(Griswold, Iowa) – The Cass County Farm Bureau is hosting a Legislative Forum and you are invited to attend! The event will be held this Saturday, February 22 from 9:00 – 10:00 AM at the Griswold Library (505 Main Street, Griswold)

Representative Tom Moore and Senator Tom Shipley will be in attendance to speak with attendees regarding agriculture issues in our community and state. There will be snacks and drinks provided, and the event is open to anyone in the community!

Rep. Thomas Jay Moore (R-Griswold) (official photo)

Farm Bureau encourages members and community residents to use this opportunity to talk with our elected officials, regarding topics affecting our rural communities and agriculture.

Senator Tom Shipley

(Radio Iowa) – While many Iowans enjoyed those spurts of warm weather we had during January, the temporary respites from winter may have killed some of our trees now that we’re back in the deep freeze. Tivon Feeley, the Iowa DNR’s forest health program leader, anticipates moderate to severe winter burn damage statewide to conifers, like white pines. Feeley says the January thaws forced some trees to use the water reserves in their needles.

“So even though the ground is frozen, the ambient temperature above is warm, and the conifers are tricked, especially the non-native conifers, when they think that it’s springtime: ‘Let’s start using up the water reserves,’ but the root system is still frozen,” Feeley says, “so they can’t get more moisture up into that tree, and so they dry out, and that’s what winter desiccation is.”

The symptoms include browning or bleaching of the needles, trees losing needles, and eventually, tree death. Feeley says we may not see the full impact of the winter burn until much warmer weather sets in, like in late May or early June. “You look at our eastern red cedar right now. They’re brown. They’re dormant. They’ve evolved in our climate. They know what to expect, and they’re going to stay brown until we get all that spring rain, and then they’ll start to green up late,” Feeley says. “Our non-native conifers are not used to that, so as soon as it’s warm, they think it’s spring, and they’ll start trying to use water up that they don’t have.”

Photo courtesy of ISU Extension and Outreach

There’s really nothing Iowa homeowners can do at this point in the year to save the trees if they’re burned, but Feeley says to remember this situation in several months when autumn returns. “The best thing to do to prevent this is to mulch around the base of your tree, and if we’re dry in the fall, which is pretty common in Iowa, and you have non-native conifers, to water that all around them to get an ample moisture built up to carry it through these warm days,” Feeley says, “because later this week, it looks like we’re going to warm up again, so it could be another situation where we’re set up for this winter desiccation.”

If needles on the tree are dead but the buds are alive, he says new plant foliage will regrow to replace the winter-burned foliage. If both the buds and needles are dead, Feeley says the tree will not recover.

(Radio Iowa) – A plan to let Iowans prepare for natural disasters by setting aside money in a tax-free catastrophic savings account is under review in the Iowa legislature. Representative Austin Harris, a Republican from Montour, says a dozen other states have similar laws on the books. “This idea has kind of come out of some of the natural disasters that we’ve seen the last five years in Iowa, whether it’s the derecho or some of the flooding we see in northwest Iowa,” Harris said, “so it’s an idea for Iowans to set aside money for whenever catastrophe may happen.”

Many homes in Greenfield were leveled by a tornado on May 21, 2024. (Photo by Mike Peterson, KMA Radio via Radio Iowa)

There would be lifetime limits on how much could be deposited in the accounts. Limits for Iowans who have insurance on their home would in the one- to two-thousand dollar range, while Iowans without insurance could save far more, with the limit based on the assessed value of their home. However, no more than 350-thousand dollars could be held in one of these proposed catastrophic savings accounts.

Withdrawals for disaster-related expenses would not be subject to the state income tax.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – A collision at the entrance to the Red Oak High School parking lot this (Wednesday) morning, caused a police estimated $6,500 damage altogether, but no one was injured. According to Red Oak Police, a 2017 Ford Explorer driven by 38-year-old Michela Williams, of Red Oak, was stopped at the entrance to the high school on N. 8th Street, and waiting to enter the roadway. A 2010 GMC Terrain SUV driven by an unidentified male, was traveling south and attempting to turn west into the parking lot, when the vehicle slid on the icy roadway and struck the Ford SUV.

Williams was cited for Failure to have Insurance (accident related). The other driver was issued a written warning for Failure to Maintain Control. The accident happened at around 10-a.m., Wednesday.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Police Department is warning residents that they are now issuing citations for vehicles that have not been moved off of City streets so the snowplows can clear the streets. In a social media post Wednesday morning, the A-PD says “As we posted a few days ago, we have been attempting to help the Public Works Department with clearing the city streets. We found that after making that post, many individuals had still not moved their vehicles from city streets so that the roads could be cleared.

“Officers began issuing citations to vehicles yesterday evening that had not moved since the cessation of snowfall. However, some of these citations were marked as a violation of a snow emergency. The city of Atlantic has not enacted a snow emergency.” Vehicles that were issued citations were in violation of an ordinance limiting parking to 24-hours. The ordinance states “No person shall park any vehicle for a continuous period of more than twenty-four hours, on any public street, alley, or City-owned off-street parking area following the cessation of snowfall.

“Many of these vehicles,” Atlantic Police said, “had not moved since the previous snowfall.” The citations have been updated with the City, and any that have been written as a violation of a snow emergency now show that they were in violation of 24 hour parking in reference to the city code mentioned.

The fine for a parking violation during snow removal efforts, is $30.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Board of Supervisors, during their meeting this (Wednesday) morning, accepted the resignation of the Walnut Township Trustee, and appointed his replacement. Supervisor Jodie Hoadley…

The Board tabled approval of an Information Technology (IT) Agreement with Access Systems, until they could receive more information from Auditor Mandy Berg. The Supervisors approved Life Insurance Plan Options by a vote of 4-to-1, with Supervisor Hoadley voting No. The expanded coverage will cost the County an additional $3,902.40/per year, and provides a $20,000 benefit amount per employee

The Board discussed and acknowledged receipt of a notice for proposed Mid-American Energy Projects. Mid-American officials said they are considering putting a tower in the northeast part of Adair County. Once again, here’s Supervisor Hoadley.

The tower will be between 25- and 30-meters (or about 80 to near 100-feet) tall, depending on the location and elevation of the (as yet to be selected) sites. Company officials say turning the lights off will save them money, and is an attempt to make them a “Good neighbor,” by not having the flashing lights on all night long. The move does not mean there will be any additional wind turbines in Adair County. Supervisor Hoadley pointed out the County has a moratorium on any new wind turbines and Solar panel installations.

A Mid-American spokesman said with regard to Monday’s press release about plans to develop two natural gas-fired combustion turbines near Orient, in Adair County. The company purchased land for the project several years ago.

Those turbines are expected to generate 465 megawatts of power. They would only run about 10-percent of the time if extra energy generation is needed to meet demand after all the other sources of power are in use. The facility encompasses about 20-acres, with the substation occupying about six-acres. The plant brings with it about a half-dozen high paying jobs.

In other business, the Adair County Supervisors approved a longevity raise for Secondary Roads Department employee Janelle Meisenheimer, who was been with the County for 30-years, according to Engineer Nick Kauffman. Kauffman discussed with the Board the County’s 5-year construction program, which he will also submit to the Iowa Department of Transportation.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Auditor’s Office is issuing an important reminder for residents applying for U.S. passports. Auditor Kathy Somers says “Many people may not be aware that the official passport application form is free, and that some unofficial websites may charge unnecessary fees. When applying for a passport, use the U.S. Department of State’s website, www.travel.state.gov, or visit a passport acceptance facility. Be cautious of third-party sites that charge for forms, as they are not official sources.”

The Cass County Auditor’s Office serves as a passport acceptance facility, and the forms are available there at no cost. While there is a fee to apply for the passport itself, the forms are free.

If you need assistance, please call the Cass County Auditor’s Office at 712-243-4570 or contact any other passport acceptance agency.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), through a partnership with Alliant Energy, is offering a mixture of hardwoods, low-growing ornamental and evergreen tree species for $25 each. Alliant Energy customers can purchase up to two trees to be picked up at the following locations:

• Tuesday, April 22, 4-6 p.m., Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery (2321 Siewers Spring Rd, Decorah)
• Thursday, April 24, 4-6 p.m., USDA Service Center Parking lot (300 Chamber Drive, Anamosa)
• Tuesday, April 29, 4-6 p.m., 205 SE 2nd St, Greenfield
• Tuesday, May 6, 4-6 p.m., Calkins Nature Center (18335 135th St, Iowa Falls)
• Thursday, May 8, 4-6 p.m., Westbrook Park (520 Westbrook Drive, DeWitt)

Submit an order form, available online at  www.iowadnr.gov/trees, to reserve your trees.

AMES, IOWA – Rural leaders from across Iowa will convene at the Gateway Hotel & Conference Center in Ames on April 9th and 10th, for the annual Iowa Rural Summit, hosted by the Iowa Rural Development Council (IRDC). “Rural Rocks! Energizing Communities through Connections,” promises two dynamic days of inspiration, learning, and collaboration. This 9th Summit will feature sessions targeting issues facing small towns and rural areas, from outdoor recreation and regional partnerships, to the next generation of leadership and disaster preparedness. It will also celebrate individuals who have made a significant contribution to their rural community, highlight small-town best practices and success stories, and provide networking opportunities for rural leaders to come together.

As has been the case in past years, community teams of three can register together for a reduced rate. IRDC Board President Mark Reinig says “We believe there is strength in numbers when a 3-person team from a small town comes to the Rural Summit. They can divide and conquer by attending different break-out sessions, compare notes afterward, and act as a local subcommittee when they turn home. These teams have had big impacts in past years!”

This year’s “Rural Rocks!” theme also highlights the role of arts and culture in small towns, as that theme is incorporated into various elements of the Summit agenda. It will also be celebrated with live music performances by rural Iowans throughout the two days.

Registration information can be found at www.iowardc.org/summit.

(Anita, Iowa) – CAM Assistant School Business Official (SBO)/Board Secretary Stephanie Fluckey reports the CAM and Nodaway Valley Boards of Education have been working diligently to hire a new Superintendent of Schools. The person selected to replace current Superintendent Paul Croghan, will take over beginning July 1, 2025. The CAM School Board, Fluckey says, thanks the many community members who have taken the time to meet in person or submit their thoughts through the web platform. The Board will continue to gather input from stakeholders throughout the search process. At this point in the process, Fluckey says, the Board has identified the following characteristics that they seek in a new Superintendent of Schools:

Key Leadership Qualities

• Student-Centered Decision Maker: Prioritizes student success and well-being in every decision while maintaining fairness and inclusivity.
• Strong and Transparent Communicator: Provides clear, honest, and timely communication with all stakeholders to build trust and ensure alignment.
• Approachable and Visible: Actively engaged in schools and the community, attending events, visiting classrooms, and being accessible to students, staff, and families.
• Consensus-Builder: Unites divided communities, fostering collaboration and creating a shared vision for the district’s future.
• Financially Responsible Leader: Ensures fiscal responsibility while strategically planning for the district’s long-term financial and facility needs.

Experience and Expertise

• Board and Community Relations: Experienced in working with school boards, staff, and community members to build productive and cooperative relationships.
• School Finance and Budget Management: Skilled in maximizing funding, managing tight budgets, and ensuring long-term financial stability.
• Facilities Planning and Oversight: Understands long-term infrastructure needs and can navigate past facility challenges and bond issues.
• Staff Recruitment and Retention: Implements strategies to attract and retain high-quality educators in a competitive rural market.
  

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Personal Attributes

• Community-Driven: Fully integrates into the district, engaging with residents and understanding the values and needs of each community.
• Compassionate and Supportive: Fosters a culture of trust, respect, and collaboration among students, staff, and the community.
• Resilient and Adaptable: Handles challenges with composure, problem-solving skills, and a forward-thinking mindset.

Preferred Background

• Educational Leadership Experience: Prior experience as a superintendent or senior district administrator, ideally in a rural or multi-community setting.
• Commitment to Long-Term Stability: Stakeholders seek a leader who will invest in the district and provide consistent leadership for the future.

The position will be advertised through the Iowa Association of School Boards, the School Administrators of Iowa, IowaWORKS, the McPherson & Jacobson website, and professional associations throughout the United States. The deadline for submitting application materials is March 19, 2025. On March 24, 2025, the Board will meet to review the stakeholder input summary, review interview questions, and discuss the logistics of the interview process. On March 31, 2025, the Board will meet to review candidates and select final candidates to be interviewed. On April 7, 2025, the Board will interview the final candidates. As a part of that process, each finalist will interview with community members, students, staff, teachers, and administrators who will provide feedback that will be reviewed by the Board before making a final selection.