A grant writing workshop is scheduled to be presented in Montgomery County November 18th for representatives of nonprofits, local government and schools. Grant Writing 101, a workshop sponsored by ISU Extension and Outreach – Montgomery County, will provide hands-on training in seeking and writing successful grant applications. The workshop will be presented from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday November 18th at Southwestern Community College, Room 111, 2300 N. 4th Street, Red Oak.

Cost of the workshop is $25, which includes a light supper that will be served at the start of the program. Registration is required by noon, November 17th; call the Montgomery County Extension office at 623-2592 to register.

Participants are asked to bring a laptop computer or iPad/tablet device, if possible, to use to search online for grants and other resources during the workshop. A limited number will be available for use.

The training will be presented by Jane Nolan Goeken, a Community and Economic Development program specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Goeken has more than 27 years of successful grant writing experience, including extensive work with a variety of federal, state, local and foundation grant programs. She has also served as a grant application reviewer and has helped set up grant award and review programs.

Goeken will assist workshop participants in exploring various public and private funding sources, and provide instruction and tips on planning projects and writing successful grant applications. For more information about the workshop, contact Jane Goeken at jngoeken@iastate.edu or 712/240-2504; or Stephanie Langner, Montgomery County Extension Program Coordinator, at 623-2592.

A former Lewis Central teacher was reprimanded after allowing her students extra time on a standardized test. According to the Daily NonPareil, the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners issued a final order at its most recent meeting requiring Marlys Frohwein to complete a 15-hour course on ethics for educations.

Frohwein had been a special education teacher for the Lewis Central Community School District for the past 23 years. She resigned effective June 16th, with the school board accepting her resignation as part of a special meeting held June 17th, according to meeting minutes.

According to the Board of Educational Examiners, a complaint was filed June 29 alleging Frohwein violated the state’s professional code of ethics. The board found probable cause Aug. 7 that Frohwein violated Iowa Administrative Code, and she entered into a settlement agreement with the state agency. In its decision, the Board said Frohwein “Admitted she provided students extra time to think through questions on their tests, an accommodation not provided in any of the students’ IEP.” IEPs are individualized education programs, which outlines students’ current level of performance, educational goals and special services or accommodations.

Lewis Central Superintendent Mark Schweer confirmed the finding but did not further comment on the case. He said the district does not suspect additional cheating took place. Frohwein received a written reprimand on her license, which was shared with a national database, but she maintained her credentials as an Iowa educator. She carries several special education and instructional endorsements, as well as a general middle school endorsement, athletic coach and physical education endorsements.

Police in Council Bluffs say three juveniles who went missing Tuesday night from a group home, returned to the facility this morning, at 8:20. Bluff Police Sgt. Chad Meyers said authorities thank the public and media for assistance in getting the word out and in looking for, 15-year old Leah Carpenter and 11-year old Malakai Cayton, of Council Bluffs, and 9-year old Cassandra Gomez-Watson, of Carroll.
The trio were last seen leaving Children’s Square in Council Bluffs heading west on Avenue D, at around 9:15-p.m., Tuesday. Children’s Square is a group home for children in need of mental, physical and social support.

The Audubon County Auditor’s Office says it will have to contact the Iowa Secretary of State’s Office to determine how a tied vote on a Public Measure will be resolved. Voters in Brayton voted 10-10 on the measure, which asked them to approve an increase in the levy not to exceed $1.50 per thousand dollars assessed property valuation, for the purpose of paying the Audubon County Sheriff’s Office for police protection, in lieu of the community having it’s own police force.

In Guthrie County, two public measures were on the ballot in Casey. Both were approved by majority vote. The first asked if the Mayor’s term should be for two-years instead of four, beginning in 2020. The Yes votes tallied 81. No votes amounted to 62. And, Casey voters were asked if the Library Board should be comprised of five members, with two being non-residents of the community. The answer was an overwhelming 120 Yes votes. 23 No votes were cast.

Police in Creston arrested a Davis City man Tuesday afternoon, on a warrant out of Decatur County for Sex Offender Registry Violation/2nd or subsequent offense. 27-year old Joshua Thomas was brought to the Union County Jail and then released to the custody of Decatur County deputies.

And, early this (Wednesday) morning, 36-year old Lela Churchwell, of Creston, was arrested at her home on Disorderly Conduct and Public Intoxication, charges. Churchwell was being held in the Union County Jail while awaiting a bond hearing.