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Atlantic School Board approves ’24-’25 Swimming Program; 3 resignations & several contract recommendations

News

March 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education this (Wednesday) evening, acted to approve bringing back the Girls Swimming Program, effective in the Fall of 2024. The District last year decided not to offer the swimming program, because the last two swimming athletes were graduating. During the School Board meeting, it was mentioned interest has since grown in the program, including from students in other districts, and that the number of students interested will lend support the program, now, and in the years to come.

Swim Team representatives said before the Board’s vote, they worried that if Atlantic didn’t have a program, Lewis Central would draw students from Atlantic and other area districts.

After approving the Girls Swim Program, the Atlantic School Board approved a bid of $26,000 for the Schuler Elementary School Elevator repair. The bid was awarded to Otis Elevator Repair. Superintendent Dr. Beth Johnsen said the District’s Safety Committee met a couple of weeks ago, and noted they should have a “Reunification Plan” in-place.

Dr. Johnsen said also, they have had five applicants for the new, Director of Student Services position that’s been advertised for just one week.

Johnsen said also, interviews have been conducted for School Grounds person. Lisa Jones, Director of Finance/Board Secretary, said the stumbling block to hiring someone is the issue of salary.

In other business, the Board set their Work Session on March 27, 2024 at 5:30-p.m., as the date & time  for a Public Hearing on meeting #1 for the FY25 Certified Budget, and as the date/time for a Public Hearing on the 2024-25 School Calendar. They set a second hearing on the FY25 Budget, as April 10, 2024 at 5:30-p.m. Lisa Jones recommended to the Board a maximum property tax levy asking for 2025, of $12.92 per $1,000 taxable valuation. Last year’s asking was $13.00/$1,000. Property taxes make up 30% of the District’s revenue, according to Jones.

State aid for the student population makes up a majority of the income. Following a presentation on the role of school board directors from a representative with the Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB), the Atlantic School Board approved the resignations of:

  • Faith Nielsen, 7th Grade Volleyball Coach for the Fall season.
  • Megan Anderson, High School Math Teacher, and Gena Rush, 1st Grade Teacher, both effective at the end of the current school year.

The Board also approved Contract Recommendations and/or Letters of Assignment as part of the 2023-24 School Year, for:

  • Samantha Kerkhoff, Special Education Paraprofessional, effective March 14th
  • Chelsey Christensen, Nutrition Dept. Cook, also effective March 14th
  • Kent Hanson, Volunteer Boys Golf Coach, and Alyssa Boltz, Asst. Girls Soccer Coach.

They also approved Contracts/Letters of Assignment for the 2024-25 School Year, for:

  • Nicole Holst, Kindergarten Teacher
  • Claire Swanson, 1st Grade Teacher
  • Alyssa Boltz, Head Volleyball Coach, Fall 2024 Season
  • Vanessa Perkins, 8th Grade ELA, from 3/4-time to full-time
  • and Macie Harringa, K-8 Computer Science Teacher.

UPDATE: Investigation into Montgomery County fertilizer spill continues

Ag/Outdoor, News

March 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

RED OAK  5:01-p.m., 3/13/24 – DNR staff continue to investigate the New Cooperative fertilizer spill near Red Oak in Montgomery County. The release has been stopped and clean-up efforts are still underway.

The product flowed several miles downstream of Red Oak in the East Nishnabotna River, reaching Missouri. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has been notified.

The DNR encourages private well owners in Montgomery, Page, and Fremont counties with wells in near proximity to the East Nishnabotna River to contact their county health department to test their wells for nitrate. This service is free using Iowa’s Grants-to-Counties (GTC) program. The DNR will be providing county health officials with lists of registered private wells that may be vulnerable.

Due to low water levels in the East Nishnabotna, the concentration of the liquid nitrogen fertilizer is higher than during normal stream flows, causing concern for all animals due to high nitrate and urea levels.

Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine Toxicologist Scott Radke recommends keeping all animals away from the East Nishnabotna River until the plume of contaminant moves out of the area.

The Iowa DNR is working with local, state and federal officials, and will continue to investigate impacts of the spill.

Original press release information from March 12, 2024:

Fertilizer spill in Montgomery County reaches East Nishnabotna River

RED OAK — On March 11, New Cooperative in Red Oak notified the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) of a release on-site early Monday morning.

Approximately 1,500 tons of liquid nitrogen fertilizer (32% solution) discharged into a drainage ditch, then into the East Nishnabotna River. The release occurred due to a valve left open on an aboveground storage tank overnight. Areas of pooled fertilizer have been pumped into a vac truck and will be land applied later. Dead fish were observed in the East Nishnabotna. The extent of the fish kill is still being determined.

DNR field staff are on-site. Samples have been collected and will be analyzed. The investigation is on-going.

Atlantic FFA Competes at Districts

Ag/Outdoor, News

March 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Clarinda, Iowa/by Atlantic FFA reporter Lily Johnson) – On Saturday, March 2nd, 2024, 20 members of the Atlantic FFA chapter competed in the District Career Development Events at Clarinda High School.

Lauren Comes

During the District Business session Sophomore Lauren Comes was elected as the 2024-25 Southwest District Secretary. Lauren will have several new responsibilities in her new office. Lauren gave a speech and answered two questions earlier during the business session.

Lauren said, “Being selected as a district officer was truly an amazing experience. I am extremely grateful and excited for what the year will bring. I can’t wait to be able to represent the Atlantic FFA at a district level. Having the experience to advocate for this outstanding organization is an incredible opportunity.” Hayden Kleen and Keston Schmidt were the chapter delegates for Atlantic FFA at the convention.

Earning a Gold rating, placing 3rd earning the Alternate to the Iowa FFA State Convention was Lola Comes Extemporaneous Speaking.

Keegan Kemp

Also earning Gold was Charli Goff in Ag Welding and Keegan Kemp in Torch Welding.

Lola Comes

Claire Pellett competed in Public Speaking and earned a Silver rating, Makenna Schroeder completed in Chapter Website and the Conduct of Meetings Team earned a Silver.

Team members include Addie Freund, Addalyn Sonntag, Rylee Harlan, Jacquie Freund, Lily Johnson, Collin Harris and Maddy Anderson.

In the FFA Chapter Quiz, Atlantic FFA had 2 members participate. Earning a gold were Lauren Comes placing 11th and Lily Johnson placing 14th.

In the FFA Freshman Greenhand Quiz, Atlantic FFA had 6 members participate. Earning a Gold was Jacquelyn Freund. Receiving silvers were, Rylee Harlan, Addalyn Sonntag, Bailey Gresihaber, Maggie Cohrs. Receiving Bronze include Lily Willrich, and Kayedance Sturm.

Charli Goff

Competing in the Farm Business Management Test was Mia Kloewer placing 40th earning a Bronze medal.

State FFA Officers visit Atlantic FFA Chapter

Ag/Outdoor, News

March 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic FFA Chapter welcomed Iowa FFA State Officer Collin Bauer and District Officer Presley Buttler to a chapter visit on February 26th, 2024. Atlantic Ag Instructor/FFA Advisor Eric Miller says while at the AHS, the officers discussed opportunities in FFA and the students participated in leadership-building activities.

During a year of service to the organization, Iowa FFA officers serve as ambassadors for agriculture and the FFA. They travel to FFA chapters throughout the state to connect with members and talk about the many opportunities available to students enrolled in agricultural education.

Each Ag Class has a lesson tailored to meet the needs of the individuals in the class. Some workshops are based on Leadership Skills, others on Team Building and finally FFA Chapter Recruitment. Each class begins with an introduction of an ice breaker activity used to get the State Officers and the students in the class introduced to each other. This is followed by a game or activity designed to highlight a specific leadership skill or team building activity.

Agricultural education incorporates three aspects of learning. The classroom provides basic knowledge. FFA develops leadership and personal skills. A Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) provides hands-on learning while working or in an agricultural business.

The Iowa FFA Association comprises 285 local chapters preparing over 19,200 students for future career opportunities. FFA activities and award programs complement instruction in agricultural education by giving students practical experience in applying agricultural skills and knowledge gained in classes.

Through agricultural education, FFA makes a positive difference in students’ lives by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success.

A second run for Iowa film incentives gets committee approval

News

March 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A House committee has approved a bill with guidelines for a limited revival of state incentives for movies and TV shows filmed in Iowa, but the original version has been altered. The plan no longer requires that actors be Iowa residents in order for the project to be eligible for the program.

Representative Chuck Isenhart of Dubuque, a Democrat, backs the bill, but he said that part seems contrary to the goal. “It could be used to inadvertantly prevent us from doing what I think we’re intending to do with this bill and that is employ Iowa actors and actresses and use Iowa vendors on the project,” Isenhart saod. “This throws that into question in my view.”

Under the bill, production companies could be eligible for a rebate worth up to 30% of the project’s expenses, but only $5 million in rebates would be available in each of the next two years. Republican Representative Brent Siegrist of Council Bluffs said it doesn’t matter who the stars of the movie are, it’s what the production spends in Iowa that’s important.

“They are going to be here in Iowa, staying in our hotels, eating at restaurants, probably using local craftsmen for their sets and everything else,” Siegrist said, “so whether they’re paying a big Hollywood a bunch of money or a bunch of lesser actors lesser money, it’s about the expenses.”

Fifteen years ago the State of Iowa cancelled its film tax credit program after auditors found the majority of credits were miscued and some Iowa vendors were never paid.

Republican Representative Jane Bloomingdale of Northwood said she’s confident the program’s second run can be successful. “The Iowa Economic Development Authority has worked with this, they’ve worked with so many grant programs that they know how to write the rules,” Bloomingdale said.

All 24 members of the House Ways and Means Committee voted for the bill today and it’s now eligible for debate in the 100-member Iowa House.

New jail in Sioux City fails inspection, pushing back opening date again

News

March 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Woodbury County’s new law enforcement center won’t open on schedule next month as the new jail in Sioux City failed a state inspection this week. The Woodbury County Law Enforcement Authority says more mechanical work is needed, blaming an engineering firm for the problem. The jail’s new completion date is now planned for mid-May instead of April 9th, which was months behind the original date. Chief Deputy Tony Wingert says he is eager to make the move.

“We want to get in there because we know that it’ll be a much safer place for our staff, for our inmates, for the public,” Wingert says. The jail was originally scheduled to open six months ago. The new jail would have room for more than 500 beds, that’s more than double the current size.  “Everybody that is a danger to society is in jail,” Wingert says, “but we have people that probably need to spend some time in jail and they’re not right now because we’re so full, because we don’t have the bed space.”

Wingert says some people are waiting more than a year to serve their sentences due to overcrowding. County officials declined any further interviews due to potential litigation.

Congresswoman Hinson says TikTok’s influence is a national security issue

News

March 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The U.S. House passed a bill this morning calling on the video app TikTok to divest itself from the Chinese company ByteDance to remain available in the U.S.

Iowa Congresswoman Ashley Hinson, a Republican from Marion, said prior to the vote on the bill that ByteDance is beholding to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). “I believe the nature of the threat is really threefold. It’s the data collection, that’s the most overt, of millions of users to advance China’s intelligence and influence operations. Its covert manipulation of their algorithm to not only sow divisiveness and discord in our society. But it’s also do things like promote pro Hamas content or videos downplaying 9-1,” Hinson said.

She said their point was proved last week after the bill was introduced and TikTok went into panic mode. “They lied to their users saying Congress was going to ban TiTok, and then prompted kids to call their representatives,” Hinson said. “They manipulated and they used our kids. It’s so unacceptable, and TikTok’s disregard for kids mental health was really on full display. ”

Rep. Hinson speaking on the House floor about the TikTok bill.

Hinson said that led to a lot of phone calls from people who were ticked off about TikTok. “I can tell you when I was picking up phones it was one after the after the other after the other so we were getting a barrage of phone calls,” she said.

Hinson said TikTok could send out much worse messages to influence its users. “Imagine if TikTok took the same tactic ahead of our elections. What if on election day, TikTok sends out an alert saying our elections are canceled or whatever message the C-C-P wanted them to disseminate,” Hinson said. Hinson said this is a national security issue and if TikTok does not cut ties from the CCP, it should not be able to operate in the U.S.

The bill passed the House on a 352-65 vote, but its future in the Senate is unsure.

NE Iowa dispatcher and 2 locals honored for their help in nabbing a gunman

News

March 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A 9-1-1 dispatcher from northeast Iowa and two area residents are being honored for their efforts during an incident last November in Hopkinton. A suspect in a shooting at a grocery store in Monticello was spotted in nearby Hopkinton, and Delaware County Deputy Matt Menard fired shots when taking the man into custody. Jessica Kelly says in her 17 years as a dispatcher, she’s never had a call quite as chaotic.

“I would say it was a little bit intense, especially when Matt yelled ‘Shots fired!’ but you don’t know who’s shot and then he’s not answering because he’s busy with the situation,” Kelly says. “Waiting for somebody to respond, the unknown, because you can’t see what’s going on, but you just keep doing your thing, getting a helicopter in the air and ambulances going and other help sent that way.”

Kelly is being awarded the Delaware County Medal of Merit for how she handled the information and radio traffic from six different agencies and emergency medical services. Manchester Police Chief Jim Hauschild nominated Kelly for the award, saying she calmly handled the situation with professionalism. “I’ve seen some really good dispatchers and she is definitely one of the best I’ve ever worked with,” Hauschild says. “I mean that was a lot to take care of, and throw on top of that the emotions, that you know who’s there and what’s going on. That makes it even more challenging. She did an awesome job.”

Delaware County dispatcher Jessica Kelly (in grey jacket) flanked by law officers. (Photos by Janelle Tucker, KMCH)

Two Hopkinton residents are also being recognized for their actions that day. Scott Fjelstul and Nick Bossard saw a car that was out of place and approached it, only to find a man sleeping in the front seat and an A-R-15 rifle in the back seat. Bossard says they backed away and called the authorities, but stayed nearby to keep an eye on the car. “I just did the part that you’re supposed to, just being alert and doing what you should have done,” Bossard says. “Pay attention to your surroundings and do the right thing. I mean, that’s what I guess it all boils down to. We just did what we were supposed to do that day. We didn’t really go above and beyond what anybody else should have ever done. It’s just what you’re supposed to do as far as being a good citizen.”

Fjelstul says they didn’t realize it was the suspect from the Monticello shooting until shots were fired.  “I don’t think we did anything extraordinary,” Fjelstul says. “We both live in a small town. We noticed something that wasn’t right and we decided to check it out.”

Fjelstul and Bossard are being presented with the Delaware County Citizen Recognition Award. A few weeks ago, Deputy Menard was awarded the county’s first Medal of Valor for his bravery.

3 arrested on warrants in Mills County

News

March 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports three people were arrested on separate warrants, Tueday:

  • 49-year-old Dustin Clark Anglen, of Malvern, was arrested in Malvern, on a warrant for Failure to Appear. His bond was set at $5,000.
  • 24-year-old Faith Leeann Clemmons, of Emerson, was arrested at the Mills County Sheriff’s Office, on a warrant for Violation of Probation. Her bond was set at $20,000.
  • 18-year-old Brok Uriah Brule, of Glenwood, was arrested at the Pottawattamie County Jail, on a Mills County warrant for Violation of Probation. His bond was set at $10,000.

Villisca man arrested on drug charges Wednesday morning in Red Oak

News

March 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Red Oak, Iowa) – A man from Villisca was arrested on drug charges this (Wednesday) morning, in Red Oak. According to Red Oak Police, 24-year-old Jonah Lee Kirsch was arrested at around 9:50-a.m., for Possession of a Controlled Substance/1st offense, Poss. of Drug Paraphernalia, and Unlawful possession of a prescription drug. Kirsch was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $1,000 bond.