(Atlantic, Iowa) – A Public Hearing will be held 5:30-p.m. Wednesday at the Atlantic High School Media Center, during a meeting of the Atlantic School Board. The hearing is with regard to the Board adopting the proposed plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated costs, for Washington Elementary School Playground Equipment. A second public hearing for the 2023-24 School Calendar that had been set to take place, was instead scheduled for March 29, 2023, due to a publishing error.

In their regular session, the Atlantic School Board will act on approving the resignations of Evan Adamon (HS Vocal Music, Musical Director, NHS Advisor & TLC Mentor), and Sheryl Hinzmann, Washington Title Math Teacher. They will also act on Superintendent Steve Barber’s Contract Recommendations for: Ashley Mosier, Transfer to Title 1 Teacher, (2023-24); Alexandra Griffin Uren, 6-12 School Librarian Teacher (2023-24); Donald Klindt, School Bus Route driver; Tracy Daugherty, Transfer to Title 1 Math Teacher (2023-24); and Megan Anderson, HS Math Teacher.

Superintendent Barber is expected to remind the Board the Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held March 15th from 3:30-to 6:30-p.m., to allow parents another opportunity to talk with their students’ teacher(s). Both the Washington and Schuler conferences will be shortened from 20-to 15-minutes. And, he’ll report Camblin Mechanical is installing a big HVAC unit for the High School air quality project, which, when connected to the duct work, will produce higher air quality, especially in the auditorium.

The Board is expected to act on several, including:

• A recommendation from Mr. Barber to terminate the 2023-24 School Business Officer (SBO) sharing agreement with Adair-Casey. A-C is looking to share the position with the Guthrie Center District, with which they also share students.
• Approving a 2022-23 sharing agreement between the Atlantic, Exira-EHK and CAM Districts, with regard for HS Boys Soccer. The recommendation comes from Athletic Director Andy Mitchell, who says the Atlantic CSD currently has the same agreement in-place for girls soccer.
• Approve a 2023-24 purchasing agreement with AEA, which allows the Atlantic CSD to buy from different consortium’s, especially in the area of Food Service, and is compliant with the Federal Food Program.
• Act on appointing Ahlers & Cooney as the District’s Legal Council. The two attorneys come to the District from the Lynch Dallas Law Firm and have a long relationship with the District.
• The Board will review bids received for the Washington Elem. School Playground Equipment which, if approved, would be paid for through SAVE funds.
• They will also act on passing a Resolution for a 2022-23 Fund Transfer from General -to- Activity, for proactive equipment (Protective athletic gear). That includes pads/girdles, helmets and helmet reconditioning, for a total of $19,300.
• And, the Atlantic School Board is expected to pass a Resolution for a Board Approved 2023-24 PPEL (Physical Plant and Equipment Levy), which – if approved – gives the Board the authority to approve 33-cents on the PPEL, and will be reflected in the certified budget. The money will be used for building repaid, transportation vehicles and technology.

In other business, the Board of Education is expected to set March 29th at 5:30-p.m., as the date and time for Public Hearings on the 2023-24 School Master Calendar, and, Certified Budget.

(Radio Iowa) – With a rash of recent cyberattacks on Iowa hospitals, schools and companies large and small, it’s recommended we consider abandoning the use of passwords and instead, switch to using pass phrases. Computer security expert Jesse La Grew says the old way of creating short, cryptic passwords that you change frequently is no longer practical for most Iowans. The longer a password, the more secure it should be from hackers.

Some computer systems require passwords that need to be between 16 and 20 characters, which is where using a pass phrase is handy. You can create a pass phrase out of a series of four or five words that are easy for you to remember, but that are exceptionally hard for anyone else to discover. It will make your account more secure from most attempts by hackers to force their way in.

(Radio Iowa) – Two Casinos and one sports betting operation have been fined by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission. Racing and Gaming administrator, Brian Ohorilko says the Diamond Jo Worth Casino had an underage individual enter and gamble in May of 2022. “That individual entered with three adult companions — the security officer posted failed to request identification — and so that end individual entered the floor unchallenged and was on the floor for two hours and 30 minutes,” he says.

The casino was fined 20-thousand dollars for the violation. “Diamond Jo Worth has not had any commission level underage gambling violations in the past 365 days. And that is why that fine is at 20-thousand dollars,” Ohorilko says. “The first two for any casino would come in at 20-thousand dollars typically.” The Iowa West Racing Association in Council Bluffs and its Horseshoe Casino was fined 20-thousand dollars for a self-exclusion violation involving a gambler in April of 2022. “That individual, after gambling for some time had approached a security officer and had requested to self exclude themselves from casinos. The facility had indicated to the customer that there wasn’t anyone on property to enroll that individual in the statewide self exclusion program,” Ohorilko says.

He says the casino directed the person to another casino where the gambler was able to sign up — but that violated regulations. “Every casino in Iowa is expected to have someone available to enroll a customer if a customer requests, and so obviously that did not occur that particular evening,” he says. The final violation involved licensed online sports book Rush Street Interactive. Rush Street used a payment processing company that had inadvertently permitted customers to use a credit card to load their sports betting account. “During the period of time in question, Rush Street had accepted 42 credit card transactions amounting to just shy of 10-thousand dollars. Rush Street acknowledged that this was a violation,” Ohorilko says.

The company agreed to an administrative penalty of 20-thousand dollars. Ohorilko says Rush Street was one of a half dozen companies that used this payment processing company that allowed the use of credit cards, which are not legal for gambling Iowa. The other companies have all paid fines for their involvement.

(Radio Iowa)- Iowa ranks as one of the nation’s top states for volunteerism and as more Iowans leave the workforce or retire, they’re encouraged to stay active by finding a new passion through the giving of their time. Atalaya Sergi, director of the AmeriCorps Seniors program, says older Iowans can draw on a wealth of experience from decades in a wide array of professions.

Sergi says, “They give their time and their energy, their gifts and talents that they have developed over the years and focus on something that is a local challenge.” AmeriCorps Seniors matches more than 170-thousand older people nationwide with service opportunities every year, and studies find the benefits of volunteerism go well beyond the good being done in the community. Sergi says volunteers who devote 100 hours or more per year are most likely to experience health benefits themselves.

“Eighty-eight percent of volunteers reported a decrease in feelings of isolation, 84% reported improved or stable health at a time when we would anticipate that their health would be declining,” Sergi says, “and we know that through other research, states with higher rates of volunteerism have lower incidence of heart disease.” Here in Iowa, there are hundreds of volunteering options for seniors, and the program lets them choose how they’d like to give back.

You can mentor and tutor children, helping them learn to read, helping them gain a deeper understanding of math and science concepts,” Sergi says. “You might want to support a homebound, older adult to live independently in their home, helping them with minor household chores, making sure that they’re getting to their appointments or staying connected.” Other options include supporting families or veterans in need, and helping the homeless or the hungry through food banks or shelters.

A recent federal survey ranked Iowa the number-four state in the country for volunteerism, with more than 40-percent of Iowans donating their time, well above the national average of around 30-percent. The Corporation for National and Community Service says Iowans are very generous with their giving, donating more than 75-million hours of their time with an annual economic impact of nearly $2-billion.

(Radio Iowa) – A bill eligible for debate in the Iowa Senate would legalize the sale of raw milk at dairy farms. Esther Arkfeld of Harlan, says when she lived in another state, she bought raw milk rather than formula for her baby, but found out when she moved to Iowa five years ago it was illegal here. “How is it that in the 21st century in a country where 45 of the 50 states allow the sale of raw milk Iowa — a state that prides itself on agriculture, farming and freedom — is the only Midwest state to criminalized it?” she asks.

Raw milk enthusiasts like Arkfeld says unpasteurized milk tastes better and has more nutrients. Critics say raw milk has more bacteria and is dangerous for pregnant women. The dairy industry opposes the bill. Justin LeVan is the secretary of the Iowa Dairy Foods Association, which represents dairy businesses.

“As soon as there’s an outbreak of any kind, the businesses in Iowa will suffer and milk sales will go down whether it’s associated with raw milk or not.” Under the senate bill it still would be illegal to sell unpasteurized milk at restaurants and farmers markets, but raw milk and other products like cheese, yogurt and ice cream that are made with unpasteurized milk could be sold legally at the dairy where it’s processed.

The Senate approved similar legislation a year ago, but bills to legalize raw milk sales have never been considered in the Iowa House.

(Radio Iowa) – Hawkeye football coach Kirk Ferentz says he is greatly disappointed the state’s attorney general negotiated a more than four million dollar settlement with a dozen former players. The players accused Ferentz and other coaches of creating a racially hostile culture for black players. In a written statement released, Ferentz said for more than two years the Hawkeye football program had been unfairly maligned by the allegations and the settlement was offered without consulting him or other coaches named in the lawsuit.

Ferentz indicated he’s been told the reason for the settlement was financial, to avoid the possibility of a large jury verdict. Ferentz, in his statement, said the settlement clears the coaches of any wrongdoing — but had hoped a judge would have been given a chance to rule on their motion for a dismissal of the case. According to Ferentz, many former members of the team said things that they later recanted when questioned under oath.

The state Appeal Board approved the settlement Monday afternoon.

(Guthrie County, Iowa) – A man whose vehicle allegedly sideswiped another in Guthrie County, Saturday morning and left the scene, was tracked down and the driver questioned, in Greene County. Sheriff’s officials report a 2023 Chevy Silverado pickup driven by 25-year-old Wesley Reeves, of Glidden, was traveling east on Highway 141 at around 4-a.m., Saturday, when his vehicle was sideswiped by a 2022 pickup traveling west.

Reeves turned around and followed the other vehicle towards Jefferson. He called 911 to report the incident and followed the suspect pickup until a Greene County Deputy could stop the vehicle. The driver of the suspect pickup was identified as 23-year-old Reyes Joseph Molina, of Waukee.

Authorities said he had no drivers license and spoke little English. The man was released from the scene. No citations were issued and no injuries were reported.  Damage from the collision amounted to $6,000.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Annual Atlantic Fire Department awards banquet was held Saturday, February 25^th, . The Atlantic Fire Department (AFD) and the Iowa Firefighters Association (IFA) recognize those that have dedicated 20 years and more to fire service. Mark McNees was recognized for his 32-years of service to the AFD, his years of service to the IFA, and his past service as Chief of the Atlantic Fire Department. (Photos & info. courtesy Chief Tom Cappel)

From the left: IFA President Chuck Raska; Mark McNees; IDA Representative Roger Bissen (Harlan FD).

Rich Smith was recognized for 30-years of service to the AFD.

From the left: IFA Pres. Raska; Rich Smith; Chief Tom Cappel, Roger Bissen.

Wayne Brosam was recognized for 25-years of service to the AFD. Brosam is also an Assistant Chief of the AFD, as well as a Special Agent with the Arson & Explosives Bureau with the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

Wayne Brosam (2nd from left)

To the left are: Chase Mewhirter (10 yrs), Travis Petersen (10 yrs), Jeremy Sandbothe (10 yrs), Tom Cappel.

Locally, the Atlantic Fire Department recognizes those that have served for 5 years and over.

Those receiving awards but not present for the picture were: Paul Wood (15 yrs), Matt Benning (10 yrs ), and

Jake Vetter ( 10 yrs)

(Britt, Iowa) – Officials with the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation (DCI) are assisting in a northern Iowa homicide investigation. Authorities say that at approximately 7:10 PM, Saturday, March 4, 2023, the Britt Police Department responded to a disturbance call at the residence of 275 4th Street Southeast in Britt, Iowa. Upon arrival to the residence, officers encountered a male subject identified as Monte Eckels, age 56 of Britt, Iowa.  Officers detained Eckels and entered the residence and observed a female subject identified as Leallen Bergman, age 62 of Ventura, Iowa. Leallen was pronounced deceased at the residence from apparent stab wounds.

Monte Eckels was arrested for Murder in the 1st Degree and transported to the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office jail without further incident.

This investigation is being conducted by the Britt Police Department, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Hancock County Attorney’s Office. Additional assistance was provided by the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, Kanawha Police Department, Garner Police Department, and West Hancock Ambulance Service.

(Radio Iowa) – Madison County residents marked the one year anniversary Sunday of the deadly tornado outbreak that included one that dropped down just outside Winterset and left six people dead. Madison County Community Foundation manager Tom Leners says one year later, some people are still working on their insurance settlements. “There’s been a few challenges that way. But I think, overall, for the 50 some properties that were affected in Madison County, we feel like we are making progress,” he says. “And at this point, now people at least have a plan of what they’re going to do to get back in their property or utilize their property again.”

He says volunteers and residents got to work soon after the tornado hit. “There’s been a lot of cleanup, a lot of new construction, a lot of repair work has been done. So, those are all good things. There’s been a lot of folks wanting to help us through donations or an unkind sorts of supplies and that sort of thing,” Leners says. The Foundation handled the donations in the aftermath of the tornado and Leners says there was a great outpouring of help. “Through the generosity of people in our state and from other storm zones, we we raised over half a million dollars,” Leners says. “We had money coming in from really coast to coast and border to border and we were very greatful for that. You could see clusters of checks coming in from communities that had storm damage in the past five years where they donated to ours too.” He says it’s hard to total up all the donations made by people of services.

NWS map of Winterset tornado path.

Some in central Iowa brought in their own equipment paid their own fuel costs to work removing downed trees. “That part of the county was a very mature tree stand. So a lot of trees a lot of damage that way a lot to clean up. And so, so much progress was made in the first week or 10 days of getting roads back open and getting driveways back open to where you could get back into the property,” Leners says. Leners says he’s gotten a few concerned calls from people back in their property when there are storms. “There are still some folks that are concerned as we have storm warnings. And of course, now we’re getting back into that season,” he says. Leners say will continue to work to recover physically and emotionally from the deadly tornado.

The Bridge Community Church held a service Sunday in what Leners says was a kind of the official recognition of the one-year anniversary. The church worked with those who were displaced when their homes where destroyed. Another person who was camping at Red Haw State Park near Chariton in Lucas County was killed on the same day by a tornado. There were 15 tornadoes confirmed in the state on that day.