Patrons of the CAM Community School District will head to the polls Tuesday to vote on extending and increasing the Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL). The levy can be used for a number of expenditures including construction of buildings, purchasing property, buses and technology equipment, and energy conservation expenditures. The levy cannot be used for staff salaries or supplies – those expenditures must come from a school district’s General Fund.

The district currently has a voter approved PPEL in the amount of .67 cent per $1000 of property valuation. The district is asking for a .67-cent increase, to $1.34 per $1000 of property valuation. District officials say they plan to use the funds to improve and maintain their current facilities, purchase school buses and purchase technology for students and staff.

CAM has a capital projects plan that includes many updates to their current facilities. Along with the statewide one-cent sales tax money (SAVE) the District uses PPEL funds to pay for those projects. School officials say the CAM school district is fortunate to have one of the lowest property tax rates in the state, ranking 327 out of 336 school district in FY 2014. Regardless, officials say they do not take lightly asking voters for an increase in the PPEL levy, especially in these economic times. However, they feel as a district that having adequate and appropriate facilities, transportation and technology are in the best interests of our students and strike the best balance between the needs of our students and taxpayers.

The polling center for CAM patrons living in the Grant, Franklin, Benton, or Lincoln Township in Cass County , in Adair County or Audubon County, will be held at the Anita Community Center. Voters’ residing in Union, Bear Grove, Noble, or Edna Townships in Cass or Adams County will vote at the Cumberland Community Building. Voter’s residing in that portion of the CAM Community School District residing in Massena or Victoria Township in Cass County or in Adams County will vote at the Massena Public Library. The Polls will open at noon Tuesday and close at 8:00 p.m.

The results of the vote will be canvassed by the Cass County Board of Supervisors, Thursday, beginning at 1-p.m.

For information on how the increase would affect property taxes in the district, go to: http://www.camcougars.org/vimages/shared/vnews/stories/569fe8e089a0d/Tax%20Impact%20for%202016%20PPEL%20Vote%20%281%29.pdf

DES MOINES, IOWA— Seven Atlantic FFA members attended 31st Annual Legislative Symposium at the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates and the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines to build character and promote citizenship, volunteerism, and patriotism.

Atlantic FFA members with IA (R) Gov. Terry Branstad.

FFA members Alexis Boes, Cale Pellett, Carly Westphalen, Clayton Saeugling, Haley Carlson, Heather Freund, and Josh Rossell along with 350 high school students wearing blue corduroy from more than 50 schools flooded the Iowa State Capitol Building in Des Moines on January 26. These members exhibited skills learned in the agriculture classroom and learn the importance of citizenship. This is all part of the 31st Annual Iowa FFA Legislative Symposium and FFA Day at the Capitol.

At the beginning of the morning session, FFA members heard from leaders in the agriculture industry at the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates. Libby Crimmings of the World Food Prize addressed students about the future of Iowa agriculture and the importance of being involved with statewide issues.

FFA members then had a tour of the tunnels that connect the Capital and other state offices.

Atlantic FFA members w/Rep. Tom Moore

Atlantic FFA members visited with Senator Tom Shipley and Representative Tom Moore. Senator Shipley discussed the value of being an FFA member and talked about his experiences in high school agriculture and the FFA. Representative Moore talked about the new experience he is having as he was just elected to his office. Both men also discussed the importance of education and agriculture to Iowa. Haley Carlson said, “Spending the day visiting with our legislators is an honor.

Atlantic FFA members w/Sen. Shipley

We had the chance to bring up issues that relate to us and speak for the Iowa FFA Association and Agriculture Education.”

The FFA members also had an opportunity to hear remarks from Governor Terry Branstad about the importance young agriculturalists can play in the legislative process. Governor Branstad also signed the FFA Week Proclamation, declaring February 20-27, the week of President George Washington’s Birthday, FFA Week in Iowa. The proclamation signing took place during a special ceremony at the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates following legislative visits at the Iowa State Capitol Building. Alexis Boes said, “The Legislative Symposium was full of interesting information and facts and I also got to meet all sorts of new people.”

The 31st Annual Iowa FFA Legislative Symposium and FFA Day at the Capitol is made possible with support from Iowa Farm Bureau Federation through the Iowa FFA Foundation.

With the chance of a two inch snowfall to occur in Clarinda late Monday and into Tuesday the Clarinda Police Department is reminding the citizens of Clarinda about the emergency snow ordinance. The ordinance states that; no person shall park any motor vehicle or other apparatus upon any street of the city that will obstruct the removal of snow when there has been an accumulation of two (2) inches or more. Any vehicle left parked on any street in violation of this ordinance may be impounded, and the registered owner of the vehicle will be subject to a $15.00 parking fine, and payment of all applicable towing and storage fees in order for the vehicle to be released.

The emergency snow ordinance remains in effect until the snow ceases to fall and the streets have been plowed from curb to curb.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest on Sunday, of 21-year old Shawn Alexander Jensen, from Walnut. Jensen was taken into custody for OWI/1st offense, Possession of Adderall, Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana, and Driving While Revoked. He was later released from the Cass County Jail on his own recognizance.

And on Saturday, deputies in Cass County arrested 38-year old Tamar Nels Foley, of McCallsburg, on a charge of OWI 1st Offense. Foley was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released later that day on his own recognizance.

The Adair County Sheriff’s Office today (Monday) released a weekly report on arrests and citations. Sheriff Jeff Vandewater says 27-year old Alisha Marie Hutt, of Fontanelle, was cited Saturday morning for Driving Under Suspension, and then released. Early Friday morning, 33-year old Julie Ann Holmes, of Bridgewater, was arrested on a warrant out of Pottawattamie County for an original, Possession of a Controlled Substance, charge. Holmes was held at the Adair County Jail until she was picked up by Pottawattamie County deputies and then remanded to their custody.

On Thursday, 22-year old Zachariah Thomas Perry, of Greenfield, was arrested on a warrant out of Nebraska for forcible Sexual Assault in the 1st degree, and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Child, and court costs associated with 1st offense reckless driving and unlawful entry without a park permit. Perry waived extradition, and was turned over to Saunders County Nebraska deputies.

52-year old Toni Lynn Reese, of Bridgewater, was arrested Jan. 27th on a warrant for Failure to Appear for her pre-trial conference on Jan. 25th. Reese was being held in the Adair County Jail on a $5,000 cash only bond.

26-year old Ryan Douglas Neal, of Orient, was arrested by Adair County deputies Jan. 26th, for 1st degree Harassment associated with alleged threats against his parents and other family members. Neal was being held without bond by order of the Magistrate.

And, on Jan. 25th, 51-year old Mark Elmer Steil, of Bridgewater, was arrested following a traffic stop, during which he allegedly fought with a deputy and was forcibly brought under control through the use of a stun-gun. Steil was subsequently arrested for Driving While Barred, Interference with Official Acts, and on a warrant out of Polk County. Steil was released on his own recognizance on the Adair County charges, but then taken back into custody by Polk County deputies.

In an update to our report Saturday, the Council Bluffs Police Department said today (Monday) a man who was injured during an accident Friday night, has died. 59-year old Edward Abraham, of Council Bluffs, died at Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs, where he was being treated for his injuries, and/or other possible medical conditions.

The accident happened at around 7-p.m. Friday, in the 3000 block of 9th Avenue, when a vehicle driven by Abraham rear-ended an unoccupied, parked Ford Crown Victoria. When emergency crews arrived on the scene, Abraham was inside his vehicle and unconscious.

A preliminary investigation indicated Abraham’s vehicle went off the right side of the roadway onto the parking lane striking the Crown Victoria. Both vehicles were pushed about 50 feet west before coming to rest.

The reason for the accident remains unknown, however authorities say a medical condition is being investigated, as well as other possibilities. Impairment was NOT suspected as a cause of the crash, which resulted in the roadway being closed for approximately 1 ½ hours in both directions.

In an update to our reports over the weekend, Sheriff’s officials in Shelby County say criminal charges are currently pending against at least one of two individuals involved in a pursuit Saturday night that ended in a crash with injuries. The chase began in the southern part of the County at around 8:15-p.m., when a deputy tried to stop a 1994 Dodge Dakota pickup for an equipment violation. The pickup sped-off, and at times reached speeds of 100-miles per hour. The vehicle crashed about 30-minutes later at the intersection of Highway 44 and Shelby County Road M-56.

The driver of the pickup, 18-year old Justin Dickinson, of Harlan, was trapped in the vehicle. He was extricated by mechanical means and transported to Myrtue Memorial Hospital being flown by LifeNet helicopter to the Nebraska Medical Center, in Omaha. A passenger in the pickup, 17-year old Nicholas Haner, of Council Bluffs, was transported by ambulance to Myrtue Hospital and held for observation before being released.

Shelby County Sheriff’s deputies were assisted during the pursuit and resulting crash, by officers with the Harlan Police Department, Iowa State Patrol Troopers, Cass County and Audubon County Sheriff’s Deputies, the Harlan Fire Department, Elk Horn Rescue, and Medivac Ambulance.

The Pottawattamie County Engineer has declared a SNOW EMERGENCY for the unincorporated territory of Pottawattamie County. The snow emergency goes into effect at 12:00-a.m. Tuesday, February 2nd, and will remain in effect for forty-eight (48) hours unless otherwise terminated or extended.

During a county snow emergency it is unlawful for any vehicle to be parked on or along any public roadway in the County. Additionally, no parking is allowed along any posted snow emergency routes for the duration of the snow emergency. Vehicles in violation of these parking restrictions are subject to being towed at the owner’s expense and owners may be fined.

For a listing of county snow emergency routes and updated storm information, visit the Emergency Management Facebook page.

A man wanted on a Cass County warrant turned himself-in to the Page County Sheriff’s Office, Sunday evening. Sheriff Lyle Palmer says 45-year old David Allen Holste, of Yorktown, later posted a $1000 bond through a bondsman, and was released pending further court proceedings in Cass County.

Are you looking for something to bring your family together to learn teamwork, improve communication, and have fun while cooking and eating good food? Iowa State University Extension and Outreach—Montgomery County is pleased to offer a new program called Food, Family and Fun! Sponsored in part due to grant funding from Boost 4 Families, this program is geared towards families with children aged 5-18.

Families will get together with program instructors and volunteers once a month for six months to prepare healthy meals through hands-on cooking experiences. Families will also receive parenting resources and participate in activities that will focus on communication, teamwork, relationships, and health and nutrition. At the end of each session, families will take a meal home with them to freeze or eat later in the week.

There are two locations for Food, Family and Fun—Red Oak High School and Southwest Valley Middle School in Villisca. Sessions are planned to start on February 10th and 11th. Families can pay $50 for the program in either one lump sum or $10 at each session.

Registration is limited due to space, so sign up TODAY! Families need to fill out the registration form found in the brochure at www.extension.iastate.edu/montgomery.

Questions about the program? Contact Stephanie Langner, Montgomery County Extension Program Coordinator at 712.623.2592 or slangner@iastate.edu .

(Press Release)