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Griswold School Board authorizes execution of Quit Claim Deed for the Lewis property

News

May 21st, 2019 by Ric Hanson

The Griswold School Board, Monday evening, authorized the Board President and Board Secretary to sign a Quit Claim Deed for the Lewis Building. Superintendent Dave Henrichs said their goal is to have the deed delivered in mid-June, which is right on the mark for the timeline. But they ran into an issue with the sale of the Elliott building, which the Board agreed to sell last month to Rayna Blay and Jacque Howell.

He said “Over the years, when different parcels of land was transacted that wasn’t recorded [100+ years ago], there are a couple of lots that weren’t recorded properly. So that delayed the first step of the legal process to sell the property.” Attorney’s for both sides are working to resolve the issue. Henrichs said just “Slowing us down a little bit. There were also some personnel changes, including resignations and new hires that were approved by the Board.

There are still a few teaching and coaching positions left to fill. Henrichs said the Board heard an update from Estes Construction with regard to the new addition to the middle school/high school. He said they’re still on track to move-in to the new building June 3rd, 4th and 5th. Henrichs said also, for most part charges and fees for the upcoming school year remained the same.

And finally, Dave Henrichs pointed out that May is School Board Recognition Month. He thanked them for the work they have done and continue to do in service to the District.

Iowa paying $280 hourly for lawyer reviewing NCAA violations

News, Sports

May 21st, 2019 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The University of Iowa is paying an outside lawyer $280 per hour to investigate unspecified NCAA violations in its women’s volleyball program. A letter released Tuesday shows the university hired the law firm Bond, Schoeneck & King on May 4 for “review, evaluation and counsel regarding potential NCAA rules violations.”

Attorney Jason Montgomery in the firm’s Overland Park, Kansas, office is the primary lawyer and billing $280 per hour. Other attorneys and paralegals charging between $140 and $445 per hour may also be assigned work.

Athletic director Gary Barta reported what he called serious rules violations to the NCAA on Monday. He also put coach Bond Shymansky on leave in accordance with his contract, which requires a 30-day written notice before the university could fire him for cause. Shymansky’s contract runs through the 2022 season and pays him a base salary of $215,000. If Shymansky is fired without cause, the university would have to pay him $600,000. But if he resigns before July 1, he would be required to pay $300,000 in damages to Iowa.

TUESDAY, MAY 21st

Trading Post

May 21st, 2019 by admin

WANTED: AM/FM transistor radio that runs on batteries, ok if it plugs in too. In good working condition. 243-2647, leave a message if no answer.

Adair County man arrested on drug & assault charges

News

May 21st, 2019 by Ric Hanson

Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater reports a man from Orient arrested on an assault charge Saturday night in rural Adair County, following a dispute over a camper and other matters. 57-year old Larry Dean Vanderpluym was taken into custody for Assault causing bodily injury. He was brought to the Adair County Jail, and upon arrival was asked if he had anything that would be considered “contraband.” He denied having any such items, but as his belongings were being logged-in, a deputy located inside an open cooler, a small black bag inside of a large blue bag. The small bag contained a smoking device used to ingest marijuana by smoking, a few small plastic baggies, and a couple of small plastic containers containing a green, leafy residue (Marijuana). There were also some cleaning utensils used to clean the smoking device. Vanderpluym was subsequently charged with felony Possession of Contraband inside a Correctional Facility. He was released Sunday on a $1,000 cash or surety bond.

Friday evening, 57-year old Jeffrey Paul Newton, of Greenfield, was booked into the Adair County Jail to serve a court-ordered sentence. He was released Sunday for time served. Last Thursday, 36-year old Joseph Lee Reynolds, of Stuart, was arrested by Stuart Police on a warrant for Violation of Probation. He was released the next day on a $2,000 cash or surety bond. 20-year old Morgan Sebastian Lukenbill, of Adair, was arrested May 16th on a charge of Driving While Barred. He was released the following day on a $2,000 c/s bond.

And, 27-year old Heather Linn Armstrong, of Jefferson, was transported from the Polk County Jail to Adair County, May 13th. She was wanted on a warrant for Violation of Probation. Armstrong remains held in the jail on a $1,000 cash-only bond.

CAM School Board approves Shared Business Mgr. Position, resignations & contracts

News

May 21st, 2019 by Ric Hanson

The CAM School Board held its regular monthly meeting Monday evening, in Anita. Superintendent Dr. Casey Berlau told KJAN News they approved salary increases for Classified Staff, including:

  • a $2.00/hour increase for bus drivers (from $15.40/hour to $17.40/hour), plus a $500 bonus if the route driver starts the school year and finishes the year.
  • A $1.00/hour raise for para-educators and Secretaries, and 45-cents/hour for those in “Other categories” such as custodians and kitchen staff.

The CAM Board also approved a sharing agreement for 2019-20 with the Atlantic School District for School Business Official (SBO) Sarah Sheeder. And, they approved a 3.5% increase for Principals and a 4% increase for two, 12-month employees. Berlau said the Board discussed the Superintendent search process. He said they will hold a joint closed session with the Nodaway Valley School Board this coming Thursday, to review the applicants, with the goal to select the persons for the first round of interviews.

Last month, Dr. Berlau was hired as the Superintendent for the Carroll Community School District, effective July 1st. The 44-year old has served Nodaway Valley for 10-years, and as a shared Superintendent with CAM for the past five-years.

In other business, the CAM School Board approved some facility improvements, such as replacing curtains for the stages at the high school and middle school. They also approved fundraiser requests in advance of the RAGBRAI event that will be coming to Cass County in July. There were also several resignations that were approved:

And, some contracts were approved:

Berlau said there are some positions that remain to be filled, He said also the Board voted to take bids on an old school bus they no longer need.

Backyard and Beyond 05/21/2019

Backyard and Beyond, Podcasts

May 21st, 2019 by admin

LaVon Eblen speaks with Cass County Naturalist Lora Kanning and Cass County Extension Youth Program Coordinator Shelby Van Horn about upcoming summer day camps for area youth.

Play

Red Oak woman arrested Tue. morning

News

May 21st, 2019 by Ric Hanson

Police in Red Oak arrested a local woman at around 8:35-a.m. today (Tuesday). 27-year old Joslin Nicole Davies, of Red Oak, was arrested for operating a vehicle on a public roadway while having a revoked Iowa driver’s license for an OWI. Davies was also cited for failure to provide proof of insurance. Authorities say she refused to sign the citation, and was jailed on that charge was well. Her cash bond was set at $1,000.

Heartbeat Today 5-21-2019

Heartbeat Today, Podcasts

May 21st, 2019 by Jim Field

Jim Field visits with Lisa Steen Riggs about this weekend’s Tivolifest in Elk Horn.

Play

2 arrests in Pott. County Monday night

News

May 21st, 2019 by Ric Hanson

Sheriff’s deputies in Pottawattamie County made two arrests Monday night. At around 11:10-p.m., a deputy was dispatched to the area of mile marker 65 on I-29 northbound, for a suspicious male subject. Upon further investigation, 34-year old Andrew Bouma, of Des Moines, was arrested for Conspiracy to commit a forcible felony, as well as Criminal Mischief in the 3rd degree (For damage greater than $500 but less than $1,000), involving a 2003 Jaguar X-Type car. Bouma was being held in the Pott. County Jail on a total of $12,000 bond. And, at around 10:50-p.m., 63-year old Michael James Hunter, of Underwood, was arrested following a traffic stop in Underwood. Hunter was taken into custody on a Pott. County felony warrant.

Sheriff’s officials said also, 24-year old Johnathan Lee Jay Behrens, of Avoca, was transported Monday afternoon from the Shelby County Jail to the Pott. County Jail, to address a warrant for Driving While Barred/Habitual Offender. His bond was set at $2,000. And, 37-year old Larry Phillips, of Collierville, TN., was transported from the Shelby County Jail to Pott. County, by order of a warrant for Eluding while speeding, Flight to avoid prosecution, No valid driver’s license, and speeding. His bond was set at $7,000.

Prepare for flood-closed roads & gas stations during busy holiday travel weekend

News

May 21st, 2019 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) — Iowans who plan a trip over the upcoming Memorial Day weekend will need to plot their route carefully as many roads across the region are closed either by flooding or by flood damage. Rose White, at Triple-A-Iowa, says the motor club is predicting this will be the second-busiest Memorial Day weekend on record for all forms of travel, which includes air, ship, rail and car. White says, “Memorial Day travel by automobile, however, will be the most on record, topping the previously recorded high set back in 2005 with 37.6 million people taking to the roadways.” That’s up more than three-percent from last year. More than 37-million people will be traveling by car nationwide over the weekend and Iowans might want to get online before getting on the road.

“Before you venture out, visit the 511ia.org site and there you can download a very helpful application that will provide you the latest information on detours, road closures and those that are under construction,” White says. We’ve seen photos in recent weeks of gas stations in southwest Iowa that were inundated by floodwaters, so it’s very possible some of our regular road trip pit stops won’t be open. “Keep a close eye on your fuel tank,” White says. “Many of the outlets may be closed due to the Midwest flooding situation. It’s always advised you keep at least a quarter of a tank as you are traveling about this holiday period.”

Gasoline prices for the first holiday weekend of the summer driving season are down from a year ago. “Fuel prices in Iowa are very favorable,” White says. “Compared to the national average, Iowa’s state average is 20 cents lower, currently at $2.65 a gallon. That’s down about 16 cents compared to the prices that were paid last Memorial holiday.” White says the busiest travel days will be Thursday and Friday, so try to avoid those days entirely or schedule it so you’re not going through big cities during rush hours.