(Radio Iowa) — A Worth County judge has ruled against a rural Manly woman’s request that nine dogs and four cats be returned to her after dozens of animals were taken from her property. Officials seized 154 dogs and four cats from the property of Barbara Kavars back in November. In several visits to the property, a Worth County sheriff’s deputy says he saw kennels covered with feces and mud and visibly skinny dogs with no water and little food.

Court records describe overcrowded and filthy conditions at the rural Manly property. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals cared for the animals and called the operation a “puppy mill.” Worth County Magistrate Douglas Krull ruled against Kavars on Monday, saying the dogs and cats were among those neglected and that they qualified as threatened animals. Krull says the Worth County Sheriff’s Department should appropriately care for them, up to and including delivering them to another owner.

The Atlantic School District’s Board of Education is set to meet 5:30-p.m. Wednesday (Jan. 9th), in the High School Media Center. On their agenda, is action on resignations (including Andrea Reilly – TAG, STEM Coordinator & Teacher, Head Cheer sponsor; and Julie Birge – Food Service), as well as Contract Recommendations and/or Letters of Support for: Ryan Messerschmidt and Dexter Dodson – Industrial Tech Teachers; and Riley Hayes, Washington Elementary Clerical Para.

The Board will also discuss the Capital Projects Plan for FY 2020, which calls for spending $1.652-million and takes into account a beginning balance of $885,283, along with expected revenue of $1,847,350, for a total available funds amounting to over $2.73-million, and leaving a balance of $1.08-million. The Technology portion of the plan calls for purchasing enough computers to equip each student in grades 6-through 8 with a Dell Chromebook computer. The total cost of the computers, one-time management fee, warranty and other related materials, is $134,400.

The Atlantic School Board will also discuss any changes to the Athletic Facility Plan/Designs. Action items include 2019-2020 SBRC Modified Allowable Growth for At-Risk and Drop-Out Prevention ($447,540), which is used to fund the CCEOC alternative program and support other student services, and, Full Sports Season 2019 Coaching Contracts.

High School Assistant Principal/Activities Director Andrew Mitchell, is recommending the following persons be approved as Fall Sports Coaches for the 2019 season:

• Head Football: Mike McDermott
• Asst. Varsity Football: Lee Saathoff
• JV Football: Justin Williams
• Asst. JV Football: Joe Brummer
• Freshman Football: Derek Hall
• Asst. Freshman Football: Oran Perkins
• MS Football: Tucker Weber; Tim Duff; Bryce Casey & Chase Roller
• Head Cross County: Dan Vargason
• Asst. Cross Country: Brad Rasmussen
• MS Cross Country: Macie Silliman
• Head Volleyball: Michelle Blake
• MS Volleyball: Faith McCunn; Amber Moore & Hillary Zimmerline.

FREMONT, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska man suspected of intending to make a prostitute out of a 15-year-old Iowa runaway has taken a plea deal. The Fremont Tribune reports that 37-year-old Joe Lockett, of Omaha, pleaded no contest Monday in Dodge County District Court to sexual assault of a child. Prosecutors dropped sex trafficking and other charges in return for Lockett’s plea. His sentencing is scheduled for March 11. Court records say sheriff’s deputies found the girl with Lockett in his vehicle during a traffic stop on Oct. 26 on the north side of Fremont.

The records say the girl later told deputies that she had sex with Lockett at a motel and that Lockett was seeking to prostitute her out to other parties for money.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A court document says a former supervisor intends to plead guilty to federal charges that he conspired with others to manipulate water sample test results at the Sioux City wastewater treatment plant. Patrick Schwarte’s attorney filed a notice Monday in U.S. District Court. His plea hearing is scheduled for Jan. 23.

Prosecutors say chlorine was added to wastewater on days that E. coli samples were taken. The samples then showed plant discharges into the Missouri River met federal limits for levels of fecal coliform and E. coli. The chlorine was reduced after the tests, saving the city money.

The city dismissed Schwarte and the plant superintendent in June 2015 after the Iowa Natural Resources Department began an investigation.