DES MOINES – Gov. Reynolds has announced the appointment of Renee Schulte of Urbandale to serve as Chair of the Iowa Board of Parole. Schulte began her new role today (Friday), September 29, 2023.

“Renee’s extensive background in mental and behavioral health will help protect our communities while advancing our goals of supporting the successful re-entry of parolees and reducing recidivism,” said Governor Kim Reynolds. “I look forward to working alongside Renee in this new role.”

“I’m honored for the opportunity to lead the Board of Parole during this season of government reorganization,” said Renee Schulte. “My background as a mental health professional will be an asset during this time of transition as we focus on our mission to protect the public.”

Schulte served as an Iowa State Representative from 2009 to 2013 and previously was a mental and behavioral health consultant based in Urbandale. Schulte has a Master of Arts in Counseling and Educational Psychology and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from New Mexico State University.

Schulte’s appointment is subject to confirmation by the Senate.   The role was previously held by Nick Davis who resigned to pursue other opportunities.  “I appreciate Nick’s dedication to serving the people of Iowa in this critical role,” said Gov. Reynolds. “He has a bright future ahead of him and I look forward to watching him advance his career in public service.”

Des Moines – The Iowa Department of Corrections reports James Scott Hoffman, who was convicted of Robbery 2nd Degree and other charges in Polk County, failed to report back to the Fort Des Moines Reentry Center as required, Thursday.

Hoffman is a 66-year-old white male, height 5’10”, and weighs 197 pounds. He was admitted to the work release facility on May 12, 2023.

Persons with information on Hoffman’s whereabouts should contact local police.

James Hoffman

(Harlan, Iowa) – Shelby County Auditor Mark Maxwell reports new practices for Shelby County owned cropland in Shelby County are being used this year. Maxwell says there will not be an auction this year.  The Board of Supervisors and the Solid Waste Board will collect sealed bids at the Auditors office until November 17th and be opened on November 21st, 2023 at the regularly scheduled Board of Supervisors meeting.  Bid packets for both properties are available at the Auditors office or by calling 755-3831 extension 6.

Shelby County and the Shelby County Solid Waste Board each have farm ground available for rent for the 2024 crop season.  The Shelby County Farm is approximately 145 acres. The Solid Waste Board Farm located at the county landfill is approximately 103 acres. Separate sealed bids are required for each farm.

The bids must be received in the Auditors office by November 17th at 4:30 pm. A 10% down payment is due upon acceptance of the highest bid by the Supervisors.

(Update 3:45-p.m.: All responding Atlantic & Marne units have been told to disregard the field fire page.)

(Elk Horn, Iowa) – Firefighters with the Marne and Atlantic Fire Departments were requested to assist other firefighters in in Shelby County in battling a field fire south of Elk Horn this (Friday) afternoon. The fire was approaching a residence in the vicinity of Highway 173 and 500^th Street.

There are also reports of a field fire in Pottawattamie County. Yesterday (Thursday), there were two separate reports of combine fires in the area.

(Radio Iowa) – The Board of Regents will seek an additional one million dollars from the Iowa Legislature to address the mental health needs of students. Regent Abby Crow of Tiffin made a motion for the money during Thursday’s meeting, citing discussions with students.

“A central point of our conversation was the need for expanded mental health services and the benefits this will bring to our students at our Regent Universities,” she says. “Student leaders also provided us with a unanimous letter imploring us as Regents to support their efforts for expanded mental health resources and funding.” Crow says it is not the first time the issue has been discussed.

“I know as regents we’ve heard these needs presented consistently in recent years by students and university administrators highlighting an opportunity we have to address a central issue that touches the lives of many,” Crow says. She says if the funding is approved, the students want to continue their involvement.

“Our student leaders at our Regent universities would be extremely grateful to be involved in further conversations going forward regarding the specific allocation of this funding,” she says, “and offer their insight as to what specific mental health related resources programming or staffing might do the most good at their respective institutions.”

The Board voted to approve the request, which will go to the Iowa Legislature in January. Crow graduated from the University of Iowa in May 2023 with a degree in human physiology and a minor in biology. Her board biography says her goal is to pursue a career in the medical field, and is currently a nursing assistant at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.