Local elected officials, area citizens, Local Emergency Planning (LEPC) Committee members, Emergency Management Coordinators and others, are invited to attend an April LEPC workshop to be held at the Cass County Community Center, in Atlantic. The workshop runs from 8:30-a.m. until 4:30-p.m. April 12th, and will feature speakers from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), EMA officials from around Iowa, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS), DNR, the Iowa Department of Homeland Security/Emergency Management, and more.

A $15 workshop fee covers all the materials you will receive, breaks, and a luncheon. Each workshop attendee will receive a notebook with copies of all the workshop presentations, and a CD-ROM packed full of information. The workshop is limited to 50 participants, and reservations are required.

Send your check or money order payable to: 2012 LEPC Workshop, Iowa DNR, 502 E. 9th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319. You also need to include your name, organization you are affiliated with (if any), your address (including City, State & Zip code), a daytime phone number, and your e-mail address. For questions, call 515-725-0302.

A downloadable program schedule and registration form is available here:

http://www.iowadnr.gov/Portals/idnr/uploads/epcra/lepc_flyer2012.pdf

A former West Harrison School District High School & Middle School Principal has pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor charge of Simple Assault, in connection with an alleged incident involving a female student in January. According to the Omaha World-Herald, Mike Loftin was arrested after he turned himself in to authorities. Loftin later posted a $300 bond and was ordered to appear in court April 27^th. If convicted, Loftin could be fined up to $625 and face up to 30-days in jail. He’s accused of pulling down the warm-up pants of a 15-year old girl on January 20^th, when the teen came out of a locker room, just before the teen and other students were to board a bus for a basketball game. Loftin was fired from his job at the end of January.

Cass County Auditor Dale Sunderman reports, at the close of business Monday, Frank Waters had filed papers for re-election to the Cass County Board of Supervisors, representing District 5. Waters joins Supervisor’s Chairman Duane McFadden, Auditor Dale Sunderman, and Sheriff Darby McClaren, on the list of candidates who have filed for re-election to their respective County Office. The last day to file election papers for the June 5th Primary, is March 28th.

A public hearing will be held this evening on the 2012-2013 Budget for the Atlantic Community School District. The hearing takes place during the Board’s regular meeting at 7:30-p.m., in the Media Center at the Atlantic High School. Action on approving the certified 2012-2013 budget will following later in the evening.

In other business, the Atlantic School Board will hear a mentoring report from Margo Magill, and a progress report on construction at the Middle School, from Jerry Purdy with Design Alliance. Action items (other than on the budget) include: approving bus bids; the awarding of a contract for banking services; approving Drivers Education fees for Summer 2012 & 2012-2013 school lunch prices; an adjustment to the 2011-12 District Calendar; and other matters.

Prior to concluding the meeting, the board will discuss Fall 2011 test data.