(Radio Iowa) – A professor at Des Moines University is doing a national research project that at first glance seems like a segment of This Old House. Anatomy professor, Heather Garvin, is studying the cutting characteristics of saws, but her focus is how the saws cut through human bones, not wood. “And the reason we’re looking at this is that we do get cases of dismemberment in the forensic anthropology, world,” she says. “And what we try to do for law enforcement and for investigators, is to give them as much information as we can about the tool that was used.” Garvin is the only board certified forensic anthropologist in the state of Iowa and one of only about 120 of us throughout the country. Garvin says the work focuses on identifying the type of saw used in a crime to help investigators.

“We can’t say that it is this one specific saw, the saw that was used, but we can say what type of saw and the characteristics of a saw,” Garvin says. “So for example, powered saws will leave lighter, wider cuts in the bone than hand saws.” Garvin says they can’t be like ballistic experts who can link a bullet to the specific gun it was fired from, but they hope to identify different marks left by the teeth of saw blades. “If anyone works in carpentry, they’ll realize there’s there’s a large variation of saws out there where you have different teeth per inch different size teeth, different materials, whether they’re cutting like a knife, or if they’re ripping through the material,” Garvin says. “And so we’re trying to figure out what characteristics those marks in the bone correlate with.” She says other individuals in the project will be collecting data blindly so they won’t know what saws made the cuts and they can do a statistical analyses to see if they can use the marks on the bone to identify the type of saw. Garvin says dismembering a corpse after a murder isn’t something that’s all that common in Iowa.

“But in other areas of the country where you have very urban areas and it’s harder to dispose of a body during a criminal act, you do get a higher number of dismemberment’s, because that makes it easier for them to hide and then dispose of human remains,” she says. Garvin won a grant from the National Institute of Justice to do the saw research. She says they use a microscope with a camera to study the cut marks, and may eventually use micro C-T scan that can put together x-rays in a sort of 3-D model.

“It’s a little harder with cut marks, because what we’re dealing with really doesn’t have much relief. You know, these are tiny scratches in the bone that we’re looking at,” Garvin says. “But I think as technology advances and it becomes more sensitive with that micro C-T, that might be an avenue as well.” It might seem kind of gruesome to do this research on human bones, but Garvin says she can block that out and see it as important scientific work.

“The thing is, someone has to do it and by doing it, you’re helping loved ones have a family member right? They may have a missing family member, they don’t know where they are, you’re able to identify those remains and bring some closure to that family,” Garvin says. She says it can also help with providing the evidence that brings justice for the person who was killed.

(Radio Iowa) – A key lawmaker says the Senate may soon debate what has turned out to be the central issue of the 2024 legislative session. Three weeks ago, the Iowa House passed a bill to maintain Area Education Agency special education services for students with disabilities, but make changes in other A-E-A functions. The governor has called for giving schools the option of keeping A-E-A services for students with disabilities or, instead, hiring private companies or local staff to do it. Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver says Senate Republicans are close to unveiling their own plan.

The plan House Republicans passed calls for a study of the A-E-As. That’s not part of the plan Senate Republicans are developing.

Whitver says Senate Republicans will draft a bill about A-E-A changes that includes an increase in the minimum salary for first year teachers. That was the governor’s approach. Last month, a House bill raising teacher salaries and pay for other school staff passed 93-to-one.

Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver (Iowa PBS photo)

House Speaker Pat Grassley says because of budget implications, the decisions on teacher pay and the general level of state spending on public and private schools as well as the future of A-E-As are all related.

A recent Des Moines Register/Mediacom “Iowa Poll” found 56 percent of Iowans have a favorable view of Area Education Agencies. That rating goes a bit higher — to 59 percent — among Iowa parents with school-aged children.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa  – Drivers on U.S. 20 east of Sioux City in Woodbury County need to be aware of lane closures that may impact their trip beginning at 7 a.m. on Monday, March 18, until Nov. 22, weather permitting.

On Monday, March 18, weather permitting, crews will shift westbound U.S. 20 traffic onto the eastbound U.S. 20 lanes in a head-to head traffic pattern so work can be done of Stage 2 of reconstruction of the westbound lanes of U.S. 20. Until the project is complete, you won’t be able to make left turns while traveling in the work zone.

Help keep everyone on the road safer. Drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, you should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – March 11, 2024 – Drivers on Iowa 39 between Odebolt and Deloit in Sac and Crawford counties need to be aware of an asphalt paving and resurfacing project that may impact their trip beginning on Monday, March 18, until late June, weather permitting.

Intermittent lane closures with flaggers and pilot cars will be in place to assist you through the work zone when construction crews are present. InRoads, LLC of Des Moines was awarded this $10.3 million dollar construction project.

(Atlantic, Iowa; March 17, 2024) – Produce in the Park’s Spring Celebration Market will be held the day before Easter, Saturday, March 30, from 12 PM – 3 PM at the Nishna Valley Family YMCA. Food truck Amos Fabulous Foods will be on site, and the YMCA will set up free activities for kids. There is no cost to enter the market at the YMCA.

Vendors at this year’s Spring Celebration Market will be selling a variety of local foods–from fresh produce and meat, to fresh breads and desserts. Craft vendors will be selling wood products, decorations such as handmade gnomes, crocheted items, candles, and more.

Spring Celebration Market 2024 is sponsored by Cass Health, Gregg Young of Atlantic, First Whitney Bank & Trust, Nishna Valley Family YMCA, Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Atlantic.

For the latest information on Spring Celebration Market and all Produce in the Park markets visit
www.ProduceInTheParkAtlanticIowa.com.

(Audubon, Iowa) – Members of the Audubon Community School District’s Board of Education will meet in a regular monthly session beginning at 7-p.m. Monday. View their agenda below:

Audubon Community School

Board of Education – Regular Meeting

Boardroom, High School, 800 Third Ave.

Monday, March 18, 2024 – 7:00 P.M.

Our Mission is to provide a quality education in a positive, equitable & respectful environment that encourages & prepares all students to become life-long learners & responsible members of a rapidly changing society.

1.0 Call to Order

2.0 Approve Agenda

3.0 Approve Consent Agenda

3.01 Minutes – February 19, 2024, Regular Meeting

3.02 Warrants and Financial Reports

4.0 Public Comments – Please contact the Supt. or Board President (Board Policy #213)

Action Items:
5.01 Approve Second Reading – 401.1, 503.1, 503.1R1, 503.2, 605.3R1, 401.13, 401.13R1, 502.7, 605.6, 605.6R1, 605.8, 605.8R1, 701.1, 701.2, 701.3, 701.4, 703.1, 703.2, 704.2R1

Approve Budget Guarantee Resolution
5.03 Approve AEA Purchasing Agreement

5.04 Approve Change Orders – Building Project

5.05 Approve Suburban Purchase

5.06 Approve Transfer of $6868.95 from General to Activity Fund – Safety Equipment

5.07 Approve Transfer of $250,000 from Management to General Fund – Repay Loan

5.08 Approve Roof Repair

5.09 Personnel

6.0 Communication & Updates

6.01 DCAP (District Career and Academic Plan) Report – Mrs. Walter

6.02 Fundraising Update – Free Student Admission – Anne Miller

6.03 Superintendent Report

5.01.1 – Building Project Updates

5.01.2 – Legislative Update

6.04 Principal’s Reports

7.0 Adjournment

Budget Hearing #1 – March 25, 2024, 5:30 PM

Next Regular Meeting: Monday, April 15, 2024, 7:00 PM

Budget Hearing #2
Calendar Hearing

(Griswold, Iowa) – The Griswold School Board will hold their regular monthly meeting Monday, March 18th, beginning at 5:30-p.m. Here’s the agenda:

School Board Meeting Agenda

Griswold Community Schools

Monday, March 18, 2024

Conference Room, 5:30 p.m.

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Griswold Community School District, in partnership with our families and communities, is to provide leadership for positive change to ensure the best learning opportunities for everyone in a safe and caring environment.

• Call Meeting to Order

• Reading of Mission Statement

• Approval of Agenda (D.R.)

• Public Input

• Superintendent’s Report:

1. Thank You Card(s) (I)
2. The Month in Review – Administration (I)
3. Board Learning Opportunities (I)

– Honor February Recipients

– Select March Recipient(s)

• Consent Agenda (D.R.)

Approval of Minutes

Approval of Financial Statements

Approval of Bills

4. Personnel

5. Gifts, Memorials, Bequests

Old Business

6. Board Policies – Second Reading (D.R.) – 711.4, 711.5, 711.6, 711.7, 711.8, 711.9, 711.10, 712, 712.R1

7. Consider Approval Of Chemical Application Bids (D.R.)

New Business

8. Consider Approval Of Mowing Bids (D.R.)

9. Educational Presentation (I)

10. Consider Approval Of Amendment To Secondary Student Handbook (D.R.)

11. Consider Approval Of Participation Agreement For FY25 Local Government Risk Pool (D.R.)

12. Consider Approval Of Drivers Education Program And Fees (D.R.)

13. Consider Approval Of Snow Make-Up Day Plan (D.R.)

14. Annual Review Of Policies 505.8 And 505.8R1 (D.R.)

15. Board Policies – First Reading (I) – 800, 801.1, 801.2, 801.3, 801.4

16. Consider Entering Into Closed Session Under Iowa Code 21.5(1)i, For The Purpose Of Evaluating The Professional Competency Of An Individual Whose Appointment, Hiring, Performance Or Discharge Is Being Considered When Necessary To Prevent Needless And Irreparable Injury To That Individual’s Reputation And That Individual Requests A Closed Session (D.R.)

• Adjourn

(D.R.) = Decision Required

(I.) = Informational

Final agenda will be posted in the Central Office no less than 24 hours before the meeting.

(Creston, Iowa) – No injuries were reported following a fender-bender accident Saturday afternoon in Creston. Police say a 1999 Cadillac Escalade driven by 66-year-old Chris Alan Willets, of Creston, was backing out of a parking spot in front of the Creston Walmart Store at around 12:12-p.m., and didn’t see a vehicle that was driving down the aisle. The SUV struck a 2018 Ford Focus, driven by 47-year-old Ma H. Quintanilla, of Edinburg, TX.

The car sustained $1,000 damage. Damage to the SUV was estimated at $500. No citations were issued.

(Creston, Iowa) – Officials with the Creston Police Department report four arrests:

At around 12:30-a.m. Friday, officers arrested 33-year-old Samantha Jo Gile-Smith, of Creston, at the Creston Union County Law Enforcement Center (LEC). Gile-Smith was charged with OWI 1st Offense. She was later released from the Union County Jail on a $1,000 cash or surety bond.

At around 8:15-p.m. Friday, 36-year old John Lennon Willis, of Creston, was arrested at his residence. Willis was charged with Domestic Abuse Assault. He was taken to the Union County Jail and held without bond until seen by the Magistrate. Willis was later released on his Own Recognizance.

Late Saturday night, 20-year-old Calvin Cerda, of Lenox, was arrested at the Creston Union County LEC. Cerda was charged with Driving while Suspended, OWI-1st Offense, Intent to Deliver Cocaine under 100-grams, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Intent to Deliver Marijuana under 50-grams. Cerda was taken to the Union County Jail and later released on a $16,600 cash or surety bond.

And, a little after 3-a.m. today (Sunday), 26-year-old Brooke Leslie McGehee, of Creston, was arrested at the Creston Union County LEC. McGehee was charged with OWI-1st Offense. She was taken to the Union County Jail and later released on a $1,000 cash or surety bond.

(Montgomery County, Iowa) – A traffic stop early this (Sunday) morning in Montgomery County, resulted in an arrest. The Sheriff’s Office says Deputies stopped a vehicle in the 1000 block of Highway 48 at around 12:20-a.m.  Upon further investigation, 37-year-old Ryan Stoneking, of Elliott, was arrested for OWI/1st offense. Stoneking was being held in the Montgomery County Jail in a $1,000 bond.