Representative Tom Moore, from Griswold, reports Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds today (Thursday) approved the State Supplemental Aid for the the 2020-2021 school year. Moore says this will appropriate an additional $99.2 million to the state’s education budget for the upcoming school year. The increase will address important issues such as transportation inequity for rural schools, and reduce the per pupil cost (breakdown of spending below).

Moore said he had the honor of joining the governor, as well as other legislators for the signing of the legislation into law.

• Supplemental State Aid $85.57 million
• Rural Transportation $7.65 million
• Per Pupil Equity $5.8 million

TOTAL $99.02 million

A Cass County man was sentenced last week to 25-years in prison in association with his plea of guilty to one Class-B Felony count of Sexual Abuse in the 2nd Degree, in Guthrie County. Court records show a second count of sexual abuse in the 2nd was dismissed against 22-year old Matthew David Ross, of Marne. As part of his plea deal, Judge Randy Hefner ordered Ross to serve up to 25 years in prison with a required 50% minimum, but the sentence was suspended and he was instead given five years probation.

Matthew David Ross

Ross was also ordered to remain under supervised parole for the rest of his life. He must also register as a sex offender, pay a $100 sexual abuse victim surcharge, victim restitution, and up to $500 for category two restitution. The case against him stems from a January 31st, 2019 arrest into his activities with a person under the age of 12. The investigation was conducted by the Stuart Police Department.

HARLAN, Iowa (The Des Moines Register) — An Iowa judge has ordered a psychological evaluation of a Kansas man who asked the judge to let him engage in a sword fight with his ex-wife and her attorney so that he can “rend their souls” from their bodies. David Ostrom, of Paola, Kansas, said in a Jan. 3 court filing that his former wife in Harlan, Iowa, and her attorney had destroyed him legally. She subsequently asked the judge to suspend Ostrom’s visitation rights and order an evaluation. The judge granted both requests last week. Ostrom told The Des Moines Register that he has an appointment scheduled with a psychologist.

(Atlantic, Iowa) — The non-profit organization “Atlantic Rising” will host the 7th Annual Awards Luncheon and Dessert Gala on April 24th, 2020, and are asking for your community-wide nominations for the awards. The awards are designed to recognize the achievements of young professionals who demonstrate a commitment to excellence and innovation in their profession and within the community. The awards are open to any Young Professional that meets the following criteria:

• The professional is between the age of 21-45 years old as of January 1, 2020, and.
• The professional either works or resides within Cass County.

Young Professionals will be nominated for their excellence in four different categories: YP Newcomer, YP Entrepreneur, YP Business Leader and YP Public Servant. There will also be one YP Choice Workplace Award given. The YP Choice Workplace Award recognizes a company who effectively attracts, retains and develops young professionals. Individuals can either nominate their company or another company. Companies must be Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce members. You can check the membership directory at www.atlanticiowa.com for eligibility. Nominees for Newcomer, Entrepreneur, Business Leader, and Public Servant do not need to be members of Atlantic Rising to be eligible for nomination.

The winners for the Young Professional Awards in 2019 included: Alexis Fleener – Public Servant of the Year, Dr. Edna Becht Newcomer of the Year, Rachel Johnson – Entrepreneur of the Year, John McCurdy – Business Leader of the Year, and Atlantic Specialty Care – Choice Workplace of the Year.

To submit a nomination, go to www.atlanticiowa.com for a nomination form or pick one up at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Office (102 Chestnut, Atlantic, IA 50022). All nomination forms must be submitted by Thursday, April 2nd, 2020 by 5 PM. The Atlantic Rising nominations will be reviewed by a selection committee including: an AR Representative, an Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Board Representative, a member of CADCO, an Atlantic City Official and an out of town guest.

Atlantic Rising is a social group who meets throughout the year for networking and social events, as well as civic projects to help the community. Their mission is to connect, engage and attract young leaders into the community while promoting the greater Atlantic area.  Members are young professionals between the ages of 21-45. Any interested individuals can contact the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce at 712-243-3017 for more information on joining.

Atlantic Rising is sponsored by Cass County Health System.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office today (Thursday), said 24-year old Brendyn O’Dell Rutherford Malone, of Council Bluffs, was arrested following a traffic stop at around 4:20-a.m. today (Thursday), in Council Bluffs. He was taken into custody for Theft in the 2nd Degree-Motor Vehicle, as the vehicle he was driving was reported stolen out of Neola on Wednesday. Rutherford Malone was also charged with Violation of Probation. He was being held in the Pott. County Jail on a $5,000 bond.

Wednesday night, 44-year old Kathleen Marie Gerhardt, of Carson, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault/2nd offense – following an investigation into a possible disturbance in Oakland. Wednesday afternoon, 50-year old Scott Thomas Appleton was arrested on a warrant for Burglary in the 3rd Degree/1st offense -Vehicle related, after he turned himself-in the the Sheriff’s Office. Appleton was later booked into the Pott. County Jail. And, a man wanted on a warrant for Sexual Abuse in the 2nd Degree, was arrested Wednesday afternoon, also after turning himself-in to authorities. 31-year old Darrell Jacob Kackley, of Council Bluffs, was being held in the Pott. County Jail on the Felony warrant.