It’s not unusual for temperatures in Iowa to dip below freezing in April, but various crops in the state were damaged in this morning’s cold snap because they blossomed roughly a month earlier than usual this year. National Weather Service meteorologist Aubry Wilkins says the coldest spots in the state at 5 a.m. were in western and northwest Iowa. “Audubon and Carroll bottomed out near 21 degrees and Estherville dropped to 20 or 19 degrees,” Wilkins says. 

In Atlantic, the thermometer bottomed-out at 26-degrees early this morning. Temperatures below 25-degrees can kill fruit and other sensitive crops or vegetation. Another freeze warning is posted for Iowa early Wednesday. Wilkins says Wednesday morning’s temperatures could be even colder than they were this morning. Warmer weather is in the forecast by Thursday. “We will see a bit of a warming trend into the weekend,” Wilkins says. “And then this weekend, we do have the potential for severe storms. It looks like Saturday is the best potential for that.” 

This recent cold snap follows a month in which nine Midwestern states, including Iowa, recorded their warmest March on record.

(Radio Iowa/KJAN)

The Elk Horn-Kimballton and Exira School District Boards of Education held their regular, separate meetings Monday. Superintendent of Schools Dean Schnoes said the EHK Board approved a $160,000 budget amendment for calendar year 2011-2012, and the 2012-2013 budget during their meeting, Monday afternoon. Schnoes said they also voted to increase the Driver’s Education fee for this Summer. He says the in-district fee went from $185 to $200, while the out-of-district fee increased from $290 to $300. Schnoes said a lot of that increase is attributed to the rising cost of fuel. The EHK Board also voted to hire Maria Ternus as the Business Manager for both the EHK and Exira Districts. She will begin training for the position Wednesday, and finish out the duties for the rest of the year.

Schnoes said the Exira School Board approved a decrease in the tax levy for the district, from 18.1% per thousand dollars valuation, to 16.38% per thousand. He says the higher land values allowed them to recoup tax dollars while at the same time lowering the tax rate. He says also, the Exira Board passed a resolution which is intended to move forward with the possibility of reorganization by July 1^st, 2014. Schnoes says the attorney will look the resolution over in preparation for presentation to the Elk Horn-Kimballton School Board during their next regular meeting.

w/ Ric Hanson

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Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

Iowa Governor Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, Monday, announced that they will travel to Southwest Iowa to promote their plan for permanent property tax relief for all classes of property. The events, which take place in Clarinda and in Red Oak, will be held on Friday, April 13th.

Branstad and Reynolds will hold a Page County town hall meeting at the Glenn Miller Birthplace Museum – Community Room, 122 West Clark Street in Clarinda, beginning at 1:30 p.m., Friday.  The Montgomery County town hall meeting is at the Fountain Perk Coffee Shop, 322 East Coolbaugh Streetin Red Oak,beginning at 3:15-p.m.

For more information, please visit www.governor.iowa.gov<http://www.governor.iowa.gov>. To view their plan on permanent tax relief, follow this link: https://governor.iowa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Property-Tax-handout-2.20.12.pdf

The Nishna Valley Trails association is inviting the public to a “Bike/Trails Expo” to be held at the Cass County Community Center in Atlantic on Monday, April 30^th, beginning at 7 p.m.  Mark Wyatt, the president of the Iowa Bicycling Coalition will be the speaker for the evening, talking about trends in bicycling as recreation and transportation, and about Iowa as the “Bike Trails Capitol of the World”.  There will be informational displays, a bicycle show, and refreshments will be served.  By registering at the door, participants can enter a drawing for door prizes, including bicycles and biking accessories.  For more information contact Ed Kail at 243-4265.

The Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education will take action on several matters during their meeting Tuesday evening at the High School. Among the action items is: Approval of Driver’s Education fees for this Summer; An agreement with the City of Atlantic to share the resurfacing costs of the tennis courts at Sunnyside Park and the Washington Elementary School; Approve a two-year collective bargaining agreement with the Atlantic Education Association, and a substitute teacher/substitute support staff rate.

The Board will also act on approving teacher recommendations for the 2012 Summer School, and, discuss a 5-year Capital Needs Plan. The meeting begins in the Atlantic High School Media Center, at 7:30-p.m.

The City of Atlantic’s Planning and Zoning Commission will meet Tuesday evening at City Hall. New business on their agenda for the 5:30-p.m. session includes: A review of the site plans for Custom Body and Sound; A ruling on retail gun sales (as applied to Ordinance Article 19: Home Occupations); and a review of the site plans for Atlantic Municipal Utilities’ proposed communications building.

The Commission will also discuss progress being made on updating the Zoning Ordinance.

Officials with Monsanto say Mike Noll, of Griswold, has been selected as a winner in the America’s Farmers Grow Communities contest, which gives farmers the opportunity to win $2,500 for their favorite local nonprofit organizations. The donations are available through the Monsanto Fund. Noll has designated the Griswold Fire Department to receive the award in Cass County.

Griswold Fire Chief Jim Wyman, farmer Mike Noll and a Monsanto representative will participate in a check presentation ceremony Thursday, April 12th, 6:30 pm at the Griswold Fire Station (405 Main St. in Griswold).

In 1,245 eligible counties in 39 states, farmers could win $2,500 for their favorite community nonprofit.  The Monsanto Fund expects to invest more than $3.1 million in local communities. Nearly 60,000 farmers participated in the second annual Grow Communities program, which is designed to benefit nonprofit groups such as ag youth, schools and other civic organizations.

For more information and to see a full list of winners, visit www.growcommunities.com.