The Audubon County Sheriff’s Department reports a Denison man was arrested Tuesday night on an outstanding Audubon County warrant stemming from an original charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance/Methamphetamine, 2nd offense. The warrant was issued for 31-year old Nikolas Jack Schwenn, for Revocation of his probation. Schwenn was picked-up by authorities in Crawford County and brought to the Audubon County Jail, where he was being held on $7,500 bond.

Two teens from Audubon County were injured Monday evening during a rollover accident three-miles southeast of Audubon. The Audubon County Sheriff’s Department says the driver of the vehicle, 16-year old Morgan Kathleen Parris, of Audubon, and her passenger, 15-year old Drew James Christensen, of Exira, were injured. Parris was transported to the Audubon County Hospital, while Christensen refused medical treatment.

Officials say the 2006 Toyota Parris was driving was traveling east on 215th Street at around 7:20-p.m., when it went out of control as it crested a hill. When Parris over-corrected, the vehicle entered the north ditch and rolled over. The damage was estimated at $20,000. The accident remains under investigation.

A Harlan man was being held in the Pottawattamie County Jail this (Wednesday) morning on numerous charges, following the theft of vehicle from Harlan late Tuesday night. Pottawattamie County Sheriff Jeff Danker told KJAN News 32-year old Patrick Schmitz was arrested after he gave himself up to authorities at an Interstate 80 rest stop southwest of Neola.

Danker says Schmitz allegedly stole a 1992 Mercury Sable from Harlan and was being followed by another motorist into the Avoca area, where the vehicle disappeared. Authorities were soon informed the vehicle was possibly northbound on 360^th Street and Tamarac Road. The informant lost sight of the vehicle again, but it was later observed by a Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Deputy near Minden.

When the deputy attempted to stop the car near the edge of town, Schmitz refused to stop and ran several stop signs. He continued northbound toward westbound I-80, where he was pursued by troopers with the Iowa State Patrol. The patrol deployed stop sticks at about the 23-mile marker, and two semi’s attempted to assist their efforts by boxing the car in. Danker says the car rammed both semi’s as he attempted to drive between them about three-miles north of the Underwood exit. The car finally pulled over at the rest area between Underwood and Neola, where Schmitz surrendered to the Patrol.

Schmitz was being held in the Pott. County Jail on $5,000 bond on charges that include 3^rd offense OWI, 2^nd degree theft, driving while barred, 2^nd degree criminal mischief, eluding and speeding.

Members of the Atlantic Middle School’s Building Leadership Team (BLT) appeared before the Atlantic Board of Education Tuesday night, to report on their progress and concerns. Cam Smith, Middle School Principal said the team has discussed the Iowa Assessment tests, goals and “True Trojan Traits,” which is part of the PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports) System. He says it’s a “paradigm” shift on how discipline is looked at, student expectations, behavior in the classroom, hallways, etc. The team helped to establish those guidelines. 

Cam says part of the PBIS process involves figuring out how it will be implemented, how to get the community involved, possible reward systems and what professional development the teachers will need to make the system successful. He says the school looks to implement PBIS beginning with the 2012-2013 school year. He says the team hopes to limit instructional distractions in the classrooms, increasing the amount of time taught teaching, and decreasing the amount of time they use to “manage” students’ disciplinary issues. He says kids who are doing well will be rewarded with positive affirmations, and a culture that’s in unison with expectations of them. 

Smith says also the Atlantic Middle School remodeling and classroom moving process went fairly smoothly, as classrooms and teachers were shuffled around to accommodate construction crews and their work. He said the BLT discussed teacher and class scheduling issues also, over the past year. Teachers he said are concerned about being understaffed, technology-related issues, and other matters pertaining to the remodeling and changeover to the upgraded facilities. Smith says the staffing concerns teachers mentioned to members of the Building Leadership Team included how to address a feeling the Middle School is understaffed with core teachers and how the needs of students will be met with the current staff. 

Another concern is the lack of technology in the building. Smith says he’s checking with the AEA to see if grants are available to upgrade their computers and related technology.