One person died in a single-vehicle crash Sunday morning, in Adair County. The Adair County Sheriff’s Office says the driver of a 2000 Chrysler Town and Country mini-van that crashed about nine-miles east of Greenfield off Highway 92, is believed to be an adult male from the State of Indiana. The victims’ name was being withheld though, until a positive identification can be made by the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner.

The accident was reported a little after 7-a.m., Sunday. Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater reports upon arrival by emergency personnel, the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle was located underneath the van and was later pronounced deceased at the scene by the Adair County Medical Examiner.

Upon investigation, it was determined the vehicle was traveling eastbound on State Highway 92. For reasons unknown, the van veered off of the roadway and entered the north ditch. After traveling some distance, the vehicle left the ditch and became airborne. The momentum of the minivan caused it to roll sideways again when came into contact with the roadway. The driver was ejected from the minivan as it rolled and became trapped underneath the vehicle as it came to a rest.

The accident remains under investigation. The Adair County Ambulance, Greenfield Fire Department, Orient Fire Department and an Adair County Sheriff’s Deputy assisted at the scene.

Patrons of the Atlantic Community School District are invited to attend a public meeting Wednesday evening (March 9th), with regard to the District’s proposed 2016-17 School Calendar and the 2016-17 Certified Budget. The hearing will take place in the High School Media Center, beginning at 5:30-p.m., during the Board of Education’s regular session.

The proposed Budget is just over $26-million ($26,035,748), which is an increase of nearly $1.16-million over the Re-estimated 2016 Budget, and $1.32-million more than the Actual 2015 Budget. The proposed tax rate is $15.83 per $1,000 taxable valuation, which is an increase of nearly 63-cents more than the last fiscal year’s (FY 2015-16) levy of almost $15.20/$1000 (*as noted by the IA Dept. of Management). The proposed calendar for the upcoming year has the first day of classes starting August 23rd, 2016, with the last day of classes for all students (except seniors) being May 25th, 2017. Seniors’ last day will be May 17, 2017.

With regard to the current school year (2015-16), Superintendent Dr. Michael Amstein will recommend to the Board extending the last day of school for students other than seniors, to May 26th instead of May 24th. That’s to make up for days missed earlier due to inclement weather. Amstein says the District missed five school days due to the weather during the current school year, but because the District will have exceeded the required number of hours’ instruction this year, he recommends make up only two of the five days.

The Board will act on approving as well, 2016 Summer Capital Projects recommendations by Dr. Amstein, which includes: $385,000 for Bus purchase/lease; $180,000 for Phase 2 of the High School Heat Pump replacement project; $125,00 each for the annual payment with regard to High School laptop computers, and playground equipment at Washington Elementary. Those, and other, smaller projects amount to an expenditure of nearly $1.1-million ($1,090,000.00).

In other business, the Board will act on approving resignations, including those of: head Football Coach Eric Waldstein, Freshman Football Coach Dan Vargason, Middle School Art Teacher Jessica Brocka, and Food Service worker Katherine Meyer. The are expected to approve, as well, the several contracts and/or letters of assignment, including: Sierra Worth, 4th Grade Teacher for 2016-17; Jill Miller, 5th Grade Teacher (2016-17); and Amber Knudsen, 4th Grade Teacher (2016-17). Transfers for 2016-17 include: Alisa Winquist, from 2nd to 1st Grade Teacher; Sheryl Dusenberry, from 6th Grade Science to 6th Grade Social Studies; Hillary Waldstein from High School 2/3 Special Education to Washington Elementary 2/3 Spec. Ed.; Kathy Blazek from High School Level 1 to Level 2-3 Special Ed; and Kara Martin from 8th Grade Science Teacher to 6th Grade Science Teacher.

SIDNEY, Iowa (AP) – A southwest Iowa pastor has been convicted of sexually abusing a 5-year-old girl. A Fremont County jury Friday found 68-year-old Roger Kissel guilty of sex abuse and lascivious acts. Radio station KNCY in Nebraska City, Nebraska, reports that the jury deliberated for about 2 1/2 hours. Kissel’s sentencing is set for May 4th.

When he was arrested, Kissel was a pastor at the nondenominational Sidney Cowboy Church. Police have said the allegations weren’t connected to the church. Prosecutors say the crimes occurred in 2013.

Police in Creston say seven people were arrested over the past week, four of them on drug-related charges. Arrested last Friday (March 4th), was 40-year old Amy Crispin, of Creston, who was taken into custody on a Union County warrant for Failure to Appear, on an original charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance/2nd offense. Crispin was being held in the Ringgold County Jail on $7,500 bond. Two people were arrested on drug charges early Saturday morning: 20-year old Phillip Pfeiffer, of Red Oak, and 20-year old Marcus Adair, of Milwaukee, WI., were arrested in Creston, for Possession of a Controlled Substance. Both men were later released from the Union County Jail on $1,000 bond, each. And, James Street, of Creston, was arrested early Sunday morning in Creston, for Possession with Intent to deliver/Marijuana, and Failure to Affix a drug tax stamp. He was later released on a $5,000 bond.

Police in Creston report also, 20-year old Jacob Davis, of Creston, was arrested Friday night on two Union County warrants for Unauthorized use of a credit card (charges under $1,000), and OWI/1st offense. His bond was set at $2,000. Earlier in the day, Friday, Creston Police arrested 21-year old Allen Hall, of Creston, for Driving While Barred, and 21-year old Nicholas Weckman, of Creston, was arrested on a Union County warrant for Violation of Probation. Weckman was being held in the Union County Jail on $5,000 bond, while Hall was released from custody on $3,000 bond.

In other news, Creston Police say a woman in the 1700 block of 160th Street reported March 1st, that sometime between Feb. 26th and Feb 23rd, someone entered a residence owned by her in the 500 block of W. Adams Street, and took a Red Velvet Settee, and a solid oak table with glass. The loss was estimated at $175.