The Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton Community School Board, Monday evening, passed a resolution on holding a Special Election for the issuance of $3.9-million in general obligation school bonds. E-EHK Superintendent Trevor Miller told KJAN News the special vote will be held September 12^th, the same date as the School Board election. If the voters approve, funds from the bond would be used for a variety of upgrades to both of the district’s buildings.

That includes updating the H-VAC/AC system, the back parking lot in Exira, updating the Exira building’s playground, and a new boiler for the Elk Horn building, which has been running since it was installed in 1955. The community will receive FAQ sheets  – Frequently Asked Questions – in the next couple of weeks.

The Board also approved an easement for the City of Exira’s water main system, which will connect with the new care center, and, the hiring of Courtney Peppers as a Para Educator for two 1^st grade students.

The CAM School Board met Monday evening in Anita, and heard an update on the Elementary Building Addition. Business Manager/School Board Secretary Linda Edwards told KJAN News crews are busy putting on the finishing touches for the building’s interior.

She said also, the CAM School Board accepted resignations from: Dan Riker, Co-Junior High Wrestling Coach; Luke Symonds, Junior High Girls Track Coach; Patricia McCurdy resigned from her position as Head Custodian at the Massena building. Contract were awarded: to Luke Symonds as Head High School Girls Varsity Track Coach; Barry Bower and Matthew Williamson, who will share a Strength and Conditioning Coach position; Courtney Clark was awarded a contract as North Elementary Special Education Teacher.

Edwards said the Board voted to keep fees the same for the 2017-18 school year, but there is a change in lunch and milk prices. She said they are required by the school lunch formula, to raise the prices of lunches by 10-cents, but they will reduce the cost of extra milk by 5-cents. Staff lunches prices were reduced to $3.55, because the must be higher than $3.54.

Linda said also, there was a lot of discussion about the facilities projects that are underway. That includes the installation of new security cameras inside and outside the CAM High School. The Board also voted to progress with the Greenhouse building that will be purchased and erected at Massena, even though the cost of concrete was higher due to the elevation land. She says “It’ll be a nice project when they get it done.”

The Union County Sheriff’s Office says a Tama man was arrested Monday night on a Union County warrant for Burglary in the 1st degree. 19-year old Brazon Jordan Davenport was taken into custody at the Union County Law Enforcement Center, where he was being held on a $25,000 bond.

(9-a.m. News)

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (5.5MB)

Subscribe: RSS

Atlantic Mayor Dave Jones is asking for citizens to attend a meeting this (Tuesday) evening at City Hall, to help plan for the City’s Sesquicentennial (150th Anniversary) Celebration. You’re asked to bring ideas for the event, and to join in on the discussion. The meeting begins at 5:30-p.m.

The Creston Police Department says a man from Orient reported last Friday that various tools were stolen from the back of his truck while is was parked at 211 N. Pine Street, in Creston. The loss was estimated at $350.

The area’s top news at 7:06-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (5.3MB)

Subscribe: RSS

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Jurors have begun deliberating a verdict in the sexual harassment lawsuit brought by a former Iowa Senate Republican Caucus aide. Kirsten Anderson contends she was fired in 2013 as caucus communications director because she complained that she had been subjected to sexual harassment by male aides and lawmakers for years. In his closing statement Monday afternoon, her attorney said Anderson’s supervisors and elected Republican leaders ignored her concerns, fearing a disruption of the status quo at the Statehouse.

Republican officials deny she was harassed and say she was fired because of poor job performance. The case went to the jury Monday afternoon. The deliberations are expected to resume Tuesday.

Body armor plates manufactured in Centerville, Iowa, were exhibited in Monday’s “Made in America” event at the White House. R-M-A Armament C-E-O Blake Waldrop is featured in a video on the company’s website. “I started this business to help better protect the end user, my fellow Marines, my fellow police officers,” Waldrop says in the video. “I lost a friend in Iraq January 1, 2005. The same plates that were issued then (to soldiers) are issued now. We got in this business to make a better product, to make a superior product.”

The company’s ceramic body armor plates are inserted in what are often called “bullet proof vests.” The factory in Centerville makes about a thousand units a week and they’re sold to police departments throughout the country. One manufacturer from each state was invited to exhibit their product at yesterday’s (Monday’s) event in Washington, D.C.

(Radio Iowa)

There were two fatal accidents in Iowa, Monday, one of which, in Tama County, happened just two days after another fatal accident in the same county. The Iowa State Patrol reports the most recent crash in Tama County took place at around 8:20-p.m. in the 2800 block of 320th Street, in Chelsea. A 2011 Dodge Ram pickup driven by 46-year old Rodney Purk, of Montour, failed to negotiate a curve and ran off the road. The pickup struck a utility pole and rolled onto its top, pinning Purk, and his passenger, 47-year old Grant L. Forrester, of Indianola, inside the vehicle. Both men were wearing their seat belts. Forrester died from his injuries. Purk was transported to a hospital by helicopter. The accident remains under investigation.

The other accident took place at around 3-p.m. Monday, in Fayette County. The State Patrol says a City of West Union Police SUV driven by 23-year old Bryson Hennigar, of West Union, was northbound from the intersection of Highways 159 and 18, while in Emergency status. A 2003 GMC Sonoma, driven by 83 year old Willys Henry Fritz, of West Union, failed to yield the right of away from a stop sign leaving the Quillans parking lot and traveling east across Highway 150. The vehicles collided in the northbound lane of Highway 150. Fritz, who was not wearing a seat belt, died from his injuries. Hennigar, who was also not wearing a seat belt, was treated for injuries and released at the scene.