The Atlantic School District’s Board of Education will continue discussion on the District’s Return-to-Learn plan, Wednesday evening during a Work Session in the High School Media Center. The meeting begins at 6-p.m.  At their last meeting on July 8th, the Board agreed with a recommendation from Superintendent Steve Barber, that the District begin on-site learning August 24th, with the understanding that the continuous learning plan be flexible on an as-needed basis, in light of the changing circumstances surrounding the Coronavirus pandemic.

The Board has not committed to requiring masks for students and/or teacher, but Barber said at the last meeting, moving forward, COVID-19 Health and Safety, as well as Family Dynamics involving student learning need to be taken into consideration, along with whether or not to require masks to worn by students. In other business, the Atlantic School Board Wednesday, will review and discuss updated Board policies, and the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

They’ll also discuss upcoming dates, including: 2020-21 Student Registration on Aug. 3rd; the regular board meeting 6-p.m. August 12th; The Board retreat set for August 18th, at the pending date for a new staff “Meet and Greet.”

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum has announced that 19-year old Tate Pilger, of Council Bluffs was sentenced July 15th in Council Bluffs U-S District Court, to serve seven-years in prison for possession of child pornography. Pilger was also ordered to pay $1,500 in restitution and $100 special assessment to the Crime Victims’ Fund. He will serve ten years of supervised release at the conclusion of his prison term.

The charges against Pilger were the result of an investigation initiated by Facebook who submitted information to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that a user of their service uploaded suspected images of child pornography via Facebook Messenger. The cyber tip was forwarded to the Iowa Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and local law enforcement who executed two search warrants at Council Bluffs homes linked to Pilger. Law enforcement located a computer, cell phones, and flash drives which were taken as evidence and analyzed. The forensic analysis revealed Pilger possessed numerous images and videos of child pornography.

The investigation was conducted by the Council Bluffs Police Department and prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

Officials with Connections Area Agency on Aging have announced that a limited number of Farmers Market vouchers are available for older Iowans in the Connections AAA service area. Remaining vouchers are available on a first call first serve basis.

Seniors meeting income requirements can obtain vouchers to be used at participating area Farmers Markets to buy $30.00 worth of fresh, locally grown produce. This year since Connections’ senior centers and offices are currently closed to the public, they will be asking individuals to call in and request an application. Requested applications will be mailed out in an addressed postage paid return envelope. Once completed application is received by Connections AAA, vouchers will be mailed out to applicant. Please note applications not completed will not receive vouchers until all information is provided. Please call Connections’ office at 1-800-432-9209 to obtain your application.

Program Criteria:

•  Must be at least 60 years of age or older
• Annual income must be less than $23,606 Single; $31,894 Married
• Only one original application allowed per individual. No photocopies or duplicate applications allowed. Married couples can jointly apply on one application.

Outline of Process:

•  Applications available by phone 1-800-432-9209.
• Applications will be mailed with a postage paid return envelope.
• Applications must be complete before vouchers will be mailed out.
• Applications are on a first come first serve basis.

Walk-ins will not be accepted at Connections-run senior centers or office locations.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports three arrests. Sunday afternoon, 20-year old Humberto Felipe Mancinas, of Sidney, was arrested for Driving While Revoked. His bond was set at $1,000. Saturday afternoon, 37-year old Dustin Lee Harriman, of Council Bluffs, was arrested on a warrant for two counts of Failure to Appear. Bond was set at $10,000. And, Friday evening, 62-year old Jim Dean Davis, of Neola, was arrested for Driving While Barred. His bond was set at $2,000.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — School districts that plan to reopen classrooms in the fall are wrestling with whether to require teachers and students to wear face mask. The issue has divided urban and rural schools and yielded widely varying guidance. The divide has also taken on political dimensions. In Iowa, Democratic-leaning cities like Des Moines and Iowa City have required masks to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

Smaller, more conservative communities have left the decision to parents. Many states are calling for teachers to wear masks. Some will require masks for students. Many other states are leaving the decision to local officials.

Sheriff’s Deputies in Page County have arrested 35-year old Michael Lee Dunlap, of Clarinda. Dunlap was taken into custody this (Monday) morning, on a Page County Warrant for Probation Violation. He was arrested in the 2100 block of Highway 2, about seven miles west of Clarinda. Dunlap was transported to the Page County Jail where he is being held on $300 bond pending further court proceedings.