(Red Oak) — Montgomery County became the 34th out of Iowa’s 99 counties to become a second amendment sanctuary. According to reports, the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors, Tuesday, voted 3-2 on approving a resolution declaring the county as a sanctuary for the U.S. Constitution’s second amendment. Montgomery County joins other area counties, including Page, Mills, Adams, Taylor, and Pottawattamie. Fremont County added itself to the list passing a resolution Wednesday morning, making them the 35th County.
The move did not come without opposition, however. That came from some board members, the public, and other county officials. Assistant County Attorney Bruce Swanson reminded the board that the resolution had zero policy impact but is rather symbolic and political. Swanson also strongly advised the board to avoid any language in the resolution that could impact the enforcement of current gun laws.
Supervisor Mike Olson said the resolution wasn’t about changing gun laws about where and when people can use a weapon but instead defending and standing up for the U.S. Constitution.
CURTIS A. CHRISTENSEN, 67, of Exira, died Monday, Jan. 10th, at Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital, in Council Bluffs. A Celebration of Life memorial gathering for CURTIS CHRISTENSEN will be held from 2-until 4-p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15th, at the Kessler Funeral Home in Exira.
Friends may call at the funeral home.
Burial (at a later date) is in the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Kimballton.
CURTIS CHRISTENSEN is survived by:
His brothers – Dale Christensen; Keith Christensen; Duane (Jeanne) Christensen, all of Audubon.
His sisters – Patricia (Kenneth) Knutsen of Lidderdale; Sheryl (Dale) Linn, and Amy (John D.) Jorgensen, all of Audubon
His sister-in-law: Annette Christensen, of Audubon; other relatives and friends.
Today: Partly Cloudy. High 47. NW @ 10-15 mph. Tonight: P/Cldy to Cloudy. Low 27. NE @ 5-10 mph. Tomorrow: Cldy w/a mix of light rain-snow becoming all snow. High 34. E @ 10-20. *WINTER STORM WATCH* Saturday: Snow ending in the morning (4-8″ total). Becoming P/Cldy. High near 20. Sunday: P/Cldy. High 28.
Wednesday’s High in Atlantic was 55. Our Low was 23. Last year on this date the High in Atlantic was 44 and the Low was 32. The Record High on this date was 62 in 1987. The Record Low was -24 in 1916.
WILLIAM “Bill” WALKER, 66, of Exira, died Monday, Jan. 10th, at Cass Health in Atlantic. A Celebration of Life Memorial gathering for BILL WALKER will be held 2-p.m. Sunday, Jan. 16th, at the Exira Event Center (106 N. Jefferson St., in Exira, IA). Kessler Funeral Home in Exira has the arrangements.
WILLIAM “BILL” WALKER is survived by:
His wife – Rhonda Walker.
His sons – Clint and Alec Walker.
His daughter – Rachel Walker.
His brothers – John and Joe (Denise) Walker.
His sister – Sarah (Eric) Gross.
Other relatives, in-laws, and many cherished friends.
(Corning, Iowa) – The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports two arrests took place Wednesday. Authorities say 40-year-old Rebecca Larocco was arrested on 12 Felony counts of Forgery, with additional charges pending. Larocco was being held in the Adams County Jail on a $60,000 cash bond. And, 25-year-old Mathew Avila was arrested on a valid Adams County warrant for Failure to Appear. He was being held without bond in the Adams County Jail.
(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with Omaha-based Sapp Bros., Incorporated, Wednesday, announced that the company has acquired Atlantic-based propane servicer, Pelgas. Company officials said the deal officially closed on December 30th.
In a news release, Sapp Bros. CEO Andrew Richard said “Sapp Bros. is excited to be a part of this community and welcome the Pelgas employees to our team! The core of our propane mission is great customer service by safely, efficiently and thoughtfully providing propane to your homes, businesses and farms.”
Richard say also, “Lord willing, we intend to keep doing business the way we have for the last 5 decades to keep our customers happy and hopefully gain new customers for many years to come in this area.” Todd Pellett, owner of Pelgas, in Atlantic, said “We are pleased to join such a well-respected member of the energy industry,” and “I am confident this change will enhance the customer experience, while retaining the family inspired service Pelgas customers are accustomed to and appreciate.”
Sapp Bros., Inc says it will honor all existing Pelgas contracts and service will continue with as little disruption as possible. For more information, customers can call (712) 243-9595 or (402) 895-2202.
(Radio Iowa) – Rebounding has been a focus as Iowa gets set to host Indiana tonight. Tip-time from Carver Hawkeye Arena is at 8-p.m. The Hawkeyes are the worst rebounding team in the Big Ten and that has been on full display in a 1-3 start to the league race.
That’s Iowa coach Fran McCaffery who hopes his team is energized after a week off.
Attendance at Carver-Hawkeye Arena has cratered this season to under 11 thousand fans per home game and eight o’clock starts have featured several small crowds. Thursday is another late start.
Sophomore forward Keegan Murray says better rebounding will help ignite Iowa’s offense.
Murray says it will take a collective effort on the glass against the Hoosiers.
Murray says defense has also been a key in the Hoosiers’ 12-3 start to the season.
(Radio Iowa) – In a season full of pauses Iowa women’s coach Lisa Bluder hopes her team is building momentum. Coming off their most impressive victory of the season at Nebraska the Hawkeyes face another road challenge tonight, at Purdue.
Bluder says it was the way she expects her team to play.
Center Monica Czinano says it was the consistent effort the Hawkeyes need.
The Hawkeyes are 8-4 overall and 2-1 in the Big Ten. Tip-time against the Boilermakers, is 6-p.m.
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.
(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education held their regular monthly meeting, Wednesday. During the meeting, the Board received a Special Presentation from Cheryl Andersen, with regard to an ESL (English Second Language) Program update. They also received updates from Schuler Principal James Northwick, Middle School Principal Josh Rasmussen, and High School Principal Heather McKay.
Superintendent Steve Barber presented his report, as well (read the bullet points on his Superintendent Report).
Mr. Barber said also, school officials on Monday had a construction meeting on the District’s Facilities Project. They focused, he said, “On how do we get to the finish line.”
He said also, progress is being made at the Middle School, following the devastating fire last Summer. All the sub-floors are in, and dry wall hanging on the bottom floor began Wednesday.
He said they’re still looking to get staff into the building by the first part of July and early August. In other business, the Board discussed an Employee Retention Stipend proposal, to assist in the teacher shortage during the pandemic. Mr. Barber said the district has received confirmation from the Iowa Dept. of Education, that providing staff with a retention stipend fits an appropriate use of ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief ) dollars. Governor Reynolds has proposed a $1,000 stipend to Iowa’s Teachers, to recognize their commitment to education and to assist with the current teacher shortage.
His proposal for all employees (full- or part-time) will receive a stipend based on continuous years of service at the conclusion of the 2021-22 school year. Years of service will be determined by the number of continuous years as a contracted employee (breaks in service or years spent as a substitute employee will not be counted).
All totaled, it would cost the District $350,000 for the 275 employees, if they return for the 2022-23 school year. If approved, payment would be made to staff on Sept. 1, 2022. Board member Josh McLaren liked the proposal, he just didn’t care for the word “Retention,” and proposed “Hero Pay,” citing other school districts who have taken the same path. The proposal will be listed as an action item on the Board’s agenda next month.
Board President Jenny Williams reminds parents, there is no school next Monday, Jan. 17th, due to a Staff Wellness Day. The Atlantic School Board, Wednesday, approved the resignations of Melissa Smith – HS Paraeducator, and Richard “Dick” Casady, Bus Driver. The Board also approved contract recommendations for: Linda Templemann, Schuler Food Service; Hillary Zellmer, Internal transfer to Junior Kindergarten Teacher; Kendra Henningsen, Internal transfer to Elementary Literacy Teacher, and Montana Applegate, Internal transfer to Preschool Teacher.The Board acted on approving Mr. Mitchell’s recommendation to hire fall sports coaches(Football [FB], Cross County [XC] & Volleyball [VB]) for the 2022-23 school year, including:
Joe Brummer – Head FB Coach
Lee Saathoff – Varsity FB Asst.
Oran Perkins and Matt Best – JV FB
Matt Mullenix & Bryce Smith – 9th Grade FB
Tim Duff, Chase Roller, Bryce Casey and Clint Roland – MS FB
Dan Vargason – Head XC Coach
Derek Hall – Asst. HS XC
Taylor Williams – MC XC
Michelle Blake – Head VB
Alyssa Dovenspike – JV VB
Tori Dolch – 9th Grade VB
Faith McCunn, Jessica Larsen and Amber Moore – MS VB
and Dean Junker – Girls Swimming.
The Board also approved: SBRC (School Budget Review Committee) Modified Allowable Growth for 2022-23 At-Risk/Dropout Prevention, in the amount of $496,929; An Athletic Dept. Yard Sale to dispose of 100’s of old uniforms and warm ups (The Yard Sale will take place January 20th, during the HS Wrestling meet, and on Jan. 25th, during the HS girl’s basketball game).
In other business, the Atlantic School Board approved overnight/out-of-state trips for/to:
HS Show Choir Invitational in Wahoo, NE, on Feb. 9th,
and HS Boys/Girls Track – Indoor Track Invite at NWMSU (Maryville, MO.) March 19, 2022.
They also approved on an Engineering Service Contract with Snyder & Assoc. in the amount of $74,750, for the south High School parking lot project, and approving an invoice from FirstOnsite in the amount of $400,000 for the Middle School Restoration Project, using AMS Fire Insurance Proceeds.
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