Brett Irlmeier, Chair of the Audubon County Community Foundation, has announced that $41,170 in grants was awarded to Audubon County nonprofit agencies. With these grants, the Audubon County Community Foundation has distributed over $1.3 million in grants and scholarships over the last 15 years.

The following nonprofit organizations, which submitted applications to the Audubon County Community Foundation by the September 1st deadline, were awarded grants by the Audubon County Board of Directors (Organization name/Project/$ Award):

• Audubon Country Players Community Theater – Truss system to mount lighting for dinner theater productions in Agri Hall, $750.
• Audubon County Agricultural Society – Add a concession stand and restrooms near Livestock Pavilion, $12,500.
• Audubon Recreation Foundation – Construction of recreation center in Audubon $10,920.
• Exira Community Club – Phase 2 of Exira Rec Center renovations $18,000.
• Exira Park Committee – Renovate brick path in Memorial Flood Park $1,000.00

Of the $41, 170, approximately $2,500 from the Leon and Iva Milliman Endowed Fund went to the Exira Community Club; $2,900 from the Charles T. and Kathleen K. Manatt Endowed Fund, $690 from the Audubon State Bank/Stephen Garst Endowed Fund; $1,200 from the Audubon Masonic Association Endowed Fund; and $490 from the Merle and Norma Petersen Endowed Fund went to the Audubon Recreation Foundation; and $490 from the Fred and Evelyn Nissen Endowed Fund went to the Exira Park Committee project.

All grantees met the criteria as Audubon County nonprofit agencies or organizations with charitable missions in the areas of civic, cultural, health, education and social services. Only organizations providing services in Audubon County were eligible.
Audubon County agency representatives received their checks on November 10th.

The Audubon County Community Foundation works with individuals, families, businesses and organizations to create permanent funds that address the changing, vital community needs and interests. Donating to a permanently endowed fund helps your neighbors today AND you help build a stronger community tomorrow. Not only that, you’ll be eligible to receive a 25% Endow Iowa Tax Credit for each donation, in addition to any Federal tax benefits for which you may qualify.

The Audubon County Community Foundation invests and administers these funds and distributes grants to deserving, qualified nonprofit organizations. For information about donating or establishing an individual foundation/fund, please contact any of the Board Members, or call Dennis Nissen, Iowa Foundations Director, at 800-794-3458.

Clarinda Police Chief Keith Brothers reports on Monday, November 23rd, the Clarinda Police Department and Clarinda E-911 Communications Center will begin Operation Blessing 2015. The community project embodies the spirit of Christmas by helping to make sure every child in Clarinda receives a gift on Christmas day. Retired Police Chief Joe Newton and retired 911 Communications Supervisor Diane Newtown will be managing the program again this year.

Children may be signed up for involvement in the program by calling the Clarinda Police Department at 712-542-2194. A Clarinda E-911 Communications Specialist will take the child’s name, age, sex, and address and two gift requests per child/children. Names of children can be submitted beginning Monday, November 23rd, 2015 and will be accepted through Monday, December 21st 2015.

Cash contributions in c/o of Operation Blessing 2015 can be dropped off at the Clarinda Police Department or mailed to the Clarinda Police Department, 200 South 15th Street, Clarinda, Iowa 51632. Cash contributions will be used by the Clarinda Police Department to purchase gifts for the children. If you wish to purchase a specific gift for a child, please contact the Clarinda Police Department and ask to speak with Joe and Diane Newton to make arrangements to purchase a specific requested gift item(s).

Families will be contacted by the Clarinda Police Department when the gift items are ready to be picked up.

Both lanes of Interstate 80 eastbound in Cass County were reopened this morning at around 7:45 following an accident involving a semi that happened about 1.5-miles west of Adair at around 5:30-a.m. The road was closed for more than two hours while traffic was rerouted south into Anita and then east on G-30.

The semi, hauling non-hazardous materials was blocking both lanes of the interstate while crews worked to remove the wreckage. No serious injuries were reported.