The Cass County Board of Supervisors, acting on a recommendation by the County Conference Board and Iowa Counties Information Technology group (ICIT), approved the hiring of a person to handle the County’s GIS (Geographic Information System). A committee comprised of Supervisor Gaylord Schelling, Assessor Brenda Nelson, Treasurer Tracey Marshall and Engineer Charles Marker, will be responsible for advertising the position and interviewing prospective candidates.

Assessor Brenda Nelson requested the Supervisors approve the new hire, based on a report by ICIT, which she says also recommended the County hire an IT (Information Technology) specialist. But their main priority right now, is for a GIS specialist. Nelson said she has the money in this year’s budget for that person’s salary and benefits. In subsequent years, other departments within the County that heavily utilize GIS, would chip in to cover the salary and benefits.

Nelson said she would hope that less than 50-percent of the funds necessary to pay for a GIS person’s salary will come out of her budget for the next fiscal year, so that the Conference Board won’t have a controlling interest in the GIS position. She said the money she has set aside for this year (about $50,000) would more than cover a GIS person’s salary.

Nelson, Marker and Marshall all agreed, having a GIS specialist in-house, instead of outsourcing the position, would be a time-saver for them, and a great benefit to the taxpayers. Charles Marker said “GIS is the way of the future.” Auditor Dale Sunderman agreed. He said its use “Is so broad and can do so many things, and makes the information needed readily, and speedily available.”

Nelson said some work may still need to be outsourced, but the majority of it can be done in house. Sunderman agreed, saying “No one person can do it….The system was built to incorporate the assistance of an outside vendor,” for some aspects and functions.” The committee tasked with hiring a GIS specialist hopes to have the position filled within a couple of months.

Clarinda Police Chief Keith Brothers today (Wednesday), released a cumulative report on recent arrests and incidents. The Chief says two male juveniles were arrested last Friday on charges of Criminal Mischief in the 4th degree. Additional details on the incident leading to their arrest and their names, was not provided.

On Sunday, a Clarinda woman reported an incident of alleged assault. That same day, another Clarinda woman reported a violation of a domestic protection order. On Saturday, a Clarinda woman reported an incident of trespassing and harassment. That same day, a Clarinda man reported a burglary and theft incident, while another resident reported the destruction of his property by means of vandalism.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office today (Wednesday), released additional details about a road rage incident which occurred Sunday night on Interstate 80. As we reported on our website Sunday night and during our news Monday morning, deputies responded to a report about a potential road rage incident having taken place at about the 60-mile marker (Highway 71). The caller reported a woman on a three-wheeled motorcycle pointed what appeared to be a gun at their vehicle as she passed them. The Sheriff’s Office located the motorcycle and driver on I-80 in Cass County and arrested 32-year old Jessica Ranell Jamison,  of Winterset. Jamison was taken into custody of a felony charge of Terrorism, and aggravated misdemeanor Possession of Weapon charge, and for Interference with Official Acts. Jamison was taken to the Cass County Jail where she posted bond and was released the following day on $27,000 bond.

With Ric Hanson

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Students with the CAM School District head back to school tomorrow (Thursday), but some won’t be taking their classes with their classmates. Students taking part in the tuition-free, web-based Iowa Connections Academy, will have their instruction at home for this, the second year of the program.

Principal James Brauer told The Daily NonPareil the Iowa Department of Education recognizes the Iowa Connections Academy as being one of the schools within the CAM Community School District. Brauer said the last school year ended with 230 students. About 84-percent chose to return for the internet-based classes this year, and with new enrollments, they’re expecting to welcome 350 students when the school year starts tomorrow.

Students enrolled at Iowa Connections Academy are able to come up with a school schedule that works best for them, with the help of certified teachers and the students’ parents. By state law, the academy is required to ensure students are completing six hours of school each day – just like any other school.

Even though the instruction is computer-based, students are required to complete many assignments without the use of a computer. They spend time reading textbooks, using workbooks, reading library books and doing hands-on experiments – just like the students at a traditional school. Brauer says that because close to 100 percent of the students between kindergarten and eighth grade showed substantial academic growth at the end of last year and surpassed Connections Academy’s goal, school officials are looking to the revamp their Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses.

Aside from regular school courses, students can take courses in law enforcement, criminal justice, business and marketing, sports management and more medical courses. The school also offers Advanced Placement courses; provides Talented and Gifted options; honors options; and Foundations – or essential courses for students who may be experiencing academic difficulties.

For more information on Iowa Connections Academy, visit connectionsacademy.com or call 1 (800) 382-6010.

With KJAN News Director Ric Hanson….

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A teen from Madison County was injured during a rollover crash Tuesday night, in Dallas County. The Iowa State Patrol says 16-year old Devin Umbaugh, of Winterset, was transported by Life Flight helicopter to Methodist Hospital in Des Moines. The teen was not wearing a seat belt.

Officials say Umbaugh was driving a 1993 Jeep Wrangler when the SUV went out of control on a 90-degree bend on a gravel road near the intersection of South 15^th Street and Meadow Drive. The vehicle entered the ditch and landed on its side. The accident happened at around 10:25-p.m.

The school elections in Adair County will be held Tuesday, September 10th, 2013.  Voter pre-registration deadline is 5:00 p.m. Friday, August 30th.  The law now allows voters to register on Election Day; however, it is a lengthy process and takes extra time at the polls.  Voters may request an absentee ballot from the Auditor’s Office.Absentee ballots are currently available in the Auditor’s Office, for the Adair-Casey, Nodaway Valley and Orient-Macksburg School Districts, and Area College 14/Southwestern Community College (SWCC) and Area College 11/Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC). Residents may cast their votes at the Adair County Auditor’s Office between the hours of 8-a.m. and 4:30-p.m., Monday through Friday, or request a ballot be mailed to them.

The deadline to request an Absentee ballot by mail, is 5-p.m. Friday, Sept. 6th. The last day to vote Absentee in the Auditor’s Office, is Tuesday, Sept. 10th, from 8-am-to 11-a.m.  Please note that the Auditor’s Office will be closed on Mon., Sept. 2nd, in observance of Labor Day.

The following is a list of candidates have filed papers for the School Election in their respective Districts, and Public Measures to be voted on:

Adair-Casey (vote for no more than 3): At Large Director – Megan Kading, Jeff Leonard, Tobin Muller, and Mark A. Williams; Area College 11/DMACC(vote for 1) – Director District 3 – Jim Knott; Public Measure A (Instructional Support Levy – “ISL”); Public Measure B – Plant Fund Levy.

Nodaway Valley School: (Vote for no more than 2): At Large Director – James Campbell and Tyson Sickles; Director District 1 (Vote for no more than 1) – Roger Jensen; Area College 14/SWCC Director, District 1 (Vote for 1) – Dennis Davis; Public Measure D – Continue to levy a tax.

Orient-Macksburg: At Large Director (Vote for 1 only) – Stephanie Mikkelsen; Director District 1 (Vote for 1) – Wendi Lynn Eslinger; Area College 14/SWCC Director, District 1 (Vote for 1) – Dennis Davis; Public Measure D – Continue to levy a tax.

22 apply to be new judge on Iowa Court of Appeals

A woman from Harlan is one of 22 Iowans who have applied for the opening on the Iowa Court of Appeals.
Larry Eisenhauer — the chief judge of the Iowa Court of Appeals — plans to retire this fall. The state Judicial Nominating Commission will meet Wednesday and Thursday of next week to interview the 22 applicants for the court. Among those seeking the appointment is 51-year Susan Christensen, from Harlan, a district associate judge appointed in 2007 in Iowa’s Fourth Judicial District.

Other applicants include former U.S. Attorney Matt Dummermuth of Robins, former state Representative George Eichhorn, of Stratford and Jeanie Kunkle Vaudt, of West Des Moines, an assistant attorney general. Her husband, former State Auditor David Vaudt, resigned in May to chair the Government Accounting Standards Board in Connecticut.

Five district court judges and the Muscatine County attorney have submitted their applications for the slot on the appeals court as well. The Judicial Nominating Commission will submit three names to Governor Branstad, who will select one of the three for the opening on the Court of Appeals.

(Radio Iowa)

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