The CEO of Marne-Elk Horn Telephone reports Walnut Communications, which was acquired by Marne Elk Horn in September of 2016, is changing its name to Marne Elk Horn as part of a rebranding effort by the company. Janell Hansen says soon, customers will see the new logo publicly, on materials, trucks and staff clothing. Hansen says “As our staff has grown into one team over the past year, it became apparent we were ready for this next step, and since we were going to use one name – it seemed appropriate to update the logo at the same time.”

All offices and staff remain the same, but you will see the new Marne Elk Horn logo on trucks, staff clothing, company communications and materials. According to Hansen, a new website will be launched in early 2018. She says “In January, we will connect our first fiber-to-the-home customers in the city of Walnut, which will feature our new Fiber TV product. As we install these products in customers’ homes, staff from all our offices will be available for the installations. We thought it would be more clear if we are all under the same name and logo.”

Marne Elk Horn was started in 1903, when the first telephone lines were built between Marne and Rorbeck, then to Elk Horn, thus the name began as “Marne Elk Horn”. The company serves customers in and around the communities of Avoca, Brayton, Elk Horn, Exira, Kimballton, Marne, McClelland, Minden, Neola, Persia, Shelby, Underwood, and Walnut with Internet, TV and phone services. Marne Elk Horn’s main office is located in Elk Horn, with additional offices in Walnut and Avoca.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office has released the names of the victims of today’s (Tuesday’s) fatal Riverside School Bus fire. Authorities say two fatalities due to the fire have been confirmed, including the driver of the bus, 74-year old Donald Hendricks, of Carson. The second victim has been identified as 16-year old Megan Klindt, who lived in rural Pottawattamie County. They were the only persons on the bus.

The investigation into the cause of the fire continues.

The Superintendent of the Riverside Community School District issued a statement following this (Tuesday) morning’s fatal school bus fire in rural Oakland that claimed the lives of the bus driver and a student.

Dr. Timothy Mitchell said “This morning, the Riverside Community School District suffered a tragedy when we lost a student and an employee in a school bus accident. Our hearts go out to their families and loved ones. The investigation into the cause of the accident is underway, and we are cooperating with law enforcement as they do their work. The safety of students and staff is the top priority for the District. School is in session and a Crisis Team from the Green Hills Area Education Agency along with area schools counselors and many community volunteers have been deployed to all our buildings to assist students and staff. All afterschool activities for today have been cancelled and will be rescheduled.’ He said also, “The entire community of the Riverside Community School District is deeply saddened by the events of this morning. We would like to thank everyone who has offered assistance. Once again, our thoughts and prayers are with everyone who is impacted by this tragic event.”

The Pottawattamie County Communications Center received a 911 call at around 7:02-a.m., with regard to a Riverside Community School District bus on fire near 17840 480th Street, about six-miles southeast of Oakland. A resident of the home the bus had just left made the call. Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Lt. Rob Ambrose said the bus had been backing out of the rural driveway and became stuck on the road embankment. Upon arrival, Deputies from the Sheriff’s Office and Firefighters from Oakland and Carson and found the bus to be completely involved in flames. Once the fire was contained, the remains of two individuals were found on the bus.  The male bus driver and a student who lived at the residence died. There were no other persons on board.

The incident remains under investigation.

SWALEDALE, Iowa (AP) — A Swaledale City Council member in north-central Iowa has been killed in a single-vehicle rollover crash. The Mason City Globe Gazette reports that 42-year-old Troy Smeby, of Swaledale, was driving a car Saturday morning near Swaledale when the vehicle went off the road and into a ditch. The Iowa State Patrol says the vehicle rolled several times, and Smeby, who was not wearing a seat belt, was thrown from the car. Smeby was first elected to the Swaledale City Council in 2009, and most recently, in 2015.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A federal court has rejected the sentencing appeal of former Iowa Sen. Kent Sorenson, who is serving a 15-month federal prison sentence for causing false campaign finance reports to be filed and obstructing an investigation. Sorenson accepted money for endorsing presidential candidate Ron Paul in 2012 but was caught up in a criminal case when federal authorities said he and Paul campaign officials attempted to hide the payments.

He pleaded guilty and expected probation but was given prison time in January when Judge Robert Pratt concluded Sorenson betrayed the public trust and deserved punishment. He appealed the sentence but the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday concluded Pratt’s sentence was appropriate. Sorenson is at a minimum security prison in Thomson, Illinois. He is due for release in April.

One person was injured in a drive-by shooting last night (Monday) in Ames. Police Captain Geoff Huff says it happened just after 11 p.m. a couple blocks south of Campustown. The woman is being treated at a hospital. Witnesses told police the shooter was in a dark colored sedan. No one has been arrested.

(Radio Iowa)

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports two people are dead following a school bus fire. Chief Deputy John Reynolds says the Pottawattamie County Communications Center received a 911 call at around 7:02-a.m., with regard to a Riverside Community School District bus on fire near 17840 480th Street, about six-miles southeast of Oakland. According to reports, the home owner at that location made the call. Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Lt. Rob Ambrose said the bus had been backing out of the rural driveway and became stuck the road embankment.

Upon arrival, Deputies from the Sheriff’s Office and Firefighters from Oakland, Carson and found the bus to be completely involved in flames. Once the fire was contained, the remains of two individuals were found on the bus.  The male bus driver and a student who lived at the residence died. There were no other persons on board.

The incident remains under investigation. Grief counselors from the Green Hills Area Education Agency are on hand at the school for students and staff. All activities at the Riverside School District have been postponed this evening.

More area and State news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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Members of the Atlantic School District’s Board of Education will meet 5:30-p.m. Wednesday, in the Atlantic High School Media Center. During their regular meeting, the Board will act on naming the former Cass, Incorporated building as the “Achievement Center.” The facility is serving as the Cass County Educational Opportunity (CCEOC) building after a renovation was completed following its sale to the District last March. Superintendent Steve Barber recommends the Board approve the name change, considering the effort students of the two programs put into coming up with a name that would reflect their current and future programs. The word “Achievement” reflects the purpose of the programs.

In other business, the Atlantic School Board will act on a contract or letter of assignment for Darrian Schwenke as Volunteer Wrestling Coach, and the resignations of:

• Taylor Ransom, Washington Para-educator
• Michelle Blake, JV/Assistant Varsity Softball Coach
• Stacey Mauk, AMS/LMC Para
• Marie Thompson, HS 1:1 Para.

They will also discuss, but take no action on, an Instructional Support Levy. Act on approving a Resolution of Intent to Participate and Set a Public Hearing on the ISL, is expected during the Board’s meeting January 10th.

The Creston Police Department says a woman residing in the 500 block of W. Montgomery Street reported Monday afternoon, that sometime between Dec. 5th and 11th, someone went through her vehicle and broke a door handle. The incident, which happened while the vehicle was parked outside her residence, resulted in damage amounted to about $100.