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Atlantic Superintendent disputes DOE enrollment projections

News

August 9th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Atlantic School District Superintendent Dr. Mike Amstein disputes the Iowa Department of Education’s conclusion that enrollment projections for the upcoming school year will be less than anticipated. Last year, he says, total enrollment was 1,409. For the 2011-2012 school year, the DOE predicts an enrollment of about 1,391 students, or a loss of 18 students. Amstein says the administration doesn’t believe that will be the case.

He says based on preschool numbers for the 2012-2013 school year…which the DOE predicts will result in the loss of another dozen or so students…Atlantic should actually see the same number of students coming into the district, or about 140 students.

He says the numbers may actually rise over the next two-years, based on the number of live birth rate projections. The bottom line, according to Amstein, is that they don’t see the DOE’s numbers “coming to fruition,” which he says is good news for the district.

Atlantic School Board approves Middle School HVAC/Renovation bid

News

August 9th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education, Tuesday night, swallowed a bitter pill and approved a bid for the Middle School HVAC and Renovation Project that was nearly $750,000 over budget. Jerry Purdy, with Design Alliance Engineering said the low bidder for the project was Allied Engineering Company, based in Atlantic. The Board approved their bid of $7.645-million for a project that was budgeted at $6.9-million. Purdy said the highest bid of $8.47-million, came from an Omaha company.

According to Purdy, there five bids were selected from those received, all of which were tightly grouped together for the most part. He says the project came in over budget because of what’s termed “Project creep,” whereby items that were added to it during the design phase for one reason or another, some because of code, others for function or aesthetics, were not adjusted in the final budget.

One of those items was the parking lot, which made-up about five-percent of the nearly 8.3-percent increase in costs. He says the addition of storm piping and other issues meant more than just an overlay, as was planned.

The board had the option to accept the bids as presented, or reject them and make changes, which would also mean a delay in the project completion date of up to a year, and mean it would take up to three-years to finish, instead of two. The board was essentially left with three options if it chose to reject the bids: go for more bonds, which would result in additional cost for bonding fees, etc.; to use the $200,000 set aside surplus and use an additional $300,000 resulting from the sale of bonds at a favorable rate; or, borrow at the end of the project, which also means incurring additional debt in the form of interest.

While the board was not happy with the fact the project went over budget,  they agreed with Superintendent Doctor Mike Amstein who said prior to the vote, their options are limited, and timing is critical if the students are to  receive a quality education with as minimal interruptions as possible.

Board member Glen Smith said he was in favor of the bid because the district would be using a local contractor, who can handle issues and questions quickly, and because there’s a higher “Degree of trust,” than with a firm that is farther away. Board Member Jon Martens reluctantly made to motion  to approve the bid, and following a second by Smith, the motion passed unanimously.

Audubon Operation T-Bone Sale a Success

News

August 9th, 2011 by Jim Field

The annual Operation T-Bone cattle sale was held Tuesday at the Anita Livestock Auction as 337 head of fat cattle changed hands.  Anita Livestock owner Bernard Vais said the market was good with prices ranging from $110 to $113.50 per hundred.  Anderson Farms of Audubon sold 42 head averaging 1333 pounds for the top price of $113.50 per hundred and Bill McGuire of Audubon sold seven head averaging 1389 pounds at that top price.  Nebraska Beef, Tyson, Cargill and National Beef were the buyers.  Operation T-Bone is an annual event started in 1951 focusing on the importance of the beef industry to Audubon county.

Nebraska Prep Hoops Star Commits to Hawkeyes

Sports

August 9th, 2011 by Jim Field

Iowa basketball coach Fran McCaffery snagged a major victory Monday when South Sioux City Nebraska star Mike Gesell verbally committed to the Hawkeyes.  Gesell, a six-foot-one point guard, had narrowed his choices to Iowa, Nebraska and Stanford.  He also had offers from Iowa State, Creighton, Northern Iowa, Drake, Utah and Harvard.  The all-stater has led his prep team to the last two Nebraska Class B state titles.  As a junior last season, Gesell averaged 25.2 points, 8.2 assists and six rebounds per game.  Most of the major recruiting services list him as a top 100 recruit.

Commercial Manure Applicator Training Session Scheduled for Cass County

Ag/Outdoor

August 9th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Commercial manure applicators who have not fulfilled their 2011 manure applicator certification training requirements can attend the three hours of annual continuing instruction required to maintain their manure applicator certification on Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2011, from 9 a.m. to noon. Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will conduct a statewide re-show of the 2011 Commercial Manure Applicator Certification training. There is no fee to attend the workshop, but commercial applicators must register by Aug. 24 by calling the Cass County ISU Extension Office at 712-243-1132.

Commercial applicator business owners and managers are reminded that existing or previously certified employees must meet certification requirements prior to hauling or land applying manure. New employees can work for the first 30 days of employment without meeting the certification requirements, but must be actively seeking certification status. Applicators who are unable to attend the Aug. 31 training need to schedule time at their local ISU Extension office to watch the training DVD. Due to scheduling conflicts, many ISU Extension offices will no longer accept walk-in appointments to watch the DVD. If meeting training requirements by attending the 3-hour training session is not convenient, commercial applicators may contact their local DNR field office to schedule an appointment to take the certification exam to meet certification requirements.

Commercial manure applicators that have already completed training for 2011 are not required to attend.

If you have questions about this training session or the Manure Applicator Certification program, contact the Cass County Extension Office at 712-243-1132 or go to
http://extension.agron.iastate.edu/immag/mac.html

Fish salvage after Missouri flood waters recede

Ag/Outdoor, News

August 9th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will allow promiscuous fishing to take place in waters bodies left behind from the 2011 Missouri River flood, beginning on Aug. 15. These waters bodies need to be completely isolated from the river, unlikely to be connected to the river during normal flows, did not exist before the flood, and are less than 5 feet in depth if on public land. Anglers will need permission to access water bodies on private land.

Promiscuous fishing regulations for isolated water bodies in Missouri River flood plain in Iowa will remain in effect until on or about November 30, 2011.

Anglers with a valid fishing license will be allowed to harvest any size or number of fish species from these isolated flood waters. Any number of fishing poles, jugs or nets will be allowed. Anglers must remain in sight of these lines at all times, and follow all other fishing regulations and area rules. Trot lines will be allowed (name and address must be attached), however lines may not be set across entire water body and at least one end must be above the water level and visible.

Dynamite, poison, or electric shocking devices, or any stupefying substances will not be allowed. It is illegal to sell fish or stock captured fish into public waters.

If anglers capture a sturgeon fish species the DNR asked that they be returned to the river as quickly as possible. Pallid sturgeon is listed as an endangered species in the Missouri River and is protected under federal law.

Iowa authorities seek person of interest

News

August 9th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Wood disappearance - Person of InterestDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Authorities are looking for a “person of interest” in the disappearance of a central Iowa couple whose truck was found in Kansas City, Mo., a day after fire destroyed their Warren County home. A body was found in the debris on July 30. Officials say the body is that of a male, but the identity has not been confirmed.

Authorities are searching for 79-year-old James “Bill” Wood and his 72-year-old wife Kaidena “Kay” Wood. They were seen at a local auction on the morning of July 30. Their truck was found on July 31 at the Cordillera Ranch Apartments in Kansas City.

Investigators on Tuesday released a sketch of a man who was seen at the apartments. They say he may have information about missing couple.

Griswold man arrested on burglary warrants

News

August 9th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports 25-year old Jacob Lee Gronewold, of Griswold, was taken into custody Monday evening. Gronewold was arrested on a warrant charging him with two-counts of Burglary in the 3rd degree. The warrant was the result of an investigation into an incident which occurred July 4th.

Officials say Gronewold, who was also arrested early last month on a charge of Delivery of a Controlled Substance within 1,000 feet of a City park, was being held in jail on $2,000 cash bond.

Man arrested for disorderly conduct is in more trouble

News

August 9th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

A Tabor man arrested Monday afternoon on a charge of disorderly conduct, faces an additional charge of Assault on a Correction Officer, following an incident at the Montgomery County Jail. Sheriff’s officials say 23-year old Zachary Alan White allegedly assaulted a correctional officer as he was being processed on an original charge of disorderly conduct. White was taken into custody at around 2:30-p.m., one-half mile west of Broadway Street on old Highway 34. He was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $5,000 cash bond.

Backyard and Beyond 08-09-2011

Backyard and Beyond, Podcasts

August 9th, 2011 by admin

Lavon speaks about just who is Aldo Leopold?

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