(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office has released additional information concerning an accident that occurred north of Wiota, Sunday morning. Authorities say that at around 10:10-a.m., first responders were called to the area west of the intersection of Durango Road and Edgewood Road, on Edgewood Road, for a single vehicle rollover accident.  A 2012 Chevrolet Silverado being operated by Michael Anderson, of Cumberland, was pulling over to the side of the roadway.  When Anderson pulled over too far, the remaining shoulder of the gravel roadway gave out, causing the pickup to roll into the ditch.

Due to the steep angle of the ditch, the vehicle became stuck.  Anderson suffered back injuries and because of this, along with the vehicle being stuck in the ditch, the cab of the vehicle had to be removed for extraction.  Michael Anderson was transported via EMS for medical treatment then later flown to a secondary hospital for emergent care.  There was one passenger within the vehicle whom did not report any injuries.

(Harlan, Iowa) – The Shelby County Board of Supervisors have three separate meetings coming up before the year ends. Auditor Mark Maxwell says the Board will meet 9-a.m. Tuesday, December 20th 2022, at the Therkildsen Center. Following the conclusion of items on their agenda, the regular meeting will recess and the Board will be taken to their Courthouse Supervisors room, for public department budget discussions with individual departments.**

On December 27th, a representative will be at the Courthouse at 9-a.m., to present the Shelby County Health, Dental, vision and life insurance policies. Ryan Bervin will be on hand to discuss with the Supervisors 2024 rates. Department Budget Discussions will begin immediately following the presentation to the Supervisors at this special session.

And, Department Budget presentations / discussions will continue, starting December 28^th at 9:00-a.m., in the Supervisors Board room at the Courthouse.

**Here’s a portion of the agenda for December 20th:

1. Shelby County Farmland Auctions for crop year 2023-Action Item
2. Department head reports Brandon Burmeister Secondary Roads
3. Brent Scheve Shelby County Insurance policies, approval signatures 2023-Action item
4. Auditor- ICAP Review of County 2023-distracted driving policy and Proof of insurance for private vehicles used on County time.
5. Consideration of signing an approval for waiver and consent to enter in an agreement with other Counties for joint representation and Common Interests.-Action Item

9. ISAC Wellness program agreement Calendar 2023, Authorize Chairperson to sign agreement with ISAC. –Action Item
10. Set hearing date and publication for Consideration of a Resolution Officially establishing an EMS (Emergency Medical Services) Advisory Council in Shelby County. ( Jan 10^th the hour of 9 AM ) and the councils charged duties.—Action Item
11. Set hearing date and publication for an ordinance reading regarding Ordinance for the engaging of stream mitigation credits in accordance with Iowa Code 23A. (January 10^th the hour of 9 AM) –Action Item
12. Merit raises, allowance consideration-Action Item
13. Recess and move meeting to Courthouse for budget sessions
14. Open meeting and possible approval of certain department budgets-Action Items
15. Adjourn

(Creston, Iowa; 7-a.m. News) – The Creston Police Department reports the arrest Friday morning, of 32-year-old Quinton Lee Christensen-Kimball, of Creston. He was taken into custody under the authority of a Union County warrant for the Judicial District of Correctional Services, for Probation Violation. Christensen-Kimball was being held in the Union County Jail on a $2,000 cash-only bond.

41-year-old Gregory James Clair, of Creston, was served with a warrant, Friday, for Sexual Abuse in the 2nd Degree, a Class-B Felony. He was presented with the warrant while being held in the Union County Jail on previously announced charges that include 18 counts of Sex Abuse-Child Under 12, four counts of Incest, and two counts of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child. Clair’s cash only bonds were set at $447,000 on the original charges, plus $25,000 for the additional charge.

And, 43-year old Jason Alan Ford, of Creston, was arrested Friday on a Union County warrant for a Sex Offender Registration Violation/1st offense (an Aggravated Misdemeanor). Ford was transported to the Union County Jail and later released on bond.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – A traffic stop at around 6:17-p.m. Sunday, in Red Oak, resulted in an arrest. Authorities say 59-year-old James Franklin Durbin, of Red Oak, was arrested for OWI/2nd offense, after he was pulled over on 200th Street at Evergreen Avenue. Durbin was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $2,000 bond.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa House Speaker Pat Grassley says he’s created a new committee to consider an array of changes to Iowa’s K-through-12 education system.  “The name of it — Education Reform — is as clear as can be,” Grassley says. Grassley says the panel will obviously focus on the much-discussed “school choice” initiative — giving money to parents who send their kids to private schools.

“That’s a big part of it, but there are also other things that we need to look at as what we can do to not only make public schools better — we can give choice to parents,” Grassley says, “but we can also give flexibility to school districts.” For example, a year ago the House voted to increase state incentives for small school districts that share superintendents or other staff. Grassley expects other ideas to be included in the plan, like more spending flexibility for public schools and new pathways for teacher licensure.

“The goal would be at this point is to have an education reform bill/package,” Grassley says. “Not just bill after bill after bill, meeting after meeting.” The new House Education Reform Committee will have five members. Three will be Republicans and that includes Grassley, who’ll be chairman. House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst will be one of the two Democrats on the panel.

“Frankly, I’m grateful that the committee exists because instead of getting lost in the chaos of all the other work that committees do, we can focus on this one and truly listen to what Iowans want on this,” Konfrst says, “and — by the way — they don’t want school vouchers.”

The 2023 Iowa legislative session starts in 21 days.

(Audubon, Iowa) – Members of the Audubon School District’s Board of Education will gather for a Work Session beginning at 7-p.m. Monday, in the High School Board Room, for a review of 900 Series Board Policies, followed by their Regular Session, which includes the following action items:

5.01 – Approve Policy Review – 900 Series

5.02 – Approve request to SBRC for MSA – Dropout Prevention

5.03 – Appoint member to the Assessor Conference Board

5.04 – Approve Change Orders

5.05 – Personnel

During the “Communication & Updates” portion of their meeting, the Audubon School Board will hear from Superintendent Eric Trager. His report is expected to include a “Building Project” update, and will be followed by reports from the District’s Principals.

(Elk Horn, Iowa) – The Exira-EHK School Board will meet 6-p.m. Monday in the Elk Horn Conference Room. Action items on their agenda include the following:

A. Resolution Approving Revenue Purpose Statement, Ordering an Election on a Revenue Purpose Statement to Authorize Expenditures From Revenue Received From the State Secure an Advanced Vision for Education Fund, Ordering Election on the Question of Continuing to Levy a Voter Approved Physical Plant and Equipment Property Tax and Ordering the Publication of a Notice of Election
B. Facilities Planning Proposal with Boyd Jones
C. Modified Graduation Requirements
D. 2022-2023 Human Resources Sharing Agreement with IKM-Manning CSD
E. 2022-2023 Early Notification Incentive Plan
F. Request for Modified Supplemental Amount for At-Risk/Dropout Prevention of $159,127
G. Policy Review – First Reading
i. 210.02 – Regular Meeting

Their next regular meeting will take place January 17, 2023 at the same time and location.

(Griswold, Iowa) – Members of the Griswold School District’s Board of Education will gather for a work session, Monday evening, followed by and Easement Hearing and Board elections, along with regular business. The work session begins at 4:30-p.m. in the Conference Room, and includes a tour of the District’s facility, with the purpose of conducting a facilities assessment. No action is expected.

The Easement Hearing begins in the Conference Room at 5:45-p.m., followed immediately thereafter, by the Board’s regular agenda, which includes: the Superintendent’s Report and action on personnel matters, among other things. Old business includes the second reading of 507 and 508 Series Board Policies. And, under “Unfinished Business” of the old Board, consideration of Activity Fund Transfers and closing-out the FY 22 Financial Books.

The Board will then act on electing a Board President and Vice-President, and setting the dates/times for Regular Board meetings. The Reorganized Board will consider and act on approval of an Easement, possible action on Retirement Benefits for Non-Certified Staff, and other administrative matters.

(Cass County, Iowa) – Rescue crews from Wiota and Anita, along with Cass EMS, were dispatched to report of a single-vehicle rollover accident with injuries, this (Sunday) morning. The accident happened north of Wiota, near 67777 Edgewood Road at around 10:13-a.m. A male occupant of a pickup truck was reportedly suffering from back pain, and trapped inside. The vehicle – a pickup truck – was on its side in a ditch.

Cass County Deputy Sheriff Kyle Quist reports two occupants in the pickup were hunting deer with a group, and when they pulled too far off the side of the road to observe deer in the area, the pickup entered the ditch and became wedged in a steep ravine. The driver was extricated by Atlantic and Anita Fire Department personnel before he was transported by Cass EMS transported the driver to the Cass County Memorial Hospital.

The unidentified accident victim was subsequently flown from the hospital to a trauma center in Omaha. No other injuries were reported.

Annual count supports research for the Audubon Society

Lewis, IA 2022: The Iowa Bluebird Conservationists and Cass County Conservation Have Rescheduled the Christmas Bird Count To Wednesday, December 28th. Those that want to participate in the count will be meeting at Cold Springs State Park in Lewis at 8:00am to divide into groups that will cover different sections of the count circle. Birders are encouraged to dress for the conditions and bring along binoculars and bird books. It is also suggested to either wear or bring along an article of blaze orange clothing for any birding that may occur in parks that allow public hunting, as it will be deer season. The count will run until 3:30pm that day as we cover a 15 mile diameter circle as thorough as we can. We will meet for lunch at Noon at the Atlantic Pizza Ranch to compare lists and reboot for counting in the afternoon. You are welcome to join for the whole day or just the morning or afternoon sessions. All abilities are welcome whether you are comfortable just birding from a vehicle and roadside or if you would like to walk through areas as well.

Home birders may also contribute to the Cass County Count by watching their home feeder. Feeder counters will need to keep track of the time spent observing and will count the maximum number of a species seen at one time, not a cumulative for the day. Contact Chris Parks or Lora Kanning at Cass County Conservation if you would like to contribute and we will provide guidelines.

The Christmas Bird Count is a valuable research tool for the Audubon Society and is the nation’s longest running citizen-science bird project. This year is the 123^rd year of the count and the Cass County area is excited to join the count again. Find more information on the Christmas Bird Count at www.christmasbirdcount.org.