The Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton School Board will meet 6-p.m. Monday, in a regular session at Elk Horn Building, in the Conference Room. On their rather light agenda, is information with regard to Open Enrollment, and discussion and/or action on: Approving the FFA National Convention; Personnel Hires, Transfers, Resignations, Etc.; and other administrative business.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — A St. Louis County woman has opened a local franchise of a business that rents out goats to clear weed- or foliage-infested property.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that Erika Streeter, of Wildwood, opened the first Goats on the Go affiliate in the St. Louis area in late spring. The Iowa-based vegetation management company is one of several across the country that rent goats to take care of overgrown weeds and thickets, advertising themselves as an option that’s good for the environment.

It takes several days for the goats to clear an acre, depending on the density of the vegetation. They eat, ruminate, rest and repeat. Streeter usually charges between $900 and $1,200 an acre, depending on density of the foliage.

The City of Atlantic’s Parks and Recreation Department Board of Directors will hold their regular monthly meeting 5:15-p.m. Monday, in the Council’s Chambers at City Hall. On their agenda are updates and/or discussion and possible action on the following:

• Nishna Park Water Quality Grant – update.
• The Future of the Sunnyside Pool.
• Gaga Pit – Eagle Scout Project.
• The recent playground build at the Schildberg Rec Area.
• Park House plans.
• Washout along the Bull Creek Pathway.
• And, getting bids for putting a walkway around the new Schildberg playground.

In his report to the Board, Interim Parks & Rec Dept. Director Bryant Rasmussen will discuss:

• Space in the Park
• Kids Bike Ride
• Bids for a barrier around the new playground
• and Hyggefest, set for 5-p.m. Sept. 21st at the Sunnyside Park Bandshell.

DES MOINES–  Gov. Kim Reynolds has ordered all state flags in Iowa to be lowered to half-staff on Monday, August 19th, 2019 until sunset in honor and remembrance of fallen Lyon County Sheriff’s Deputy, Stephanie Schreurs. Deputy Schreurs, a 24-year veteran with the department, died from injuries sustained in the line of duty on Tuesday, August 13th, 2019.

Flags will be at half-staff on the State Capitol Building and on flag displays in the Capitol Complex. Flags will also be half-staff on all public buildings, grounds and facilities throughout the state. Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties, and other government subdivisions are encouraged to fly the flag at half-staff for the same length of time as a sign of respect.

FOREST CITY, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa school district is considering installing solar panels on land it recently bought near its high school. The Forest City school district is evaluating several options for the 17.3 acres of land it purchased near its high school. Superintendent Darwin Lehmann says using the land to generate solar power would help power the high school and save the district money on utility bills.

Another option being considered would be to create several test plots that students in Future Farmers of America could use. The district has time to research options because it plans to keep the land in the Conservation Reserve Program through 2021.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — The Sioux City airport must close several times in the next month because of a runway construction project. The Sioux City Journal reports the airport is working on rebuilding a secondary runway, and the closures are needed because of work on the areas where that secondary runway intersects the main one.

The airport closed to flights Thursday and is scheduled to reopen Sunday at 8 p.m. The next two closures are Aug. 23 through Aug. 25 and Sept. 14 through Sept. 15.
The overall $24 million runway project is scheduled to be completed next spring.

The Federal Aviation Administration is paying 90 percent of the cost.

A traffic stop early this (Sunday) morning in Taylor County, escalated into a pursuit. Sheriff’s officials say 28-year old Jacob Allen Thomsen, of New Market, was pulled over by Page and Taylor Counties deputies at around 12:15-a.m., at the corner of 7th and Main Streets, in New Market.

Thomsen then attempted to flee Deputies. During the attempt to flee, a Deputy was struck in the arm by Thomsen’s vehicle. Thomsen was subsequently stopped after a short pursuit. He was taken into custody and charged with Operating a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol (2nd Offense) – an Aggravated Misdemeanor; Eluding – a Class D Felony; Driving While License Suspended; Interference with Official Acts Causing Bodily Injury; and Assault While Participating in a Felony – a Class D Felony.

Thomsen was additionally cited for Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability, Failure to Use Seat Belt, and for having an Open Container as a Driver. He was being held on $13,000 cash only bond at the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office.

And, 48-year old Jamie Peterson, of Lenox, was arrested following a traffic stop Saturday, in Lenox. Peterson was charged with Driving While License Suspended. He was additionally cited for Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability and Expired Registration. Peterson posted a $300 bond, and was released from the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office.

(Radio Iowa) — A Massachusetts congressman’s appearance at the Iowa State Fair on Saturday marked the conclusion of nearly two dozen presidential candidates speaking at the Des Moines Register’s Political Soap Box. Forty-year-old Seth Moulton warned the crowd beating President Trump won’t be as ease as Democrats may think. “What I’m hearing from Americans is that they want people who are willing to stand up to the Washington establishment and not just talk about a new generation of leadership in our country but actually fight to bring it.”

Moulton highlighted his service as a Marine Corps Captain and his ability to lead a diverse group of soldiers. His message of unity extended to economic policy. “You’re not evil, if you’re rich. You should aspire to be successful. We’re not pitting rich people against poor people, but we are making sure everyone pays their fair share.”

Moulton referenced his low polling numbers early on in his Massachusetts race and joked about being unknown. Moulton, however, has remained undeterred by his “underdog” status.  “It’s when our values are under attack, that we need to step up and fight for them. It’s when our country lets us down, that we need to step up and serve.”

His policy positions include support for the Green New Deal, a national service plan for young Americans and a single payer healthcare system. Moulton got his biggest burst of applause from the audience when he called for President Trump’s impeachment.

The Audubon School District’s Board of Education will hold a regular meeting 7-p.m. Monday, in their Boardroom at the High School. Action items on their agenda include (But are not limited to): Approving a Transportation Committee recommendation; Approve quotes from – Carroll Glass, for door repairs, & chimney repair; Approve ILO Physics, and action on Personnel matters. The Board will also discuss the upcoming School Board Elections, including who is up for re-election, important dates and processes. And, they will receive updates on Summer projects and the PPEL/SILO Budget.

The Griswold School Board will hold their regular meeting following public hearings on proposals to sell the Lewis and Elliott properties. The hearings in the Middle School/High School Library begin at 5:30-p.m. with the presentation of a proposed sales agreement for the Lewis property, followed at around 5:35-p.m. by a proposal of the sales agreement for the Elliott Property. Once the Public Hearings are closed, the Griswold School Board will open their regular session, which includes action on approving: Change Orders; Resolutions authorizing the execution of Deed for the Lewis and Elliott Facilities, and Resolutions approving the Deeds as well as authorizing delivering for those properties.

The Board will also hold discussion with regard to Daycare.

(Radio Iowa) — Republican Senator Joni Ernst says there’s a strong, negative reaction to the Reuters report indicating President Trump directed the E-P-A to grant oil companies waivers reducing the amount of ethanol blended into gasoline. “I’m very disappointed,” Ernst said during a news conference this morning. “Our farmers are angry.”

The E-P-A last week granted 31 so-called “hardship” waivers that exempt a refiner from blending ethanol into gasoline. The ethanol industry says the waivers are a back-door way for big oil to avoid the federal ethanol mandate — and experts say this year’s waivers already have reduced ethanol consumption by at least 10 percent.

Ernst says former Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, who’s now the U.S. Ambassador to China, hopes to bring up the issue during a meeting with Trump. “This is a conversation that we will have to have with the president,” Ernst said. “I spoke to Ambassador Branstad two days ago and he will be spending some time in Washington, D.C. and so not only was he going to talk about the China trade issue and what’s happening in Hong Kong, but he was hoping to be able to speak directly to the president about the issue of the small refinery exemptions.”

Trump traveled to Iowa in June to announce E-P-A rules had been changed to allow year-round sale of gasoline with a higher, 15 percent blend of ethanol. And Trump has repeatedly talked about how loyal voters farmers are to him. Ernst suggests these ethanol waivers are endangering that. “It is very damaging to him,” Ernst said.

On Friday, Republican Senator Chuck Grassley bluntly said the E-P-A had “screwed” farmers by giving oil companies like Exxon and Chevron permission to avoid blending ethanol into gasoline.