN will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, March 21, 2024, at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic.

Visitation with the family present will be held from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic

Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation to the many charities Don supported.

DON E. CHRISTENSEN is survived by:

His daughter – Andrea (Alan) Woodruff, of Cumberland.

His son – Anthony (Rachael) Christensen, of Lewis.

His sister – Marletta McKercher, of Omaha.

5 grandchildren; 1 great-granddaughter.

Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.

Produce in the Park’s Spring Celebration Market to be held March 30

Ag/Outdoor, News

March 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa; March 17, 2024) – Produce in the Park’s Spring Celebration Market will be held the day before Easter, Saturday, March 30, from 12 PM – 3 PM at the Nishna Valley Family YMCA. Food truck Amos Fabulous Foods will be on site, and the YMCA will set up free activities for kids. There is no cost to enter the market at the YMCA.

Vendors at this year’s Spring Celebration Market will be selling a variety of local foods–from fresh produce and meat, to fresh breads and desserts. Craft vendors will be selling wood products, decorations such as handmade gnomes, crocheted items, candles, and more.

Spring Celebration Market 2024 is sponsored by Cass Health, Gregg Young of Atlantic, First Whitney Bank & Trust, Nishna Valley Family YMCA, Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Atlantic.

For the latest information on Spring Celebration Market and all Produce in the Park markets visit
www.ProduceInTheParkAtlanticIowa.com.

Audubon School Board regular meeting set for March 18th

News

March 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Audubon, Iowa) – Members of the Audubon Community School District’s Board of Education will meet in a regular monthly session beginning at 7-p.m. Monday. View their agenda below:

Audubon Community School

Board of Education – Regular Meeting

Boardroom, High School, 800 Third Ave.

Monday, March 18, 2024 – 7:00 P.M.

Our Mission is to provide a quality education in a positive, equitable & respectful environment that encourages & prepares all students to become life-long learners & responsible members of a rapidly changing society.

1.0 Call to Order

2.0 Approve Agenda

3.0 Approve Consent Agenda

3.01 Minutes – February 19, 2024, Regular Meeting

3.02 Warrants and Financial Reports

4.0 Public Comments – Please contact the Supt. or Board President (Board Policy #213)

Action Items:
5.01 Approve Second Reading – 401.1, 503.1, 503.1R1, 503.2, 605.3R1, 401.13, 401.13R1, 502.7, 605.6, 605.6R1, 605.8, 605.8R1, 701.1, 701.2, 701.3, 701.4, 703.1, 703.2, 704.2R1

Approve Budget Guarantee Resolution
5.03 Approve AEA Purchasing Agreement

5.04 Approve Change Orders – Building Project

5.05 Approve Suburban Purchase

5.06 Approve Transfer of $6868.95 from General to Activity Fund – Safety Equipment

5.07 Approve Transfer of $250,000 from Management to General Fund – Repay Loan

5.08 Approve Roof Repair

5.09 Personnel

6.0 Communication & Updates

6.01 DCAP (District Career and Academic Plan) Report – Mrs. Walter

6.02 Fundraising Update – Free Student Admission – Anne Miller

6.03 Superintendent Report

5.01.1 – Building Project Updates

5.01.2 – Legislative Update

6.04 Principal’s Reports

7.0 Adjournment

Budget Hearing #1 – March 25, 2024, 5:30 PM

Next Regular Meeting: Monday, April 15, 2024, 7:00 PM

Budget Hearing #2
Calendar Hearing

Griswold School Board set to meet Monday evening (3/18/24)

News

March 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Griswold, Iowa) – The Griswold School Board will hold their regular monthly meeting Monday, March 18th, beginning at 5:30-p.m. Here’s the agenda:

School Board Meeting Agenda

Griswold Community Schools

Monday, March 18, 2024

Conference Room, 5:30 p.m.

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Griswold Community School District, in partnership with our families and communities, is to provide leadership for positive change to ensure the best learning opportunities for everyone in a safe and caring environment.

• Call Meeting to Order

• Reading of Mission Statement

• Approval of Agenda (D.R.)

• Public Input

• Superintendent’s Report:

  1. Thank You Card(s) (I)
  2. The Month in Review – Administration (I)
  3. Board Learning Opportunities (I)

– Honor February Recipients

– Select March Recipient(s)

• Consent Agenda (D.R.)

Approval of Minutes

Approval of Financial Statements

Approval of Bills

4. Personnel

5. Gifts, Memorials, Bequests

Old Business

6. Board Policies – Second Reading (D.R.) – 711.4, 711.5, 711.6, 711.7, 711.8, 711.9, 711.10, 712, 712.R1

7. Consider Approval Of Chemical Application Bids (D.R.)

New Business

8. Consider Approval Of Mowing Bids (D.R.)

9. Educational Presentation (I)

10. Consider Approval Of Amendment To Secondary Student Handbook (D.R.)

11. Consider Approval Of Participation Agreement For FY25 Local Government Risk Pool (D.R.)

12. Consider Approval Of Drivers Education Program And Fees (D.R.)

13. Consider Approval Of Snow Make-Up Day Plan (D.R.)

14. Annual Review Of Policies 505.8 And 505.8R1 (D.R.)

15. Board Policies – First Reading (I) – 800, 801.1, 801.2, 801.3, 801.4

16. Consider Entering Into Closed Session Under Iowa Code 21.5(1)i, For The Purpose Of Evaluating The Professional Competency Of An Individual Whose Appointment, Hiring, Performance Or Discharge Is Being Considered When Necessary To Prevent Needless And Irreparable Injury To That Individual’s Reputation And That Individual Requests A Closed Session (D.R.)

• Adjourn

(D.R.) = Decision Required

(I.) = Informational

Final agenda will be posted in the Central Office no less than 24 hours before the meeting.

Fender bender accident in Creston, Saturday afternoon

News

March 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Creston, Iowa) – No injuries were reported following a fender-bender accident Saturday afternoon in Creston. Police say a 1999 Cadillac Escalade driven by 66-year-old Chris Alan Willets, of Creston, was backing out of a parking spot in front of the Creston Walmart Store at around 12:12-p.m., and didn’t see a vehicle that was driving down the aisle. The SUV struck a 2018 Ford Focus, driven by 47-year-old Ma H. Quintanilla, of Edinburg, TX.

The car sustained $1,000 damage. Damage to the SUV was estimated at $500. No citations were issued.

Creston Police report (3/17/24): Lenox man arrested on drug & alcohol charges

News

March 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Creston, Iowa) – Officials with the Creston Police Department report four arrests:

At around 12:30-a.m. Friday, officers arrested 33-year-old Samantha Jo Gile-Smith, of Creston, at the Creston Union County Law Enforcement Center (LEC). Gile-Smith was charged with OWI 1st Offense. She was later released from the Union County Jail on a $1,000 cash or surety bond.

At around 8:15-p.m. Friday, 36-year old John Lennon Willis, of Creston, was arrested at his residence. Willis was charged with Domestic Abuse Assault. He was taken to the Union County Jail and held without bond until seen by the Magistrate. Willis was later released on his Own Recognizance.

Late Saturday night, 20-year-old Calvin Cerda, of Lenox, was arrested at the Creston Union County LEC. Cerda was charged with Driving while Suspended, OWI-1st Offense, Intent to Deliver Cocaine under 100-grams, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Intent to Deliver Marijuana under 50-grams. Cerda was taken to the Union County Jail and later released on a $16,600 cash or surety bond.

And, a little after 3-a.m. today (Sunday), 26-year-old Brooke Leslie McGehee, of Creston, was arrested at the Creston Union County LEC. McGehee was charged with OWI-1st Offense. She was taken to the Union County Jail and later released on a $1,000 cash or surety bond.

LINDA K. ROBINSON, 85, of Irwin (Svcs. 3/22/24)

Obituaries

March 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

LINDA K. ROBINSON, 85, of Irwin, died Friday, March 15th, 2024, at the Black Hawk Life Care Center in Lake View. Funeral services for LINDA ROBINSON will be held 10:30-a.m. Friday, March 22nd, 2024, at the Pauley-Jones Funeral Home, in Harlan.

Visitation at the funeral home is on Thursday, from 5-until 7-p.m.

Burial is at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Irwin.

LINDA K. ROBINSON is survived by:

Her sons – Jamie Robinson, and Lenny (Tiffany) Robinson, all of Irwin.

Her brother – Harry (Betty) Ankenbauer of MI.

Her sisters – Diane (Ray) Kitt, of Audubon, and Judy Ankenbauer, of Dedham.

5 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren.

LAURA ARKFELD MOHR, 72, of Panama (Mass of Christian Burial 3/19/24)

Obituaries

March 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

LAURA ARKFELD MOHR, 72, of Panama, died Friday, March 15, 2024, at The Hansen House in Harlan. A Mass of Christian Burial for LAURA MOHR will be on Tuesday, March 19th at 10-a.m., at St. Mary’s of the Assumption Church, in Panama (IA). Pauley-Jones Funeral Home in Harlan has the arrangements.

Visitation at St. Mary’s Parish Center is on Monday, March 18th, from 4-until 8-p.m., with a Rosary at 4-p.m.

Burial is in St. Mary’s Cemetery at Panama.

LAURA ARKFELD MOHR is survived by:

Her stepdaughter – Kelly Mohr, of Rogersville, MO.

Her brothers – Dan (Jeanne) Arkfeld of Seneca, SC; Pat (Denise) Arkfeld of Fresno, CA; Tim (Denise) Arkfeld of Charlotte, NC; and Phil (Laura) Arkfeld of Chino Hills, CA.

Her sisters – Joanne (Don) Ozbun of Atlantic, IA; Jane (Rich) Hodapp of Matthews, NC; Denise (Scott) Assmann of Panama, IA; and Deanna (Roger) Schwery of Jacksonville, IA.

1 step- granddaughter and her sister- and brother in-laws.

Elliott man arrested for OWI Sunday morning

News

March 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Montgomery County, Iowa) – A traffic stop early this (Sunday) morning in Montgomery County, resulted in an arrest. The Sheriff’s Office says Deputies stopped a vehicle in the 1000 block of Highway 48 at around 12:20-a.m.  Upon further investigation, 37-year-old Ryan Stoneking, of Elliott, was arrested for OWI/1st offense. Stoneking was being held in the Montgomery County Jail in a $1,000 bond.