Officials with the Shelby County Dept. of Public Health say despite the fact the United States is currently experiencing a large, multi-state outbreak of measles. More than 100 people from 14 states have been confirmed as having measles. As of February 6th, 2015, there are no confirmed measles cases in Shelby County or in Iowa.

Shelby County Public Health Director and Nurse Practitioner Calla Poldberg said “This national measles outbreak has brought the protection provided by vaccinations back into the spotlight. It’s always important to keep your vaccinations up-to-date, but during times like this, when we know a virus is actively circulating, it’s especially important to check with your health care provider to be sure you and your family’s vaccinations are current.”

The best way to prevent measles is to get the measles-mumps-rubella shot (known as MMR). Two doses of MMR will provide more than 99 percent of people lifelong protection against measles. Two doses of MMR are required for elementary and secondary school entry in Iowa. Shelby County school-aged kids are well-vaccinated with over 99.9% of students receiving two doses of MMR vaccine. The first dose of MMR should be given at 12 months of age and the second dose can be administered as soon as 28 days later; however, the second dose is usually administered as part of the kindergarten shots given between 4-6 years of age.

Generally, persons who started elementary school in Iowa after 1991 and were up-to-date on all school entry vaccine requirements have received two doses of MMR vaccine. It is recommended that adults born in 1957 or later receive at least one dose of MMR vaccine, or have a laboratory test proving that they are immune and are protected. In addition, two doses of MMR is recommended for adults of all ages who work or volunteer in health care facilities, travel internationally, or are students in a post-secondary institution, if they do not have laboratory proof of immunity.

You can learn more about measles by calling Shelby County Public Health at 712-755-4422 or your local medical provider or visit www.cdc.gov/measles.

The Atlantic School District’s Board of Education will discuss and act on proposed budget reductions during their meeting Monday night at the high school. Late last month, the board gave the district’s Administrative team instructions to look at all areas where savings might be made. Superintendent Dr. Michael Amstein says they’ve been looking for ways to cut $650,000 from next year’s budget.

Amstein said over 80-percent of their budget is for personnel, and that’s one area they’ll have to closely scrutinize. The district received a TLC (Teacher Leadership and Compensation) Planning Grant for the 2015-2016 school year in the amount of $450,000, that allows them to move some people into instructional leadership positions. Amstein said that may make it easier, by not having to replace those positions, but cuts will come from every department across the district. Last year, the district proposed $800,000 in cuts.

In other business, the Board will hear Special Presentations from the Music Department, with regard to the 2016 trip, and, a Fiscal Year 2014 Audit report from the firm of Nolte, Cornman & Johnson, P.C.

Following action on the budget and other matters, the Board will discuss the Operations/Maintenance budget and suggested Summer Capital Projects. The meeting in the Atlantic High School Media Center begins at 7:30-p.m., Monday.

The Walnut City Council, Thursday, was offered the chance to acquire the building in town currently owned by the Walnut School District. City Clerk Terri Abell said Walnut Community School District Superintendent Jesse Ulrich came before the Council to make the proposal. Ulrich said the School Board wanted to give the City the first opportunity to do something with the building. The decision was then made to form a committee comprised of the Mayor and two Council people, School Board members, and members of the public, to decide what they want the facility to become. They also discussed the possibility of hiring a consultant or an architect to conduct a feasibility study and facility study on the building.

Abell said if anyone from the community would like to volunteer to serve on the committee, they are more than welcome to contact the Walnut City Hall at 712-784-3443. It’s not clear if the District wants to gift the building to the City or sell it, but Abell said giving from a municipality-to municipality is a much easier. Last year, the Walnut School Board opted to reorganize with the AHST School District, with the idea being to have one campus, located in Avoca. Officials are exploring the option of selling or leasing the building in Walnut, which will serve students for the last time, during the next school year.

She said also, the Council received information from Bob Hilligas and Marye Bierbaum about expanding the City’s profile through social media. That includes advertising the various antique shops in the community on Facebook. The City already has a Facebook page, and an official City website that talks about local government and City events. Hilligas and Bierbaum were given a budget to handle the social media aspect of the City and tie in all relevant pages to the Facebook page.

The City she says also waiting to see if it will receive a grant for a Streetscape/Fascade Program, and they recently received a $400,000 grant through the CITIES Programfrom the Iowa West Foundation, which they are hoping to match with a grant being applied for through a CDBG (Community Development Block Grant).

Police in Creston say a resident in the 700 block of Poplar Street reported this (Friday) morning, that someone had stolen his blue, 1991 Buick Regal. The car, with IA license plate 646 XFY, was taken sometime between 8-p.m. Thursday and 5-a.m. today (Friday). The loss was estimated at $1,000.