(Radio Iowa) – There are Iowans who continue to struggle to put food on the table. Food Bank of Iowa spokesperson, Annette Hacker, says their demand has not eased at all. “We have really seen the numbers just continue to rise for the last 12 months or so ever since. The emergency proclamation lifted and SNAP benefits returned to normal levels back in April of 2022. Nearly every month since then has been a record in terms of people needing food assistance,” she says. The Food Bank of Iowa serves 55 of the state’s 99 counties.

“We served about 110-thousand in March of 2022 compared with 169-thousand in March of 2023,” Hacker says. Hacker she fears the numbers aren’t going to drop anytime soon. “I hate to say it but we don’t see any ceiling in sight. The people who need food assistance are being crushed from all sides with the SNAP legislation that appears it will be signed soon,” Hacker says. “That will make SNAP benefits even more difficult to get. It will make some people not even not even apply and others perhaps eliminated from SNAP benefits.” Hacker said the summer ahead will be a critical time.

“Because kids are out of school, and those children who rely on free and reduced price meals suddenly don’t have those at school. And parents who have kids at home have to come up with an extra 10 to 15 meals every day per child,” she says. “And if your budget is stretched thin and you’re already having a hard time affording groceries, that just makes it even more difficult.”

Saturday is the Iowa postal service annual “Stamp Out Hunger” event. The carriers will pick up non perishable food items from customers at their mailboxes to be delivered to the community food banks. A reminder also, that Atlantic Post Office employees will be collecting non-perishable food items and/or monetary donations, Saturday.  All donations will benefit the Atlantic Food Pantry. Your cash or check donations can be left with your letter carrier this weekend, mailed to the Atlantic Food Pantry at P.O. Box 285 (Atlantic, IA 50022), or dropped-off at the Pantry, which is located at 704 W. 7th Street (The former “After 5 Somewhere” building). Drop-off hours for monetary donations are Mondays and Thursdays, from 9-until 11-a.m.

Customers wishing to contribute through their postal mail carrier should clearly address an envelope as a food pantry, or food drive donation, and leave visibly as outgoing mail. No stamp is required for this type of donation. Checks should be made out to the Atlantic Food Pantry

(Griswold, Iowa) – The Griswold Community School District’s Board of Education will meet in a regular, monthly meeting, beginning 5:30-p.m., Monday (May 15), in the Conference Room at the School. According to the agenda, New Business to be covered by the Board, Monday, will include:

1. Consider Change Of Date / Time For June Meeting (D.R.)
2. Set Date / Time For Work Session (D.R.)
3. Establish Activity Pass Fees For 2023-2024 (D.R.)
4. Discussion And Possible Action On District Procedures For Student Activity Trip Expenses (I or D.R.)
5. Approve Fuel Bid Specifications (D.R.)
6. Approve Technology Support Bid Specifications (D.R.)
7. Consider Approval Of Spanish III/IV Waiver For 2023-2024 (D.R.)
8. Consider Approval Of City Agreement (D.R.)
9. Board Policies – First Reading (I) – 200.4, 210.5, 401.5R1, 401.13E1, 501.2, 505.5, 604.6, 605.4, 605.5, 605.6, 605.6E1, 605.6E2, 605.6R1, 701.2, 708, Renumber 401.10 to 705.2.

(D.R.) = Decision Required); (I) = Informational

The Griswold School Board will also hold a work session on Tuesday, May 16 at 5:30 p.m., at the Griswold Community School District’s Conference Room, for the purpose of reviewing meeting practices and parliamentary procedures with the Iowa Association of School Boards.

(Audubon, Iowa) – The Audubon Community School District will hold a Public Hearing Monday evening, prior to the start of the regular, monthly Board of Education meeting. The hearing at 7-p.m. in the Audubon High School Board Room, is with regard to a Proposed 2022-23 Budget Amendment, and Expenditures from the Flexibility (“Flex”) Fund. Superintendent Eric Trager told KJAN the $300,000 amendment is for Support Services, but will be offset through re-coded revenue from ESSER (Pandemic relief) Funds. Trager says a budget amendment is common, and will not result in an increase in taxes.

Later on in their meeting, the Board will act on approving the Budget Amendments, as proposed, and expenditures from the District Flex Fund for Science Curriculum, in the amount of $21,548.48 from the PD Flex account.

In other Board action, they will act on:

• Reimbursing the Activity Fund from the General Fund – re: Safety Equipment.
• Approving:
  • 2023-24 Student Fees
  • An increase in Substitute Pay
  • Changes to a Para-Educator Agreement
  • The naming of Greenhouse Surplus and, accepting an offer to buy
  • and, the Board will act on approving certain Change Orders.

And, Superintendent Eric Trager will report to the Board on matters pertaining to a Legislative Update, Building & Grounds, and Board Appreciation. His regular monthly report will be followed by reports from District Principals.

CRESTON, Iowa – May 12, 2023 – If you’re planning to drive on U.S. 169 from U.S. 34 in Lorimor, there’s an upcoming road closure that could slow down your trip. The Iowa Dept. of Transportation’s Creston Construction Office reports, beginning on Thursday, June 1, until Friday, Aug. 25, weather permitting, construction crews will work on removing the current bridge on U.S. 169 and replace it with a pipe and concrete paving. While the roadway is closed to traffic, motorists will follow a marked detour route using U.S. 34, and Union County roads P-53 and H-17.

Help keep everyone on the road safer. Drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, you should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – [Updated 5/12/23 to change location of the meeting] The City of Atlantic’s Parks and Recreation Department Board of Directors will hold their regular monthly meeting Monday evening (May 15, 2023), in the Parks & Rec Office at 1200 Sunnyside Lane. The meeting begins at 5:15. In his report to the Board, Parks & Rec Director Wyatt Adderton is expected to discuss:

• The Sunnyside Pool Project update (waterslide, mural and pool building paintings, the latter two of which were completed by artist Jenna Brownlee, last week – see photo below). During the last Board meeting, Adderton reported the target date for the pool opening, is Memorial Day.
• An update with regard to the status of Lifeguards for the Sunnyside Pool. (An application link to become a lifeguard can be found on the Parks and Rec Facebook page)
• Wyatt will also report on the Mollett Park raised garden beds,
• and tree donations from Vermeer and Rolling Hills Bank and Trust.

The next regular Board meeting will be held June 19th at 5:30-p.m., also at the Atlantic City Hall.

Sunnyside Pool pumphouse mural by Jenna Brownlee.

(Des Moines, Iowa) -The National Weather Service, in their Hazardous Weather Outlook, says scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop over western Iowa late this afternoon and spread into parts of central Iowa through the evening hours. A few strong to severe storms are possible with large hail and damaging winds. A low tornado threat does exist.

Another chance for thunderstorms arrives on Saturday. A few strong or even severe storms could occur once again. Sunday and Monday will be cooler with highs in the 60s to low 70s before warmer temperatures return for Tuesday through Thursday. A few showers or isolated storms may linger on Sunday then mostly dry conditions will follow.

Spotters may be needed at times late today through Saturday.

(Creston, Iowa) – Officials with the Creston Police Department report an Adair County man was arrested early this (Friday) morning. 34-year-old Michael D. Crigger, of Greenfield, was arrested at 302 N. Pine Street in Creston, and charged with Operating While Under the Influence/1st Offense. Crigger was taken to Union County Jail and posted a $1,000 bond before being released.

Thursday morning, 37-year-old Tyler Dean Gage, of Kent, was arrested at Cromwell Road and Highway 34. Gage was charged with Harassment 3rd Degree and Assault with Intent to Inflict Serious Injury. He was taken to Union County Jail and later posted a $2,000 bond before being released.

(Grimes, Iowa) – State Auditor Rob Sand reports 15 Iowa school districts have been awarded a combined $11.5-million in funding from the Clean School Bus Program to replace 32 existing school buses with “clean” or zero-emission buses. In this area, the districts include the:

• Audubon Community School District
• Coon Rapids-Bayard School District
• IKM-Manning School District
• Logan-Magnolia, and the
• Sidney Community School Districts

The program was established by the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and provides $5 billion over the next five years to replace existing school buses with clean and zero-emissions models that cost less to operate. Auditor Sand says “The Clean School Bus Program saves Iowa school districts millions of dollars. It also shows that when lawmakers from both parties work together, they are more likely to create real solutions that put our kids and our communities on the right path.”

Auditor Rob Sand tours Sea Electric in Grimes

This is the first round of funding from the Clean School Bus Program. Auditor Sand is encouraging Iowa school districts to apply for the second round of funding which will provide an estimated $400 million in competitive grants for clean and zero-emissions school buses. School district officials interested in learning more about the program may email questions to cleanschoolbus@epa.gov. The deadline to submit an application is Tuesday, August 22, 2023, at 11:59 pm (ET).

Auditor Sand announced the 2022 awardees during a tour of Sea Electric in Grimes. Sea Electric is a global automotive technology company leading the way in the development of electric drive systems for commercial vehicles including school buses. The tour showcased a school bus that will soon be retrofitted with electric vehicle technology.