Members of the CAM School District’s Board of Education met Monday evening, in Anita. Board Secretary Linda Edwards said there was no change in leadership during the annual organizational portion of the meeting. Gary Dinkla was re-elected Board President, while Chuck Kinzie was nominated for Vice President. And, Linda Edwards was sworn-in for another year as Board Secretary.

The Board also heard from the Facilities Committee with regard to an addition to the south side of the Massena Elementary School. The school is cramped for space, and the committee is tasked with finding a resolution to the problem. They’re expected to meet again in the next couple of weeks to nail down a proposal to have a wing added to the building before classes start in the fall of 2017.

Iowa College Aid today (Tuesday) released “Your Course to College,” a free publication for high school students and their families. The comprehensive 70-page guide covers topics such as: Choosing a major and a college Types of colleges, degrees and certifications available Applying for college admission and financial aid Grants, scholarships and loans available to Iowa students Making the transition from high school to college “Your Course to College” also provides capsule summaries of all Iowa postsecondary institutions offering for-credit courses, including tuition; room and board costs; and ACT, SAT and FAFSA codes. Karen Misjak, executive director of Iowa College Aid, said “We know the high school-to-college process can be intimidating for students and their families. This guide helps them through that process by answering the most common questions we hear and outlines the steps to get to college. It also provides real-life advice from students who have successfully made this transition.” “Your Course to College” is available in English and Spanish, as a print publication or a digital download. To order or download, visit IowaCollegeAid.gov/YourCourse.

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

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POCAHONTAS, Iowa (AP) – An assistant police chief in northwest Iowa has been accused of punching his girlfriend. Court records say 36-year-old Charles White, of Pocahontas, is charged with domestic assault causing injury. The woman told officers White punched her in a side of her face Wednesday while they argued over his cellphone, which she says she took to check for information while he was dozing.

Pocahontas Police Chief Al Hinrickson says White has been with the department for about eight years and has been assistant chief for about five years. White’s been placed on administrative leave.

Two women were arrested on Theft charges Monday, in Creston. Authorities say 23-year old Haley Vandel, of Creston, was arrested Monday afternoon for Theft in the 4th Degree. She was later released from the Union County Jail on $300 bond. And, late Monday night, 29-year old Amber Buchanan, of Creston, was arrested for Theft in the 4th degree. She was later released on $1,000 bond.

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

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The Griswold School District’s Facilities Committee, Monday evening, shared their first update on options for the current facilities. Officials say the Committee’s original mission, was to look at three options. They shared with the Board that they would like to focus on two possibilities, and table “Option B,” at this time. Specifically “Option B” was to consolidate the elementary buildings into one building: either Lewis or Elliott.

Their focus is now shifting into looking at cost savings of the remaining two options and their academic, financial and community benefits, determining which option would best serve the district and our students. The Committee will meet again this Thursday evening, and will continue to meet, reporting to the board again in November.

An open forum meeting will then take place with the board in January.

Come out to the Montgomery County Show Arena on the Montgomery County Fair Grounds at the Legion Park (4th Street) Red Oak, IA on Sunday, October 23rd, 2016 at 12:30PM for the 2016 Mystery Drop! There will be light refreshments and music that will start at 12:30PM and the “The Big Drop” will be at 1PM. Light refreshments will be provided by the YMCA Auxiliary Club and music from DJ Greg Brower. Major sponsor and helicopter provided by Johnson Helicopter Services of Red Oak, IA—THANK YOU JHS!!

This is a great way to support the Y’s scholarship programs, program activities, as well as additional facility enhancements and funding for “The Y. For a better us.” program, all while enjoying fun, fellowship, and a chance to win up to $5,500!

It doesn’t take much to win—just purchase a ticket and wait for the MYSTERY SURPRISE FROM THE SKY to come down from the helicopter above and “drop” on your square. So get your friends and family together to split a ticket or two and come down for your chance to win! Win an extra $500 if present at the time of the big drop! Also, new this year is that two additional money balls will be dropped. A blue colored ball wins $5,000, a red colored ball wins $1,500 and the white colored ball wins $500.

In case of inclement weather the event will be rescheduled. For more information on the Mystery Drop, or how you can become a member, volunteer, and/or a donor please call Nick Zimmer, YMCA Executive Director at 712-623-2161, stop in at the Montgomery County Family YMCA located at the beautiful Red Oak Legion Park, 101 East Cherry Street, Red Oak, Iowa, or email Nick at nickz@mcymca.com.

(Press Release)

The Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department’s Board of Directors received some good news Monday evening. Director Seth Staashelm said Howrey Construction began work Monday on the Lake #2 Trail project. It starts with grading this week, with paving on Oct. 3rd. The project will be complete that same week.

Howrey Construction was the company that did the Lake #1 trail. The Lake #2 trail is the next major step for the Connector Trail. The project was made possible through a Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant from the State, along with $26,800 from the City of Atlantic. It was initially thought to cost about $134,000, but last month, the bids came in well below that. Howrey’s bid was $109,000.

In other business, Staashelm said the Cass County Forest Health Walk and Emerald Ash Borer Informational meeting will be held October 3rd. He says he and DNR District Forester Lindsey Barney will tour Sunnyside Park and check out the nearly 1,000 trees and evaluate them. They’ll also talk about Emerald Ash Borer. Staashelm says the devastating disease that kills Ash trees has not made it’s way to Atlantic, but there were two suspect trees in the area of the City Park and 7th and Locust that turned out not to be infected.)

The meeting takes place at the Cass County Community Center on Oct. 3rd, from 3-until 7-p.m. For more information call 243-1132. (On the web at http://www.extension.iastate.edu/cass/sites/www.extension.iastate.edu/files/cass/Cass%20County%20Forest%20Health%20Walk%20and%20Emerald%20Ash%20D2.pdf )

The Atlantic City Council has what’s expected to be a brief meeting Wednesday evening in their chambers at City Hall. In addition to a standard resolution pertaining to banking institutions for deposit of public funds for the City, and a resolution approving the contract and bonds for the Bull Creek Culvert replacement project, the Council will act on approving a declaration by Mayor Dave Jones, setting October 31st as the date for Halloween trick or treating this year.

The Council will also act on approving the temporary closure of streets for the Oct. 15th Fireman’s Parade. The parade begins at 2nd and Walnut and proceeds south along 6th Street before turning west to Chestnut and the north on Chestnut to 2nd Street.

The Council will also hear an annual report from Wastewater Superintendent Tim Snyder. Their meeting begins at 5:30-p.m.