WebsterCounty,IOWA— Investigators and search parties have gained additional information surrounding the abduction and subsequent search for Kathlynn Shepard. Most significantly, a search team of law enforcement and K9s located the young girls’ backpacks late yesterday, Tuesday, May 21, 2013. Additionally, investigators obtained an image of Kathlynn from the day of the abduction.

In the included image is Kathlynn as she exited the school bus, shortly before her abduction. Previous reports indicated she was wearing a “Vikings” baseball cap. However, in the image provided, she is wearing a “Cubs” cap.

As the search area is primarily rural and uninhabited terrain, investigators continue to solicit information from locals and frequent visitors. In particular, investigators are asking any hunters that may have placed hunting cameras in the area, to check their recorders and report any findings to law enforcement. Please call 515-573-1410.

Additional volunteers are not needed at this time, however, they may be needed in the near future. If you would like to contribute to the search for Kathlynn, please call Webster County Emergency Management at 515-571-6483. Please leave a message for search coordinators indicating your name and contact number, as well as any resources you may be able to provide.

As the 2012-2013 school year winds down, the staff at Atlantic Medical Center (AMC) are starting to prepare for the 2013-2014 school.

Jeri Orstad, RN, AMC Immunization Nurse, prepares to administer an immunization

Officials say if your child will be entering preschool or kindergarten in any of the area schools and is still in need of their immunizations, make the call now to avoid last minute appointments and schedule conflicts.

All immunizations given at AMC are entered into the state immunization database, so records are current and easily accessed. If you are unsure if your child needs immunizations before starting school call AMC and ask for the immunization room. The immunization nurses will be happy to check your child’s immunization record.

For older children, AMC will be offering vaccine updates at the sport physical exams this year. Parents must be present at the time of exam in order for their child to receive any immunizations. Sport physicals will be offered every Tuesday from July 9^th through August 6th, beginning at 5-pm.**  Appointments are necessary and can be made by calling AMC.  Cost for sport physicals is only $12, payable at the appointment, with no insurance submission.

If you have questions about immunizations for people of any age, contact Jeri at the Atlantic Medical Center Immunization Room, 712-243-2850.

**CCMH has corrected the time of the physicals late Wednesday afternoon from 5-9pm to “beginning at 5-p.m.”

The Harlan City Council is ordering bids for the 2013 Sewer Rehabilitation Project. In a council meeting Tuesday, the council approved Resolution No. 2012 to order bids to be advertised for the proposed plans, specifications and form of contract for the project. The detailed plans and specs were prepared by Veenstra and Kimm Engineers. A public hearing will be held at the next Harlan City Council meeting, Tuesday, June 4^th on the matter. 

In other business, the city council approved an amendment to the 2012/2013 City budget and approved the joint participation agreement with SWIPCO for taxi services. The Shelby County Supervisors approved the same agreement with SWIPCO during their meeting Tuesday. 

Towards the end of the meeting, Harlan Mayor Gene Gettys gave an update on the filming of “Today inAmerica”. He said the filming crew is planning on being in Harlan between August and September.

Councilman Dave Pedersen reported to the council the Therkildsen Center is looking for different display items for each month. He said the Center is looking for anything people save or collect such as Coca-Cola memorabilia to blankets and anything in between.  If you would like to show off a display of collected items, contact Sheri or Alice at the Therkildsen Center. 

(Joel McCall/KNOD)

The Cass County Board of Supervisors today (Wednesday), approved a Fiscal Year 2014 Rural Transit System Joint Participation Agreement with SWIPCO (the Southwest Iowa Planning Council). The annual agreement counties pay remains unchanged from the last fiscal year, at $6,000. The Board however tables action on the abatement of taxes on a property owned by the City ofAnita. Cass County Treasurer Tracey J. Marshall requested the matter be taken up again next week, because the legal process is not finished. She said the Supervisors should not agree to an abatement unless they are “Signed-off on by the Treasurer.”Marshallsaid she was not ready to do so because she needs to conduct an investigation because the City ofAnitafiled a 657A.10A petition with the court to claim title to an abandoned property. The matter went through the court, and there was a tax sale, so she needs to do some checking. 

The Supervisors approved a County budget appropriations adjustment (changes in spending authority) for a decrease in the General Basic Fund, Capital Project department, by $7,000, and a related increase in the Conservation Capital Improvement Fund by $7,000. Conservation Director Micah Lee explained the move allows his department to expend funds it received in the current fiscal year in the form of a grant, for some new equipment designed to clear the trails and other areas. He said they applied and received a grant they hadn’t budget for, therefore there were not enough funds in the budget to cover the purchase of a Utility Terrain Vehicle – UTV and rotary broom. The grant check has already been received and deposited, so the simple transfer of funds would allow the Conservation Dept. to pay for the machines. The budget would then be amended at the end of the fiscal year. 

And, Cass County Engineer Charles Marker reported to the Board the Secondary Roads Department is in the process of hauling contract rock to various locations in the County from the outlying quarries, for use on long sections of roadways. Contract rock is not intended for filling smaller holes, or projects.

The 2013 graduating class at the Harlan Community High School raised the bar for future graduating classes Sunday, when it comes to doing something notable on graduation day.  The class had been encouraged to do something special while walking up to the podium to get their diploma. Harlan Community School District Superintendent Justin Wagner said it was a challenge from him and High School Principal John Connell to do something special.

He says they didn’t really know what to expect following the practice ceremony as they trusted to the students since it was a special class. Wagner said the first student came up and shook his hand and then gave him money and it kept going for the whole 128 students. He said a few of them told him the money was for the Wounded Warrior Project. (http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/)

Wagner said he was really proud of the kids who stepped up. He called it special since it was the entire class and not just one student. The class raised a total $359 and has their efforts had a ripple effect, with Wagner saying he would match the dollars raised by the students. In addition, an anonymous donor from Sioux City has promised to match the combined donations of the students and Wagner.

Wagner said the moment certainly made a lasting impression as the class made their mark. He said he saw the video of the standing ovation which went on for about 38 seconds. Adults were crying and students were emotional. He said it was a special time.

(Joel McCall/KNOD)

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The search for a missing 15-year-old Iowa girl abducted Monday after getting off her school bus was continuing this (Wednesday) morning near Dayton in northern Iowa.  A news release from the Iowa Department of Public Safety says the search is focusing on four areas, all within 20 miles of Dayton.
 
Searchers will focus on the area around the bus stop where Kathlynn Shepard and a 12-year-old girl were abducted, the area in rural Pilot Mound, Iowa, where the 12-year-old girl escaped and an area near Dayton where the body of 42-year-old suspect Michael Klunder was found Monday night. Searchers will also search the area near Klunder’s Stratford, Iowa, home.
 
More than 300 people searched for Shepard on Tuesday. Authorities say more volunteers are not needed today, but could be later.