(Radio Iowa) – The National Weather Service has confirmed a tornado with wind speeds around 75 miles an hour touched down near Clinton Friday night. According to the National Weather Service office in the Quad Cities, the tornado in Clinton County was on the ground for nearly one and a half miles. Another, slightly stronger tornado was reported near the small Jackson County town of Andrew Friday, causing damage to some farmsteads and knocking down some power lines.

The National Weather Service office in Des Moines has been gathering information about a tornado near the Franklin-Hardin County line on Friday. Meteorologists have determined that tornado reached speeds of 90 miles an hour, but they’re still assessing how long it stayed on the ground.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – As of today (Tuesday, August 1st) registration is open for students returning to, or planning on attending classes in, the Atlantic Community School District. All families that were actively enrolled at the end of the 2022 – 2023 school year should have received an email inviting them to begin the registration process. The email also included step by step instructions for completing student registration.

One important note for this year’s registration process – Student Activity Tickets will not be purchased through JMC this year. Please refrain from purchasing those until the new process is finalized and then communicated at that time.

If families who were actively enrolled at the end of the 22-23 school year did not receive the registration email this morning, please reach out to: Mallory Robinson at: mrobinson@atlanticiaschools.org.

If your student(s) are new to the ACSD district for the 2023 – 2024 school year or if access to the internet or a computer is not available, they should contact their student(s) building directly to complete the registration process. Building secretaries are ready to help anyone who needs assistance in registering  their students.

Building grades and contact information are as follows:

Washington Elementary School

Pre-K – 3rd grade: Phone: 712-243-5234

Stacey Hornung, Principal

Hours: 7:30 am – 3:30  pm

Schuler Elementary School

Grades 4-5: Phone: 712-243-1370

James Northwick, Principal

Hours: 7:30 am – 3:30 pm

Atlantic Middle School

Grades 6-8: Phone: 712-243-1330

Casey Pelzer, Principal

Hours: 7:30 am – 3:30 pm

Atlantic High School

Grades 9-12: Phone: 712-243-5358

Heather McKay, Principal

Andrew Mitchell, Asst Principal/Activities Director

Hours: 7:30 am – 3:30  pm

Transportation

All Grades: Phone: 712-243-3374; Steve Anderson, Supervisor

Food Service

All Grades: Phone: 712-243-5369; Natalie Ritter, Supervisor; Hours: 7:30 am- 3:30 pm.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors, today (Tuesday), received a monthly report from Cass/Guthrie County Environment Health Director Jotham Arber. And,they received a weekly report from County Engineer Trent Wolken, who updated the Board of various Secondary Roads Department maintenance and activities. One of three bridge projects, he said, are complete.

He said also, they found some newer, late model ¾ ton 4-wheel drive used pickup trucks to purchase, but that it’s getting harder and harder to find vehicles to fill the Secondary Roads Department’s needs. The Board approved a Rolling Hills Wind Farm Road Use Agreement, pending the receipt of a check from Mid-American Energy, for road use and repairs. The check was scheduled to arrive sometime during the day, today (Tuesday), via UPS.

The Board passed a Resolution awarding a Farm-To-Market twin box culvert project on 710^th Street, near Cumberland, to Gus Construction. And they approved a wage adjustment for Tony Gustafson – Operator 1. The Secondary Roads Dept. employee has completed his probationary period.

In other business, the Cass County Supervisors approved the appointment of Clayton Schmidt as a township trustee, and accepted the resignation of Grove Township Trustee, Richard Carspecken.

Their final order of business was to hear a report from County Treasurer Tracey J. Marshall, with regard to County Quarterly Investments.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors, today (Tuesday), received a complaint from Tracy Hill, with the Animal Alliance Rescue/Shelter. Tracy Hill spoke with regard to semi tractor-trailers blocking the shelter’s driveway, and being disrespectful.

Hill, along with her mother, run the shelter.  She requested some kind of a sign, that would make it clear parking is not allowed in front of the shelter’s driveway. Sheriff Jon Spunaugle, she said, is supportive of the move.

She said Red Oak’s mayor is also behind the No Parking restrictions. The County’s Secondary Roads Department has agreed to post signs, with the Board’s approval, which was granted. In other business, the Montgomery County Supervisors acted to approve/ disapprove Homestead and Military Credit Applications, as presented. Zoning Administrator Barry Byers provided a Secondary Roads Department update, standing-in for County Engineer Karen Albert.

And, during the public comment portion of the meeting, the Board heard from Montgomery County resident Jan Norris, with regard to an ordinance for a proposed carbon-capture pipeline. Norris thanked the Board for making the hazardous pipeline ordinance an agenda item last week, “as you have been asked to do for months.”  Norris said “Through the process, Summit has discouraged and intimidated the multiple counties who sought to adopt local zoning ordinances. Unfortunately, the law is vague and multiple jurisdictions are potentially involved.”

“Summit,” Norris said, “Was granted the injunction filed in district court. Based on the ruling, county attorneys did their job to advise supervisors. If ordinances are passed with setbacks greater than what Summit wants to comply with, we could also expect to end up in court.”

Norris said “It is unfortunate that counties have been put in an impossible position. Unfortunate that norms are being broken, unfortunate that current safety regulations are not up to speed on this new and unprecedented project, unfortunate that big corporations that stand to make BILLIONS have spared no expense in buying influence.” She concluded with….

(Newton, Iowa) – Officials with the Iowa Department of Corrections, said today (Tuesday), an inmate from the Newton Correctional Release Center that was on escape status was apprehended by law enforcement, Monday, and is in the process of being returned to the custody of the Iowa Department of Corrections. Inmate Jermichael Jim Wells walked away from his private sector worksite on Wednesday, July 19, 2023 and was placed on escape status once it was discovered that he had absconded.

Law enforcement from the Minnesota Department of Corrections Fugitive Apprehension Unit arrested Wells near Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. He is currently in the process of being returned to the custody of the Iowa Department of Corrections.

The department would like to extend its thanks to the many partners in law enforcement that assisted in the apprehension of this individual. This includes law enforcement from the Jasper County and Iowa County Sheriff’s Department, the Iowa Department of Public Safety, the Iowa Department of Corrections 6th District Fugitive Apprehension Unit, the Iowa Department of Corrections 8th District Fugitive Apprehension Unit, and the Minnesota Department of Corrections Fugitive Apprehension Unit.

The 2023 Cass County Fair held it’s Grand Champion Beef selection on Monday night at the outdoor show ring. Morgan Will came away with the Overall Market Champion with her 1,487 pound purchased market steer. Morgan is a member of the Benton Franklin 4-H Club.

Reserve Market Champion went to Haidyn Suhr with her 1,368 pound purchased market steer. Suhr is a member of the Grant Guys and Gals 4-H Club.

Other big winners from the beef show were:

FFA Grand Champion Market Heifer: Graham Hagen
FFA Reserve Champion Market Heifer: Miraylie Stuart
FFA Grand Champion Market Steer: Brookelyn Steffen
FFA Reserve Champion Market Steer: Graham Hagen
4-H Grand Champion Market Heifer: Jake Wailes
4-H Reserve Champion Market Heifer: Holden DeVore
4-H Grand Champion Market Steer: Morgan Will
4-H Reserve Champion Market Steer: Haidyn Suhr

4-H Carcass Winners: Purple- Claire Pellett. Lavender-Callee Pellett
FFA Carcass Winners: Purple- Miraylie Stuart. Reserve: Natalie Boose

Watch the replay of the Grand Champion selection here:

(Ottumwa, Iowa) – City officials in Ottumwa have released three of the City’s firefighters from employment, following an investigation. In a social media post, Monday, the City said “The investigation into matters related to the fire department has concluded. Based upon the results of the investigation, Firefighters Derek Fye and Dillon McPherson as well as Captain Bill Keith have been separated from the City of Ottumwa, effective immediately.

McPherson has resigned in lieu of termination and Fye has been terminated from their positions for actions and behaviors that violated department rules, safe practices, and the values and standards of the City of Ottumwa. Keith has been terminated from his position for failure to adequately lead those under his command and further displaying an attitude of indifference toward holding employees accountable to the values and standards of the department and the City of Ottumwa.

(Kimballton, Iowa) – City officials in Kimballton have ordered a Water Watch for the city. The water conservation mode is in effect now through the end of September. In a social media post, the City said “Unfortunately, due to the prolonged drought conditions and high temperatures, our well water levels have been reduced to a level to issue a water watch.” A Water Watch means residents and businesses should conserve water, under the following rules:

(Creston, Iowa) – A man from Creston was arrested Monday afternoon. Creston Police reports 22-year-old Jeremiah Lee Whitney was taken into custody for Driving While Barred. He was cited at the scene and then released.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with the Atlantic Community School District (ACSD) today (Tuesday), say conversations are continuing with the Nishna Valley YMCA and others, with regard to the announcement earlier this year, that ACSD intends to utilize district-owned space the Ann W. Wickman Daycare Center is currently using as an infant room, effective this December. The YMCA oversees the daycare center.

Towards the end of the 2023 school year, former ACSD Superintendent Steve Barber relayed communication on behalf of the ACSD School Board and ACSD District to Dan Haynes, the Executive Director of the YMCA which oversees the Ann Wickman Daycare Center. The communication outlined the need for ACSD to utilize the district-owned space that the daycare center was currently using, for the ‘baby room’.  ACSD is expanding its growing 3 year old preschool program which has shown positive results as well as an expressed need from the community for additional spaces within the program. The District says both sides know a resolution to the situation is of top priority.

School officials say both the Atlantic Community School District and the Ann Wickman Center have experienced exceptional growth over the past several years. The pressure points of growth are often just that for any organization – pressure to make adjustments, and ACSD and Ann Wickman are no exception. The District welcomed Dr. Beth Johnsen as the new Superintendent as of July 1, 2023.  One of her first items of priority, was jumping-in to connect with Dan Haynes, and Diana Williams Ann Wickman, Daycare Director. The goal  is to find a collaborative way forward that allows for the needs of both entities to be met.

ACSD Superintendent Beth Johnsen says “It’s paramount we find a way forward that is viable for both entities. Upon taking over as ACSD’s Superintendent, I immediately requested to sit down with Dan Haynes. During this meeting we began what I believe will be a strong partnership, talked through previous communications regarding this situation and started a collaborative conversation on potential ways forward.”

Dr. Johnson said also, “I look forward to continuing to work with Dan and the staff at Ann Wickman, along with my ACSD Staff and our School Board to find a positive resolution to these growth pains for both our Atlantic school district and Ann Wickman. In doing so, our collaborative relationship will continue to grow and it will allow us to both continue serving the next generation of Atlantic residents. That’s a goal I think the whole community can support!”

Additional details will be shared as they are confirmed.