Audubon Police Chief Matt Starmer reports a local teen was arrested last Tuesday (March 24th, on a drug charge. Officers arrested 16-year old Alyssa Leigh-Anne Stevens, of Audubon on a Possession of Marijuana – 1st offense, charge. Stevens was released to her parents and will be referred to the Juvenile Court.

And on Saturday, Audubon Police arrested 29 year old Shawn Leroy Schmidt, of Audubon. Schmidt was charged with Aggravated Domestic Abuse – 2nd offense. He  was being held on $5000 bond in the Audubon County Jail.

Governor Terry Branstad says there’s no reason to add an accommodation for year-round high schools in the bill that would resolve the controversy about when Iowa schools may start classes this fall. “We don’t have any year-round high schools in Iowa, so there’s not something that we need to address,” Branstad says.

Both the Iowa House and Senate have approved bills that would let schools start “on or after August 23rd.” A December memo from the Branstad administration put schools on notice that it would no longer grant waivers and enforce existing law, which means schools would have to start during the week in which September 1st falls. “I can live with the present law or this compromise is something that I would find also acceptable,” Branstad says.

The Democratic leader in the Iowa Senate has placed a hold on the compromise date of no earlier than August 23rd. Senate Democratic Leader Mike Gronstal has said since the bill grants a waiver to year-round elementary schools, it should include waivers for year-round high schools, in case districts want to move in that direction in the future. Branstad rejects that argument. “I see no reason to address something that’s a non-issue when there are no year-round high schools,” Branstad says. “I can’t see what his problem could be.”

In addition to resolving the dilemma about when Iowa schools can start classes in the fall, lawmakers have also failed to decide how much state aid districts will get for 2015-2016 school year. Branstad told reporters this morning (Monday) he’s sticking with his bargaining position, which would provide about 100-million more to schools. Democrats in the legislature are holding to their bargaining position, a four percent boost in per pupil spending that would amount to a roughly 200-million dollar increase for public K-through-12 schools.

(Radio Iowa)

The United States Postal Inspection Service is offering a reward of up to $1000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the burglary of the U. S. Post Office in Brayton. The incident occurred after the Post Office closed at the end of its business day on March 25th.

JJ O’Hara, US Postal Inspector in Des Moines, says anyone who breaks into, or attempts to break into any U.S. Post Office with the intent to commit a larceny or other depredation, is committing a felony, subject to a fine and/or imprisonment for up to five years.

If you have any information concerning the crime, contact the U. S. Postal Inspectors at 1-888-876-5322 or the Audubon County Sheriff’s Office at 712-563-2631.

A local accounting firm reports financial statements for both the City of Atlantic and Cass County have been completed. The reports, compiled by Gronewold, Bell, Kyhnn & Company, P.C., are for the Fiscal year that ended June 30, 2014. Copies of the report are available at the Atlantic City Clerk’s office and office of the Cass County Auditor, respectively. The reports are also available from the State Auditor’s Office.

The City of Atlantic Financial report can be found here: http://auditor.iowa.gov/reports/1420-0128-C00F.pdf

The Cass County Financial report can be found here: http://auditor.iowa.gov/reports/1410-0015-C00F.pdf  Cass County Auditor Dale Sunderman summarizes the County report as follows:

The County had local tax revenue of $25,969,742 for the year ended June 30, 2014, which included $1,230,203 in tax credits from the state. The County forwarded $19,029,316 of the local tax revenue to the townships, school districts, cities and other taxing bodies in the County. The County retained $6,940,426 of the local tax revenue to finance County operations, a 0.7 percent increase from the prior year.

Other revenues included $6,088,828 from the state, including indirect federal funding of $2,467,736, charges for service of $351,156, and $191,376 for the use of money and property. Expenditures for County operations totaled $14,468,301, a 21.2 percent increase from the prior year.

Expenses included $4,958,282 for roads and transportation, $1,092,156 for mental health, $2,359,152 for public safety and legal services, $813,009 for capital projects, the flow thru of indirect federal funding and $1,222,405 for administrative services.

Two men wanted on outstanding warrants related to drug activity in Audubon County have turned themselves in. Audubon County Sheriff Todd Johnson reports 21-year old Reece Joseph Blohm, of Audubon, turned himself in this (Monday) morning. He was charged with Possession of Marijuana/2nd offense, and Gathering Where Controlled Substances are used. 21-year old Robert Paul Joens, of Exira, also turned himself in to the Sheriff’s Office this (Monday) morning. He was wanted on a Gathering Where Controlled Substances are used, charge.

Blohm appeared before the magistrate and was released from custody. A preliminary hearing for both men will be held April 16th. An extensive investigation into their alleged activities began in November, 2013, and remains ongoing.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Questions are being raised about some purchases by Iowa law enforcement agencies using money seized under state and federal civil forfeiture laws passed to help fight the scourge of illicit drugs. The Des Moines Register reports that the money is supposed to be spent on enhancing law enforcement and crime fighting capabilities, not on items that normally would be covered by departmental budgets.

Among the purchases reported by the Register: scented candles, mulch and tropical fish; sewer and water bills; a $27,000 sport utility vehicle for a county prosecutor; respirators for firefighters. Former Cass County Attorney Daniel Feistner says his office used forfeiture money to buy the scented candles in 2013. He says the candles helped mask unpleasant body odors from some people visiting the office.