The Audubon School Board met Wednesday evening at the High School. During their session, they received the Audubon Education Association’s initial bargaining proposal, which, Superintendent Brett Gibbs said most people are probably wondering what the teachers were asking for, as far as a salary increase is concerned. He said they’re asking for a 3.58% total package increase. That would include any increase in insurance and an aging of the schedule. Some of the increase would be absorbed however, by IPERS increased costs. They also asked for a couple of contract language changes having to do with accumulation of personal days and sick leave days for immediate family.

A second public meeting will be held in the next couple of weeks, for the Board’s opening offer. The Audubon School Board also held a Public Hearing with regard to the FY 2019 School Calendar. The Board approved the Calendar, as proposed. Gibbs said it’s nearly identical to the calendar they’re using this year. 1^st semester will end after Christmas, and if there are no snow days, they should be done by May 21, 2019. The calendar will be on the District’s website within a couple of weeks.

And, the Board approved the resignation of 5^th Grade Teacher Lacey Degener. Degener and her husband have job opportunities in eastern Iowa, which will require her family to move. Gibbs said they hate to see her go after 5-years, but wishes them the “Best of Luck,” none-the-less. The Board also discussed, but took no action on an Early Retirement Policy for school administrators.

Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Deputies and Council Bluffs Police coordinated their efforts and arrested a man wanted on a warrant for Domestic Abuse. Narong Saysanavong, of Council Bluffs, was taken into custody at around 6:25-p.m. Wednesday. The was wanted on the warrant and a court ordered committal. Deputies and Bluffs Police staged their vehicles near the man’s home and planned to take him into custody as he was entering his vehicle outside of his residence.

Soon after he left in his car, Saysanavong was pulled over and taken into custody. Inside his vehicle, authorities found in the glove box, an unloaded .40-caliber Glock handgun, and two magazines for the gun. One magazine held 10 rounds, the other 12.  The weapon and ammunition were seized into evidence.

DEWITT, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say an eastern Iowa river has topped flood stage, possibly sending water into nearby homes and businesses. The National Weather Service said Thursday morning that the Wapsipinicon River near DeWitt is experiencing moderate flooding, with water reaching more than a foot above flood stage.

Weather service meteorologist Mike McClure told The Des Moines Register that the heavy rain the area received over the past 48 hours combined with melting snow to run into creeks and streams feeding the river. That runoff is increased because ground remains frozen in some spots. McClure says flooding in the area is common and says many of the residents there have raised their homes.

The river is expected to return below flood stage sometime Saturday.