The Creston Police Department reports two people were arrested on separate charges, Tuesday. 43-year old Jamie Foote, of Creston, was arrested at the Union County Law Enforcement Center (LEC), on a Union County warrant for Probation Violation related to an original charge of Domestic Abuse Assault. Foote was being held in the Union County Jail to serve the balance of his original sentence.

33-year old Erin Wallace, of Creston, was also arrested at the Union County LEC on a Union County warrant for Failure to Appear, on an original charge of Eluding. Wallace was being held in the Ringgold County Jail to serve the balance of her original sentence.

Creston Police said also, the Caseys General Store on W. Taylor Street reported Tuesday, that someone passed a counterfeit $20 bill to pay for merchandise, Monday. A Creston resident told Police Tuesday that sometime between 9-p.m. Monday and 7-a.m. Tuesday, someone stole a propane tank from outside his home in the 200 block of N. Oak Street. The loss was estimated at $25. And, Tuesday evening, a Creston resident reported to authorities that sometime between 2-p.m. Monday and Tuesday, someone took a blue and grey tackle box with assorted fishing tackle, a fishing net, Muck fishing boots, and two Baitcast rods and reels. Those items were stolen from a boat parked behind a residence in the 500 block of Wyoming Street. The loss was estimated at $800.

Tests of Iowa students in kindergarten through third grade show nearly 50-thousand of them are below average readers, but requiring summer school for those lagging readers may remain on hold. Iowa Department of Education director Ryan Wise says his agency and schools around the state are committed to addressing the problem. “We know that there is a lot of work ahead and we are focused on ensuring that every single student in Iowa does read well, particularly by the end of third grade so that they’re able to access the more rigorous schoolwork ahead of them and opportunities beyond high school,” Wise says.

Wise outlined his agency’s strategic spending plan for the governor yesterday (Tuesday). It did NOT include money for summer school classes for third graders who cannot read well. By state law, those classes originally were scheduled to begin this next summer, but lawmakers recently rolled the start date back to the summer of 2018. “I think that will certainly be a point of conversation in the legislature of when is the right time to have that requirement in there and then how are schools supported in that effort,” Wise says.

Wise is asking legislators and the governor to set aside five-and-a-half million more state tax dollars to spend on “coaching” and professional development for teachers in the early grades who teach reading. “There is a tremendous sense of urgency both in terms of the percentage of students that aren’t reading proficiently and the gaps that exist between groups of students — students who are English Language Learners, students with different racial and ethnic backgrounds, students with disabilities,” Wise says. “We know that there’s a lot of work ahead.”

Thirty-six percent of the kindergarten through third-grade students who were tested LAST fall failed to reach reading benchmarks. By the spring, four percent of those students had improved literacy skills enough to reach their reading goals.

(Radio Iowa)

Page County Sheriff Lyle Palmer says from November 25^th through December 21^st 2016, the Page County Sheriff’s Office is taking requests for Operation Blessing.  With Shenandoah, Essex, and Clarinda having similar programs for children in those towns, the Page County Sheriff’s Office will be geared toward children in the other communities, as well as rural areas, of the county.

The requests must come from a parent or guardian of the child and can be called into the Page County Sheriff’s Office at 712-542-5193, or reported in person at the Page County Sheriff’s Office located at 323 N 15^th Street in Clarinda. Again requests will be taken from Friday November 25, 2016, through Wednesday December 21, 2015, and each child will be given a first and second choice.

Operation Blessing was started in the mid 1980s by the Page County Reserve Deputies to ensure that every child in Page County has the opportunity to receive a gift at Christmas. It has continued every year since for almost 30 years. This year the Sheriff’s Office and Reserve program will continue this tradition of ensuring that children in Page County receive a gift for Christmas.

Anyone wishing to donate to the Page County Sheriff’s Office Operation Blessing program can either stop by the Page County Sheriff’s Office or mail the donation to the Page County Sheriff’s Office at 323 North 15th Clarinda, Iowa, 51632. The Sheriff’s Office will again this year be delivering the gifts to the children.  That will take place on December 21st, 22nd, & or 23^rd.   The date depends on staffing, call load, and of course, the weather.

Sheriff Palmer say he wants to “Thank everyone for their donations and support of the program, for without this the program would not be able to continue.” He also  thanked his staff at the Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in everything they do with the program, and he wished everyone “A joy filled Holiday season.”

The Board of Supervisors in Adair County will hold their regular weekly meeting today in Greenfield, beginning at 9-a.m.  During their session at the Courthouse, the Board will hear from County Treasurer Brenda Wallace with regard to an employee resignation. She’ll also discuss a new hire.

Snyder and Associates Engineer Tim Teig will talk with the Board about a preliminary elevator plan study. County Engineer Nick Kauffman will discuss Step Raises for two employees, the hiring of a Maintenance Superintendent, and the purchase of a motor grader.

And, County Auditor Mindy Schaefer will update the Board on quotes for the phone system, TIF certification, and a Resolution authorizing an internal advance to the Capital Projects Fund. Other, regular reports are expected from the Adair County Weed Commissioner and County Engineer. The Board will also discuss an appointment to the Conservation Board.