A podcast of the 7:07-a.m. news with KJAN News Director Ric Hanson…

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Two separate public hearings will be held in two weeks with regard to a proposed Whole Grade Sharing agreement between the AHST and Walnut Community School Districts. The first hearing takes place 6:30-p.m. Dec. 16th in Walnut, with the second meeting to be held Dec. 17th at 7-p.m., in Avoca. Persons unable to attend either of the public hearings may contact one of the school district’s secretaries and leave a comment with them to be presented during the hearing.

The AHST and Walnut Districts have been gathering input over the past month, and negotiating key portions of the agreement. School officials say if approved in late January, the 4-year sharing agreement would begin in the fall of 2014.

Police in Glenwood say a man was arrested earlier this week at the Glenwood Middle School, after they received a report of a person with a gun. Officers were called to the Glenwood Middle School at around 12:30 p.m., Monday. Following an investigation, 66-year-old Lyle Hillhouse, of Glenwood, was arrested for allegedly carrying a weapon on school grounds. Hillhouse was being held in the Mills County Jail on $5,000 bond.

The Glenwood P-D also reports two Omaha residents were arrested Tuesday, following an investigation into a call about a suspicious vehicle at the B-P Station on Sharp Street, in Glenwood.  When officers responded at around 10-a.m., 24-year-old Colton Garvin took off on foot, but was apprehended at the corner of Coolidge and Vine Street. He faces Possession of Stolen Property, unlawful Possession of Prescription Drugs and Interference with Official Acts charges. Another suspect, 32-year-old Niccole Rohde, was arrested at the scene and charged with Possession of Stolen Property. The pair was booked into the Mills County Jail.

The vehicle in question had been reported stolen out of Omaha.

A petition seeking the removal from office of the Monona County Auditor alleges she ran up nearly $8,000 in unpaid personal charges and late fees on her county credit card. According to the Omaha World-Herald, 28-year old Auditor Brooke Kuhlmann allegedly used the credit card for a concert and casino charges, expenditures at convenience stores, iTunes, Walmart, McDonald’s and Dairy Queen. The charges were racked-up between June 26, 2012, and July 25, 2013.

The allegations against Brooke Kuhlmann are among several in a document, recently filed by the Monona County Attorney’s Office, that requests a judge to remove her from office. Kuhlmann also faces drug-related charges after getting arrested July 29th. The arrest took place after she allegedly contacted a drug dealer’s cellphone in an attempt to make a buy. She didn’t realize that the person with whom she was speaking was a state trooper — the phone had been seized in a traffic stop. Methamphetamine was left for her in an arranged location. According to authorities, law enforcement officers watched her pick it up, and then Onawa police pulled her over.

Kuhlmann has pleaded not guilty to charges of methamphetamine possession, a serious misdemeanor, and possessing drug paraphernalia, a simple misdemeanor. Hertrial is set to take place in February. The World-Herald says the petition claims Kuhlmann has not appeared for a full day’s work since then. Kuhlmann previously told paper that she is working from home.

State law does not dictate how often a county auditor should be at work. Following the petition, a district court hearing will need to be held, with a judge having the final say if Kuhlmann can be removed from office.

The parents of two boys who died this weekend after falling through ice on a pond in rural Adams County say the proceeds of a calf sale being held today in Creston will benefit a scholarship established in the names of their sons.

According to the Omaha World-Herald, Tom and Leisa Frey, of Prescott, thanked the public for the outpouring of support they have received, and the couple announced a calf sale for the scholarship fund will be held at Creston Livestock Auction, 201 N. Cherry St. in Creston, beginning at Noon. The family operates the Creston Livestock Auction, and Tom Frey is a well-known area auctioneer.

The couples’ adopted sons, 11-year old T-J and 9-year old Nate Frey, died after falling through the ice Saturday on a pond near their home in rural Adams County. Services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Creston. Visitation is Friday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Powers Funeral Home in Creston.

The family asks that memorials be sent the TJ and Nathan Frey Fund at St. Malachy School, 403 W. Clark St., Creston, IA 50801. Persons with questions about today’s benefit sale can be addressed by calling Corey Schultz at 816-645-9357.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Board of Regents plan to meet by conference call Wednesday to discuss plans to freeze tuition rates for undergraduates while cutting them for out-of-state law students. After months of discussion, they’re expected to formally approve the plan. The freeze is contingent on the schools receiving a 4 percent general funding increase from lawmakers next year. Without it, the regents warn they may have to approve an increase later.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A former prosecutor says her problems in the U.S. Attorney’s Office began when she raised the possibility of age discrimination with her new boss. Martha Fagg testified Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Sioux City, where a jury and judge will consider her claims of disability and age discrimination by then U.S. Attorney Stephanie Rose. Rose is now a federal judge. The trial continues Wednesday.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa State University-based Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture says it tracked 103 farmers who reported more than $10 million in local food sales in 2012. Most of the food was purchased by grocery stores, restaurants, schools, colleges, hospitals, nursing homes and nonprofit organizations. The organizations reported they spent just less than 9 percent of their total food budget on food grown by local farmers.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — Nigerian Ambassador Geoffrey Teneilabe will address an audience Dec. 12 at the Dubuque Multicultural Family Center as it celebrates the history and culture of Africa. The reception and program, titled “All Africa” will include opening remarks by Dubuque Mayor Roy Buol. Abeni El-Amin, the center’s executive director, says the effort behind the event will encourage African-Americans and Africans to celebrate shared elements of culture.

The Atlantic City Council will hold public hearings during their meeting Wednesday evening, with regard to the sale of two residential properties the City holds the titles to. The first pertains to 807 Elm Street. City Attorney Dave Wiederstein will recommend the Council approve sale of the property to Janet Jordan for the fair market price of $100, subject to her executing a demolition agreement that will require her to put up a bond, letter of credit or cash deposit to assure that the building is demolished in a timely manner.

The second property is at 203 Locust Street. Wiederstein advertised for sealed bids on the property at the Council’s direction during their last meeting because there was more than one person interested in it. The bid opening is scheduled to take place prior to the Council’s 5:30-p.m. session, Wednesday. The successful bidder will have to meet the same demolition and bond criteria as with the 807 Elm Street property. Following the public hearings on both properties, the Council will act on approving resolutions approving the disposal and/or sale of each respective property.

The Council is also expected to act on approving the 2014 Budget for Atlantic Municipal Utilities. City Administrator Doug Harris says the bottom line is that electric revenues and expenses are projected to increase 9.3-percent in 2014, with water revenues and expenses budgeted to increase 3.4-percent.

In other business, the Atlantic City Council is expected to act on: Authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with Snyder and Associates Engineers for design engineering services associated with the Highway 6/7th Street reconstruction project; Authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract with Fox Engineering to conduct a Nutrient Reduction Study (at a cost of $15,000) for the City’s Wastewater Treament Plant; Approval of the sale of surplus police cruisers; And, authorize the Mayor to execute a Retainer Agreement for legal services for 2014 with David Wiederstein in the amount of $15,000, which is an annual increase of 2.5-percent. The rate had not been changed since 2008.

The Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency reports the Boil Water Order which had been in place for the City of Villisca following a water main break, has been lifted, effective today.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – The man who leads special schools for deaf and blind students in Iowa has announced plans to retire.  Patrick Clancy, superintendent of the Iowa School for the Deaf and the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School, has notified the Board of Regents of his plans to retire effective June 30. Clancy has led the school for the blind in Vinton since August 2008. In 2012, the regents put him in charge of both schools after superintendent Jeanne Prickett of the Council Bluffs-based school for the deaf left for a job in Florida.

The regents are expected to accept Clancy’s retirement during a telephone meeting Wednesday, and authorize a search for his replacement.  Former Regent Rose Vasquez, who left the board in 2011, is expected to lead the search committee.

On the heels of news about two young boys who died after falling through the ice in a rural farm pond in Adams County over the weekend, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources has issued some tips for those thinking about venturing out into area ponds and lakes…..

• There is no such thing as 100 percent safe ice.
• The Iowa Department of Natural Resources recommends a minimum of four inches of quality ice for fishing and at least five inches for snowmobiles and ATVs.
• Ice thickness is not uniform on any body of water.  Things like current and springs slow ice growth. Rocks, trees or docks that poke through the ice like will conduct heat and make the ice around it less stable.
• There could be pockets of thin ice or places where ice recently formed, so it would be wise to check ice thickness as you go out.
  • The insulating effect of snow slows down the freezing process.
  • Safety items in the bucket: Ice picks, about 50 feet of rope and a throwable floatation seat cushion for use in case of rescue.
  • Ice fishing is a social activity, don’t go out alone. If the worst should happen, someone would be there to call for help or to rescue.
  • Avoid off-colored snow or ice. It is usually a sign of weakness.
  • Trust your instincts. If it doesn’t look right, stay off.