(Radio Iowa) – A bill that has cleared the Iowa House unanimously may protect officers in Iowa police and sheriff’s departments from faulty products — and it may help an Iowa company that makes body armor. R-M-A in Centerville was formed by a retired police officer who also served as a Marine. Representative Austin Harris of Moulton toured the company about a month ago.

“They were telling us about the challenges they were facing in terms of competition from countries like China and Russia,” Harris says. “….There’s this Chinese company that had stolen their intellectual property, was re-manufacturing their product, even with their logo on it.” Harris says the ballistic plate inside the Chinese imitation is made with cheap, low quality steel that does not adequately protect those who are wearing it. The bill would require Iowa law enforcement agencies using tax dollars to buy body armor, like ballistic vests, to purchase products that meet the standards of the National institute of Justice.

“The National Institute of Justice is a research agency at the Department of Justice,” Harris says, “and this manufacturer (in Centerville) but all the other manufacturers in the United States of this kind of armament do meet that certification standard.” Law enforcement agencies have to replace bullet proof vests periodically, as the gear has an expiration date.

Experts at the National Research Institute of Justice say most standard body armor that’s properly stored and cared for has a five-year life span.

(Audubon, Iowa) -The regular monthly meeting of the Audubon School takes place 7-p.m. Monday, in the High School Boardroom. Some highlighted agenda items include:

• Approving the FY24 School Budget for Certification
• Setting the date and time for a Hearing on Amending the FY 23 Budget
• Approving the official last day of school and list of graduates.
• Approval also, of: A Phone System Upgrade, and, certain Change Orders.

The full agenda can be found in the following link:

1. April Agenda

(Elk Horn, Iowa) – A Public Hearing is set to take place Monday evening with regard to the proposed 2023-24 Exira-EHK School District Budget. The Hearing kicks-off the Exira-EHK School Board meeting, and takes place in the High School Conference Room beginning at 5:30-p.m., with action on approving the Budget a bit later on in the meeting.

Other highlights of the meeting include action on a Resolution authorizing the Redemption of General Obligation School Bonds (Series 2018), Approving a 1st Amendment to the Escrow Agent Agreement, and Levying of a Tax for FY2024 (re: Redemption of the aforementioned bonds). The Board will also act on approving the Proposed Budget, and setting the date and time for a 2022-23 Budget Amendment Hearing.

The full agenda can be found HERE.

(Griswold, Iowa) – The School Board for the Griswold Community School District will meet at 5:30-p.m. Monday to hold a Public Hearing on the 2023-24 Griswold CSD Budget. That will be followed by the Board’s Regular Meeting, and at 7-p.m. an expected closed-session with regard to an Expulsion Hearing. Both agendas are as follows:

5:30 p.m. – 2023-2024 Budget Hearing

• Call Hearing To Order

• Presentation Of 2023-2024 Budget

• Public Input

• Close Hearing

Regular Meeting

• Call Meeting to Order

• Reading of Mission Statement

• Approval of Agenda (D.R.)

• Public Input

• Superintendent’s Report:

1. Thank You Card(s) (I)
2. The Month in Review – Administration (I)
3. Board Learning Opportunities (I)

– Honor March Recipient

– Select April Recipient

• Consent Agenda (D.R.)

Approval of Minutes

Approval of Financial Statements

Approval of Bills

4. Personnel

5. Gifts, Memorials, Bequests

7:00 p.m. – Expulsion Hearing

• Call Hearing To Order

• Welcome And Delegations

• Approval Of Agenda

• Roll Call Vote To Go Into Closed Session Under Section 21.5.1E – “To Conduct A Hearing

To Determine Whether To Expel A Student”

• Roll Call Vote To Return to Open Session

• Roll Call Vote To Go Into Closed Session Under Section 21.5.1.C – “To Discuss Strategy

With Counsel In Matters That Are Presently In Litigation Or Where Litigation Is Imminent, Where Its Disclosure Would Be Likely To Prejudice Or Disadvantage The Position Of The The Governmental Body In That Litigation”

• Roll Call Vote To Return To Open Session

• Motion To Approve Or Deny Request From Administration To Expel A Student And/Or

Set Other Disciplinary Action

• Adjourn

(Atlantic, Iowa) – A regular meeting of Atlantic’s Parks and Recreation Department Board of Directors will take place 5:15-p.m. Monday, April 17, 2023, in the City Council’s Chambers at City Hall. Their agenda (as follows) is pretty light:

Call to Order

Approval of Agenda*

Public Communications Comments or questions from visitors (3 minute limit)

Approval of Minutes*

March 20th, 2023

Review of March/April Bills and March Financials – Barb

Director’s Report-

• Training/certifications update
• Park Party date change
• Sunnyside pool project update (waterslide, mural, and pool building painting)
• Mollett Park project update

Next Regular Meeting Date: May 15^th, 2023 at 5:15 pm at City Hall Council Chambers

(Ankeny & Hazelton, Iowa) – Two Iowans died during accidents in separate parts of the State, Saturday. The Iowa State Patrol reports 48-year-old William Kirkman, of Slater, was struck and killed by a semi in Story County, at around 2:19-a.m., Saturday. Authorities say Kirkman exited his vehicle and entered I-35 near mile marker 101, and was hit by a 2022 Freightliner semi, driven by 61-year-old Barbara Benson, of Wisconsin Rapids, WI. Kirkman died at the scene. The accident remains under investigation.

The Patrol was assisted at the scene by Iowa DOT Motor Vehicle Enforcement personnel, Story County Sheriff’s Office, Huxley Police and Ankeny EMS.

And, at around 5:52-p.m. Saturday, in Buchanan County, a motorcycle accident near Hazelton claimed the life of a man, and resulted in injuries to his passenger. The State Patrol says the operator of a 2012 Harley Davidson motorcycle, 50-year-old Bradley Lee Johnson, of Hazelton, was traveling east on C-57, when the cycle went out of control for reasons unknown.

The machine entered the south shoulder and came to rest. Johnson, and his passenger, 46-year-old Sara Jean Johnson, also of Hazelton, were ejected and came to rest in the south ditch. Bradley Johnson died at the scene. Sara Johnson was transported by St. Luke’s Lifeguard helicopter to the University of Iowa Hospital.

The accident remains under investigation. Assisting the Patrol at the scene was: The Buchanan County Sheriff’s Dept. and MercyOne Oelwein Ambulance.