The second time was the charm for voters in the East Mills Community School District, Tuesday, as they passed by a slim margin, a Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL), during a special election. Unofficial results from the Mills County Auditor’s Office show the PPEL of $1.34 per thousand dollars valuation passing by a vote of 478 “Yes” to 410 “No” votes The referendum received almost 54% of the vote–a simple majority was necessary in order to pass. Voters rejected a similar PPEL referendum in September.

Monies raised through the 10-year levy will be used to complete geothermal upgrades in each of the district’s buildings. District officials have said the PPEL is key part of the district’s long-range building plans, which call for converting East Mills Junior-Senior High School in Malvern into a K-12 facility.

A bond referendum that would have been used to build and equip a new elementary building and improve the site in the Nodaway Valley School District has failed by a slim margin. Unofficial results from the Adair County Auditor’s Office show that while there were 397 “Yes” votes to 283 “No” votes for the $8.8-million dollar referendum, the measure needed 60-percent approval in order to pass. It received 58.4-percent. There were a total of 680 votes cast out of the 3,004 registered voters in the district.

At least two informational meetings were held prior to the vote. The current building is nearly 60-years old. Officials have said it would cost $6.5-million to renovate the existing facility, which is not currently energy efficient, is difficult to maintain, and not ADA compliant.

Nodaway Valley Superintendent Casey Berlau has stated that the new structure would have included a safe room/storm shelter, and met all energy efficiency and ADA requirements.

CASS-ADAIR-MADISON COUNTIES…335 AM CST WED FEB 4 2015

…WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM CST THIS AFTERNOON…

POTTAWATTAMIE-MILLS-MONTGOMERY COUNTIES: WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON TODAY.

ADAMS-UNION-TAYLOR AND RINGGOLD COUNTIES: WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6-AM TODAY UNTIL 1-P.M.

FREMONT AND PAGE COUNTIES: WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 1-P.M.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN DES MOINES HAS ISSUED A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW…WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM CST THIS AFTERNOON.

* TIMING…SNOW WILL BEGIN BY SUNRISE IN SOUTHWEST IOWA AND MOVE ACROSS SOUTH CENTRAL IOWA BEFORE NOON.

* STORM TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS…2 TO 4 INCHES.

* WINDS/VISIBILITY…NORTH WINDS INCREASING TO 15 TO 20 MPH WITH HIGHER GUSTS BY LATE MORNING. VISIBILITY WILL FALL BELOW A MILE DURING HEAVIER SNOWFALL.

* IMPACTS…ROADS WILL BECOME SNOW COVERED AND LOW VISIBILITY WILL MAKE TRAVEL HAZARDOUS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW COVERED ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES…AND USE CAUTION WHILE DRIVING.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa lawyers won’t have to pay a new $100 annual fee to help low-income people afford legal representation. Chief Justice Mark Cady says the Iowa Supreme Court will not assess the fee on lawyers to fund Iowa Legal Aid. Supporters said there was a great need for more low-income legal assistance. But critics said the fees unfairly singled out their profession and would hurt younger lawyers saddled with law school debt.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Democratic lawmakers are proposing a significant boost to school aid for the coming academic year. Leaders in the Democratic-majority Senate say they will try to increase funding by over $200 million for the next school year. That’s more than double the amount sought by Gov. Terry Branstad and Republican lawmakers who control the state House. Both proposals include dollars already dedicated to a teacher training program.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa lawmakers are getting behind an effort to preserve farmland in the state. Sen. Joe Bolkcom, a Democrat from Iowa City, and Rep. Bobby Kaufmann, a Republican from Wilton, said Tuesday they would serve on an advisory board to the new Sustainable Iowa Land Trust. The organization seeks to preserve land in Iowa for farming and to make it more affordable for beginning farmers.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Terry Branstad has chosen Beth Townsend to serve as director of Iowa Workforce Development. Townsend has been serving in the role in an interim capacity since the previous director retired last month. The appointment must now be confirmed by the Iowa Senate. Former director Teresa Wahlert retired last month.

Police in Council Bluffs are investigating the circumstances surrounding a stabbing incident. Officers were called to the area of 8th Street and Creek Top at around 1:20-p.m., Tuesday, in an attempt to locate a possible victim of a stabbing. When they arrived at the scene and located the victim, 44-year old Jackie Henry, a transient, the man refused to give officers information about the incident. Officers did observe a small stab wound to Henry’s lower right side. The man was transported to Jennie Edmundson Hospital for treatment to his injuries. The investigation will continue as information arises.

The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday, will consider a request from the Nishna Valley Trails group for $50,000 in funding, for the organization’s latest project. The funds, if approved, would be combined with $50,000 from the County (if approved), and would amount to less than 16-percent of the NVT’s fundraising goals. Dave Chase, one of the leaders of the organization, will appear before the Council during their 5:30-p.m. meeting at City Hall to explain the reason for the request and how the funds will be used.  The City of Atlantic’s Community Promotion Commission will consider a request from NVT for $10,000, during the Commission’s meeting at Noon, on Thursday.

The Atlantic City Council will also act on Resolutions pertaining to: The authorizing of bids for the 2015 Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project; Accepting easements for the 19th Street Expansion and Turnabout Project; Approving a Change Order for additional services for 2015 Street Improvement projects; and, the setting of the date for a Public Hearing on an Urban Renewal Plan amendment.

A single vehicle accident was reported this (Tuesday) morning just before 9-30 in Montgomery County on 110th street near the home at 23-81 110th Street. Upon arrival by emergency personnel a pick up truck owned by Lance Kinser of Lyman was found in the south ditch facing southeast.

The vehicle had been driven by Carrie Kinser also of Lyman and had been traveling west on 110th street. The vehicle crossed the center line and had entered the south ditch where it overturned and came to rest in the position it was found. Kinser was still in the vehicle at the time and was determined she had lost consciousness for a period of time following the accident and had regained consciousness and was complaining of head,wrist and leg pain.

Following extrication Kinser was transported to Montgomery County Hospital by Red Oak Rescue and later transported by medical helicopter to University of Nebraska Medical Center for further treatment of her injuries. The severity of her injuries is not known at this time. The truck sustained 4-thousand dollars in damage and was considered a total loss.

Personnel from Elliott Fire Department; Grant Fire Department and the Red Oak Fire and Rescue assisted with the accident. The investigation into the accident is continuing and charges are possible as a result of the accident.

A Red Oak man was arrested on a valid Montgomery County Warrant. 37 year old Jeremy Joel Binns was charged on the warrant for violation of parole and was taken to the Montgomery County Jail and was held on no bond