(Radio Iowa) — With Election Day tomorrow (Tuesday), Iowans are being reminded about the importance of civility as we reach the end of a long political season. Scott Raecker (RACK-er) is director of the Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University in Des Moines. The center is sponsoring the “Show Some Respect” campaign which urges people to be kind and think before speaking out, especially on social media.
“One of the things we suggest is being honest with ourselves and with others, both with the information we get and distribute, making sure it’s from a reliable source,” Raecker says. “There’s a lot of stuff out there that may not be factually correct. We have a responsibility and accountability of only passing on things and working on things we know.”

While it’s easy to get into a war of words on Facebook with people who hold differing opinions, strive to be tolerant of other’s points of view. “Quite candidly, there’s probably only a handful of people who haven’t decided who they’ll be voting for and we may not change people’s minds,” Raecker says. “Respect people and their opinions. They’re passionate about their pieces just as I am about mine — and seek to understand.”

Also, do your best to not launch into a political argument if you know it may hurt someone’s feelings. “Many people have already made up their mind or they will be making up their mind and you don’t want to do something that’s going to damage relationships,” Raecker says. Take time to learn about the candidates and the issues, getting information from reliable sources. He adds, don’t rely on negative ads or social media to research the candidates, but instead, learn about the candidates from non-partisan sources.

MOUNT PLEASANT, Iowa (AP) — A private school in southeast Iowa is on the verge of closure despite a recent enrollment increase. The Hawk Eye reports that Iowa Wesleyan University in Mount Pleasant needs to raise more than $2 million for its spring semester and at least $4.5 million to stay open for another year. If the university fails to raise the funds, current seniors hoping to graduate in the spring would have to transfer to another university at the end of the fall semester.

University officials are searching for additional funding sources and partnerships. Officials are also meeting with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, higher education partners and regional business and community leaders to look into alternatives to closure. The board of trustees will discuss the university’s future during a closed meeting Nov. 18.

GARNER, Iowa (AP) — A northern Iowa man has been given five years in prison for using a belt to spank a 4-year-old child. Hancock County court records say 33-year-old Charles Pennington, of Mason City, was sentenced late last month after pleading guilty to felony child endangerment . A criminal complaint says an investigation began in March after officials were notified about severe bruising on the boy’s buttocks, lower back and upper legs. Other children in the household told Britt police the child was beaten with the belt for “getting in trouble.”

Clarinda Police Chief Keith Brothers reports that on Monday, November 26^th the Clarinda Police Department will begin “Operation Blessing” 2018. This community project embodies the spirit of Christmas by helping to make sure every child in Clarinda receives a gift on Christmas day. Retired Police Chief Joe Newton and retired 911 Communications Supervisor Diane Newton will be managing the program again this year. Children, ages infant-through seventeen (18) may be signed up for involvement in the program by calling the police department records office during regular business hours at 712-542-2194, extension 203 (records office). The caller will be asked to provide the child’s name, age, sex, address and two gift requests per child. Names of children can be submitted beginning Monday, November 20^th and will be accepted through Thursday, December 20th.

Cash donations in c/o of Operation Blessing 2018 can be delivered to Chief Brothers at the police department or mailed to the Clarinda Police Department, Attn: Operation Blessing, 200 South 15th Street, Clarinda, Iowa 51632. Cash donations will be used by the Clarinda Police Department to purchase gifts for the children. If you wish to purchase a specific gift for a child, please contact the Clarinda Police Department and ask to speak with Joe and Diane Newton regarding purchasing a specific requested gift item(s).

Families will be contacted by the Clarinda Police Department when the gift items are ready to be picked up. If a family is unable to pick up the gifts, uniformed officers of the Clarinda Police Department will deliver the gifts.

The Atlantic Area Chamber’s Annual Scrooge Contest is underway during the month of November. Eleanor Hoover organized the contest back in 2002 just one year after the inaugural Lighted Parade. The Scrooge contestants raise money and collect non-perishable food items for the Atlantic Food Pantry. The 2018 candidates include: Rob & Sonya Clausen, McDermott & Son Roofing; Brad Willrich, Deter Motor Company; Deb Schuler, Smith Land Service, Mark Smith, Principal and Brett Altman, CCHS. Hoover says “Candidates can choose any method they want in collecting their points. In the past, candidates have hosted soup suppers and put pictures and boxes in local businesses to collect food donations.”

Contestants are responsible for collecting and submitting their points to the Chamber by November 30^th at noon. The contestant with the most points will be named Scrooge and all proceeds will benefit the Atlantic Food Pantry. Winner of the Scrooge Contest serves as the Grand Marshal in the Lighted Parade on December 1^st at 6 PM in Downtown Atlantic. Cash donations are worth one point on the dollar and two non-perishable items earn the contestants one point. Past Scrooge titles have been awarded to: Mary Ann Moorman 2007, Dana Halder 2008, Tammy Wise & Janet Huey 2009, Ritchie Anderson 2010, Janet Cappel 2011, Melanie Petty 2012, David Miller 2013, Mark McNees 2014, Ted Robinson 2015, Jon Johnson 2016 and Rob Stamp 2017.

Hoover said the Scrooge title is used because, “Contestants find the meaning of Christmas by giving to others,” explaining that is the real honor of being named Scrooge. “Therefore, I am hoping that together as a community we will assist the contestants to provide many neighbors and friends the same joy of having a meal to celebrate the holidays.” The contest will run now to November 30^th. Donations to a contestant can be made by delivering food or funds to their drop off locations or the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce.  For more information please call the Chamber at 712.243.3017 or email chamber@atlanticiowa.com.

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.atlanticiowa.com. Capture the Christmas magic with #MyAtlanticIA and post to the Atlantic Area Chamber’s Facebook page or Instagram (AtlanticIowaFan). Contact the Atlantic Area Chamber with any questions at chamber@atlanticiowa.com or call 712.243.3017. Christmas in Atlantic is presented by TS Bank.

Cass County Auditor Dale Sunderman reminds citizens that today (Monday), is the last day for Registered Voters to vote early at the Auditor’s Office, in the Courthouse. The office is open until 5-p.m. A voter may register and vote Absentee as well as vote early, today. The polls are open from 7-a.m. until 9-p.m. Tuesday, for the General Election. Sunderman reminds you as well, that straight-ticket voting has been eliminated beginning with this election, meaning you cannot vote on one party or another only. Each position on the ballot must be voted on individually. Voters should anticipate it will take a little longer therefore, to mark your ballot.

Here’s a look at some of the area General Election races we’ll be following once the polls close Tuesday night:

In Adams County, Republican Douglas Birt and Democrat Marty Olive are hoping to grab the District 1 seat on the County Board of Supervisors.

In Adair County, Democrat Jodie Jean Hoadley and Doug Davidson are competing for the District 4 seat on the County Board of Supervisors.

In Audubon County, incumbent Republican Gary Van Aernam faces a challenge from Democrat Dwight Jessen for County Supervisor.

In Guthrie County, four candidates are hoping to fill two seats on the Hospital Board of Trustees: Jimmie Robson, Roberta “Bert” Simmons, Danielle Fink, and John M. Tews.

There are no contested races for office in Montgomery County during Tuesday’s election. About the closest voters will get to that, is deciding on which of the three candidates will fill two seats for the Montgomery County Hospital Board of Trustees. The candidates include Jill Bergstrom, Kevin Cabbage and Michelle Pruss.

In Pottawattamie County, there are nine candidates for three seats on the Board of Supervisors, including incumbents Scott A. Belt and Justin Schultz(Republicans), and No party (incumbent) candidate Tom Hanafan. Also in the running for the Pott. County Board, is: Republican Lynn Grobe; Democrats Glenn Hurst, Frances Parr and Marsha L. Pilger; Libertarian Robert Fairchild, and Independent candidate Don Dierks.

And in Shelby County, Republican Darin Haake, and Democrat Roger Schmitz are running for the Board of Supervisors in District 1, and there are two candidates for Clay Township Clerk. They include Steve Jacobs of Marne, and Joel Schlueter, of Elk Horn.

Other, State races to follow in western Iowa, include:

• State Representative – District 12: Republican Brian Best & Dem. Peter Leo.
• State Representative – District 22: Republican Jon Jacobsen & Dem. Ray Stevens.
• State Representative – District 15: Republican LeAnn L. Hughes & Dem. Charlie McConkey.
• State Representative – District 16: Republican Mary Ann Hanusa, Dem. Steve Gorman, and Libertarian Steve Sechrest.