(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Education reports four-year graduations rates for the class of 2021 dropped slightly in the wake of the pandemic. The Department’s Information Bureau Chief, Jeff Pennington, says two factors impacted the numbers. “We saw a higher number of students who dropped out — so they are no longer in school. We also see a larger percentage of kids who are going to take a fifth year,” According to Pennington. He says both factors are related to the pandemic.

He says there were more kids who might not have been engaged with the uncertainty of the school year and more kids likely fell through the cracks — as well as fewer kids who were not ready to complete high school on time due to the pandemic. The data show 90-point-two percent of students in 2021 graduated within four years, down from 91-point-eight percent in 2020. The drop is small and Pennington says it goes against what has been a 10-year trend of increases.

“We see about a two percentage point increase statewide (in 10 years)in overall rates, even with the downturn in this more recent (year). So, there’s been a nice upward trend in terms of percent of kids completing high school within a four-year window,” Pennington says. He expects things to rebound as schools are now back to normal schedules following the height of the pandemic.

“We do expect that this is a one-year blip. Again, when we look long-term we’ve seen that steady increase and even over the last couple of years it keeps ticking up in terms of the percent of students who are graduating,” he says. Pennington says that the four-year graduation rate trend was up in nearly every student demographic subgroup. For example, graduation rates for students from low-socioeconomic status households have increased by four-point-two percentage points between 2011 and 2021.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa House has approved a bill that would require testing for radon gas in Iowa schools. The legislation is named in honor of Gail Orcutt, a retired teacher who worked in Waterloo, Norwalk and Des Moines schools. Representative Ray Sorenson paid tribute to Orcutt during debate of the bill. “She tirelessly advocated for this bill here at the Capitol, getting to know many of you,” Sorenson said. “Gail lost her battle with radon-induced lung cancer in 2020.” Orcutt was not a smoker.

Maria Steele, a nurse practitioner at the Iowa Digestive Disease Clinic in Clive, has become a leading advocate for the bill after being diagnosed with lung cancer. “As much as I enjoy visiting with Maria…my hope is that we don’t get to know her as well as Gail,” Sorenson says, “as my hope is that this passes and we can save the lives of teachers and students of the future and that she can rest easy, knowing she’s carried on and accomplished Gail’s mission.” Gail Orcutt began lobbying legislators a decade ago after discovering her home had dangerous levels of radon gas. Radon is an odorless gas that seeps into homes and buildings through cracks in the foundation.

Sorenson notes every Iowa county is considered to have high levels of radon in the soil. “An estimated 400 Iowans will die this year alone due to radon-induced lung cancer,” Sorenson says. Orcutt had lobbied for radon testing and mitigation to be required in schools, which is what the bill that bears her name would do. It also calls for radon control systems in any new school construction. Previous attempts to accomplish those goals had been met with concerns about the cost.

Orcutt had urged legislators to require that radon control systems be installed in all new construction in Iowa, including homes, but that is not included in the bill that passed the House. The bill has to pass the Senate, too, before it would land on the governor’s desk.

LENEXA, KAN. (MARCH 8, 2022) – At an event Monday with Vice President Kamala Harris, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the winners of two school bus rebate opportunities: 2021 American Rescue Plan (ARP) Electric School Bus Rebates, and 2021 Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) School Bus Rebates. The $7 million in ARP funding is directed toward school districts in underserved communities to replace old diesel buses with new, zero-emission electric models; and the $10 million in DERA rebates will assist with 444 school bus replacements across the country. Among the districts (shown below) receiving funds is the Riverside Community School District, in Carson.

EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan said “This round of school bus grants from the American Rescue Plan is just the beginning. The unprecedented $5 billion investment that’s on the way for clean and zero-emission school buses from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will transform how millions of children get to school and help build a better America for a new generation.”

As part of the announcement, six Iowa school districts will be receiving a total of $185,000 in school bus rebate opportunities to replace nine buses through the 2021 DERA School Bus Rebates. In addition to the $17 million announced today, in the coming weeks, EPA plans to announce a new Clean School Bus rebate program under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which provides an unprecedented $5 billion over five years to replace existing school buses with low- or zero-emission school buses.

The rebate awards are EPA’s latest round of funding for longstanding DERA School Bus Rebates. This year’s program awards approximately $10 million to fund the replacement of old diesel school buses with new electric, diesel, gasoline, propane, or compressed natural gas (CNG) school buses meeting current emission standards.

The two rebate awards total approximately $17 million in combined funding for schools and bus fleet owners to replace older, highly polluting diesel school buses. Replacing these buses will improve air quality in and around schools and communities, reduce greenhouse gas pollution, and better protect children’s health overall. Since 2012, EPA’s school bus rebates have awarded, or are in the process of awarding, over $73 million to replace more than 3,000 old diesel school buses.

This program will also prioritize projects that help achieve the goals of President Biden’s Justice40 initiative, which aims to ensure that federal agencies deliver at least 40% of benefits from certain investments to underserved communities.

Atlantic, Iowa – Cass Health CEO Brett Altman was recently recognized as one of nation’s “67 Rural Hospital CEOs to Know” by Becker’s Hospital Review. According to the Becker’s article, “The executives featured on this list have put their heart and soul into ensuring their communities have access to the best healthcare services possible. While rural hospitals across the country have faced closure in recent years, these leaders have developed a model for not only surviving but thriving.”

Cass Health CEO Brett Altman

Altman said he was grateful to be recognized. “This is a great honor for Cass Health,” Altman said. “While I’m honored to be a part of this list, I must give credit to the entire team at Cass Health that delivers nationally recognized, award-winning health care every day of the year. They have been pushed to their limits – working through a pandemic and a major construction project – and yet we’ve seen them continually rise to the occasion and go above and beyond to exceed patient expectations and our goals.”

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office today (Tuesday) released a report on nine separate accidents that took place between Feb. 15th and March 6th. Starting with the most recent, on Sunday, March 6th, 2022, deputies responded to a single vehicle accident near the intersection of Lewis Road and 560th St. in rural Lewis. A 2020 Freightliner Mid American work truck being operated by Gildardo Zarazua Gonzalez, of Bellevue, NE, was traveling East on Lewis Rd. when the driver fell asleep and entered the ditch near 560th St. The vehicle overturned and landed on the passenger side, coming to a rest in the South ditch just east of 560th St. The Mid American work truck received extensive damage. No injuries were reported during this accident.

There were two accidents on February 24 in Cass County:  A single vehicle accident happened on Highway 83 just east of Wiota. A 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche being operated by Brianna Long, of Anita, was negotiating the curve traveling East and North outside of Wiota. The vehicle struck a slick portion of the roadway and entered the East ditch. During this course the vehicle struck several trees causing an approximated $7,000 worth of damage. Long suffered minor injuries and was transported by EMS to a local hospital for treatment; And, a single vehicle accident occurred Feb. 24th on/near Interstate 80 at the 64 mile marker. Officials say a 2007 Chrysler Van being driven by Bobbi Moneer, of Red Oak, was traveling East on Interstate 80 when it struck a slick portion of the roadway and lost control. The vehicle entered the South ditch and ended up rolling, coming to a rest on it’s driver’s side. The damage was estimated at $10,000. No injuries were reported.

On February 23rd, Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a single vehicle accident on Highway 83, West of Glacier Road. A 2020 Chevrolet Traverse being driven by Heather Bauerkemper, of Walnut, was traveling West and failed to negotiate a curve. In this action, the vehicle entered the North ditch and rolled, coming to rest on the driver’s side of the vehicle and facing East. Emergency responders that had arrived on scene extricated the woman and transported her by air ambulance to the hospital.  The vehicle sustained about $28,000 worth of totaling damage.

On February 18th, a single vehicle accident occurred near the intersection of Olive Street and Boston Road, north of Atlantic. A 2021 Kenworth being operated by Dakota Cronister, of Overland Park, KS, was traveling South on Olive Street. The driver told deputies he may have fallen asleep and lost control. The vehicle left the roadway and entered the ditch, striking a utility pole during this course. The vehicle and trailer partially rolled onto its left said and sustained significant damage estimated at $20,000. The utility pole received approximately $5,000 worth of damage as well. No injuries were reported during this accident.

On February 17th, a single vehicle accident happened near the intersection of 720th Street and Eastland Road, in rural Anita. A 1997 Plymouth Breeze being operated by a juvenile female had crested the hill on a gravel road and lost control. The operator attempted to correct the vehicle’s movement and further lost control, going into the ditch and eventually rolling. During this motion, the vehicle went through a field fence and came to a rest against a tree. The operator was able to get out, go to a nearby residence to request assistance and was eventually transported to a local hospital by EMS for injuries sustained during the accident. The vehicle sustained approximately $5,000 worth of damage and the fence received approximately $475 worth of damage.

On February 16th, 2022, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office responded to a single vehicle accident at the intersection of 5th and Harrison Street in Griswold. A 2002 Peterbilt being operated by Ethan Schmitt, of Griswold, was attempting to make a left-hand turn. In doing this, the trailer left the roadway and struck a fire hydrant. This action pulled the fire hydrant from the ground, causing an estimated $5,000 of damage to the hydrant. The vehicle sustained an approximated $300 worth of damage. No injuries were reported during this accident.

And there were two separate accidents on Feb. 15th, in Cass County: A 2 vehicle accident occurred in Anita at the intersection of Highway 148 and Main Street. A 2014 Ford F150 being operated by Taylor Lewis, of Carthage, MO, rolled rearwards to allow room for an oncoming semi to turn. In doing this, the vehicle rolled into a 2021 Kia Forte being operated by Danielle Mardensen, of Adair. The F150 sustained an approximated $500 of damage while the Kia sustained approximately $1,500 worth of damage. No injuries were reported during this accident; And, a single vehicle accident took place on the Interstate 80 Eastbound exit ramp 54 on the 15th.

A 2018 Nissan Rogue being operated by Elaine Baughman, of Kirkman, IA, was exiting Interstate 80 and negotiating a slight curve on the exit ramp. In doing this, the vehicle steered too far to the left and struck a cable barrier. The vehicle sustained approximately $6,000 worth of damage and the cable barrier sustained approximately $700 of damage. No injuries were reported during this accident.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office, Tuesday (today), released a report on arrests dating back to Feb. 15th.  Two people were arrested last Saturday (March 5th) in Cass County:

• 34-year-old Sophin Phylon, of Atlantic, was arrested for OWI/2nd offense.
• and, 57-year-old Donald Worth, of Lewis, was arrested Saturday for OWI/ 2nd offense.

On March 2nd, Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 48-year-old Paul Jackson, of Omaha, for OWI/1st offense, and Possession of a Controlled Substance. Jackson was being held in the Cass Cass County Jail. On March 1st, 28-year-old Donovan Bruning, of Griswold, was arrested for Theft in the 2nd degree, after he turned himself-in to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and later released on bond.

The Cass County Sheriff’s says 38-year-old Christina Crawley, of Atlantic, was arrested Feb. 26th, for OWI 1st offense. On the 25th, 36-year-old David Coenen, of Lewis, for OWI/1st offense, Theft 2nd degree, Criminal Mischief 4th degree and Driving While Barred. Sheriff’s officials say on Feb. 23rd, 30-year-old Dalton Cormeny, of Fontanelle, was arrested on a warrant for Failure to Appear.

On the 18th of February, 28-year-old Alexandra Thorpe, of Atlantic, was arrested for OWI/3rd or subsequent offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. She was later released on bond. And, on the 15th, 29-year-old Lynnea Jessen, of Atlantic, was arrested for being an Accessory After the Fact, and Possession of a Controlled Substance.

*unless otherwise stated, each subject was ROR (Released on their Own Recognizance).

The city of Kimballton has issued a 24-hour water boil notice.  Monday night, the water tower pump broke down.  It has been fixed, but for safety reasons, citizens are asked to observe a 24 water boil order through Wednesday afternoon.

(Crescent, Iowa) – An adult female died and a child was injured during a rollover accident this (Tuesday) morning, in Pottawattamie County. The crash happened at around 7:23-a.m. on Interstate 29 southbound, near mile marker 61, or near the Crescent exit. The Patrol says 62-year-old Wanda Jean Trovato, of Missouri Valley, was driving a 2005 Chevy Trailblazer and attempting to change from the right to the left lane, when the SUV went off the road to the left and into the median.

The SUV rolled over and came to rest on the driver’s side, facing northwest. Trovato, who was wearing a seat belt, was transported to the UNMC in Omaha, where she died. An infant that was properly strapped into a child safety seat was injured, and transported by Crescent Rescue to the UNMC.

The Patrol was assisted at the crash scene by Pott. County Sheriff’s Deputies, a DOT Highway Helper, Council Bluffs and Crescent Rescue.