The Atlantic Community School Board voted 3-to 2 this (Tuesday) morning to approve all of the 2018-19  Coaches/Sponsors Continuing Contracts, except for one. The Contract for Head Girls Basketball Coach Kelly Juhl, was not renewed. Their decision came following a closed session held at the Schuler Elementary School Media Center. Officials have stated the job will be opened up for a typical search to find a new coach.

A lot of people bargain hunt before making a purchase — and that hunt now includes shopping for a final resting place. Iowa State University regional planning expert Carlton Basmajian discovered the phenomenon of “cemetery shopping” while doing a land use study for the city of Perry’s cemetery. He says the operators of the cemetery have noticed people coming there from Des Moines looking for a cheaper burial plot.  Basmajian says being laid to rest in a smaller town has its advantages. “They told us they’re seeing people come up and say “well it is half the price to buy a plot and half the price to open a grave than it is in metro Des Moines’,” Basmajian says.

He is associate professor of community and regional planning and says the metro areas of the state have seen land developed all around cemeteries, leaving them will less room to expand. And he says the cities only revenue to run the cemeteries comes from selling the plots and services associated with them. Basmajian says smaller rural towns don’t have the same land use problems and can charge less. “So you have an outmigration — it’s crazy — of people seeking these cheaper cemeteries. And Perry is not that far from the metro, it’s in Dallas County,” Basmajian says.

It’s around 40 miles from Des Moines to Perry. Basmajian says Perry has looked at how to handle those from out of town who want to be buried there to be sure their budget doesn’t get overstretched. He says they looked at the city charging more for those who come in from the outside. It would still be cheaper for people coming in and would provide some more funds for upkeep of the gravestones. Basmajian says upkeep at cemeteries can get expensive — especially for gravestones. “They degrade. They are affected by the freeze-thaw cycle, they get run over by cars, they get toppled by vandals,” Basmajian explains, “and in a lot of cases, especially the older graves, there’s nobody left in the family to even contact and say what do you want to do. So, the city is left trying to prop these things back up.”

He says as the cemeteries fill up, there are more stones to take care of and less opportunities from selling new plots to pay for the upkeep.

(Radio Iowa)

The blinding sun played a role in a non-injury accident Saturday morning, in Red Oak. According to the Red Oak P-D, a 2002 Honda CR-V LX driven by 39-year old Chastity McFarland, of Red Oak, was traveling east on E. Washington Street at around 8-a.m., and coming to the top of a hill. Another vehicle traveling westbound, popped up over the hill. The driver couldn’t see very well with the sun in her eyes. McFarland swerved to avoid the non-contact vehicle, and in the process, struck a parked 2004 Pontiac Aztec in the left rear. The parked vehicle was registered to Bonnie Hayes, of Red Oak. Damage from the collision amounted to $5,000. No citations were issued, due to the environmental conditions.

More area and State news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office says they took a report Monday afternoon about a stolen or missing 2013 Kenworth T-660 semi with trailer. The rig, belonging to W.W. Transport, of Burlington, IA., left Minsa in Red Oak at around 3:30-a.m., and was recovered in Denver, CO., at around 5-p.m.  The semi was returned to the trucking company, but the driver has not contacted them. The driver is from the Colorado area. No charges are pending.

The Red Oak Police Department reports no injuries occurred during a two-vehicle accident on Saturday in Red Oak. Officers were called to the scene of the accident at about 10:00am Saturday in the 100 block of East Reed Street in Red Oak. Before officers arrived both vehicles had been moved. After investigation it was determined that a 2004 Volkswagen Beetle GLS driven by 59-year-old Gary Lee Hudson of Red Oak was westbound on East Reed Street and turned north onto Miller Street and then backed west on East Reed Street to park in font of his home on Reed Street. Before the Beetle was against the curb and was pointing to the center of the road, a 2003 Mazda Tribute ES driven by 16-year-old Cameron Alexander Travis of Red Oak began to back west on Reed Street and did not see the Beetle behind him. Travis said he was trying to fix his radio at the time. The Mazda then backed into the right side of the Volkswagen with the left rear of the vehicle.

Both vehicles were drive-able after the accident. Damage to the Mazda was estimated at $1,000 while damage to the Volkswagen was estimated at $2,000. No citations were issued.

Jim Field visits with Tina Bakehouse of Golden Hills RC&D abpout a storytelling event planned for the Cottonwood Pavilion in Shenandoah at 6:30 pm on June 30.

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MARION, Iowa (AP) — A Republican member of the Iowa House of Representatives has resigned to take a flying job. Rep. Ken Rizer, of Marion, will be piloting jet aircraft out of Des Moines for a private air travel company. He’s a retired Air Force officer. Rizer was first elected in 2014 and re-elected in 2016. He’s not seeking re-election this year.

A special election won’t be required to replace Rizer in the 68th House District, because the Legislature has ended its annual session. Two Democrats are seeking the seat in the June 5 primary, Molly Donahue and Scott Foens. Randy Ray is the sole Republican running.

Police in Creston report three people were arrested Monday. 38-year old Durrell Hayes, of Creston, was arrested for Driving While Suspended. He was later released on a $300 bond. 28-year old Scott Daman, and 42-year old Richard Starlin, both of Creston, were arrested on separate Violation’s of their Protective Orders. Both men were being held in the Union County Jail while awaiting a bond hearing.

Creston Police said there were also two reports of vandalism. On Sunday, a resident of the 1100 block of Higbee Street, in Creston, reported that sometime between 10-p.m. May 26th and 12-p.m. May 27th, someone broke a large window on the south side of the residence. The damage was estimated at $175. And, Monday morning, a Forest City man told Creston Police someone keyed the passenger side doors and hood of his vehicle, while it was parked in a lot at 806 Laurel Street. The damage was estimated at $200.

ATLANTIC – The Women’s Health Committee at Cass County Health System invites all women to come to “Living Well” on Tuesday, June 5th from 5:30 to 7:30 pm in the atrium at Cass County Health System. This is a free event and open to the public. The evening will include a style show, chair massages, light refreshments, and a keynote speech. Karla Akers, Care for Yourself Coordinator, says “We’re excited to offer this fun evening out for women. We want to inspire women to lead healthy lives, and part of taking care of yourself is making time for things like this when you can slow down and recharge your batteries.”

The style show will include clothing and accessories from The Upper Cut, Moss & Pearl, and Renew Ag. Two local massage therapists will provide mini-massages for attendees. At approximately 6:30, the keynote speech will begin in the Atlantic Medical Center lobby.

Allison Berryhill

Allison Berryhill will present the keynote speech that evening. Allison teaches freshman English and advises the journalism program at Atlantic High School. She has degrees in English and speech education, certification in journalism, and a master’s degree in secondary English curriculum and Instruction from Drake University. She is a board member for both the Iowa Council of Teachers of English and the Iowa High School Press Association. She is currently serving as chair of the National Council of Teachers of English Public Language Awards Committee. In 2017, Allison was named the 2017 Rod Dahl Journalism Teacher of the Year by the Iowa High School Press Association, and the Iowa Council of Teachers of English 2017 High School Teacher of Excellence.

In her personal life, Allison has been married to Dan Hoegh for 34 years, and they have six children. In addition to teaching, she has worked as a freelance writer for Better Homes & Gardens, The Des Moines Register, and Twins magazine. Allison is also a breast cancer survivor, unicycle rider, accordion player, and a wedding officiant.