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New law implements school attendance policy for all schools in Iowa

News

August 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Schools across Iowa are adjusting attendance policies to comply with a new state law. Senate File 2435 defines “chronic absenteeism” as when a student is absent for 10% of the school year. The Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education is set to discuss and act on the district’s policy, Wednesday evening.

KCRG-TV reports the Director of Student Services for Cedar Rapids Community School District, Chris Gibson said “We have just been working diligently to try to understand the law, and try to think about our policies and procedures that would align with that law,”

When a student misses eight days of school, their family will receive a letter letting them know their child is chronically absent. If a student misses 12 days, they will be required to have an engagement meeting between the school, the student, and the parent. A student reaches truancy after 15 days of being absent. If that happens, another meeting will be held with the county attorney present.

Multiple schools said they have had a problem with absences. The Vinton-Shellsburg School District plans to help parents keep track of their child’s absences.

You can read a summary of the school attendance law here.

Adair County Memorial Hospital re-opens after being damaged in the May tornado

News

August 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Updated) – RADIO IOWA – The hospital in Greenfield is now offering some of its services as it continues to rebuild following severe damaged from the E-F-4 tornado went through the town on May 21st. The tornado didn’t hit the Adair County Memorial Hospital directly, but high winds and flying debris caused enough damage that it closed and relocated many services to the Nodaway Valley Elementary School. Hospital C-E-O, Catherine Hillestad says outpatient and specialty clinics reopened Monday.

Hillestad says the hospital is still working towards reopening the emergency room and resuming inpatient services.

Work continues on rebuilding the E-M-S garage and they hope to have it rebuild by the summer of fall of 2025.

(By Natalie Krebs, Iowa Public Radio)

Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the KJAN listening area: Tue., Aug. 13, 2024

Weather

August 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Today: Patchy dense fog/drizzle this morning reducing visibility to under 1 mile at times. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 78. E/SE winds 5-10 mph.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy w/a 60% chance of showers & thunderstorms after midnight. Low around 64.
Tomorrow: Mo. cloudy w/a 60% chance of showers & thunderstorms. High near 82. SE winds @ 15-25 mph.
Tom. Night: Showers & thunderstorms. Low around 66.
Thursday: Partly sunny w/a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. High near 82.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 82.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 83.

Monday’s High in Atlantic was 71. The Low was 62. We received .02″ rain Monday (after 7-a.m.), here at KJAN. Last year on this date, the High in Atlantic was 78 and the Low was 58. The Record High here on Aug. 13th, was 101 in 1913. The Record Low was 39 in 1964. Sunrise today: 6:26-a.m.; Sunset: 8:23-p.m.

Baccam says border security ‘critically important’

News

August 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Lanon Baccam, the Democrat challenging Republican Congressman Zach Nunn’s bid for a second term, says securing the southern border is critically important and a bipartisan plan developed this spring would have taken important steps in that direction. “Yet for purely political purposes, reasons it was killed,” Baccam says. “…Every time there’s a chance to actually do something and get something done, politics gets in the way. Iowans are tired of it. They want to see their representatives actually get something done in congress…When I get up there, I will do everything I can to make sure we can pass something.”

Baccam says the bill that stalled would have assigned more agents to the border and deployed technology to identify drugs being smuggled into the country. “Those are things that actually could have made a difference,” Baccam said. Baccam spoke late Monday afternoon at The Des Moines Register’s Political Soapbox at the Iowa State Fair. Baccam’s Republican opponent, Congressman Nunn, told a crowd at the Fair on Friday there is no greater threat to the U-S than the situation at the southern border. Baccam says the number one issue he hears about from voters is about keeping their public schools.

“Iowans know that these systems have worked in the past, they want to continue to see these services delivered and so they’re worried about what’s going to happen to their communities,” Baccam said.

Baccam, a native of Mount Pleasant, now lives in Des Moines. He answered reporters’ questions after his speech, then chatted with voters at the Iowa Democratic Party’s booth at the State Fair before flipping chops at the Iowa Pork Producers grill on the fairgrounds.

Woman from Shenandoah injured in a Creston moped accident Sunday evening

News

August 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Creston, Iowa) – A woman from Page County was injured late Sunday evening during an accident in Creston. According to the Creston Police Department, a 2015 moped driven by 29-year-old Taylor Dawn Fleming, of Shenandoah, was traveling north on McKinnley Street in Creston, at around 7:45-p.m., when she turned her moped onto Kirby Street, and lost control.

The moped went over a curb and into the yard and driveway before striking a parked 2015 Buick Enclave SUV, registered to a man from Ellston (IA). Emergency Room staff from the Greater Regional Community Hospital in Creston witnessed the crash. Fleming was transported from the scene by ambulance to the hospital.

During an interview with officers, she made statements saying that she had been drinking. Officers requested a blood draw warrant and served it that same night. Charges are pending the results of a lab  report.

Police estimated damage to the moped, registered to a woman from Creston, at $1,000. Damage to the SUV was also estimated to be $1,000.

Atlantic School Board to discuss & act on Girls Wrestling Program recommendation & Attendance Policy

News

August 12th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic School Board is set to hold their regular monthly meeting 5:30-p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 14, in the High School Media Center. Among the discussion and action items, is an Attendance Policy, and Girls Wrestling Program.

The Board will also act on the following resignations:

  • Mallory Kirchhoff, ISS Para
  • Sierra Parker, Preschool Para
  • Arla Clay, Nutrition Cook
  • Carmem Ligia Ferreira-Cohrs, Driver

And, Contract Recommendations to Hire:

  • Laura Millar, 4th – 8th Grade Therapeutic Classroom Para
  • Lucas Mosier, High School Football Coach, Volunteer
  • Nathan Block, High School Assistant Football Coach
  • Naela Thornton, Middle School Assistant Volleyball Coach
  • Brooke Lamp, Middle School Assistant Volleyball Coach
  • Dillon Cox, High School Boys Assistant Wrestling Coach
  • Cody McCreedy, High School Boys Swimming Coach
  • Anna Pauley, National Honor Society Advisor
  • 24-25 Winter Sports Coaching Recommendation

The meeting can be seen in-person, or via YouTube.

View the complete agenda (in a PDF) here: PUBLIC AGENDA 08142024

 

Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show raises a record-breaking $560k for Ronald McDonald House Charities of IA

Ag/Outdoor, News

August 12th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

AMES, Iowa – In another record-breaking year, officials with Iowa Cattlemen’s Association and Iowa Beef Industry Council, said today (Monday), the 42nd annual Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show continues to elevate the bar, raising $568,000 for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa. The figure was a significant jump from last year’s record of $501,000. Including this year’s donations, the Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer is inching close to $6 million in donations since its inception in 1983.

All money raised benefits the three independent Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa located in Des Moines, Iowa City, and Sioux City. These three houses have served over 55,000 families from all 50 states and many foreign countries. Families from all 99 counties in Iowa have benefited from the Ronald McDonald Houses of Iowa.

The Governor’s Charity Steer Show would not be possible, officials say, without the sponsors, youth exhibitors and their families, celebrities, and buyers. Their impact through volunteering, donations, and dedication created another successful show and fundraising outcome. This year, more donations and support were collected in advance of the event than ever before.

There were also two exhibitors that exceeded the threshold of the most dollars raised throughout the event from donations and the sale of their steer. Baylen Brink raised $71,354 and Jacob Ringkob raised $58,211, which topped the previous record of $48,000.

Not only was Pioneer Pavilion packed for the Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show, but more than 4,000 people watched online. The 42nd Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show was held on August 10 in Pioneer Pavilion at the Iowa State Fair. Winners in four categories were recognized in the show ring – Community Hero, Grand Champion Showman, People’s Choice, and Judge’s Grand Champion. This year’s event hosted 24 sponsored steers, shown by their youth exhibitor and a local celebrity.

The Community Hero Award recognizes the youth exhibitor who goes above and beyond collecting non-monetary donations and creating awareness for the event. This year’s winner of the Community Hero Award was Layne White from Blakesburg. Iowa. Layne collected 175 pounds of pop tabs and a lot of nonperishable items for the Ronald McDonald House Charities. Layne was sponsored by the Davis County Beef Promoters and showed with celebrity, Mercedes Northup, who was on The Bachelor.

The showmanship contest was judged by Brad and Drake Hook. Their focus was on the partnership between the celebrity, youth exhibitor, and the steer. While we had some excellent celebrity showmen in the ring, who had done their homework, Drake awarded Cheyenne Houk also from Blakesburg, Iowa, and her celebrity showman, Mark McCully, CEO of American Angus Association, as the Grand Champion Showman. Their steer was The Business and they were sponsored by the Monroe County Cattlemen and Supporters.

A fan favorite, the People’s Choice Award, gives the audience and team supporters a voice in the competition as they help select the winner of this event. This year Brad Hook helped judge this award and as he worked the ring, he had the crowd roaring for their favorites. In the end, it was two-time NCAA champion wrestler, David Carr, and his youth partner, Kate Totemeier from Columbus Junction, Iowa, along with her steer, ZZ, who took the award! David, Kate, and ZZ were sponsored by the District 20 Cattlemen’s Associations.

Finally, the most prestigious award of the show, the Judge’s Grand Champion, was selected. Ross Havens from Nichols Farms in Bridgewater, Iowa, had the hardest task of working through and judging the stellar lineup of steers and showmen. Whopper and his youth exhibitor, Emma Norman of Searsboro, Iowa, and celebrity showman Jeff Angelo, a radio personality, received the honor. The team was sponsored by the Iowa Bankers Association.

Following the show, a live auction was conducted to raise funds through the sale of each steer and additional value-added items donated by industry supporters and celebrities. These funds were added to the donations received by each youth participant, resulting in the $568,000 donation going to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa.

Georgia man charged in Death of Winneshiek County teen

News

August 12th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A Georgia man who was extradited to Iowa on a gun charge is now charged with second-degree murder in the death of a teenager. The Winnesheik County Sheriff’s Office says, following a two-year multi agency investigation spanning several states, 65- year-old James Bachmerski has been charged in the death of 15-year-old Jade Marie Colvin.

Authorities say in 2017 Colvin was brought from Arizona to Iowa by her mother to live at the Bachmerski farm in southern Winnesheik County.

The Sheriff’s Office says they were made aware in 2022 that Colvin had not been seen or heard from since two days after arriving in Iowa.

ISABELLE “BEA” PETERSEN, 84, of Exira (Celebration of Life 8/17/24)

Obituaries

August 12th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

ISABELLE “BEA” PETERSEN, 84, of Exira, died January 8, 2024, at Heritage House in Atlantic. A Celebration of the Life of BEA PETERSEN will be held from 4-until 7-p.m. on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at the Exira Event Center (106 N. Jefferson St., Exira, IA). Roland Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

The family invites you to join them for a meal and a joyful remembrance with a time for sharing at 5:30 p.m. on the 17th.

A private family burial was held at St. John’s Cemetery, west of Exira.

Memorials may be designated to the St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery.

ISABELLE “BEA” PETERSEN is survived by:

Her daughters – Tami Trewet-Sloop (& husband Kurt), of Atlantic; Teresa (Tom) Christensen, of Audubon, & Jennifer (LD) Rettele, of Omaha.

Her sons -Mark (Amy) Petersen, of Libby, MT; and Pat (Mary) Petersen, of Exira.

Her brother – Roger Maltais.

11 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Janis Petersen of Des Moines; other relatives and many friends.

Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.

PHYLLIS LORRAINE [BARNHOLDT] PENTON, 95, formerly of the Anita/Massena areas – Svcs. 8/15/24

Obituaries

August 12th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

PHYLLIS LORRAINE [BARNHOLDT] PENTON, 95, formerly of the Anita/Massena areas, died Friday, August 9, 2024, at Cass Health in Atlantic. Funeral services for PHYLLIS PENTON will be held 10:30-a.m. Thursday, Aug. 15, 2o024, at the Anita United Methodist Church. Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Atlantic has the arrangements.

Visitation with the family present will be held on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, from 5 to 7 pm at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home.

Burial is in the Evergreen Cemetery in Anita.

Memorials in her name can be made to either the American Legion, Volunteer Fire Department or United Methodist Church all of Anita.

PHYLLIS PENTON is survived by:

Her daughter – Connie Jensen, of Springfield, MO.

Her sons – Robert Penton, of Adair; Ronald Penton, of Atlantic, and Roger Penton, of Waukee.

6 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren.

Condolences can be sent at: Schmidtfamilyfh.com