(Des Moines, Iowa) – This (Monday) morning the ACLU of Iowa sent a letter to the Atlantic Public School Board advising it to not adopt any policy that would unconstitutionally restrict students’ rights to protest. As KJAN News previously reported, during the May 10th Atlantic School Board meeting, Atlantic resident LeAnne Pellett, of Atlantic, spoke with regard to a student walk-out held March 1, 2023. The event was to protest what was termed in the online school newspaper, “anti-LGBTQIA+ bills being debated at the time in the Iowa legislature.

Pellett said was she speaking “On behalf of the citizen taxpayers” who were in attendance at the meeting, and “Many more citizens who were upset” about the event held on school property.

Pellett asked rhetorically, “Were opposing views on this protest ever presented to all persons?”

The ACLU letter says any policy the district might enact restricting student protest rights, would be an infringement on students’ First Amendment free speech rights.
You can read the letter here.

Atlantic School District Superintendent Steve Barber told KJAN he was out of the district, Monday, and had not seen the letter in question, and therefore could not comment. He did say he will speak on the matter Tuesday, once he’s had time to review the ACLU’s comments.

(Radio Iowa) – Some Iowa cities set record low temperatures this (Monday) morning. The National Weather Service in La Crosse received a report that the temperature fell to 35 in Elkader in northeast Iowa. There was a record low in Cedar Rapids of 40 degrees. It dipped to 41 in Mason City and Ottumwa, also records for this date. The low in Atlantic (43) fell five-degrees short of tying the record (38) set in 1903.

Alexis Jimenez is a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in central Iowa.  “We saw low to mid 40s throughout much of the state,” Jimenez says. Temperatures for the rest of the day will be in the 70s. “It’ll be really a perfect day weather wise. You can’t get much better. You can’t ask for more in the middle of June, but we will see a warming trend starting tomorrow,” she says. “We’ll see temperatures climb into the 80s and then we’ll see temperatures close to 90 Thursday.”

The record low in Iowa for this date was set in 1903. The temperature fell to 30 degrees in Fayette according to federal records from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

(Harlan, Iowa) – The Board of Supervisors in Shelby County will hold a Special Meeting Tuesday at 10-a.m.in their Courthouse Board Room, in Harlan. Among the matters they have on their agenda (Shown below), is a Public hearing on declaring EMS (Emergency Medical Services) and essential service. Once the hearing is closed after any hearing written and spoken comments, the Board will open their regular session and act on the third and final reading of a Resolution for the “Consideration of Declaring Emergency Medical Services and essential Service.”

The Resolution was made necessary when the owners of the private ambulance service currently serving Shelby County, announced their near future plans for retirement, with no private enterprise stepping-up to fill-in the gap for emergency medical services.

Previously, Board Secretary/Auditor Mark Maxwell has stated that there is a proposal to place on the November 7^th General Election ballot, a measure to fund Shelby County Emergency Medical Services by imposing a Local Option Sales surtax not to exceed one percent, and an Ad Valorem (Or, according to value) property tax not to exceed 75-cents per $1,000 of taxable value on all taxable property within Shelby County.

Maxwell also noted that even if the third and final reading of the resolution is approved, Tuesday, the Board would not act on placing the measure on the ballot, until a separate resolution is considered and passed during the Board’s meeting in August.

June 13 2023 Shelby County Board of Supervisors Agenda:

1. Call to order/conflict of interest statements.
2. Approval of Agenda Action Item
3. Approval of Minutes June 6th, 2023- Action Item
4. Close regular meeting and open Hearing-Action Item
5. Public Hearing Shelby County Board of Supervisors declaring EMS services an essential service – Action Item
6. Close Hearing-Action Item
7. Open Regular session-Action Item
8. Resolution 2023-29 -Consideration of Declaring Emergency Medical Services an essential Service Action Item
9. Appointing permanent EMS Advisory Council membership-Action Item
10. Consideration of approval Sheriff’s Deputy Derrick Steffen-Action Item
11. Transfer Authorization for Auditor fiscal Year 2024-Action Item
12. Adjournment

(Lewis, Iowa) – Cass County Civil Deputy Spencer Walton issued a statement this (Monday) morning with regard to a motorcycle accident that took place near Lewis, Friday night. Walton said in a press release “Unfortunately, our office is still investigating this incident, to include the actual name of the operator.  Our Deputies and other emergency responders found a Hispanic male to be operating the motorcycle but they have not been able to verify the proper name or date of birth.” Deputy Walton added that he “Will work with the investigating Deputies to get this wrapped up and updated information out to media as soon as possible.”

Earlier, authorities said the accident happened around 10:22-p.m. Friday, at Oxford Road and Lewis Road. The motorcycle was westbound on Oxford when the operator failed to negotiate a curve. The machine entered a ditch and rolled at least twice, before coming to rest on the southern side of the intersection. The man was flown to the UNMC for treatment of life-threatening injuries.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representatives Zach Nunn, Salud Carbajal and Tony Cárdenas from California, Lori Chavez-DeRemer, from Oregon, Don Davis (NC), and Nancy Mace (SC), have introduced the Greyhound Protection Act to ban greyhound racing in the United States and outlaw gambling on the outcome of greyhound races simulcast from other nations.  Nunn, a Republican who represents Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District, says “Iowa has paved the way to end the cruel practice of racing greyhound. Across the country, we still have work to do. The bipartisan Greyhound Protection Act,” he says, “will end the exploitation of dogs by banning this act altogether.”

Greyhound racing is already illegal in 42 out of 50 states, with legislation prohibiting gambling on greyhound racing passing in legislatures in Colorado, Kansas, and Massachusetts within the past year. As American-raised greyhounds are also being exported to racetracks in other countries, the bill would also outlaw the shipment of greyhounds for the purpose of dog racing.

The bill has the endorsement of more than 250 animal rights and protection groups, shelters, and other organizations–including Grey2K USA Worldwide and Animal Wellness Action.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors will hold their regular meeting 9-a.m. Tuesday (June 13), in their Cass County Courthouse Board Room. There are two public hearings on the agenda. The first is with regard to a proposed amendment to the Cass County Zoning Ordinance (see details below). The second is with regard to a proposed amendment to the FY2023 Cass County Budget.

The Board will also act on approving an annual Wellness Coordinator Agreement between the County Ag Extension District, Cass Health, Nishna Valley Family YMCA, and Cass County, effective July 1, 2023 to July 1, 2025. In FY 24, the County’s contribution will be $7,000, from the Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) Fund, and $25,000 from ARPA (Covid recovery) funds. In FY ’25, the County’s share will increase to $8,000 from LOST and $35,000 from ARPA, funds. The funds will be used to pay for a Full-time Wellness Coordinator to serve Cass County residents.  The meeting will be available by Zoom and over-the-phone:

The order of agenda items may change based on when personnel are available and when time allows.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Police in Red Oak say no injuries were reported following two recent, separate accidents. At around 10:45-a.m. Friday (June 9), Officers were called to the area of N. 2nd and E. Maple Streets, for an accident. During their investigation, officers learned an electric, two-wheel scooter operated by 22-year-old Makayla Kirsch, of Villisca, was traveling north on N. 2nd, and approaching the intersection with E. Maple. She attempted to brake and stop for a 2020 Chevy Trax, which was approaching on her right, but the scooter’s brakes failed to operate correctly.

The scooter collided with the driver’s side of the westbound SUV, driven by 23-year-old Cameron Hilligoss, of Atlantic. Red Oak EMS personnel checked Kirsch for injuries, but none were reported. Damage to the Chevy was estimated at $1,500. The scooter sustained about $200 damage. Kirsch was issued a warning for failing to yield the right-of-way.

The second accident in Red Oak happened at around 3-p.m. Saturday. Police say 19-year-old Madison Sickels, of West Des Moines, failed to yield the right-of-way (ROW) as her 2005 Ford Mustang was leaving an alley in the area of 4th Street, between Corning and Joy Streets. The Mustang struck the driver’s side of a 2012 Chevy Traverse SUV, driven by 34-year-old Marissa Ramos-Saldana, of Red Oak, as she was traveling northbound on 4th Street. No injuries were reported.

Both vehicles sustained approximately $3,000 damage. Sickels was cited for Failure to yield the ROW, and failure to show proof of insurance.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Late last month, the Atlantic Community School District announced the hiring of Casey Pelzer as the new ACSD Middle School Principal. During their meeting Wednesday evening, the Atlantic School Board is expected to officially approve Pelzer for the post.

Casey Pelzer is the current ACSD Elementary PE Teacher. He had applied for the Middle School Principal’s position and met with representatives including a parent group, ACSD Administration, the ACSD School Board, the incoming superintendent, students, and AMS staff as part of the interview and hiring process. Pelzer was then offered the position and has accepted the role of Middle School Principal, effective July 1, 2023, assuming the School Board approves.

Casey Pelzer ( via the Atlantic Community School District staff info. website)

Pelzer would assume the role of Middle School Principal in Atlantic, following the announcement earlier this Spring current Principal Scot Aden had submitted his resignation, effective at the end of this month.

(Creston, Iowa) – Police in Creston report a camper trailer got hung-up on one of the protective bars near a convenience store gas pump, Friday afternoon. The incident happened at the Casey’s Store on Townline Road, at around 4:17-p.m. No injuries were reported. Authorities say a 2018 RAM pickup driven by 54-year-old Michael Steenhagen, of Roland (IA), was pulling the large camper trailer when Steenhagen attempted to make too sharp of a turn, due to a vehicle parked next to him.

The rear, driver’s side bumper became hung-up on a safety pole by the pump. A display sign that was on the pole was damaged by the camper. Damages amounted to $500 for the store property, and approximately $8,000 to $10,000 to the camper. A tow truck and forklift were used to pull the camper away from the pole and gas pump.

(Creston, Iowa) – Officials with the Creston Police Department say five people were arrested over the weekend. Sunday evening, 53-year-old Kevin Lee Campbell was arrested at intersection of Highway 34, one-quarter of a mile east of Osage. Campbell was charged with OWI 1^st Offense. He was transported to the Union County Jail and later released on bond.

Two people were arrested Saturday at a residence in the 400 block of E. Townline Road, in Creston. 37-year-old Douglas Edward Woodward, III, and 33-year-old Rachel Marie Colburn, both of Creston, were arrested for Violation of a No Contact/Protective Order. Both were transported to the Union County Jail. Woodward was later released on bond. Colburn remained held in the jail on bond, as of the latest report.

Also arrested Saturday, was 67-year-old Julie Ann Madore, of Creston, for OWI/1st offense. She was taken into custody at around 12:08-a.m. and was transported to the Union County Jail and later released on $1,000 bond. And, 38-year-old Charles Wayne Fry, of Creston, was arrested at about 3:50-a.m. Saturday, also for OWI 1^st Offense. Fry was transported to the Union County Jail and later released on $1,000 bond.

Creston Police said also, a man residing in the 200 block of S. Sumner Street reported at around 12:20-p.m., Friday, that a heavy set man in shorts entered his garage, took a cash box and left during a garage sale. The loss was estimated at $175.