Board of Supervisors (2 Republicans move on to Nov.)

Republicans

*Marilyn Jo Drake   1,840   (36.06%)

Lynn Grobe (I)         1,022   (20.03%)

Shala Chevalier         342      (6.70%)

Lynne Brannigan      848      (16.62%)

*Tim Wichman            1,029   (20.16%)

Sheriff

Todd Johnson (Rep., I)     624   (47%)

*Brian Juelsgaard (Rep.)    705   (53.0%)

Board of Supervisors

 Todd M. Nelson (I) Rep.  658   (33.7%)

Doug  Sorensen                   572  (29.3%)

*Rick Thompson                   711  (36.4%)

Officials with the Iowa Department of Natural Resouces said Tuesday, a railroad tanker carrying 25,000 gallons of animal fat leaked along tracks Monday from Missouri Valley in Harrison County to Fairfax in Linn County, a distance of approximately 200 miles. Environmental specialists from the DNR inspected the track along the route where the spill occurred and found the amount of spillage varied greatly. The material could be found on the track right-of-way and at crossings.

The largest amount of spillage was found in Boone where the train was stopped for 15 minutes and an estimated 1,500 gallons was lost. The material was vacuumed up by clean-up crews and a trench was constructed to contain any seepage or runoff of the material if it rains.

None of the material was found to have reached any surface water. The environmental concern would be the animal fat reaching a creek or stream where it could threaten aquatic species in the water. Clean-up crews contracted through the Union-Pacific Railroad worked both Monday and Tuesday. Oil-dry was applied at railroad crossings on Monday where the material could cause slick conditions for vehicle traffic. A solution was also being applied on the spilled material to help break down the animal fat.

The spill apparently happened when a cap came off the bottom valve of the tanker causing all of the contents to drain while it was in route. The leak was not discovered until the train reached Cedar Rapids.

The DNR is continuing to investigate the incident and monitor clean-up efforts.

Police in Red Oak arrested two men on separate charges, Tuesday. 20-year old Todd Michael Rensch II, of Red Oak, was arrested at around 6:10-p.m., on a Mills County warrant for leaving the scene of an accident. His bond at the Montgomery County Jail was set at $1,000.

And, at around  2:15-p.m., 27-year old Jeremy Jon Thompson, of Red Oak, was arrested on a Montgomery County warrant for Violation of Probation. Thompson was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $10,000 cash bond.

A report of a stolen vehicle in Red Oak Tuesday afternoon resulted in a pursuit and arrest. According to Red Oak Police, 25-year old Eric Vannausdle, of Red Oak, was taken into custody at around 3:15-p.m., and charged with felony eluding and Theft in the 2nd Degree. His bond was set at $5,000.

His arrest followed a report by Tracy Vannausdle, of Red Oak, indicating her 1991 Jeep Wrangler had been stolen. A Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputy saw the SUV operated by Eric Vannausdle, as it entered the City of Stanton, from the north. The deputy attempted to stop the Jeep, which then continued south through Stanton on O Avenue, and into Page County, where the vehicle was cornered by law enforcement in the area of O Avenue and 190th Street.

Montgomery County deputies were assisted by deputies with the Page County Sheriff’s Office, Red Oak Police, and the Iowa State Patrol.

The Atlantic School District’s Board of Education, Wednesday evening, is expected to continue with discussion pertaining to a special election for a voted Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL) and PPEL Income Surtax. The talks are part of the Board’s regular monthly meeting that begins at 5:30-p.m in the Atlantic High School Media Center.

A Resolution of Election has been prepared calling for a vote on the combination PPEL and PPEL Income Surtax  which, if approved on Sept. 13th, would cause the regular, 1o-year PPEL to begin December 31st for each calendar year, commencing with the 2017 calendar year, and the PPEL Income Surtax to begin July 1st, 2017.

One Resolution calls for the regular PPEL Public Measure to be levied at a rate of 85-cents per thousand dollars assessed valuation, beginning July 1, 2017. A second Public Measure, which combines the PPEL and PPEL Income surtax, says the percentage of Income Surtax will not exceed 20-percent (to be determined by the Board each year), with the total taxation not to exceed $1.34 per $1,000 of assessed property value in any one tax year. If the measure fails, it would still not “Terminate or restrict authority previously granted by the voters to levy a special tax for any one or more of the purposes permitted by Iowa law.”  A similar Measure placed before the voters last fall, failed. School Board members hope to have the matter explained in more detail at future, public meetings.

In other business, the Atlantic School Board will act on recommendations by Superintendent Dr. Michael Amstein, for a 3% salary increase beginning with the 2016-17 School Year, for School District Administrators and Supervisors, and a 3% salary increase for Central Office clerical staff. In his request, Amstein says the cost of the salary increase for Administrators and Supervisors amounts to $29,108, which includes IPERS and FICA. He notes that during the 2015-16 school year, the Administrators and Supervisors did not receive a raise, but were given five additional vacation leave days that they were allowed to exchange for cash at the end of the school year. The same offer does not apply to the coming school year, but Amstein requests those individuals be able to retain the option to be paid for up to 5 days unused vacation leave at the end of the 2016-17 school year.

With regard to the Central Office clerical staff, Amstein says the cost of their salary increase would amount to $9,377, which again, includes IPERS and FICA. It affects four clerical positions, two tech support and one grounds maintenance positions. The 3% increase is less than the total package agreement negotiated with the non-certified employees association for the 2016-17 year.

And finally, the Atlantic School Board, Wednesday, will act on approving Contracts or Letters of Assignment for: Rebecca Vandevanter – Schuler Elem. Secretary; Ryan Henderson – High School P.E./Weight Training Teacher; Kelly Northwick – Washington Elem. Special Ed. Teacher, and Lenzi Jones – 3rd Grade Teacher.

The Harlan Police Department reports a man from Harlan was arrested last Friday on a Cass County warrant for Theft in the 5th Degree. 35-year old Daniel Pash plead guilty Tuesday (6/7) and was sentenced to one-day in jail and ordered to make restitution.

Also last Friday, a complaint was filed with the Shelby County Clerk of Court, charging 23-year old Elmer Marroquin Chavez, of Omaha, with violation of a no contact order.

On Saturday, 41-year old Jeremano Mock, of Harlan, was arrested when officers were called to investigate a possibly intoxicated male in the 2000 block of 23rd Street. Mock was given a ride to his residence at 12th and Willow Streets. Approximately 3 hours later officers were called to a possible intoxicated male in the 1400 block of Pine Street. At that time, Mock was taken into custody and transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with intoxication in public.

That same day, 18-year old Brenden Ballantyne, of Harlan, was taken into custody on an active Shelby County warrant for harassment. Ballantyne was transported to the Shelby County Jail on the harassment warrant. He was also charged with possession of a controlled substance, delivery of a controlled substance, possession of contraband and prohibited acts penalties.

The Shelby County Emergency Management Agency reports the Fir Road Bridge over Mosquito Creek is closed for construction, from now through the end of October. The bridge is located just north of the intersection of Fir Road and Highway 191, between Washington Township Sections 11 and 12. Emergency responders and residents in the area should plan to take alternate routes.

In addition, 200th Street, in Shelby County, is closed for work for about a week, weather permitting. The affected section is between 1524 and 1537 200th Street. Between Fairview Township sections 36 and 2534. And as with Fir Road, emergency responders and residents should plan to take alternate routes while the construction project is underway.

If you have any questions, contact the Shelby County Engineer at 712-755-5954.

Officials with the Audubon County Emergency Management Agency, Tuesday (Today), report Littlefield Drive from the Audubon/Cass County line north to 300th Street, is now closed to through traffic, for the duration of a road resurfacing project. The 6.5-mile stretch of road was closed May 16th, except for local residents and emergency vehicles, but the contractor, Monday, informed authorities that closing the road is in the best interest of safety, until the project is completed.

If you have any questions, contact the Audubon County Engineer’s Office at 712-563-4286.

A member of the Shenandoah High School Cross Country team died after being struck by a car Tuesday morning, as she ran during practice. The Iowa State Patrol says 14-year old Kinsee Rooker, of Shenandoah, who would have been a freshman this fall, died at the scene of accident that took place at around 7:15-a.m.

According to reports, Rooker was running southbound on Avenue A at the intersection of Highway 2 and crossing the road, when she was hit by an eastbound 2002 Mercury Sable, driven by 27-year old Brent McKinnon, of Clarinda. No charges have been filed.

A Memorial Fund for the family of Kinsee Rooker has been established. Donations can be dropped off at the Bank Iowa locations in Red Oak and Shenandoah.