(Griswold, Iowa) – Members of the Griswold School District’s Board of Education met in a regular session, Monday evening. Superintendent Dave Henrichs said the board approved contracts for two new personnel.

He said the Board designated their Level 1 and Level 2 Child Abuse Investigators for the 2023-24 School Year.

Athletic Director Troy Nicklaus, Henrichs said, shared information with the Board in regard to a Athletic Trainer Services for the upcoming school year. The Board elected to continue with the service as presented. The Griswold School Board also had a lengthy discussion with regard to a proposed four-day school week.

No decision has been made on whether or not the District will transition to a four-day calendar, but even if they do, eventually agree to the change, it won’t take effect until the 2024-25 School Year. I other news, the Griswold Board decided to: retain Dan Rold as Business Manager/Treasurer; Hannah Bierbaum as Board Secretary, and Matt Hansen, as the District’s Attorney.

The Board approved bids for Bakery products (Bimbo Bakery), trash removal (Laverty Sanitation), dairy products (Anderson-Erickson), snow removal (Landon Preston) and Warewash (Ross Chemical). Each are current providers of those respective services. They also approved Middle School/High School Principal Stephanie Brady as the Affirmative Action Coordinator. And, the Board acted on passing the first reading of numerous Board Policies that resulted from a large number of Iowa legislative law changes during the past session.

Superintendent Henrichs says “For the most part, we have all the critical [staff] positions filled, which is great…we’re in a lot better shape than we were a few weeks ago,” and that they are getting closer to starting the school year on August 23rd.

(Adair, Iowa) – The Adair-Casey/Guthrie Center (ACGC) School Board will meet 7-p.m. Wednesday (July 19), in the AC/GC Junior High Media Center. Their regular session will be preceded by a Public Hearing with regard to the High School Bleacher Project at Adair-Casey. In other business, the Board will act on the resignation of Denice Crawley/Food Service & Transportation, and act on approving contract recommendations for the following:

• Christina Wilson – HS Building Secretary
• Ron Lower and Bill Messinger – Part-time Industrial Tech Teachers
• Sarah McKibben – Elementary Kitchen and Preschool 1:1 Associate, and,
• Kayla Froehle – Preschool Associate.

The AC/GC School Board will act on approving their IASB Legislative Priorities, a 28-E agreement (as presented and discussed in the June Board meeting), setting their 2023-24 School Year meeting time and location, and acting on the sale of equipment at Adair-Casey. The Board will also consider, and act on FFA Program Activities, as well as a recommendation from Mr. Lensch, to allow the Senior Class of 2024 to travel to Washington, D-C, in the Spring of 2024, for the Senior Class Trip.

(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department reports the arrest at around 4:50-p.m., Monday, of 44-year-old Brady Gale Richert, from Creston. He was arrested in the 700 block of N. Elm Street, in Creston, and charged with Violation of No Contact/Protective Order. Richert was being held without bond in the Union County Jail, until seen by the Magistrate.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – As with years past, the City of Atlantic’s Parks and Recreation Department is having to deal with issues of vandalism to Parks property. Assistant Parks Director Jeff Christensen, Monday, told the Parks & Rec Board, that the incidents have been destructive, and disgusting.

Board member John Krogman said noticed someone smashed a light on the waterless restroom at the Schildberg Park.

Christensen said they are actively pursuing, with the Police Department, the suspects involved in some of the incidents.

There’s also been damage to the floating docks at the Schildberg Recreation Area. The list of incidents, Christensen said, go on and on.

He said there were incidents last Summer, as well, including mirrors broken and pulled-off the walls at some park restrooms, a tree and a slide was spray painted.

On a more positive note, Christensen said new playground for the Harl-Holt Park should be arriving this fall. Jeff said he would be reaching out to officials with Pour-N-Play, and get a price quote on their safety material to prevent injuries from falls that might occur while kids use the playground equipment.

Pour-N-Play lasts longer than other such materials, such as wood chips and rubber chips.

(Radio Iowa) – A 71-year-old Iowa native who retired to a lake front property in Indiana has been chosen as the first “Golden Bachelor.” A-B-C launched The Bachelor — a reality T-V dating show — in 2002 and The Bachelorette debuted a year later. The network has created a spin-off called “The Golden Bachlor” and they’ve chosen Gerry (GAIR-ee) Turner, formerly of Davenport, as the lead.

This fall, Turner will be featured dating women who are also in what the network describes as their “golden years.” Turner is a widower. He married his high school sweetheart in 1974 and she died suddenly in 2017 after 43 years of marriage.

Turner was interviewed on Good Morning, America yesterday (Monday) and said he’s hoping to connect with a high energy partner, who maybe plays golf or pickleball.

(Adair, Iowa) – Two vehicles were engulfed in flames late this (Monday) afternoon, in Adair. The accident happened at around 4-p.m. The fire erupted after a vehicle struck one of the gas pumps at the Casey’s General Store. Adair Fire Chief Matt Richter told KJAN News a vehicle came off of the Interstate ramp and went out of control before striking a gas pump, knocking it off of its base. The vehicle that struck the pump and a second vehicle, described as Ford, both caught fire.

One person was injured and transported to the Adair County Memorial Hospital, in Greenfield. Casey Fire provided mutual aid at the scene. Firefighters were on site for about an hour. Chief Richter said the Adair Casey’s Store will not be dispensing fuel until further notice, due to the fire. He praised his crews and those from Casey for their quick work in getting the blaze under control.

Photo credit Angel Anderson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – A handful of citizens turned-out during the Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department Board of Director’s meeting, to voice their concerns over the possible dismantling of the elected Parks Board. The Atlantic City Council will take up the matter during their meeting Wednesday evening, at City Hall. Atlantic resident Vicki Nordskog was the first to speak during the public forum, Monday evening. She voiced her opposition to the proposed elimination of the Parks Director’s job, and the Parks Board.

Cathy Booth has lived in Atlantic for 55-years. She praised the Board for their efforts and diligence.

She said solutions to the issues leading to the proposed dissolving of the Board should be made with input from the public. LaVon Eblen was the final person to address the Board. She said her concern is that the Board will be divided.

Parks Board member Jeremy Butler said the Board was informed of the proposed changes, but they were not a part of the discussion. He said also, the Board doesn’t have a say in the outcome, and they can’t vote to dissolve the Board. Atlantic Mayor Grace Garrett spoke during the Parks and Rec Board meeting, Monday. She said, with regard to a recommendation on the proposed future plans for the Department, it’s anticipated the Council will elect not to replace the Director’s position at this time.

She said also, Assistant Parks Director Jeff Christensen’s job title will change to “Coordinator,” and he will report to Public Works Director Kirk Knudsen.

Garrett said there is a balancing act between having nice, maintained amenities, economic development and code enforcement.

If the Council decides to proceed the disbanding the Parks and Rec Board, the process doesn’t end, Wednesday. As previously mentioned, there would be a public hearing on August 2nd, followed by the first reading of the ordinance within 30 days, and a second and third reading. One suggestion coming out of Monday’s Park Board meeting, was to have an “Advisory Board,” and a newly formed group called “Friends of the Parks,” who are passionate about the City’s parks. That group could be comprised of appointed representatives from various organizations (Like the Master Gardeners, Nishna Valley Trails and others), who would not be elected.

Assistant Parks Director Jeff Christensen said a “Friends” group could be instrumental in helping with various program, including Summer Recreation.

(Radio Iowa) – A ban on most abortions in Iowa is now on hold. A Polk County district court judge has issued a temporary injunction that blocks enforcement of the abortion restrictions that Governor Reynolds signed into law Friday. Sharon Wegner is a staff attorney for the A-C-L-U of Iowa, which is representing two abortion providers challenging the law. “This decision was incredibly important because it means that, for now, abortion in Iowa remains safe and legal,” she said. “…We know Iowans stand with us in wanting to protect abortion rights and keep politicians out of doctor-patient decision making.” The legislature met in a one-day special session last Tuesday and passed a bill to ban most abortions after cardiac activity can be detected, which is around the sixth week of pregnancy.

“This law bans abortion before many people know that they are pregnant,” Wegner said, “…and as such it violates the state constitution under the ‘undue burden’ standard that the Iowa Supreme Court has made clear is the governing standard for now.” In a written statement, Governor Reynolds said the abortion industry is trying to thwart the will of the people who elected her and the Republican majorities in the legislature. Reynolds says she will fight this case all the way to the Iowa Supreme Court, where Reynolds said she expects a decision that will finally provide justice for the unborn. Ruth Richardson, president and C-E-O of Planned Parenthood of North Central States, says her staff made hundreds of phone calls late last week to reschedule abortion appointments.

“While we know that the state may seek an appeal, we are proud to resume services for our patients and provide patient outreach to help break through the manufactured chaos that is our new normal,” she says. The injunction was issued Monday afternoon. Iowa law currently requires a 24 hour waiting period for abortions, so Wednesday is the earliest that elective abortions can be scheduled. Polk County District Court Judge Joseph Seidlin said the ban on most abortions created irreparable harm, but his ruling also allows the Iowa Board of Medicine to start writing rules to enforce the ban. Seidlin wrote that there are honorable and intelligent people…on both sides of this upsetting societal and constitutional dilemma.

CRESTON, Iowa – July 17, 2023 – If you are driving on Iowa 44 near the intersection with U.S. 169 north of Adel this week you need to be aware of short-term road closures that may slow down your trip.

The Iowa DOT’s Creston Construction Office reports crews need to close Iowa 44 at the intersection of U.S. 169 to allow for paving of the intersection and turn lanes. Road closures of 30 minutes or less will occur between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Wednesday, July 19, and possibly Thursday, July 20, weather permitting.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office, today (Monday), reported numerous Cass County residents were arrested over the past few weeks on drug-related charges. As a result of a lengthy investigation, the following individuals were charged in reference to the distribution and use of methamphetamine in Cass County (IA):

• On June 15, 2023, Connie Marie Nichols was arrested for Possession with the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.
• On July 12th, Catherine Josephine Charles was arrested for Delivery of Methamphetamine.
• On July 13th: Anthony Ray Hernandez and Julie Ann Peters were arrested for Poss. with the Intent to Distribute Meth, and Failure to affix a drug tax stamp; Karen Dawn Hernandez was arrested for Sponsoring a Gathering where controlled substances are used; Brandon Ray Larson was arrested on two counts of Delivery of Meth.
• And, on July 14th, Joshua Dean Peters was arrested for Poss. with the Intent to Distribute Meth, and Failure to affix a drug tax stamp.

All criminal charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.