(Radio Iowa) – The state Board of Regents will vote on an increase in tuition and mandatory fees undergrad and graduate students at their meeting today (Thursday) in Iowa City. Graduate students spoke out against their increases Wednesday during a public comment period. Amanda Kozar is a grad student in history, and says they can’t afford increases. She says between moving expenses, security deposits, university fees, the U-bill and the monthly payments, the current pay scheme is unsustainable for graduate students. Noah Neibor is also a history grad student and he called for the fees be abolished altogether. Nicole Yeager says other universities have recognized this and taken steps to help and keep graduate students.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office says a man from Red Oak was arrested early this (Thursday) morning, following a traffic stop at Highway 34 and Evergreen Avenue. 37-year-old Jesse Ray Nelson was taken into custody at around 12:36-a.m., on a warrant for Violation of Probation. Nelson was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $5,000 bond.

Sheriff’s Deputies were assisted by Officers with the Red Oak Police Department, in making the arrest.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Police in Red Oak say a man was arrested Wednesday afternoon, following a traffic stop. 29-year-old Tylor Daniel Fine, of Red Oak, was arrested at around 1:35-p.m. and charged with Driving While Under Suspension, and Interference with Official Acts. Fine was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $491.25 bond.

(Lake Mills, Iowa) – A vehicle being pursued by law enforcement in northern Iowa’s Winnebago County, crashed Wednesday night and ejected the driver, who died at the scene. According to the Iowa State Patrol, authorities were chasing a 2005 Lincoln LS at around 10-p.m., when the vehicle failed to negotiate a curve on Highway 69 at 212th Avenue, near Lake Mills.

When the car entered the ditch and rolled over, the driver was ejected. Their name was being withheld pending notification of family.

The Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Lake Mills Police, Fire & EMS  Departments, and the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office.

[UPDATED 6/13] (Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Community School District’s (ACSD) Board of Education, Wednesday evening, discussed and then voted to approve, a request to advertise for a shared-position with the City of Atlantic, for a School Resource Officer (SRO). Atlantic School District Superintendent Dr. Beth Johnson..

Prior to the Board’s vote, Atlantic Police Chief Devin Hogue mentioned he had applied for a COPS (Community Oriented Policing Service) Grant. He expects to be notified in late September, about whether or not the grant is approved.

He said the nationwide federal grant is for a three-year program.

Chief Hogue said since the Atlantic P-D has previously never applied for the grant, he hopes that works in their favor.

In the meantime, a 28-E cost sharing agreement between the City and the School District would have to be approved by both entities. Superintendent Beth Johnsen said Middle School Principal Casey Pelzer was exploring the possibility as well, of the District applying for a similar type of, or other grant opportunities, to share in the cost of hiring an SRO.

In her report to the Board, Superintendent Johnsen said the District received $50,000 per district building, in the form of a School Safety Grant, for a total of $200,000.

She said also, the District’s new web page will be coming on-line in the next week or so.

Additional information will be released on social media, including the ACSD Facebook page. The Board, Wednesday, approved the resignations of:

• Cecily McCuen, Special Education;
• Alexandra Statia, Kitchen
• Kerry Jepsen, Para (to take HS Secretary position)
• and Alyssa Boltz, Soccer coach.

They also approved 2024-25 School Year Contract Recommendations and/or Letters of Assignment for:

• 2024 Fall Sports Coaching Recommendations, Sponsor and Advisor positions
• New position: Jr. High Assistant Volleyball Coach (#2)
• Anna Pauley, 9th grade Volleyball
• and Lisa Sonntag, JV Volleyball.

The Board approved 2024-25 Substitute Wage Rates (affecting two positions), in the amount of $150/day and $190/day, respectively. They approved PLC Supplemental Contracts, and by a vote of 3-to 2: Administrative, Director and non-union Employment, Contracts. The dissenting votes came from Jodi Stowater-Goodrich and Josh McLaren. In other business, the Atlantic School Board approved Fuel Bids as presented, Transportation Routing Software, and the renewal of Liability & Workman’s Comp Insurance, along with 2024-25 Membership renewals pertaining to: The Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB); Iowa School Finance Information Service (ISFIS), and Rural School Advocates of Iowa (RSAI).