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Monday’s area meeting schedule (1/17/21

News

January 16th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Area) Various monthly meetings are set to take place around the area, Monday. First-up, at 5:15-p.m., the City of Atlantic’s Parks and Rec Board will gather in the City Council’s Chambers. Action items include those pertaining to: The Quality of Life Committee; Sand Volleyball Courts; Little League Expansion, and a FEMA Safe Room. And, Director Bryant Rasmussen and the Board will discuss exploring synthetic ice options and enhancing online reservations.

The Griswold School Board meeting takes place at 5:30-p.m., Monday, in the Conference Room. At 6-p.m., the Board will move into a Public Hearing on the 2022-2023 School Calendar, followed by discussion. When they resume current business, the Board will act on setting the meeting date and time for a Special Board/Work Session. They’ll also take action on approving the 2022-23 School Calendar, and the Modified Supplemental Amount (MSA) & a plan for the Dropout Prevention and At-Risk Program. Additional discussion will cover topics such as the Baseball Field and Middle School Gym Maintenance.

At 6-p.m., Monday, members of the Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton School Board will meet in the Conference Room at the Elk Horn Building. There, they will receive and recognize a Letter of Intent to Bargain, from the Teacher’s Union. Discussion and/or action items include: Setting the date and time for a 2022-23 Calendar Hearing; A request to the SBRC for funding relating to FY 22 SWVPP increased enrollment (including a resolution to submit a request to the SBRC for funding in the amount of $32,521.50; Action on adopting a Resolution accepting completion of the MS staff restroom renovations in the Exira building; They will also act on: Approving an April 1st-3rd Music Booster trip to Kansas City; A retention stipend for staff, and approve hiring Cody Parmley as Drama/Play Sponsor.

The Audubon School Board meets 7-p.m. Monday in the High School Board Room. Action items include approving: sharing agreements with Coon Rapids-Bayard; the transfer of funds from Profession Development and Home School Assistance to the Flex Funds. Superintendent Eric Trager will report on the Federal Vaccine Mandate for businesses with 100 or more employees (Which was blocked by the Supreme Court last week), and he’ll provide updates on District building projects.

Greene County teen burned in New Year’s Day fire has died

News

January 16th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Scranton, Iowa) – Sheriff’s officials in Greene County, Saturday, said one of the teenagers badly burned in a Greene County cabin fire on New Year’s Day, has died. Two teens, 15-year-old Harley McDonald and 14-year-old Lucas Oakes suffered from burns when a cabin they were staying at near Scranton, caught fire. Oakes suffered burns to mainly his hands and face after he put out the fire on McDonald, who suffered critical injuries. Both teens had been flow to the burn unit in Iowa City, where McDonald later died.

Oakes was released from the burn unit on January 8th and was treated to a “Welcome Back” ceremony with friends and family at the Greene County High School parking lot on January 9th.

Investigators are still looking into the cause of the fire.

Des Moines man wanted charged in 1996 shooting incident was arrested again, on multiple charges

News

January 16th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

Des Moines, Iowa (Via KCCI) – A man involved in a deadly drive-by shooting in the 1990s is now behind bars once again for a different crime. Arrest records show 44-year-old David Flores is being held in the Polk County Jail on suspicion of domestic abuse, several counts of probation violation and one count of operating a vehicle without consent. Court documents indicate an assault on Dec. 31 led to Flores’ most recent arrest.

Flores was convicted in the 1996 death of Phyllis Davis. She was shot when she found herself in the middle of a rolling gun battle north of downtown. Flores’ conviction was later overturned. He later entered into a plea agreement in the case and was sentenced to time served.

In 2014, a warrant was issued for his arrest after he was accused of assaulting his girlfriend, but he went into hiding for several months before being captured in Arizona.

Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the area: Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022

Weather

January 16th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

Today: Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 34. Wind chill values as low as -5. South southwest wind 10 to 13 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 22. North northwest wind 8 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.
M.L.King Day: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 33. West northwest wind 5 to 8 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 40. South southwest wind 7 to 11 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 12. Blustery.

Saturday’s High in Atlantic was 15. Our Low overnight was -8. Last year on this date the High in Atlantic was 27 and the Low was 21. The Record High on this date was 64 in 1990. The Record Low was -25 in 2009.

Update on Sergeant Bluff Officer Involved Shooting

News

January 15th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

Woodbury County, Iowa – Officials with the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation, Saturday evening, identified the suspect who was shot Wednesday evening by a Woodbury County Sheriff’s Deputy. He was said to be 35 year old Michael Scott Meredith, of Sergeant Bluff. The DCI continues their investigation and no further names or information is being released at this time.

(Previous report follows):

Woodbury County, Iowa – Officials with the Iowa Department of Pubic Safety, Wednesday night, said an investigation is underway into a fatal, officer-involved shooting that occurred in northwest Iowa. Authorities say shortly before 6-p.m. Wednesday, two Woodbury County Deputies responded to the Woodford Mobile Home Park in Sergeant Bluff for report of a burglary in progress.  A witness directed the deputies to a white male subject who was attempting to force his way into a trailer home.

Upon making contact with the male subject, the subject advanced on the deputies with a tire iron in his hand.  One of the deputies fired their Taser, but the Taser was ineffective.  After being struck with the tire iron by the subject, the second deputy fired their firearm striking the subject.  The subject was transported to Mercy Hospital in Sioux City where the subject died as a result of the gunshot. The name of the suspect was being withheld, pending notification of family.

An Autopsy will be scheduled at the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Ankeny, Iowa in the coming days. The deputy who was assaulted was transported to Unity Point hospital in Sioux City for injuries they sustained.  The deputy has been released from the hospital.  The deputy has been placed on administrative leave which is standard procedure.

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation has been requested to investigate the shooting.  The Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office, Sergeant Bluff Police Department, the Iowa State Patrol and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation are conducting the investigation.

This is an active, on-going investigation.  No further details are being released at this time.

Speed and road conditions result in a Union County accident

News

January 15th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Afton, Iowa) – One person suffered possible/unknown injuries during a rollover accident Friday night southeast of Afton, in Union County. According to the Sheriff’s report, 20-year-old Alex Carter Dowda, of Creston, was driving a 2007 Accura SUV at around 8:15-p.m.  Dowda was traveling on High School Drive and attempting to turn onto Redwood Avenue, when his SUV went out of control on the curve, due to ice and snow on the road.

The vehicle went into the east ditch and rolled onto its top. Authorities said speed was a contributing factor in the crash. No citations were issued. Damage to the vehicle was estimated at $5,000. Dowda complained of pain and possible injury, but was not transported to the hospital.

LOWELL IVAN HOWE, 92, of Marengo (& formerly of Harlan) – Funeral Svcs. 1/20/22

Obituaries

January 15th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

LOWELL IVAN HOWE, 92, of Marengo (& formerly of Harlan), died Friday, Jan. 14th. Funeral services for LOWELL HOWE will be held 10:30-a.m. Thursday, Jan. 20th, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Harlan. Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home in Harlan has the arrangements.

Burial is in the Rose Hill Cemetery at Kirkman.

Online condolences may be left at www.burmeisterjohannsen.com.

LOWELL HOWE is survived by:

His son- Warren (Julie) Howe, of Marengo.

His daughter – Marietta (Michael) Edwards, of Dallas, TX.

His sister – Ina Jean Howe, of Sun City West, AZ.

5 grandchildren, 1 great-grandchild, other relatives and friends.

MICHAEL LEE “MIKE” LOVELL, 77, of Griswold (Celebration of Life 2/18/22)

Obituaries

January 15th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

MICHAEL LEE “MIKE” LOVELL, 77, of Griswold, died Thursday, Jan. 13th, at Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs. A Celebration of Life service for MIKE LOVELL will be held Friday, Feb. 18th from 4-until 7:30-p.m., at East of Omaha, in Griswold. Rieken-Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold has the arrangements.

A private family burial will take place later this Summer.

MICHAEL “MIKE” LOVELL is survived by:

His wife – Susan Lovell, of Griswold.

His daughter – Gina Lantry.

His son – Rob Lovell.

5 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren; other relatives and friends.

Junior Bowling League Cancelled

News

January 15th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

Junior Bowling leagues scheduled for this morning at Super Bowl in Atlantic have been cancelled.

(Podcast) KJAN News, 1/15/22

News, Podcasts

January 15th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

More area/state News from Ric Hanson.

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