w/ Ric Hanson

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The use of food stamps in Cass County increased during the recession, assisting families in stretching their food dollars, contributing to local spending and helping spark a national debate about the future of the federal nutrition program. The nonprofit, nonpartisan Center for Rural Strategies, says according to the U-S Dept. of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Services, the proportion of Cass County residents receiving food stamps hit 14.2 percent in 2011. That’s an increase of 5.5 percentage points since 2007, the year the recession started.

Across Iowa, 13.1 percent of residents in 2011 received support from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), as the food stamp program is officially known. Nationally, 14.8 percent of the population receives SNAP benefits. Places like Cass County, which are located outside metropolitan areas, tend to have a higher percentage of the population receiving SNAP benefits. That’s because incomes are generally lower in nonmetropolitan counties.

The inflation-adjusted median household income in Cass County in 2011 was $42,805, compared to the Iowa median of $51,314 and the national median of $52,306 (in 2013 dollars). Food stamps may play a larger role in the local economy in rural areas and small towns, according to federal data. In Cass County SNAP benefits are one-tenth (.1) percent of personal income. Nationally, the figure is 0.6 percent. In 2011, residents of Cass County received a combined $2,551,998 in SNAP benefits. The USDA reports that each $5 in SNAP benefits generates $9.20 in spending.

Authorities in Montgomery County report two people were arrested early this (Friday) morning. Deputies acting along with officers from the Red Oak Police Department, arrested 31-year old George Allen Westbrook, of Red Oak, shortly after midnight in Red Oak. Westbrook was wanted on a Pottawattamie County warrant charging him with Violating the terms of his probation.

During the arrest, 34-year-old Peggy Gurney of Red Oak was also taken into custody, for interference with official acts. The pair were transported to the Montgomery County jail, where Westbrook was being held on a $10,000 cash bond, and Gurney was being held on a $300 cash bond.

The future of the Principal at the Red Oak High School is unclear, at least for now. The Daily NonPareil reports the Red Oak School Board on Monday, voted to approve a Motion to Consider, the termination of Principal Jedd Sherman. While Board may want him out, about 130 students who attended the Board meeting said they want him to stay.  Sherman has been Principal at Red Oak, for six-years.

The executors of a Shelby County man’s estate have followed through on his wish to bequeath a total of more than $9.3-million to 13 southwest Iowa churches. Bud Skalla left 98 percent of his estate to Catholic parishes scattered across the area. The Daily NonPareil reports on Thursday, his executors passed on the money.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Governor Terry Branstad says he has decided to present the Iowa Award to Kenneth Quinn, the president of the World Food Prize Foundation. The Iowa Award is the state’s highest citizen honor. Quinn, a former U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia took the job heading the World Food Prize Foundation in 2000. Branstad will present the award to Quinn on May 30th at the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates.

GARNER, Iowa (AP) — Two school districts in northern Iowa are one step closer to uniting under one district. The Mason City Globe Gazette reports a plan to merge Ventura Community Schools and Garner-Hayfield Community School District won unanimous support Wednesday from a board of directors for the Iowa Area Education Agencies. The issue is now eligible for a public vote in September.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — Davenport-based Lee Enterprises, publisher of the St. Louis Post Dispatch, Rapid City Journal and 44 other newspapers, says it posted a $1.5 million profit in its fiscal second-quarter, reversing a loss in the same period a year ago. The Iowa-based publisher’s profit for the quarter ending March 30th was 3 cents per share and compares with a loss of $6 million a year ago.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A man has been accused of driving a lawn mower in the middle of a Des Moines street while intoxicated. Police tell the Des Moines Register 46-year-old Billy Eugene Williams was spotted driving a Cub Cadet lawn mower Wednesday afternoon.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS CANCELLED TORNADO WATCH 130 FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS: IN IOWA THIS CANCELS 2 COUNTIES… POTTAWATTAMIE and SHELBY. THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF…COUNCIL BLUFFS AND HARLAN.

TORNADO WATCH 130 REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM CDT FOR THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES IN THE KJAN LISTENING AREA….

ADAIR ADAMS AUDUBON CARROLL CASS CRAWFORD DALLAS GUTHRIE MADISON MONTGOMERY RINGGOLD SAC TAYLOR UNION.

The Atlantic Police Department reports three people were arrested recently on separate charges. On Wednesday, 32-year old Zachary Frank, of Atlantic, was arrested on a Cass County Warrant for Driving While Barred Habitual Violator. He was transported to Cass County Jail and booked in. That same day, 49-year old David Kirchner, of Atlantic, was arrested for Violation of a No Contact Order. He was also transported to Cass County Jail and booked in.

And, on May 5th, 32-year old Brea Roark, of Atlantic, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault. She was transported to Cass County Jail and booked in.

by:  Haley Carlson, Atlantic FFA Reporter

As April came to a close, the Atlantic FFA prepared 15 of its members for the State Leadership Conference at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. The Atlantic FFA left on Sunday, April 27 for Ames. FFA members began SLC by packing Meals from the Heartland at Hilton Coliseum. Meals from the Heartland is a nonprofit organization that packs thousands of meals for starving people around the world. Each package feeds six people, and contains rice, soy protein, vitamins, minerals and dried vegetables. The Iowa FFA packed 250,000 meals this year bringing the grand total to almost 750,000 meals within the past three years! These meals will be available to local food pantries and other organizations around the world.

Front Row left to Right: Colby Sorensen, Morgan Barkley, Haylee Valeika, Marshal McDermott, Colin Petersen, Kristin Johnk. Back row left to right: Nate Moen, Clint Hansen, Chancey Richards, Tucker Sager, Wyatt Saeugling, Clayton Saeugling, Adam Freund, Paige Sorensen.

During State Leadership Conference there were multiple tours FFA members could take around the Iowa State campus. Some of the tours Atlantic FFA members took were to the Bio Century Farm, the ISU Beef Farm, Reiman Gardens, the Ag Business tour, the 450 Farm, and the 450 Shop tour. A few of the workshops that Atlantic FFA members participated in were on ATV Safety and a Leadership Workshop held by National FFA Central Region Vice President,
Steven Brockshus.

All of the 15 members were very busy during the conference. Four seniors received their Iowa Degrees. To receive an Iowa Degree a student must have received a chapter degree, be a

Chapter Program: Nate Moen, Morgan Barkley, Haylee Valeika.

member of FFA for two years and have completed two years of high school. They must have earned or productively invested at least $1,000 in their SAE or worked at least 300 hours in excess of scheduled class time or a combination of the two. Students must have 25 hours of community service, perform ten procedures of parliamentary law, give a six minute speech on a topic relating to agriculture or the FFA. They must have served as an officer, committee chairperson, or a participating member of a chapter committee and have a satisfactory scholastic record as certified by the local agricultural education instructor and the principal or superintendent. Through all of these requirements, Wyatt Saeugling, Tucker Sager, Kristin Johnk, and Chancey Richards, received their Iowa Degree on April 29, 2014.

Also, Atlantic FFA member Wyatt Saeugling was one of six selected as a Finalist in the Star of Ag Placement. Unfortunately Saeugling did not win, but it was still a great honor to be a finalist. The finalists are chosen from the 686 Iowa FFA members that earned their Iowa Degree this year.

Farm Bus Team: Adam Freund, Clayton Saeugling, Marshal McDermott, Clint Hansen

Tuesday FFA members Clint Hansen, Adam Freund, Marshal McDermott, and Clayton Saeugling, took the Farm Business Management test. The FBM is a test that analyzes agriculture, farm, and ranch business management information. It applies economic principles and concepts of farm business management to the decisionmaking process. It also evaluates agriculture business, and farm business management decisions, and it tests the members ability to work together cooperatively as a group. The Atlantic FFA team placed with a Bronze.

Three of Atlantic’s freshmen FFA members participated in the Chapter Program. Morgan Barkley, Nate Moen, and Haylee Valeika set up a display for the chapter about ATV safety. The group presented to the judges Monday morning. The Atlantic FFA received a Bronze award. Two of the Atlantic FFA members took the Greenhand test at the Scheman building Tuesday morning. Freshmen, Colin Peterson and Colby Sorensen both placed with a Bronze award.

Atlantic had three FFA members that were part of committees during the State Leadership Conference. Clayton Saeugling was a part of the Audit Committee. The committee reviewed the past year’s budget and offered some potential changes to the new budget. Marshal McDermott was a part of the Programs of Activities committee. This committee reviewed the past years activities and also offered some changes to the new year. Haley Carlson was a part of the Nominating Committee. This committee met a week before SLC. They interviewed and balloted the state officer candidates. All of these committees presented at the Business Session Monday morning.

The week was a huge success for the Atlantic FFA! Also the chapter would like to thank LeVon Sager for donating her time to chaperone the Atlantic FFA on this trip!

Iowa Degree: Kirstin Johnk, Wyatt Saeugling, Tucker Sager, Chancey Richards

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Greyhound breeders, casino operators and others are awaiting word on whether Gov. Terry Branstad will sign a bill approved by the Legislature that would end racing in Council Bluffs and limit the sport in Dubuque. Earlier this week, Branstad was noncommittal about signing the legislation. He must make a decision by June 1.

The uncertainty has been difficult for breeders such as Melissa Schmidt, of Bellevue. She wonders what will happen to her dogs and her business. The Legislature overwhelmingly approved the bill, which requires casinos in Council Bluffs and Dubuque to pay $72 million. Half the money would go toward a fund for breeders, trainers and shelters. The rest would finance continued racing in Dubuque by the Iowa Greyhound Association.