(Radio Iowa) – Inflation in June hit a record peak above nine percent and Iowa educators expect more students will arrive at school next month without adequate supplies. Beth Hanson is an elementary school teacher in Lake Mills. “We’re seeing a lot of kids who just need that assistance,” she says. “not just monetarily, but socially and emotionally, needing all those things.” Hanson says classroom performance can be diminished if a student feels ashamed or shunned because of what they don’t have. “You do a lot of talking, you look into their situation. We a lot of times will even talk to families, see what they need,” Hanson says. “Sometimes we may not even know what they need until we start talking to the right people and I think that’s what’s important.”

Like most schools, Lake Mills offers assistance from a variety of sources — including from teachers like Hanson. “The other day I bought a pair of shoes for a little girl who had never owned a pair of sandals,” Hanson says. “…She was so excited about a pair of sandals.” Connor Kem, the principal at Lake Mills Elementary, says the district has its own assistance fund and a list of other resources for families who are struggling to make ends meet. “Now you are really thinking about gas, groceries — all of those things that are a really hierarchy of need many times just because you’ve got to get to and from,” Kem says, ” and you’ve got to have things available at home for your kiddos.”

During the last school year, nearly 41 percent of Iowa students qualified for free or reduced-price lunches at school. Some schools and teachers are using this week’s Amazon Prime Day — when many items are significantly cheaper — to buy supplies and other items for students.

(Anita, Iowa) – The CAM School Board, Monday evening, acted on approving several matters. Before he provided KJAN News with a recap of the Board’s actions, shared CAM/Nodaway Valley Superintendent Paul Croghan congratulated the CAM Cougars Baseball Team for clinching the Substate final in Class 1A, Tuesday night.

The senior class for the CAM Cougars played in their 4th Substate Final of their 5 year careers on Tuesday night. For the first time those seniors tasted victory in that game with an 11-1 win over Ogden in 5 innings of play. CAM improved their record to 26-2 on the season and will head back to the state tournament for the first time since 2017. The Cougars will play in the 1A Quarterfinals on Monday in Carroll. We’ll have coverage on KJAN.

Mr. Croghan said the CAM School Board, Monday, approved a few resignations and several contract recommendations.

Croghan said they’re still missing a Special Education and Math Teacher, an Elementary position. Like other districts that are searching for help to fill their staff positions, the CAM District is finding the application pool is limited. He said the attempt to fill some of the positions isn’t because they aren’t trying, and he credits the Administrators for finding unique ways to bring those candidates to CAM.

In other business, the CAM School Board renewed the District’s agreement with Anita Daycare.

And, they approved an agreement with four other school districts, for Girls Wrestling.

The Board approved putting one of the District’s older buses up for sale, and the purchase of a Chevy Malibu through Deter Motor Company, in Atlantic, for $19,258. Their final order of business was to approve sharing agreements with Nodaway Valley, for Human Resources, Building & Grounds, SBO (School Business Official), and Superintendent.

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Department reports two prisoners at the jail in Council Bluffs were served with warrants, Tuesday, and one person turned themselves-in on a warrant. Authorities say 69-year-old Keith Leon Dyson, of Council Bluffs, was served with a warrant for Violation of Probation. He is being held in the Pott. County Jail on $29,000 bond associated with numerous drug charges. 27-year-old Tyler James Woodruff, of Council Bluffs, was also served with a Felony warrant for Violation of Probation on Forgery charges. Bond on the warrant was set at $10,000.

And, 38-year-old Christina Joy Raymer, of Council Bluffs, turned herself-in to the Pott. County Sheriff’s Office, Tuesday morning. Raymer was wanted on a warrant for Child Endangerment. Her bond was set at $2,000.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors will hold a Special Meeting at 10-a.m. Friday, July 15th in their Board Room at the Courthouse, in Red Oak. During the meeting, te Board is expected to hold an interview with a finalist candidate for Montgomery County Auditor/Commissioner of Elections, in what will likely be a closed session, in accordance with the Code of Iowa. The person appointed will conduct the duties of that position until the seat appears on the November 8, 2022, General Election ballot.

Montgomery County Auditor Stephanie Burke resigned at end of last month, to accept the school business official/board secretary’s position with the Stanton School District. Her last day in office was on June 30th.

(Creston, Iowa) – Police in Creston report the arrest at around 2:50-p.m., Tuesday, of 35-year-old Jessica Renee Swietlik, of Creston. She was taken into custody for Violation of Probation, Failure to Appear, and Registration Violation. Swietlik was transported to the Adams County Jail and held without bond, pending an appearance before the judge.

And, a man from Creston reported to Police that his motorized bicycle was stolen from his porch in the 100 block of S. Sumner Avenue. The motorized bike is black, with a black tank and an orange flag. The loss was estimated at $500.