Members of the Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education and Atlantic Education Association (the Collective Bargaining Unit representing the Certified Staff), will meet Wednesday evening in the High School Media Center. During the 5:30-p.m. session, Collective Bargaining Proposals will take place, with the Education Assoc. Bargaining Unit presenting its initial contract proposal for the 2020-21 School Year. Immediately afterward, the Board of Ed. will present its initial contract proposal.

A Special Board meeting will follow conclusion of the Bargaining session. During that meeting, the School Board will discuss a Needs Assessment/Culture & Climate District Survey, and act on approving a Needs Assessment Survey & Timeline.

The Adair County Sheriff’s Department reports three arrests took place from Feb. 18th through the 21st. On Feb. 21st, at around 2-p.m., Adair Police arrested 40-year old Ryan James Cook, of Adair. Cook was arrested at his residence on charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance/marijuana-1st offense, and Interference with Officials Acts. He was released the following day on a $1,000 cash or surety bond.

Also arrested Feb. 21st, was 21-year old Conner Sean Michael, of Humeston, who was taken into custody by Greenfield Police at around 12:52-a.m., on a Wayne County warrant for Violation of Probation. He was subsequently turned over to Wayne County Deputies later that same day.

And, on Feb. 18th, an Iowa State Patrol Trooper arrested 23-year old Way Mu Htoo, of Omaha, on an Adair County warrant for OWI/1st offense. Htoo was being held in the Adair County Jail on a $1,000 cash or surety bond.

The Page County Sheriff’s Office reports 22-year old Dillon Fanklin Hastings, of Clarinda, was arrested Monday on a Page County warrant for Assault. Hastings was being held in the Page County Jail on a $300 bond.

(Corrects day of hearing to Thursday, Feb. 27) A Public Hearing on the Cass County Memorial Hospital’s Fiscal Year 2021 County Budget will be held 10:30-a.m. Thursday, in CCMH Conference Room Number 1. Following the hearing, the CCMH Board of Trustees will act on approving the FY 21 Budget, along with Capital Equipment Requests for: Boiler Automation, and, Laboratory Equipment.

DES MOINES — The Iowa Attorney General’s Office today (Tuesday) said a judge has ruled that a former Atlantic vehicle recycler must pay an additional $50,000 penalty for violating environmental laws and ignoring state orders to clean up the abandoned site.   Fourth District Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Larson also ruled that Jason Wright, who now lives in Colorado, is liable for future cleanup costs and could face contempt charges if he fails to comply with the order.

In his ruling issued Feb. 21st, Judge Larson said “Wright repeatedly ignored the DNR’s notifications, warnings, and an administrative order to remove the solid waste and contamination left behind by his company. At trial, Wright appeared unconcerned about the condition of the property, and demonstrated no inclination he intends to comply with the administrative order.”

The ruling is on top of an order last April in which Chief Judge Larson imposed a $100,000 penalty on Wright’s business, Recycling Services LLC.  The Department of Natural Resources, represented by the Iowa Attorney General’s Office, sued Wright and Recycling Services on Feb. 1, 2019, and the case was tried on Feb. 5, 2020, in Cass County.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — A former school bus driver in Cedar Rapids accused of sexual misconduct is scheduled to go on trial May 11. Linn County court records say Thomas Williams pleaded not guilty last week to misdemeanor charges of false imprisonment and sexually exploitation by a school employee. Investigators have said Williams forced a 10-year-old girl to sit on his lap inside the bus he drove Jan. 2 in a district parking lot. Court documents say he grabbed the girl’s head and tried to kiss her before she pulled away and left the bus. The district has since fired Williams.