A program launched nearly four years ago at Iowa State University is designed to teach students how to communicate without talking, while learning the culture of the deaf community. Sheridan Mottet, a junior at ISU from Parkville, Missouri, is among the students in the American Sign Language (ASL) program who recently spent several days in Council Bluffs working with students at the Iowa School for the Deaf.

“It’s definitely interesting to see where the students live, where they go to school, and how their daily lives are so much different than ours. In other ways, it’s weird to see how similar they are as well,” Mottet said. Students in the ASL program at Iowa State are required to interact with members of the deaf community around Ames and other Iowa cities. Cylina Engelhardt, a senior at ISU from Coggon, says the experience helps build her signing skills while learning more about the deaf culture.

“It’s what college is for, I guess, to immerse yourself in so many different cultures,” Engelhardt said. “I think this is a great experience. I have never been here before or anywhere outside of Ames for the deaf community. So, getting out somewhere else is incredible…for anybody to have this opportunity to come here.” During the trip to Council Bluffs, the ASL students were not allowed to talk out loud while they were at the Iowa School for the Deaf. Mottet said it was a significant challenge.

“In class, we’re not allowed to speak at all. So, it’s kind of the same as the classes, but this is for a much longer period of time and with a bunch of signers who are much better than me,” Mottet said. Cynthia Angeroth is the outreach coordinator at the Iowa School for the Deaf. She says the supply of qualified interpreters in Iowa is far below the demand.

“Iowa strongly needs teachers for the deaf and hard-of-hearing and they need interpreters across the state,” Angeroth said. One explanation for why there are so few interpreters is the commitment — it can take seven or eight years for someone to become fluent in ASL.

(Radio Iowa)

Sheriff’s deputies and Red Oak Police arrested a man on theft and assault charges, Sunday morning. 23-year old Justin Lewis Marsden, of Red Oak , was taken into custody at around 8:40-a.m. on a warrant for 5th degree theft, and assaulting a peace officer. Marsden was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $2,000 bond.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:31 a.m. CDT

MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) — Prestage Foods is working to obtain the environmental permits it needs to build a $240 million pork processing plant in Mason City. The environmental review process will address how much water the plant will need, how its wastewater would be treated and what effect it might have on air quality. Many residents have spoken out against the project.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Despite all the attention on water quality initiatives at the Iowa Legislature this year, it appears unlikely lawmakers will reach consensus before adjournment over how to pay for it. Leaders in the split Legislature have fundamental differences over whether to use existing funds or to generate new dollars to deal with longstanding issues over Iowa’s polluted waterways. There is no indication they will reach compromise soon.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa nurse accused of having sexual relationship with woman he was caring for. Authorities say the woman may not have been capable of consenting to sex with the nurse.

MISSOURI VALLEY, Iowa (AP) — All of the DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge is opening for the summer season this weekend. That means nature trails, mushroom hunting and bird watching will all be available. The refuge is north of Omaha near Missouri Valley, Iowa.

Members of the Audubon School District’s Board of Education will meet Monday evening in their Board Room at the High School, beginning at 7-p.m.  During their session, the Board will act on  Fiscal Year 2017 Budget reduction options that are equal to or greater than any increase in the District’s expenditure budget for FY17.

During a special session last week, the board held a public hearing on, and approved, a proposed regular program budget adjustment, during which their were no comments from the public. During their meeting Monday evening, the Board will also act on  approving an LED lighting project and softball field improvements.

Toward the end of the meeting, and prior to adjournment, the Audubon School Board will hold an exempt (closed) session for collective bargaining strategy negotiations.