(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors met this (Tuesday) morning, in a regular session. At the start, they tabled action on extending a five-year lease agreement with the Cambridge Law Firm for the third straight time, and discussion/action on General Assistance Guidelines, because the County Attorney has not had time to review the proposals and relevant data. The Board also once again tabled action on appointing a Brighton Township Clerk, because there is no candidate.

The Supervisors received a monthly report from Cass/Audubon County Environmental Health Director Jotham Arber, who said things began to slow down during the Month of December, and that they got all of the requested soil Percolation tests/soil analysis tests for rural septic systems completed this past year. Water test kits were mailed out to rural residents this month.

Jotham said also radon tests are also available.You can request the from the Environmental Health Department for $10. It was suggested the tests be made available at the Auditor’s Office, but no decision was made on that during Tuesday’s meeting. Arber said 64% of the tests for Radon in Cass County come back as higher than 4 picoCuries per liter. Seven in ten homes across Iowa also have higher than the USDA’s radon action level for mitigation of the lung cancer inducing concentration of the odorless/colorless/tasteless, radioactive gas.

The Board adopted unanimously, an annual resolution for livestock facility construction evaluations when a permit is requested, and the use of the Master Matrix. Their action is essentially a formality, since the State has the final say over such facilities being built. Any recommendations made by the County with regard to a particular livestock facility construction request, will be considered when State officials decide on approving a construction permit request.

The Cass Supervisors approved also, changes to the County Employee manual. Cass County Conservation Director Micah Lee provided the Board with a Quarterly report on maintenance and activities. County Engineer Trent Wolken reports they are continuing to stockpile road rock for use this Spring, before the 75-cent per ton increase that’s coming in February.

In other business, the Board approved the appointments of Atlantic Mayor Grace Garrett to SWIPCO for 2023, with City Admin. John Lund as Alternate, and Chelsea McCunn to the County Zoning Board of Adjustment.

DES MOINES, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Corrections reports Emondre Montrell Henderson, who was convicted of Robbery 1st Degree in Polk County, left the Fort Des Moines Residential Correctional Facility without permission Sunday afternoon, and has not returned.

Henderson is a 25-year-old black male, height 5’9″, and weighs 153 pounds. He was admitted to the work release facility on September 22, 2022.

Emondre M. Henderson

Persons with information on Henderson’s whereabouts should contact local police.

(Griswold, Iowa) – The Griswold Community School District’s Board of Education, Monday evening, approved two new hires and one resignation. Superintendent Dave Henrichs…

The Board held a public hearing on the 2023-24 School Year Calendar, during which there were no comments, and one slight change, with regard to the Thanksgiving holiday.

And, they approved the Modified Supplemental Amount (MSA) and Plan for Dropout Prevention and At-Risk Programs. Essentially, the District is requesting $47,825 in aid for those programs, Henrichs said. He said also, District Staff and parents will receive a survey in the next few months with regard to a possible four-day school week, as part of the Board strategy to attract and retain staff. If the idea comes to fruition, it wouldn’t even happen at the minimum, the 2024-25 School Year.

Henrichs said with an increase in Open Enrollment numbers, the Board has also been looking at ways to improve the District’s Sports and Activities programs.

In other business, the Griswold School Board discussed and reviewed various other policies from other school districts, with regard to retirements, and asked administrators to start work on a policy for the District and determining how many people would be eligible, and coming up with a cost estimate. Any payments made in the future would have to come from the Management Fund if it’s called an “Early Retirement” or “Retirement Plan,” versus the General Fund. Administrators will check into the legality of handling the funds in that manner.

A retirement package, Henrichs said, is supposed to be a “Financial tool” for the District to use, and not an employee benefit.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowans who need help filling out their income tax forms can take advantage of a free service through the Iowa State University Extension starting next week. Becky Koppen (COP-in) oversees the R-S-V-P or Retired Senior Volunteer Program in Hamilton County. Koppen says low- to moderate-income Iowans can make use of VITA, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance.

“People who qualify can call the VITA number and make an appointment to have someone assist them with their taxes — for free,” she says. Through the program, certified community volunteers prepare taxes with computer software and can offer help with special tax credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, and Credit for the Elderly or Disabled. Iowans can call now to schedule an appointment.

“This begins January 23rd and goes through the end of March,” Koppen says. “It’s just a great program to help people get those taxes done.” The program is offered in many — but not all — Iowa counties. Learn more by calling 800-906-9887 or by visiting: www.irs.gov/vita.

(Lenox, Iowa) – A joint meeting of the Griswold and Lenox Community School District Boards of Directors will take place 6-p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18, in Lenox. The Board will gather in the Lenox High School Commons at 600 S. Locust Street, to consider extending the sharing agreement for the position of Superintendent – currently held by Dave Henrichs – and consider extending his individual contract.

Following discussion and a public comment period on the matter, the Boards will consider entering into a closed session. Upon return from the closed session, they will consider/act on renewal of the sharing agreement and consider/act on Henrich’s individual contract.

The National Weather Service has confirmed that two tornadoes touched down in Iowa, Monday afternoon. According to the NWS, the first tornado was an EF1 with maximum windspeeds of around 90 mph in Iowa County, near Williamsburg. The tornado traveled less than 5 miles north, into the Amana Colonies area, and was on the ground for about 8 minutes. No injuries were reported.

It was the first January tornado in Iowa since 1967, when there were 13.

A second tornado occurred briefly around 2:50 p.m. in Linn County. The NWS classified the tornado as an EFU. No damage was reported.

(Radio Iowa) – A large crowd is expected at the Iowa Capitol late this (Tuesday) afternoon for a public hearing on what Governor Kim Reynolds calls her “school choice” plan. When fully implemented, at least 341 million dollars in state money would be distributed each year to Iowa parents with kids in private K-through-12 schools to cover tuition and other expenses. Reynolds and House Speaker Pat Grassley say it would promote competition and improve public schools.

“This is obviously a huge shift within the state,” Grassley said, “but I think we can do it in a way that we can support both.” Democrats are opposed to the idea. House Democratic Leader Jennifer Konfrst says the plan will siphon resources away from public schools.”I think there are some Republicans who also have serious concerns about what this will do to communities with public schools,” Konfrst says. “Will it make public schools dry up in small towns?” The governor’s previous, more limited plans for private school funding faltered in the House in each of the past two years.

Grassley, the top Republican in the House, says he’s optimistic there enough G-O-P votes this year. “I feel confident we will have the support, but there’s going to be a vote in the House either way, Iowans are going to get to see where their legislator stands on the issue,” Grassley says. “Part of why we’ve made some changes in committee functions or committee make-ups as well to assure that the process did not stop this from at least being voted on in the Iowa House.”

Grassley and two other House G-O-P leaders on the new House Education Reform Committee will be able to advance the bill under new House rules that bypass three other committees where the bill could have faltered. Konfrst, the top Democrat in the House, says ensuring wealthy Iowans get thousands of state tax dollars to send their child to a private school is unpopular.

“When you ask Iowans: ‘Do you want school vouchers?’ the majority say, ‘No,'” Konfrst says. The House speaker says it was no secret on the campaign trail that the governor and G-O-P candidates would pursue this policy — and Republicans scored sizable victories. “The dynamic has fundamentally changed since last session,” Grassley says. “There’s been an election. This issue has been out there. Candidates for the House all across the state were successful and almost all of them at least campaigned with this as part of their campaign strategy and their platform moving forward.” Konfrst says there are just 51 private high schools in the state and 40 counties don’t have even a private elementary. “We need to focus on the 485,000 kids in public schools and that’s what we will be pushing for,” Konfrst says.

This evening’s public hearing is scheduled to start at 5 p.m. and last for 90 minutes. Hundreds of people have already submitted written comments.

(Truro, Iowa) – A collision in southern Madison County Monday evening resulted in a teenager being transported to the hospital. According to the Iowa State Patrol, a 2007 Arctic Cat 700 UTV operated by 16-year-old Tyler J. Heitink, of Truro, was following a slow moving McCormick farm tractor driven by 42-year-old Joseph A. Heitink, of Truro, because there were no lights on the tractor.

A 2000 Chevy pickup truck driven by 15-year-old Walker W. Nelson, of Saint Charles, rear-ended the UTV, causing the UTV to strike the rear of the tractor. The accident happened on Madison County Road G-68 (The Truro Road), at around 6:04-p.m., Monday. Tyler Heitink was injured in the collision, and transported to Methodist Hospital.

The Patrol was unable to determine (at the time of their report) if the UTV had its lights on. The accident remains under investigation.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department’s Board of Directors, Monday, tabled action on a vote to prioritize an increase in the Hotel/Motel Tax, with an increase being used to help pay for a Splashpad and improvements to the Sunnyside Pool. The Board will wait until their next meeting on February 20th at 5:15-p.m., at which time Ashley Hayes, SWIPCO Community Development Specialist, will make a presentation on grants and matters related to the project.

Roger Steffens, who owns a bed and breakfast in Atlantic, said he would be opposed to any increase in the Hotel/Motel tax. If the City moves eventually move with increasing the tax, it would be left up to the voters. With regard to the Splash Pad, Ali Pieken, member of the Splash Pad Executive Committee, has been in contact with two companies  – Vortex Aquatic Structures, and Crouch Recreation, of Elkhorn, NE. – the Board selected to come up with a design renderings for the project.

Last month, Pieken said what’s been decided so far, is for a bean-shaped splash pad area with 4,500-square feet of play space, and features chosen by the Executive Committee. Both renderings the companies designed have elements favorable to the Parks Board. At the end of their discussion, the Parks Board voted to give the Splashpad Fundraising Committee the authority to decide on the final fundraising image that will be presented to the public.

Roger Steffen said he would be the first to donate $500, but it was with a caveat that the Board rejected. He wanted the Board doesn’t go to taxpayers for support (i.e the Hotel/Motel tax increase). It must solely be done with donations. Pieken said they won’t even be ready to solicit bids until they have raised at least 50-percent of the estimated project cost, which will depend on the final elements the project incorporates.

(Radio Iowa) -House Republicans have unveiled a list of 13 priority bills, including one that forbids classroom instruction of sexual orientation or gender identity in kindergarten through the third grade. Another would require schools to notify a parent if a student asks to be identified by a different gender when they’re at school.

House Speaker Pat Grassley says the bill specifies that school employees cannot facilitate, encourage or coerce students to withhold that kind of information from parents. “Those are the kind of conversations that need to be happening amongst students and parents,” Grassley said on . “The public school system is not the place for this to be happening. It needs to be about empowering the parents and that’s what we’re doing with a lot of these policies.”

House Democratic Leader Jennifer Konfrst says these bills are “mean-spirited attacks” on LGBTQ teenagers and adults. “No matter who you are in this state, no matter you love or how you live, we love you,” Konfrst said. ” We see you and we believe in you.”

Another bill on the House GOP agenda would require schools to provide parents with details about coursework, including what books and other materials will be used. It’s similar to legislation the House passed in 2022. Thirty-one of the 64 House Republicans have also filed a bill that would require social studies classes in all of Iowa’s public and private schools to teach that communism conflicts with freedom and democracy.