Des Moines – Governor Reynolds recently proclaimed November 16th through the 24th as Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week in Iowa. Iowa joins with the National Coalition for the Homeless, the National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness as well as more than 700 other organizations throughout the country in bringing awareness to the pressing issues of hunger and homelessness. The Iowa Council on Homelessness reports that 12,180 Iowans were served by homeless shelters in 2018, a slight decline from 12,932 served by shelters in 2017.

Iowa Finance Authority Executive Director Debi Durham says “I encourage all Iowans to join with the Iowa Council on Homelessness this week in recognizing the many causes of hunger and homelessness, the impact it has on families and to support local organizations in their efforts to make a difference in the lives of Iowa’s most vulnerable citizens.” The Iowa Council on Homelessness is a 38-member council made up of representatives of state and local governments, nonprofits, advocates and homeless or formerly homeless individuals that works to identify issues, increase understanding, raise awareness and secure resources that will allow all homeless Iowans to become self-sufficient.

The Iowa Finance Authority provides staff support to the Council to submit a coordinated application for federal funds through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance Program. Iowa Council on Homelessness Board Chair Karin Ford said “The Iowa Council on Homelessness works year-round to advance opportunities for those who are experiencing or are at-risk of homelessness. As the holidays approach, it’s a fitting time for all Iowans to consider donating time or resources to homeless service agencies throughout the state to assist Iowa families in need.”

Two-weeks after the City/School Elections, the Cass County Board of Supervisors will canvass the results of the City/School Elections Tuesday, with the focus on the School Elections. The results will include the previously unavailable tallies for school districts lying in more than one county. Unofficial results that followed the Nov. 5th election, showed that in Cass County, Incumbent Jenny Williams, and candidates Nicholas Hunt along with Laura McLean were elected to the Atlantic School Board. The votes totals among the five candidates running for three seats on the Board could change, especially with regard to a tight race between McLean and Benjamin Winford. The initial results showed McLean had a seven-vote lead over Winford. The canvass takes place following adjournment of the regular board meeting that begins at 9-a.m. Tuesday, in the basement meeting room of the Cass County Courthouse.

In other business, during their regular meeting, the Cass County Board of Supervisors will act on an Interim Engineer duties agreement, and discuss a Post-Election Audit Report, with regard to confirmation that election equipment accurately counted the votes on Election Day. The Audit Board hand-counts votes using machine-count standards, according to County Auditor Dale Sunderman.

(Radio Iowa) — A dyslexia task force is submitting recommendations to Iowa lawmakers today (Monday) designed to improve instruction for kids with the common learning disability and other struggling readers. Task force member Katie Greving says the group conducted a survey of Iowa teachers, parents, students and others. Greving says, “The major finding of the survey was that a lot of people who are responsible for helping to meet the needs of these kids don’t have the basic knowledge and skills that they need, and wanted more knowledge and skills.”

Greving says they also found a lot of inconsistencies across different schools in how they’re handling students with dyslexia. The group recommends the state develop a dyslexia-specific teaching endorsement, and that all teachers take an online training course about dyslexia.  “The task force chose this recommendation to address a systematic lack of expertise on dyslexia in Iowa,” she says, “and that’s probably the most important thing that we’re asking of the legislature.”

Greving adds, these steps can help kids who are struggling with reading for many different reasons, not just those who are diagnosed with dyslexia.

(Reporting by Katarina Sostaric, Iowa Public Radio)

A Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Deputy responding to a residence in Treynor Sunday night for a Welfare Check, determined a Domestic Abuse Assault had allegedly taken place. 50-year old Richard Allen Sullivan was subsequently arrested at around 11:20-p.m., for Child Endangerment/Substantial Risk – Bodily Injury, and Domestic Abuse Assault/1st offense – Causing bodily injury. Authorities say the victim was a 27-year old female. Three juveniles, ages 1, 4 & 6 were present during the incident.

A traffic stop at around 1:50-a.m. Sunday on a speeding vehicle in Crescent, resulted in the arrest of 30-year old Terry L. Moore. Authorities say Moore was rounding a corner when his Mazda nearly struck a Deputies’ patrol car. The traffic stop was made at Old Lincoln Highway and the Old Morman Bridge Road. Moore was taken into custody for OWI/1st offense. A traffic stop on a vehicle blocking the road at Highway 6 & 200th Street at around 6:05-a.m. Saturday, resulted in the arrest of 41-year old Scott Wayne Casson. He was taken into custody for OWI/2nd offense.

A man being held in the Pott. County Jail, was presented with two warrants Friday afternoon, for Burglary in the 3rd Degree. 29-year old Nicholas P. Gilmore, of Council Bluffs, was read the warrants and then returned to the custody of Corrections Staff. He remains in the Pott. County Jail on $12,000 bond associated with other charges. Another Pott. County Jail inmate, 49-year old Roger Dean Robey, Jr., of Council Bluffs, was also presented with two warrants for Burglary in the 3rd Degree. Robey remains in the Pott. County Jail on other charges as well. His bond was set at $11,000.

And, 22-year old Tarvoreiona Corshay Mapp was taken into custody Friday afternoon, for Violation of Probation. There was no listing for her on the Pott. County Jail roster this (Monday) morning.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — A Waterloo woman has been found guilty of scamming a couple out of thousands of dollars by saying she had a kidney transplant, tumors and other medical problems. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that 47-year-old Shawn Adams, also known as Shawn Tomkins, was convicted Friday of theft and false reports.

Prosecutors say she got nearly $58,000 in aid from the Waterloo couple after telling them her tale of woe. Prosecutors say she accused one of one of them of sexually abusing her son when they discovered her scam. In June she was sentenced in Grundy County for an unrelated theft. Prosecutors say she took people to a farm in rural Dike in December 2017, selling them items that she falsely said were hers.

The Annual Grand Lighting Ceremony will be held this Thursday, November 21st at 5-p.m. at the Historic Rock Island Depot in Downtown Atlantic. A free, hot dog meal will be provided, and there’s free hot chocolate available at the Chamber tent. Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bailey Smith says “Atlantic is one of Travel Iowa’s best places to celebrate the Christmas Season and Grand Lighting is a big reason why. There are over 200,000 lights strung throughout the trees on Chestnut Street as well as City Park that helps create this magical scenery for everyone to enjoy.

Santa will make his special helicopter arrival (weather and an emergency pending), at 5:30-p.m., to turn on the lights and see children in his cabin from 6 – 7:30 PM. Don’t forget to pick up your Christmas brochure from area retail businesses, “like” the Chamber on Facebook, or follow on Twitter to find dates and details to celebrate Christmas in Atlantic. You can find a complete list of activities at www.christmasinatlantic.com.

The Atlantic City Council will meet in a regularly scheduled session 5:30-p.m. Wednesday, in their Chambers at City Hall. Action items on their agenda include:

• A Resolution “Obligating Funds from the Hotel Whitney Urban Renewal Area Revenue Fund for Appropriation to the Payment of Annual Appropriation Tax Increment Finance Obligations which shall come due in the next Fiscal Year.” The Resolution was tabled during the Council’s meeting Nov. 6th, due to issues with the base values versus the increment applied to the development project. City Administrator John Lund says “It has been concluded that nothing can be done related to the Urban Renewal District nor the Development Agreement, in-time to meet the Urban Renewal report submission deadline of Dec. 2nd.” The Council will be updated further as the Administration is advised by legal counsel on how best to proceed, according to Lund.
• The Council will act on an “Order to approve [an] agreement to provide City Clerk services to the City of Marne.” The City’s Personnel and Finance Committee met Aug. 28th to review a proposal from Marne Mayor Randy Baxter, who reported at that time they will be losing the services of their City Clerk by the end of this year. Marne proposes contracting with the City of Atlantic for those services at a rate of $500 per month. Atlantic City Clerk Barb Barrick feels the arrangement is beneficial for both communities, and that it will place a minimal burden on her office. The Personnel and Finance Committee supports the proposal.
• Action is expected to be taken also, on an “Order approving [an] Engineering Work Order for Additional Bull Creek Engineering Services.” City Administrator John Lund says the Community Development Committee met Oct. 30th to review a variety of storm water issues, and concluded there is renewed interest in the reshaping and relining of the reshaping and relining Bull Creek from 14th to 17th Streets. A survey of the area was developed and has been completed at the request of the Committee, at a “Relatively small cost.” Lund says proceeding to the next phase will result in studies being completed by the Army Corps of Engineers. Once completed and submitted, he says, the City should be granted an individual permit and assess the extent of work to be done. However, with the current backlog of requests for permits, any improvements proposed would not be ready for construction, until the Spring or Fall of 2021. He warns that any storm water construction projects in one year that cost more than $30,000, will result in either a significant increase to the minimum storm water utility bill or an increase in property taxes to offset the decreased abatement the City has been doing to the Debt Service Fund, to manage payments for the Bull Creek portion of the 2016 bond. The aforementioned studies, he says, will allow the City to attach firm figures to the project cost.
• The Council is expected to act Wednesday, also, on passing the 1st reading of an Ordinance amending the City’s Code of Ordinances, with regard to Chapter 21, entitled “City Administrator.” The amendment would change some of the wording with regard to accountability of Boards and/or Commissions, including those of the Parks and Recreation Board. A separate 1st reading of an Ordinance pertaining to the Parks & Rec Board will also be acted upon, Wednesday.

In other business, the Atlantic City Council will act on the re-appointment of Mark Smith to the Airport Commission, and an Order accepting the Tax Sale for 301 Maple Street, a dilapidated property within the City limits, which the County has agreed to allow. Approval gives the city a future opportunity to demolish the property.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (Nov. 18, 2019) — The American Red Cross urges eligible donors to be the lifeline for patients in need this holiday season by making an appointment to give blood or platelets. While helping to save lives is likely motivation enough, those who come out to give Nov. 18-Dec. 18 will also receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email, courtesy of Suburban Propane.  Some upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Adair County: Greenfield, 12/10/2019: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Nodaway Valley High School, 410 NW 2nd Street

Adams County: Corning, 12/16/2019: 1 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Community Center, 601 6th Street

Audubon County: Exira, 11/25/2019: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Exira Recreational Center, 106 N Jefferson

Cass County: Anita, 12/11/2019: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., CAM High School, 1000 Victory Park Road; Atlantic, 11/21/2019: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Atlantic YMCA, 1100 Maple Street

Montgomery County: Red Oak, 12/2/2019: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1101 East Summit, & 12/13/2019: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Red Oak High School Auditorium, 2011 N 8th St.; , Stanton, 12/9/2019: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Viking Center, 501 Elliot; Villisca, 11/20/2019: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Community Center, 201 S. 3rd Ave

Page County: Clarinda, 11/26/2019: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Westminster Presbyterian Church, 322 N 16th;  Shenandoah, 11/21/2019: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Shenandoah High School, 1000 Mustang Drive.

Pottawattamie County: Avoca, 12/17/2019: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., AHSTW High School, 768 So. Maple; Neola, 11/18/2019: 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Tri-Center High School, 33980 310th St, 12/12/2019: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Neola Community Center, 110 4th St; Oakland, 11/20/2019: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Oakland Riverside High School, 18997 Hwy 59

Shelby County: Earling, 12/2/2019: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., St. Joseph’s Hall, 118 Main Street; Elk Horn, 11/25/2019: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Exira EHK Schools, 4114 Madison; Harlan, 11/26/2019: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Veteran’s Memorial Building, 1104 Morningview; Panama, 12/4/2019: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., St. Mary’s Parish Center, 204 St. Mary Avenue; ,Westphalia, 11/27/2019: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., St. Boniface Parish Center, 305 Duren St.

Again, the Red Cross is thanking those who come to give Nov. 18-Dec. 18 with a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email, courtesy of Suburban Propane. (Restrictions apply; see amazon.com/gc-legal. More information and details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Thanks.) Additionally, those who come to give Nov. 27-30 will receive an exclusive long-sleeved T-shirt, while supplies last.