A public hearing will be held at the Atlantic High School Wednesday evening, with regard to an amendment to the 2014-15 Atlantic School District Budget. During the hearing, which will take place in the High School Media Center at 7:30-p.m., the Board of Education will hear from district patrons who may speak for or against the amendment.

Following the hearing, the Board will enter into a work session, during which they will act on approving the 2014-15 Budget Amendment, along with: a reduction in the Force List for Non-Certified Staff, and the employment of a High School English teacher.

The Board will also discuss the Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL) vote for the Sept., 2015 ballot, and they’ll receive presentations with regard to the Iowa Assessments and Lindamood Bell learning processes program.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer says he’s glad people got to know slain Officer Kerrie Orozco in the past week after her death. Schmaderer spoke at the 29-year old Orozco’s funeral today (Tuesday), less than a week after she was killed while trying to arrest a suspect on a warrant.

Officer Kerrie Orozco (Omaha P-D Facebook page image)

Schmaderer says that Orozco was an excellent example of his profession who had a talent for connecting with people as a human being, not just as an officer. Orozco was active in the community, and volunteered to coach a youth baseball team at the Boys & Girls Club. The players on that team attended the funeral.

Schmaderer says he believes Orozco’s legacy will be breaking down barriers.

Connections Area Agency has announced that the state is continuing the Farmers Market voucher program for older Iowans. With this program, seniors meeting income requirements can obtain vouchers that they can use at participating area Farmers Markets to buy $30.00 worth of fresh, locally grown produce. If you have questions about eligibility, please check with your local senior center. Applications for the vouchers will be available at your local senior center the week of June 1st.

Your completed application guarantees you a booklet, but there is a limited number, so contact your local senior center if you are interested in this program. Once you have a completed application, you can return to your local Senior Center to pick up your vouchers. Applications for Council Bluffs residents are now available at The Center, located at 714 S. Main Street.

The distribution date for Council Bluffs vouchers will be once again held at The Center on Monday, June 8th from 9am – noon. Again, your completed application guarantees you a booklet, so you may come at any time on June 8th to the Center to present your completed application and obtain your vouchers. Seniors (age 60 and older) in all other communities in Cass, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie and Shelby counties will receive their vouchers through their local senior center.

Program Criteria:
• Must be at least 60 years of age or older
• Annual income must be less than
$21,775 Single
$29,471 Married
• Only one original application allowed per individual. No photocopies or duplicate applications allowed

Dates to Remember:
• Immediately: Applications will be available in Council Bluffs at The Center, 714 S. Main
• June 1, 2015: Applications and vouchers are available at all local Senior Centers outside of Council Bluffs.
• June 8, 2015: Council Bluffs Farmers’ Market voucher distribution at The Center, 714 S. Main from 9am – Noon for seniors with a completed application.

Just as one holiday ends, it is time to think about another. Campers hoping to reserve spots for the 2015 Labor Day weekend need to mark June 4 on their calendars, when reservations for a Friday arrival open. Sherry Arntzen with the DNR Parks Bureau, says “Even by June 4 some sites will already be reserved by campers arriving prior to the holiday weekend. “And electric sites always go quickly.”

For more information on Iowa’s state parks and to make a reservation, visit www.iowadnr.gov/parks

Iowa residents may fish without a license on June 5th, 6th and 7th, as part of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ free fishing weekend. Free fishing weekend is the first weekend in June each year. It allows Iowans an opportunity to try fishing without purchasing a license. All other regulations remain in place.

DNR staff will be at popular fishing spots across the state to help beginner anglers get started. They will assist with setting up fishing poles and distribute small kits with basic terminal tackle for panfishing along with tips and a few fun items. Hands-on fishing clinics are available to teach parents or kids the basics of fishing.

A list of fishing clinics, derbies, and other fun events co-sponsored by the DNR are available on the special events page. Log on to www.iowadnr.gov then click on Special Events Application System under the Event Calendar and Search for Events.

Anyone catching their first fish is encouraged to take a photo of it and send it in to receive the DNR’s first fish award. The DNR will commemorate the event with a certificate suitable for framing and the submitted photo. Information on the first fish program is available in the Iowa Fishing Regulations and online at http://www.iowadnr.gov/Fishing/MasterAnglerFirstFish.aspx.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Legislative leaders are back in the Iowa Capitol trying to resolve their budget differences so they can adjourn for the year. After the holiday weekend, a handful of lawmakers reported for duty Tuesday. Leaders and some committee chairs were set to continue budget negotiations.

The Republican-led House and Democratic-majority Senate must determine an overall spending level and how much new money to provide to K-12 education. Democrats are seeking to spend more than Republicans. Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, a Democrat from Council Bluffs, says the two sides moved closer last week.

Rep. Chuck Soderberg, a Le Mars Republican who chairs the House Appropriations Committee, says they were making progress and that it was a good sign that “all parties were at the table.”

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Omaha Police Officer Kerrie Orozco’s family had been planning last week to celebrate her daughter leaving the hospital three months after being born prematurely. Instead, Orozco’s family and thousands of other mourners attended her funeral Tuesday. Orozco was shot to death last Wednesday by a fugitive who was fatally wounded by another officer. Orozco was 29. She lived in Council Bluffs and was a native of nearby Walnut, Iowa.

The funeral began at 11 a.m. at St. John’s Catholic Church at Creighton University with traditional hymns and a remembrance of Orozco’s baptism. Several thousand others – many of whom were officers – sat in Omaha’s downtown arena watching a video feed of the funeral. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Council Bluffs after an 8.5-mile-long procession.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest on Monday of 18-year old Peyten Elizabeth Spencer, of Lorimor. Spencer was taken into custody just after 6-p.m. at her residence, on a charge of simple assault. She was later released from the Union County Jail on $300 bond.

Authorities in southwest Iowa’s Taylor County report two people have been arrested in connection with a death that occurred in Bedford. According to the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, the suspects, Charles Hall, of Chicago, IL., and 25-year old April Claire, of Bedford, were taken into custody Friday, on felony charges of Child Endangerment causing serious injury.

The identity of the victim has not been released, but unconfirmed reports indicate the victim was a baby. The investigation is being conducted by the Taylor County Sheriff’s office and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.

The 8-a.m. Newscast w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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