The Sac County Sheriff’s Office reports two people have been charged with burglary in connection with a rural Odebolt burglary that took place on or about March 2nd. Authorities say 30-year old Todd Allan Grimsman, of Carroll, and 41-year old Julie Ann McManigal, of Manning, were charged with Burglary in the 3rd degree. The pair were arrested by authorities in Ida County following a traffic stop.

During an investigation, deputies located items taken from a residence at 3450 Ida Avenue, in rural Odebolt. The pair admitted their involvement in the burglary to an interviewer from the Sac County Sheriff’s Department, who questioned them at the Ida County Jail, where Grimsman and McManigal remain held.

The spotlight on concussions in sports has started a conversation about brain injuries from the local to the national level, but the Iowa Department of Public Health says thousands of people who aren’t on the playing field suffer brain injuries each year that go untreated. The department’s Maggie Ferguson says this is Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness Month in Iowa and they want people to know the symptoms of a brain injury.

“It’s important that people understand that first of all — we have been hearing a lot about concussions and a concussion is a brain injury — I think people just think of it as having their bell rung or seeing stars. But definitely those are consistent with symptoms of a brain injury, so it’s important to know if you are experiencing those symptoms, you should be checked out by a medical professional,” Ferguson says. The violent hits are the focus of attention for causing concussions in football, but Ferguson says you could suffer one from a simple slip on a wet floor in your home.

“Falls are the number one cause of brain injuries in Iowa,” Ferguson says. Ferguson, the I-D-P-H’s Brain Injury & Disability Program Manager, says there are several symptoms that you should recognize. “Initially people might experience a headache, they could be a little confused, they could have balance problems or disiness, feel a little sluggish, maybe foggy, also might experience some vomiting or be bothered by light or noise,” Ferguson says. “For some people there might be loss of consciousness…that’s not always something that might happen.” She says it’s important if you experience such symptom that you get checked out before you go on about your daily routine.

“You never know how long those symptoms could last, and not having it checked out and continuing on with activities as normal could actually make your situation worse,” according to Ferguson. Blows to the head are a common cause of the brain injury — but not the only cause. “People don’t even need to necessarily hit their head directly, just being shaken around,” Ferguson says, “having a blow to the body is enough to have your brain juggle around inside your skull and cause some injury.” Ferguson says victims of brain injury can have changes in thinking, language, or even general emotions, that are often missed, and that’s why they call it the “silent epidemic.”

“Brain injury can happen to anybody….like I said, falls are the number one cause of brain injury. We see it being the number one cause in the very young and the very old. So, across the board it is something we should be concerned about,” Ferguson says. For information on prevention and resources available regarding brain injuries, you can visit the Brain Injury Alliance of Iowa’s website at: biaia.org, or visit the Iowa Department of Public Health’s website at: idph.iowa.gov/brain-injuries.

(Radio Iowa)

A man from Nebraska was arrested for Reckless Driving Saturday night for driving the wrong way on Interstate 80 in Adair County, two-miles west of Stuart. The Adair County Sheriff’s Office says a deputy stopped 57-year old Scott James Noell, of Omaha, at the 91 mile marker, as he was traveling west in the eastbound lanes, at around 8:50-p.m.  Noell was sentenced to time served and released Sunday night.

Two people were arrested last week on drug charges, in Adair County. The Sheriff’s Office says 21-year old Mariah K. Carbine, of Winterset, was arrested by Stuart Police March 1st. The woman was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance/Methamphetamine – 1st offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. She was released on $1,000 bond later that day. And, Stuart Police arrested 22-year old Tyler Eugene Worthington, of Winterset, March 1st as well, for Possession of Meth/1st offense, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Violation of a Temporary Restraining Order. He was later released on $1,000 bond.

And, the Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports 59-year old Reginald Allen Sickles, of Greenfield, was arrested Saturday night for OWI/1st offense. Sickles was later released on $1,000 bond.

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.