The Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education, Wednesday, approved the final year of Superintendent Dr. Michael Amstein’s contract and related pay increase. The vote was 4-to-1, with Dr. Keith Swanson voting “No.” Business Manager/Board Secretary Mary Beth Fast said the contract includes a three-percent raise and changes that went into effect July 1^st, which had previously been approved by the Board.

Amstein’s salary will increase from $137, 904.00 to $142,041.00. The contract also calls for the District to pay him $25,000 upon his retirement. Those funds will be put into an Health Reimbursement Account (HRA), future use.

Amstein had earlier announced he plans to retire at the end of the 2016-17 school year.

(Update 6:55-a.m.: Cowden has been apprehended and is currently in custody in the Clarke County Jail.)

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say a 29-year-old inmate has been listed as escaped from the state work release facility in Des Moines. The Iowa Corrections Department says Michael Cowden didn’t return to the facility from work on Wednesday. He’d been sent to work release after his parole was revoked on May 3.

Michael Cowden

Cowden originally was sentenced to 15 years for assault and prohibited acts in Clarke County.

Police in Red Oak arrested a man on an assault charge early this (Thursday) morning. Officials say 24-year old Cody Dean Johnson, of Red Oak, was taken into custody at around 4:20-a.m.  He was brought to the Montgomery County Jail and charged with Simple Assault. Johnson was being held in the jail on a $300 cash bond.

Three people, two women and a man, were injured Wednesday afternoon during a collision in Red Oak, between a pickup and an SUV. Red Oak Police say 95-year old Eloise Brower, of Red Oak, was transported by ambulance to the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital before being flown to a hospital in St. Joseph, MO., for treatment of serious injuries. 74-year old Gary Reeve, and his passenger, 71-year old Linda Reeve, both of New Market, were transported by ambulance to the hospital in Red Oak, for treatment of unknown injuries.

The accident happened at around 2:30-p.m., when Brower, who was driving a 2008 Chevy Equinox, stopped, but then pulled away from the intersection of Highway 34 and N. Eastern Avenue, in Red Oak. Her SUV was struck on the driver’s side by Gary Reeve’s 2002 Dodge Dakota pickup. Brower had to be extricated from her vehicle by mechanical means, following the collision.

Both vehicles sustained $7,500 damage in the crash. Red Oak Police were assisted at the scene by Red Oak Fire and Rescue, deputies with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, officials with the Montgomery County EMA, and LifeNet 23 helicopter, out of Clarinda.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CDT

CARROLL, Iowa (AP) — Police say a 2-year-old western Iowa boy has drowned in a backyard swimming pool. The Des Moines Register reports that a 911 call was placed from the home in Carroll just before 9 p.m. Tuesday. Carroll Police Capt. Mark Heino says Eli Rowedder had been found unresponsive in the pool.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Nearly every U.S. governor has pledged to combat the opioid crisis that is leaving a trail of overdose deaths and misery in their states. At least governors signed on to the Compact to Fight Opioid Addiction committing to fight the epidemic that kills roughly 78 Americans every day. The National Governors Association released the compact ahead of its summer meeting, which starts Thursday in Des Moines.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Officials say a teen who was hit by a minivan while playing a game with friends has died. The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office says 16-year-old J.C. Meardon and two others were standing in a road Monday night in southwest Iowa City when they two of the boys were hit. The Iowa City Press-Citizen says the boys were playing a game and thought the van was a friend coming to pick them up.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Police say an injured man found by officers on a Des Moines street has died. The Des Moines Register report that 32-year-old Ryan Thompson was found by police on Southwest 17th Street around 3 p.m. Monday after a report of an assault. Police say Thompson was taken to Iowa Methodist Medical Center, where he died Tuesday of his injuries.

A toddler drowned last (Tuesday) night in Carroll. Carroll Police Captain Mark Heino  says it happened at the boy’s home.”The actual details surrounding the incident, that part of the investigation is still underway,” Heino says. “The child’s name is Eli Rowedder and he lived at that residence.” It was about a quarter ’til nine last (Tuesday) night when police in Carroll got the 9-1-1 call saying a child had been found unresponsive in a swimming pool.

“Our local paramedics and police department were dispatched,” Heino says. “…CPR was in progress. The child was transported to our local hospital and later pronounced dead.” The boy’s father, Craig Rowedder, is a coach and technology director at Carroll High School. Kara Rowedder, the toddler’s mother, is an elementary school teacher in Carroll.

(Radio Iowa)

(Correction from Dale Sunderman: August 8th is the 1st day to file nomination petitions, NOT August 1st)

Cass County Auditor Dale Sunderman reports Monday, August , 2016 is the first day for non-party organizations and candidates nominated by petition to file nomination papers for county or township offices with the County Auditor’s office. The last day to file is Wednesday, August 31st, 2016. Nomination papers may be circulated now. Nomination petitions and other election forms are available at the office of the County Auditor and also from the Iowa Secretary of State (sos.iowa.gov) via the internet.

The number of signatures needed is shown below:

District 1 Supervisor: 19

District 4 Supervisor: 20

District 5 Supervisor: 21

Auditor: 99

Sheriff: 99

Non-Partisan positions to appear on the Nov. 8th, 2016 GENERAL ELECTION include:

Cass County Soil & Water Conservation District: 3 positions. (25 signatures required)

Cass County Agricultural Extension Council: 4 positions. (25 signatures required)

Township Clerk & Trustees: 1 full-term Trustee in each of the townships of Edna and Union; 1 vacancy term Trustee in the Edna Township. (No nomination papers needed, only an Affidavit)

Cass County Hospital Trustee (50 signatures required): 2 full-term positions – 1 for the Northwest District and 1 for the Southeast District. To be eligible for the Nortwest District, a person must reside in the township of Brighton, Pymosa, Washington or Grove (including the Cities of Marne and Atlantic). To be eligible for the position in the Southeast District, a person must reside in the townships of Edna, Massena, Union or Victoria (including the cities of Cumberland and Massena).

The incumbents are:

Cass County Hospital Trustee -NW District: John Molgaard; SE District: Phyllis Stakey;

Soil & Water Conservation District Commissioner: Curt Behrends; Chase Wheatley & Norbert Ray Wilson.

County Ag. Extension Council: Julie Aupperle; Darrin Petty; Marcy Jo Dorsey; Malena Sothman.

Incumbent Township Officers:

Edna Township Trustee – Keith Nelson; Trustee (vacancy term) – Kevin Stender.

Union Township Trustee – Delmar South.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dale Sunderman, Cass Co. Auditor, Courthouse 5 W 7th St, Atlantic, IA 50022.
Phone: 712-243-4570 and Fax: 712-243-4572. Email: auditor@casscoia.us

Alexis Boes & Emily Sauegling

Alexis & Emily

Alexis Boes and Emily Saeugling had the most amazing opportunity attending Washington Leadership Conference June 20th-26th, made possible by many generous donations from our community. Their experience in Washington D.C. was filled with memories that will last a lifetime and knowledge that will aide them in and out of the FFA organization. Alexis and Emily were able to meet new people and explore new places while gaining new information and leadership skills from the WLC facilitators and sessions at the conference. Washington Leadership Conference is a one of kind opportunity and while they can give you a glimpse into the week they had in Washington D.C., to get the full story, one must experience it for themselves.

At the beginning of their week, Alexis and Emily each loaded onto one of the two buses filled with other Iowa FFA members who would also be attending the conference. Roughly 24 hours later they stepped off into Washington D.C. with a huge group of new friends and an appreciation for real beds, clean clothes, and a shower. Their first evening in DC would be spent waiting for hotel rooms, meeting their roommates, experiencing their first meal with complete strangers from around the country, and finally a quick introduction session. They were then split into community groups. Alexis ended up in the “Patriots” with facilitator, Sarah Rutledge, while Emily was a part of the “Campaigners” with facilitator Jake White. After that it was finally lights out.

Each day the members were presented with a theme: Tuesday was Citizenship, Wednesday was Purpose, Thursday was Diversity, Friday was Advocacy, and Saturday was Live A Legacy. These themes were presented in their large group sessions and were more deeply discussed in community groups. Alexis said, “I could see these themes as we traveled throughout D.C. on tours. I loved that they could incorporate our theme into our entire day.”  This allowed both Emily and Alexis to actually put the material covered in the sessions to work in a more real circumstance. On the first day each attendee was given a book that they would use throughout the week in order to learn and figure out what each theme meant to them. Alexis and Emily still have their books and use it to remind themselves of the people they want to be and the impact they want to make.

Alexis & Emily with Congressman David Young

Although both girls were at the exact same conference, Alexis and Emily both had entirely different perspectives on each session, tour, and moment at WLC. One of Emily’s favorite places they visited in DC was the Newseum. She loved looking at the headlines that she’d learned about in history class and seeing how those historical events and the way they were presented to the public could impact our nation. Emily stated, “Every place you visit in DC seems to have historical significance whether it be standing where MLK gave his “I Have a Dream” speech or walking around the capitol where so many impactful decisions are made every single day.”  Alexis said, “We traveled by Metro to Arlington National Cemetery. There we were given the opportunity to see the changing of guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Wednesday night we took charter buses around DC to monuments.  My favorite monument was our last stop, the Marine Corps War Memorial, where we held reflections for Wednesday. It was quiet and dark but the light underneath the memorial was on and it showed those six men propping up the American Flag. It’s a feeling I can’t describe, but one I will never forget.”

On Thursday they traveled to the Capitol building where they took a group photo with everyone from Iowa. They also had the opportunity to meet Representative David Young and Senator Joni Ernst from Iowa. They spent two hours touring buildings near the Capitol, and learning about our nation’s government. That afternoon was spent in sessions talking about how diversity affects us every day and how we can relate to each other even if everyone is different.

Friday afternoon they spent planning and perfecting what is called a Living to Serve Plan. Each conference attendee created one and each “LTS plan” was different. Alexis said “I am still developing mine but I have seen members of my community group fulfill theirs and it is awesome to see the impact they made.”  Friday night they experienced what is called a poverty dinner, and both encourage all who haven’t experienced this to try one sometime.

Alexis & Emily with Senator Joni Ernst.

Each session was designed to challenge FFA members into thinking about the future impact they can have in their home and how that impact could change someone else’s life.  The session that especially impacted Emily involved facilitators throwing tubs of bouncy balls on the floor. Each bouncy ball had a different significance such as a teenager dropping out of high school, a child who can’t read, or someone who doesn’t have enough food to eat. The group was told that each person could pick up only one bouncy ball at a time to “fix” these issues. Together they began to pick up all of the balls. Sometimes the group would fill a container up only to have it poured out again and other times specific people would be given permission to pick up handfuls at a time. This was a great opportunity to see the importance of teamwork and how using one’s strengths for issues they are passionate about can impact the world around us.

The last day, Saturday, all of the participants of WLC worked together on a service project to pack more than 61,000 meals for those in need. After lunch they traveled into the city for some free time before their time at WLC ended. Alexis, along with a group of Iowa participants spent the afternoon at The White House and the Museum of Natural History. Alexis said, “These places were breathtaking. I have been to DC before and experienced seeing the White House before, but this time was different because I was older and I was more aware of what was going on. Even though it was my second time it was so much fun! I can’t wait to travel back to Washington D.C. and see everything when I have more time and see how things will change.”

“Nothing can compare to meeting 390 individuals who were very different from myself, but also shared the same passion for the FFA organization that I have,” said Emily Saeugling. They met so many amazing individuals, many of whom they still talk to on a regular basis. Alexis and Emily are so grateful that they had this opportunity – the people they met, the skills and knowledge they gained, and the memories they made will last a lifetime.

AMES, Iowa – July 13, 2016 – Iowa Department of Transportation driver’s license stations in Carroll and Spencer will be closed Tuesday, July 19, for a staff in-service session.

Customers can access services at any Iowa driver’s license issuance location or at one of the Iowa DOT’s self-service kiosks. To view a list of locations, visit: www.iowadot.gov/mvd/ods/dlsites.htm. Online services are also available for eligible customers 24/7 at www.iowadot.gov.

Normal business hours will resume for both locations on Wednesday, July 20.

The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) Young Farmer Advisory Committee elected new officers, and welcomed three new district representatives to their committee at their summer meeting last weekend. Among the new Advisory Committee officers is Leanne Kading, of Adair County, who serves as Vice-Chair.

Leanne lives on a farm between Adair and Casey in Adair County with her husband Phillip and their three children. Formerly involved in the hotel industry, she is now active in the day-to-day challenges of raising young children and contributing to their family’s corn, soybeans, oats and hay farm.

The IFBF Young Farmer Program, available for Farm Bureau members ages 18-35, provides leadership and participation opportunities to nurture the prosperity of young farmers and their families. The program advisory committee plans various events around the state each year, including an annual statewide conference each January that has doubled in attendance over the past four years.