w/ Ric Hanson

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w/ Ric Hanson

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STEP

Law enforcement agencies throughout the state will be increasing their presence and watching out for traffic violators from now (Nov. 21^st) through Sunday (Nov. 27^th). The STEP — Special Traffic Enforcement Program — is aimed at changing driver behavior, especially with regard to the use of seatbelts. The presence of law enforcement on the state’s roadways is also designed to encourage motorists to obey all traffic laws. They’ll also be on the lookout for vehicles with defective equipment, persons with warrants, and criminal activity.

Last year on Thanksgiving, eight people lost their lives on Iowa’s highways. 13 people died in traffic accidents during the seven-day STEP project last year. Altogether, 390 people died on the state’s roadways in 2010. The Iowa Department of Public Safety says 50-percent of those who died in crashes during the Thanksgiving holiday travel period would have been saved, if they would have taken three-seconds to put on their seatbelts.

During last year’s combined STEP periods, officers recorded more than 130, 380 traffic violations over the course of 43 days. Each enforcement period involved the efforts of 236 enforcement agencies and over 1,900 officers from cities, counties and the State. Following this week’s Special Traffic Enforcement Program, the next STEP will take place March 15^th through the 18^th, 2012.

The Elk Horn-Kimballton Board of Education will hold its regular meeting Monday night at the High School in Elk Horn. Action items on their agenda include: a contract with Jana Smith, for Junior High Girls Basketball, and approval of a 28-E agreement with DMACC (Des Moines Area Community College).

The Board will also discuss early retirement, a stop sign at the northeast intersection (at Washington and Madison Streets), and open enrollment issues. The meeting takes place  7-p.m., Monday,  in the Family and Consumer Science Room at the high school.

Members of the Griswold Community School District’s Board of Education will meet Monday (Nov. 21^st) in the Central Office Board Room at the High School. During their 5:30-p.m. session, the Board will receive an update on various district facility improvement projects, and act on various board policies. In addition, decisions will be made with regard to finances for the district’s projects, and Activity Account funds.

The Atlantic Parks and Recreation Board of Directors will meet Monday evening at City Hall. During their 5:15-p.m. session, the board will welcome newly elected board member Jolene Smith and congratulate Mary Strong on her election to a second term. They’ll also take action on electing officers for the 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 (2-year) terms.

Other business includes discussion and possible action on: Park restroom closures and Sunnyside Park gate closures for streets; use of recently announced the Cass County Community Foundation grant for equipment at the Sunnyside Pool; results of the Rotary Auction/Raffle and use of funds for the Phase 1 campground project at the Schildberg Recreation Area; and, consider a usage fee for shelters at Sunnyside Park.

Two businesses were awarded a total of $30,000 Friday in a competition sponsored by Shelby County Developsource. Iowa Agricultural Bio-Fibers, owned by Alan Chute, Don Cordes and John Schechinger, will receive $20,000 to assist in building expansion costs. And, Panama Diesel, owned by Josh and Theresa Kaufman, will receive $10,000, to purchase new diagnostic computer software.

A total of four businesses presented Friday, in the final round of the business plan competition sponsored by Shelby County DevelopSource.  The other businesses were Norsemen Brewing Company, and The Salon Suites. All of the finalists were selected from nine applicants.  The presentations were held at the Therkildsen Center before a panel of five judges and a nice contingent of interested observers.

Officials say there was a great deal of interest in the program and Shelby County DevelopSource expects to sponsor a second competition in 2012 in conjunction with their partners – City of Harlan, Harlan Industrial Foundation, Harlan Municipal Utilities, Shelby County Board of Supervisors, Bank of the West, Defiance State Bank, Farmers Trust and Savings Bank, Midstates Bank, Shelby County State Bank, Town & Country Credit Union, and United Bank of Iowa.

Police in the Taylor County community of Lenox reported Friday evening, a Creston man was arrested shortly after 1-a.m. Friday, on multiple charges stemming from his alleged Failure to Yield to an Emergency Vehicle. Officials say 24-year old Antonio Gutierres, of Creston, faces felony Forgery and Identity theft charges, along with citations for Failure to have a driver’s license, failure to have insurance, and eluding.

The events leading up to Gutierres’ arrest began when Lenox Police were notified of a medical call at Village Park Apartments at 12:55-a.m., Friday. While responding, the officer activated his emergency lights in an attempt to safely pass a car on County Road J-13. The car refused to yield to the police Vehicle. The ambulance arrived at the scene with adequate personnel.

The officer then determined he should attempt to stop the vehicle he had attempted to pass, to learn why the driver failed to yield. The vehicle was pursued for over 2 miles before finally pulling over. When the driver was questioned, he presented the officer with a Nebraska ID card identifying him as Raul Pena. The officer determined the ID card was a forgery and the driver placed under arrest.

During a search of the suspect, another ID card was found that identified him as Antonio Gutierres. The felony charges were leveled against Gutierres after he was brought to the Taylor County Jail, and following an investigation into the false ID’s. Gutierres was being held in the jail Friday evening. The vehicle was driving was impounded.

**Update at 9:30am  Phone issues have been fixed.”

w/ Chris Parks

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