Patrons of the Exira and Elk Horn-Kimballton Community School Districts have a chance to voice their concerns and ask questions about a potential reorganization of the Exira-EHK School District during meetings to be held tonight (Tuesday, Nov. 20th) in Exira, and next Thursday, in Elk Horn. Exira-EHK Superintendent Dr. Dean Schnoes, says the districts have been Whole Grade Sharing for the past couple of years, and using each other’s resources to save costs, but additional opportunities for cost savings will soon be going away.

He says on June 30^th, 2014, supplemental funds the districts receive for Whole Grade Sharing, “Goes away.” Schnoes said the next available “perk” for the districts, if they consolidate, is a lower tax rate per thousand, for three years. The kicker is, the districts have to reorganize.

The meeting tonight at Exira in the Middle School Lunchroom at 7 o’clock, and at the same time November 29^th in the EHK High School Lunchroom, is designed to gain input and guidance on what the districts need to do in order to make reorganization and consolidation possible. Schnoes says questions from the public are important, so he can find answers to those questions – if they don’t already have them – from the Department of Education, and others. He says Directors from the Green Hills and Heartland Area Education Agencies (AEA) will be at a joint meeting next Monday night, to explain the AEA’s role in the process.

The meetings are being facilitated to light a fire under the communities to get serious about the effort to reorganize, and Schnoes says he’s the temporary “Ignitor” for the cause. He says the districts have been working well together in the past, and if patrons want a tax break, they need to attend the meetings, ask questions, and work on the continuation of efforts to provide a “solid education for students,” by seeing the reorganization and consolidation process through.

With KJAN News Director Ric Hanson….

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The Clarinda Police Department reports the arrest on Saturday, of  20-year old Nicolas Theodore Lasley. The Clarinda man was taken into custody for second offense misdemeanor possession of marijuana. Lasley was arrested at 16^th & Grant Streets during a traffic stop. He was processed at the Jail and then released on his own recognizance pending an initial appearance in Page County Magistrate Court.

Police in Clarinda are investigating several incidents of the theft which were reported on Monday. Police Chief Keith Brothers says resident Bobby J. Hull reported that his home at 716 N. 12^th St had been burglarized sometime during the early morning hours of November 4th. Hull said entry to his home had been gained by removing a screen from a window. Various items of personal property, including money and jewelry were taken from the residence. The estimated value of stolen property is $445.00.

Chief Brothers says Lisa H. Holtz reported Monday that a 1999 Dodge she owns had been broken into while the vehicle was parked in the parking lot at Timber Creek apartments at 1010 N. 16^th St. Holtz said $100 in cash was taken from the vehicle sometime during the early morning hours of November 19^th.

Also this past Monday, employees at Cardinal Auto Sales in Clarinda reported that a Pioneer brand stereo system had been stolen from a 1993 GMC Suburban that was for sale at the dealership. The theft is believed to have occurred sometime during November 16-19. The value of the stereo system is estimated at $100.00.

And, Clarinda resident Elton Ray Provo reported the theft Monday, of some checks from an account Provo had closed some time ago. The report did not state where Provo believes the checks to have been stolen from. Provo resided for a period of time at Maplewood Trailer Court. He thinks the checks may have been left behind when he moved out of the trailer court.

Additional incidents of theft were reported to Clarinda Police on November 18th and 16th.

The Cass County Board of Supervisors will meet Wednesday morning, in Atlantic. During their 9-a.m. session in their boardroom at the Courthouse, the Supervisors are expected to act on allowing or disallowing Military exemptions and Homestead Credit applications for taxes collectible for Fiscal Year 2013-2014. And, if the paperwork is ready, act on an Ordinance removing parcels from the Amaizing Energy TIF District, as it pertains to the Division of Taxes Levied on Taxable Property in the Amaizing Energy Urban Renewal Area (URA), pursuant to the Code of Iowa.

The Board will also act on a contract for Private Development with Fagen Farms, if the contract is ready. And, approve two sub-recipient agreements for federally funded projects in Woodbine (the Walker Street Upper Story Apartment Rehab. and the Normal Street duplex/triplex construction).

With KJAN News Director Ric Hanson….

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The Treasure Cove Gift Shop, located in Cass County Memorial Hospital, will hold their annual Holiday Sale Thursday, November 29th from 7 am – 4 pm, in the CCMH Atrium.  Treasure Cove is operated by the CCMH Auxiliary, with all proceeds used for hospital needs, such as medical equipment and facility furnishings, and scholarships to area students pursuing medical careers.

CCMH Auxiliary volunteers Julia McNees (left) and Sondra Jensen are busy preparing for the Treasure Cove Gift Shop holiday sale at the hospital November 29 from 7 am – 4 pm. (CCMH photo)

From 2007 – 2011, the CCMH Auxiliary donated over $125,000.  In 2012 they began funding a $140,000 gift for the recent redecorating of the CCMH Atrium and televisions for the new patient rooms and waiting areas.

The Treasure Cove Gift Shop relocated last summer to the atrium area of the hospital, adjacent to the new addition.  All items are marked down for the Holiday Sale, including special holiday decorating and gift items, as well as the regular inventory of purses, jewelry, Willow Tree angels, scarves and more.  Treasure Cove accepts cash, checks and AtlanticCash.

With KJAN News Director Ric Hanson…

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Rare creatures were spotted in two regions of Iowa in recent months. White-tailed squirrels have been seen near the Minnesota border in the town of Osage, and now in central Iowa in Des Moines. Vince Evilsizer, a biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, says they’re not albino squirrels, as only the tail is white.  “If it was albino, it would likely be all white,” Evilsizer says. “Genetically, it’s probably a recessive trait just expressing a different color pattern. It’s pretty interesting and it must just be a recessive gene that’s showing up.”

Witnesses say the squirrels’ bodies are the typical brown while their bushy tails are pure, snowy white. “I am not sure what’s causing it to show up right now,” Evilsizer says. “I would guess it’s not weather but I’m not sure. I would guess something that emerged in maybe one or a few squirrels. It may stick around and become more prevalent or may kind of melt away again.” Evilsizer says he has never seen a white-tail squirrel, and anyone who does, should consider themselves lucky.

(Radio Iowa)

Police in Council Bluffs are looking for two men who were involved in the robbery of a loan company Monday afternoon. Officials say officers were called to Browns Loan at 717 West Broadway in Council Bluffs, at around 12:15-p.m.  Upon review of surveillance video, officers learned a Caucasian man entered the store and approached the front counter, where he pointed a silver-colored handgun at the clerk and ordered him to the ground.

A second male suspect is observed on video entering the store. That man, and the suspect with a gun then broke the glass on two display cabinets and removed several handguns before leaving the store heading south on foot.

The first suspect was described as being about 6-feet tall with a slender build. He wore jeans, a teal green colored hoodie with a yellow stocking hat. He also wore a dark colored backpack with rainbow colors on the back. The second suspect was an Hispanic male, about 6-feet tall with an average build. He wore dark colored clothing.

Anyone who might have seen the suspects is asked to call the Council Bluffs Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division, at 712-328-4763.

(used 5-p.m. News Mon., and overnight news)