(Griswold, Iowa) – Members of the Griswold Community School District’s Board of Education will meet 5:30-p.m. Monday (Nov. 20), in the Conference Room at the High School. The meeting agenda follows, below (I=Information only; D.R.=Decision required):

• Call Meeting to Order

• Reading of Mission Statement

• Approval of Agenda (D.R.)

• Public Input

• Superintendent’s Report:

Thank You Card(s) (I)
The Month in Review – Administration (I)
Board Learning Opportunities (I)
– Honor October Recipients

– Select November Recipient(s)

– Review Election Results

• 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.) – 503.08, 705.1, 705.1R1, 705.1R2, 705.2, 705.3, 705.4, 705.4R1

7. Consider Activation Status Of Early Retirement Policies – 407.6/407.6E1

And 413.6/413.6E1 (D.R.)

8. Establish 2023-2024 Board Goals (D.R.)

New Business

9. Presentation On The Teacher Leadership And Compensation Program (I)

10. Consider Approval Of The 2023-2024 Individual Career And Academic Plan – ICAP (D.R.)

11. Approval Of SBRC Application For Increasing Enrollment, Open Enrollment, Out And LEP Instruction Beyond Five Year (D.R.)

12. Approval Of Budget Guarantee Resolution (D.R.)

13. Consider Establishing A Joint Board Meeting With The Lenox CSD (I or D.R.)

14. Discussion On Facilities Walk Through (I)

15. Consider Establishing A Board Work Session (D.R.)

16. Consider Approval Of Middle School / High School Attendance Policy Pilot Program (D.R.)

17. Cast Vote For Green Hills AEA Board Of Directors – District 3 (D.R.)

18. Consider Renewal Of Certificate Of Deposit (D.R.)

19. Board Policies – First Reading (I) – 401.1, 503.1, 503.2, 503.8, 503.8R,

706.1, 706.2, 706.3, 706.3R1, 707.1, 707.2, 707.3, 707.4, 707.5, 707.5R1

• Adjourn

(Harrison County, Iowa) – Officials with the Missouri Valley Fire Department report crews were paged-out at the 3:50-a.m. Sunday, for a single vehicle rollover accident on Interstate 880 at mile-marker 4. Initial reports indicated two adults and one infant were in the vehicle. The F.D. said in a social media post, “Thankfully after we arrived on scene all parties in the vehicle were ok, even the infant.

“Preliminary reports appear as though the driver had possibly dozed off and went in to the EB right hand ditch, the driver had come to and over corrected, got back to the roadway and rolled the vehicle several times on the road through the median into the opposite direction lanes (WB) and rested on the drivers side in the passing lane.”

Officials said also, “We bring this up because there are people today that still don’t wear seat belts. It’s imperative to properly fasten yourself and children in appropriate restraints. Ejections from vehicles happen more often than they should. Seats belts save lives and we are certain they save this young family [Sunday] this morning!!

Assisting at the accident scene were deputies with the Harrison and Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Departments. Harrison County 911 assisted in coordinating communications efforts.

(Creston, Iowa) – Officials with the Creston Police Department report two people were arrested recently on drug charges. Saturday afternoon, 36-year-old Kevin James Jungers, of Lenox, was arrested at 408 S Vine, in Creston. He was charged with Driving while Barred, Possession of a Controlled Substance Methamphetamine 3rd Offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Jungers was taken to the Union County Jail where he is being held on an $8,000 cash or surety bond. And, Friday night, Creston Police arrested 31-year-old Rogelio Olivera-Martinez, of Creston, was arrested at 112 Manor Drive. Olivera-Martinez was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of a Controlled Substance-Methamphetamine 1st Offense. Olivera-Martinez was also charged on an ISP warrant thru Adair County for FTA Operating while under the Influence 1st Offense. Olivera-Martinez was taken to the Union County Jail where he was later released on a $1,000 cash bond.

Friday afternoon, 44-year-old Lela Ann Churchwell, of Creston, was arrested at 206 W Union. She taken into custody on a Union County Warrant for Harassment 3rd Degree. Churchwell was taken to the Union County Jail where she was later released on bond. Friday night, 52-year-old Pedro Quintanilla-Flores, of Lenox, was arrested at the intersection of Cottonwood and Townline Road, in Creston. He was charged with Driving while Revoked. Quintanilla-Flores was taken to the Union County Jail where he was later released on $1000 cash or surety bond.

At around 2:30-a.m., Saturday, Police in Creston arrested 39-year-old Arturo Marin, of Afton, at the Creston/Union County LEC. Marin was charged with OWI 1st Offense. He was taken to the Union County Jail and later released on a $1,000 cash or surety bond.

(Dallas County, Iowa) – Officials with the Animal Rescue League of Iowa have announced one of 46 horses rescued last month from squalid conditions on a rural Dallas County property north of Granger, has died. The ARL said in a social media post that the most emaciated horse, who they referred to as “Bluey,” suffered from long-term neglect and, despite nearly a week at an equine veterinary hospital getting round-the-clock care, was euthanized Friday to end his pain.

The farm’s owner, 78-year-old Linda Kay Kilbourne, of Johnston, has been charged with livestock neglect, a Simple Misdemeanor. She’s scheduled to make her initial appearance in Dallas County District Court on Nov. 29th.

Staff at the ARL say the horses endured unlivable conditions and didn’t receive the required care needed for weeks, some even years. “Bluey” suffered months of starvation because he was missing most of his teeth and could not eat. In the end,  he was simply too weak and his body gave out. “An emergency visit by equine veterinarians confirmed that he simply could not fight anymore,” the ARL reported.

Officials also report many of the horses from the farm case are pregnant, and will require long-term care. According to the ARL, “The vast majority of these horses are displaying genetic deformities of the legs and feet caused by poor breeding practices. Even horses as young as yearlings are beginning to show abnormalities. Most will never be rideable, and many may need special care throughout their lives.”

(Eagle Grove, Iowa) – A Mercedes Benz SUV traveling at a high-rate of speed crashed early this (Sunday) morning in Webster County, killing the driver. The Iowa State Patrol reports the vehicle driven by 36-year-old Jose Casiano, of Webster City, was driving erratically on Iowa Highway 17 in Eagle Grove.

When a Deputy attempted to stop the SUV, it took off at speeds of up to 130-miles per hour. During the pursuit, the vehicle/driver failed to negotiate a curve near 308th Street, and entered a ditch. The crash happened at around 12:30-a.m.

Casiano, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene.  The Patrol was assisted at the crash site by the Wright County Sheriff’s Office, Eagle Grove Fire Department and Eagle Grove EMS.

[This is an update to our earlier report]  (DeWitt, Iowa) – A woman who was standing in the traveled portion of U-S Highway 61 southbound in Clinton County, Friday evening, died after she was struck by a pickup truck. The Iowa State Patrol Saturday afternoon, identified the woman as 68-year-old Cheryl M. Neilson, of Delmar, Iowa.

According to the report, a 2020 Ford Escape SUV was disabled on left lane of the highway near mile-marker 148. Neilson  and the SUV were struck by a 2012 Chevy Silverado pickup driven by 19-year-old Lucas C. Albertson, of Maquoketa. The pickup was traveling in the left lane. It struck the SUV after Neilson and 18-year-old Amber N. Edens, of Dubuque, had exited the SUV. Neilson died at the scene. Edens was injured and transported by ambulance to Genesis East Medical Center, in Davenport.

The accident happened at around 5:25-p.m., near DeWitt. After the collision, the pickup came to rest in the west ditch, and the SUV came to rest in the median.  The accident remains under investigation.

The Patrol was assisted by the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department, DeWitt EMS, Welton Fire, and the Clinton County Medical Examiner.

(Washington, D-C) — The U.S. Capitol received a special delivery, Friday, when Tim Dean, a truck driver from Griswold (IA) arrived with a Christmas tree for the west lawn of the Capitol. The 63-foot-tall Norway Spruce was harvested from the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia. Dean made over 19 stops in his two-week journey to D.C.

The giant tree was carefully transported along the way, with assistance from law enforcement and local fire department personnel. Along the way, Dean stopped in several communities so residents could give the tree a proper sendoff.

Dean said even though he has been driving for 35 years, nothing will ever top what he’s done these two weeks. He considers himself to be blessed to deliver the tree and the memories he will have of the journey that he can share for a lifetime.

The National Christmas Tree Lighting will take place November 30th in President’s Park, Washington, D-C.

DES MOINES, Iowa — Faculty, staff and students at Drake University are preparing for some painful cuts. Declining enrollment is hurting the university’s operating budget, so now Drake is slashing more than $10 million in spending. KCCI-TV obtained the minutes of a recent faculty senate meeting, which show faculty positions and academic programs will have to be cut.

According to Drake University, the institution is working with a $128 million operating budget. The Board of Trustees recently approved a deficit of $4.3 million for the current fiscal year. According to meeting minutes, the university has reached an “understanding” with the board to have a plan in place by fiscal year 2025 to balance the operating budget by fiscal year 2026.

In a statement provide to KCCI by Drake University, officials said (in-part) “Colleges and universities across the United States have been impacted by an approximate 10% nationwide decline in college enrollment over the last decade, and no Iowa institution has been immune to this shift. Drake is fortunate to have an incredibly strong balance sheet with healthy cash reserves, and a low amount of long-term debt. However, as enrollment revenues have declined, our operating budget has been put under stress.” The University has a $128-million operating budget, according to the statement.

The University says its projections indicate they would start with a budget that is out of balance by more than $10 million, if no action is taken. “This figure”…according to the school…”does not account for more than $4 million in temporary reductions in the current year that, for the most part, will be converted to permanent reductions next year. And it does not account for any expected changes in enrollment.”

Drake officials say they will continue to make institutional changes in their expense structure, with the overall goal being a balanced budget, while preserving academic excellence. According to Drake University’s website, nearly 4,900 total students are enrolled, including close to 3,000 undergraduates. The university offers more than 140 majors from six colleges and schools.

ORIENT, Iowa [KCCI] — A Union County man faces a Class-B Felony attempted murder charge, for allegedly threatening to kill another man in Adair County who he says sexually abused three kids. KCCI reports 52-year-old David Matthew Hanson, of Creston, was arrested Wednesday, in Orient.

Court documents say Adair County sheriff’s deputies were called to a home outside which Hanson was seen. They say Hanson was upset that the homeowner had not been charged following allegations of sexually abusing children. Hanson allegedly shot at the home, and told deputies he would kill the homeowner if he came outside. Hanson also told deputies he had been drinking.

In addition to the Attempted Murder charge, Hanson was charged: with Burglary in the 1st Degree – A Class B Felony; Intimidation with a Dangerous Weapon w/injury or provocation of fear – A Class C Felony; Going Armed with Intent – A Class D Felony, and Possession or carrying of a dangerous weapon while under the Influence – A Serious Misdemeanor.

He made his initial appearance in court on Wednesday (Nov. 15th). A preliminary hearing in his case was set for 10:30-a.m. Nov. 27th, in Adair County District Court. Hanson was being held in the Adair County Jail on $750,000 bond.

(Black Hawk County, Iowa) – A collision Friday afternoon south of Denver, in eastern Iowa, resulted in two people being transported to a hospital in Waterloo. The Iowa State Patrol reports a 2007 Toyota Tundra pickup, driven by 45-year-old Matthew Richard Matthias, of Readlyn (IA), was stopped at a stop sign facing eastbound at Black Hawk County Road C-57 and U-S Highway 63, and a 2013 Honda CRV driven by 60-year-old Charles Farnam Stone, of Cedar Rapids, was traveling north on Highway 63 at around 2:54-p.m.

When Matthias failed to yield the right-of-way from the stop sign, his pickup was struck by the Honda, as the pickup was crossing Highway 63. Stone, and a passenger in his vehicle, 56-year-old Lily Leo Toy Stone, of Cedar Rapids, were hurt in the crash and transported to UnityPoint-Allen Hospital.

Matthias was arrested for OWI and Failure to Yield. The Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Department, along with Denver Fire and EMS.