WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), the first female combat veteran elected to the U.S. Senate, joined Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) in a resolution urging the Biden administration to facilitate the transfer of aircraft, such as MiG-29s, and air defense systems to Ukraine. In her statement, Ernst said “Putin and his army continue to target innocent Ukrainian civilians, their public infrastructure, farms, hospitals, and even homes. The Ukrainian people, under President Zelenskyy, have fought back valiantly, but they need more support from the United States and our NATO allies. President Biden must act immediately to transfer MiGs and air defense systems to our allies and allow the Ukrainians to protect their people and their country. Every second counts.”

The resolution:

• Encourages the President of the United States to support the transfer of aircraft, such as MiG-29s, and air defense systems to Ukraine.
• Supports continued efforts by members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and other countries around the globe to identify additional aviation and air defense capabilities to transfer to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
• Expresses that the Senate stands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the Ukrainian people in their struggle against Russian aggression.

(Creston, Iowa) – Officials with the Creston Police Department say a man residing in the 1400 block of N. Elm Street, told them Tuesday afternoon, that an iPad had been stolen. The device was taken from the victim’s pickup truck that was parked at 601 New York Avenue, in Creston. The loss was estimated at $400.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Members of the Atlantic School District’s Board of Education met during a regular session Wednesday evening, during which they held public hearings on the proposed 2022-23 School Calendar and the High School south parking lot and driveway improvement project.

With regard to the parking lot, the Board approved a low bid of $429, 733 from United Construction Services Corp. of Atlantic. The offer was more than $66,000 under the engineer’s projected cost estimate. Construction is set to begin after school lets out this Spring, with a proposed completion date of August 12, weather permitting.

The School Board approved the 2022-2023 school calendar, as presented. As per State law, the first day of school in August will be on the 23rd. The last day is May 25, 2023. The calendar also includes a winter break from December 22 to January 2, five days of spring break-March 20 to March 24, with the last day of school on May 25th.

In his report to the Board, Superintendent Steve Barber said the Middle School reconstruction project continues to progress at a good rate. The only supplies they are waiting for, he said, was replacement heat pumps, and they have since all arrived on site. Mr. Barber said that means the project will not be held-up by supply chain issues, as some had feared.

He said there are some hurdles to overcome, though, with regard to progress pertaining to the District’s outdoor facilities, including making sure dormant seeding planted in November meets the performance standard outlined in the specifications, and they are watching an area of the sidewalk around the Trojan Bowl, to ensure it is not settling to a point where water would start flowing the wrong way. Each of the three facilities, Barber said, have reached substantial completion, so they can be used by students and the community.

In other business, the Board set April 13th as the date for a public hearing on the amended 2021-2022 Budget (Here is School Business Official Sarah Sheeder’s FY23 Budget Presentation) and proposed 2022-2023 accredited budget. The proposal for the fiscal year 2023 budget reduces the tax levy from $13.95 per one thousand dollars of valuation the previous year to $13.25 per thousand dollars of valuation for the next fiscal year. The Board’s decision to lower the tax levy is to offset the financial impact to property taxpayers due to the 7.09 percent increase in property valuations.

The Atlantic School Board approved a three-percent salary increase for the central office staff, technology,  directors, principals, and school business officials, and they agreed to provide each social worker with a salary increase of $6,100, for a total of $21,427.

In addition, the Board agreed to pay the increase in health insurance, in order to keep the premium the same for the employees.

(Radio Iowa) – Those who are Irish — and those who celebrate with them every year on this day — are preparing for the return of the St. Patrick’s Day Parades. Sioux City’s parade is back after a two-year absence brought on by the pandemic. Spokesman Kelly Quinn says a lot of people have signed up to participate. “I think we have probably more than we have ever had as far as floats. I think it’s going to be a good year — especially after taking two years off,” Quinn says. He expects a big turnout for those watching the parade as well.

“I think people are excited to just get out and about — plus St. Patty’s day is traditionally just a day for every to have fun and kind of let loose,” he says. The parade begins at 6 p-m and will travel the length of historic 4th Street through the downtown area. Quinn says many local people of Irish heritage will be taking part in the parade, walking or riding on floats.

(Radio Iowa) – A Sioux City man is going to prison for a second time for selling unapproved versions of drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction. Sixty-one-year-old David Kempema was sentenced to 18 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to selling mis-branded drugs with the intent to defraud. Information from his plea agreement showed Kempema ordered pills from India or Germany that contained the same active ingredients as Viagra and Cialis.

He placed ads in men’s restrooms in businesses along with Interstate 29 advertising the pills as “dietary supplements” called “Supermale” and “All Natural Male.” Kempema admitted that he knew the drugs were not F-D-A-approved. He had reached another plea agreement for doing about the same thing back in 2011 and was sentenced back then to 60 days in jail.

Prosecutors say drugs from overseas may contain unknown or dangerous ingredients and are manufactured under unknown or unregulated conditions that can put consumers at risk for side effects.

(Radio Iowa) – A mammoth tooth has been found in Sheldon. An engineering contractor working on a lift station project for the city of Sheldon spotted the woolly mammoth tooth on the ground after recent excavation. The tooth was on property owned by Northwest Iowa Community College near the Sheldon Rec Trail, about 800 feet west of the Floyd River.

Experts say the tooth, which weighs over eleven pounds was likely in the ground since the last glacial maximum which is suspected to have been over 20,000 years ago.

Sheldon, Iowa Mammoth tooth

Northwest Iowa Community College officials say they will retain ownership of the tooth, but will display it at the Sheldon Prairie Museum in Sheldon.

(Radio Iowa) – Debate of a plan to ban COVID vaccine requirements in businesses, schools and government agencies has been at least temporarily derailed in dramatic fashion in the Iowa House. A dozen House Republicans joined with House Democrats in voting against even starting debate on an amendment that outlined the plan. The proposal would prohibit hiring and firing decisions that are based on an employee’s COVID vaccination status, unless federal regulations require it. And half of a 50-thousand dollar state fine for a COVID-related firing would be paid to the fired employee.

The proposal also would ban mask mandates for employees, visitors or customers. A spokesperson for G-O-P leaders says there was an understanding that 51 Republicans would vote to starting debate that plan, but when votes were cast, there were only 48.

The final vote was 48 in favor and 50 opposed. Melissa Deatch, a spokesperson for House Speaker Pat Grassley, says it’s not clear whether that’s the final vote on the matter. “That is all going to be determined soon here,” Deatsch said, “but I don’t have any answers on that as of right now.”

Governor Reynolds asked legislators to approve new liability protections for the trucking industry and those were included in the plan that was tabled in the House last (Wednesday) night.

(Clinton County, Iowa) – Two drivers and two passengers in a vehicle died during a head-on collision Wednesday, in eastern Iowa. Another person was injured. The Iowa State Patrol reports the crash happened just before 5-p.m. in the 4100 block of Highway 136, near Clinton. The accident involved a 2014 Chevy Cruze and a 2014 Honda Odessy van.

A passenger in the van suffered serious injuries, and was transported by ambulance to the hospital. The Patrol says the injured person and one of those who died were wearing their seat belts. The other crash victims were not. No names were released, pending notification of family.

The Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office, Clinton Ambulance, Andover Fire and Ambulance, the Gooselake and Charlotte Fire Departments.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Auditor’s Office reports nomination papers were filed Wednesday, for a spot on the November General Election ballot. Deputy Auditor Sheri Karns says Richard Hoffman has filed to run for Union Township Trustee. Again, that’s for the November General Election, and not the June Primary.

The filing periods for the November 8, 2022, General Election are:

•U.S. Senate, U.S. Representative and State Office: February 28 – March 18, 2022 (5:00 p.m.)

•County Office: March 7 – March 25, 2022 (5:00 p.m.)

Ag Extension, Soil & Water Conservation District, Hospital Trustee: Anytime up until August 31, 2022

March 7, 2022 was the first day for candidates nominated by petition to file nomination papers for county-wide or township offices with the County Auditor’s office. The last day to file is Friday, March 25, 2022.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday evening, made an official change of command in the Police Department. The Council paid special recognition to Police Chief Dave Erickson, who is retiring at the end of the month, after more than 25-years of service to the City. Mayor Grace Garrett gave a brief biography of the Chief, and his long career not only with the City, but serving our Country in the U-S Marines.

Once his stint with the Corps was over, Erickson worked for the Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company, and a member of the Atlantic Police Reserves from 1996-to 1997.

Atlantic Mayor Grace Garrett congratulates Chief Dave Erickson for his service to the City & the Country.

With his departure on March 31^st, the Council moved ahead with appointing the Mayor’s choice to succeed him, Devin Hogue, and Lt. Paul Wood as the first ever Assistant Police Chief. Lt. Hogue has served the force in Atlantic since August, 2011. He also spent several years and a substitute teachers with the Atlantic Community School District, and has been very involved in school emergency preparedness and many community programs. The Mayor explained why the Assistant Police Chief’s position was created.

Left to right: Chief Dave Erickson; Lt. Paul Wood; Lt. Devon Hogue.

Lt. Wood has been with the department since Nov. 2004. He’s also served as member of the Atlantic Fire Dept. since 2007. Both men bring extensive experience and knowledge to their respective proposed positions. In other business, the Council appointed of Bev Moffatt to the Beautification Committee. They Adopted the Final, FY 2023 Budget for the City of Atlantic, along with the FY 2023 10-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).

Both actions followed public hearings, during which there were no comments. The Atlantic City Council also Amended Seasonal Wages for the Atlantic Parks & Recreation Dept. for 2022, and have passed a resolution “Setting salaries for appointed officers and employees of the City of Atlantic,” for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023.

One of their final items of business, was to adopt a resolution for the Plans, Specifications and Form of Contract for the Bull Creek Improvement Projects, and, the awarding of a contract for the improvements to Caliber Construction out of Adair, in the amount of $369, 039.03. City Engineer Dave Sturm said they received four bids for the project, all of which came in under the Engineer’s Cost Estimate.

Prior to adjourning the meeting, Mayor Garrett asked business and residential property owners to get into the spring cleaning spirit.