(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.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Red Oak Police report two men were arrested on separate charges, Saturday. Authorities say at around 5:10-p.m., 24-year-old Anton Jason Ahlhelm was arrested at the Shelby County Jail in Harlan, on two valid Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department warrants for Theft in the 5th Degree, and Possession of a  Controlled Substance/Methamphetamine. Anton was transported to the Montgomery County Jail and held on a $1,000 bond.

And, at around 10:38-p.m., Red Oak Police arrested 34-year-old Cody Linn Hudson, of Red Oak, following a traffic stop in the 200 block of N. 8th Street. Hudson was charged with OWI/1st offense. He was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $1,000 bond.

(Shenandoah, Iowa) – Officials with the Shenandoah Police Department report three arrests so far this weekend. At around 9:30-p.m. Saturday, Officers were dispatched to the 600 block of Maple Street, for a domestic disturbance. Following an investigation, Officers arrested 35-year-old Frederick George Steven Billings, II, of Shenandoah, for Domestic Abuse/Simple Assault – 1st offense. Billings was being held without bond in the Page County Jail.

And, at around 1:55-a.m. today (Sunday), Shenandoah Police were dispatched to J & R’s Saloon, for a large fight outside of the establishment. Following an investigation, 34-year-old Tiffany Danyelle Gaines, of Shenandoah, was arrested for Simple Assault, Disorderly Conduct, and Public Intoxication. She subsequently posted a $900 bond, and was released. Also arrested in connection with the incident, was 44-year-old Shannon Marie Buick, of Shenandoah. She was cited into Page County Magistrate Court, and released from custody.

Shenandoah Police were assisted in handling the incident, by Page and Fremont County Sheriff’s Deputies.

(Creston, Iowa) – Police in Creston report no-injuries occurred when two vehicles collided at around 11:30-a.m., Saturday. The accident happened at the intersection of Townline and Elm Sreets, when a 2014 Chevy Impala driven by 19-year-old Kaden Briggs, of Creston, stopped at the controlled intersection, but then failed to yield the right-of-way, and pulled away before striking a 2008 Pontiac driven by 69-year-old Shelley Ann Bakerink, of Creston.

The collision resulted in a total of $3,500 damage, with the majority of the damage affecting the Impala. No citations were issued.

(Radio Iowa) – After significant setbacks in the 2022 election and the apparent loss of the lead-off spot for the Iowa Caucuses, the chairman of the Iowa Democratic Party is stepping down. In early 2021, the Iowa Democratic Party’s State Central Committee elected Ross Wilburn to lead the party through the 2022 campaign. Wilburn announced Saturday he will not seek another term. Wilburn said he has faith the party’s next chair will lead Iowa Democrats through the challenges ahead.

The November election saw Republicans gain seats in the state legislature. Republicans won every seat in Iowa’s congressional delegation and only one Democrat on the statewide ballot won — by a narrow 21-hundred vote margin. Earlier this month, a panel of national Democrats voted to dethrone the Iowa Democratic Party’s Caucuses. The plan is to have South Carolina’s Primary go first in 2024, followed by four other states.

Wilburn, who’s been reelected to another term in the Iowa House, says he’ll join other Democrats in working to grow the party and support candidates who’ll fight for the ideas a strong majority of Iowans support.