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Atlantic School Board to act on snow day make-up schedule, Monday

News

March 9th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education will meet Monday evening in the High School Media Center, beginning at 7:30. On their agenda is a special presentation with regard to the “Friend-to-Friend” Program, and action on approving resignations,  recommendations with regard to the 2014-2015 District Calendar and Snow Make-up days schedule.

Following their Feb. 10th meeting, Superintendent Mike Amstein had said the those days will be added to the end of the current school year, which will mean classes would dismiss May 23rd instead of  May 21st, assuming there are no more make-up days due to the weather.Since then however, the district has missed some time because of both snow and cold weather.

In other business, the Atlantic School Board, Monday, will update the Facility Use fee schedule, and act on: A District Early Retirement proposal; the termination of the Head Tennis Coach’ contract; the hiring of a 1-to-1 Special Education Paraprofessional and then discuss the 2014-2015 budget, as well as review the District’s 1-to-1 computer proposal.

Audubon City Council to act on appointing City Clerk, Monday

News

March 9th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

The Audubon City Council is expected to act Monday, on the consideration of applications for, and the appointment of, a City Clerk. At least six applications from persons interested in the position had been received as of early last week.

At its Jan. 13th meeting the City Council voted 4-1 to appoint Janet Nelson to the fill the position, instead of re-appointing long-time City Clerk Lora Hansen. Nelson later turned down the job, and the Council voted on Jan. 27th to leave Hansen in the position until it could get legal advice on hiring an interim clerk. On Feb. 9th, the Council voted to nullify the action it took Jan. 13th, and opted to have Hansen serve as the “Hold over” clerk, while at the same time seeking applications for her possible successor or an interim clerk. Action on the appointment of a City Clerk or Interim City Clerk was tabled, because as with the January 13th meeting, there was not a sufficient notice of publication of the Council’s intent.

Audubon County Attorney Francine Anderson has said she is considering filing a complaint with the Iowa Public Information Board regarding a possible violation of the state’s Open Meetings law by the Audubon City Council, Mayor and City Attorney. Andersen said in a letter dated Feb. 28th, that she had been conducting a low-key review and investigation of matters related to the controversial, and possibly illegal firing of the Audubon City clerk in January, and has concluded that there is “Probable cause” to believe violations of Open Meetings and Public Records laws have taken place.

In other business, the Audubon City Council, Monday, will a hold a public hearing on the Fiscal Year 2014-2015 budget, followed by action on a Resolution approving the budget. They will also act on a motion to set the date for a public hearing on accepting a purchase agreement for property at 408 Market Street, and authorize the Mayor to execute any and all documents needed to finalize the purchase, including, but not limited to, the deed in lieu of condemnation. The hearing is expected to take place March 24th, at 7-pm.

 

House unlikely to OK Senate-backed wage theft bill

News

March 9th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Civil rights groups and some Democrats in the Legislature say Iowa has a wage theft problem and it needs to be fixed. Wage theft can include underpayment of wages, theft of tips, and unlawful deductions from paychecks. It’s most common in low-wage jobs often employing immigrant workers.

Sen. Bill Dotzler, a Waterloo Democrat says it’s an epidemic involving up to 1,000 workers a year in Iowa. He’s proposed a bill that holds employers responsible and forces them to tell workers up front in writing how much they’ll get paid and what deductions will be taken from their checks.

The bill passed the Democratic-led Senate but it’s expected to die in the House Labor Committee where majority Republicans contend it would be too costly for honest businesses.

Iowa early News Headlines: Sun., March 9th 2014

News

March 9th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

TRIPOLI, Iowa (AP) — The northeast Iowa town of Tripoli is advising its residents to boil their tap water before using it for drinking or cooking. The Waterloo Cedar-Falls Courier reports that the boil advisory was issued Friday afternoon. It follows a weather-related problem in the Tripoli water supply distribution system. The advisory is in effect until further notice.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — The state is investigating what caused the death of Black Hawk County Jail inmate. Black Hawk County officials say a man being held at the jail was found unresponsive in a cell around 6:25 p.m. Friday. The inmate was taken by ambulance to a Waterloo hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The Sheriff’s Office has not released the name of the inmate.

SPENCER, Iowa (AP) — A 16-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of making terroristic threats after police say he acknowledged writing a threat on a wall at Spencer High School. The Sioux City Journal reports that the teen was arrested Friday and released to his parents. The case has been referred to juvenile probation authorities.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Jon Ekey hit a 3-pointer in the final second to lift Illinois to a 66-63 victory at Number 24 Iowa Saturday night. Iowa’s Roy Devyn Marble — the Big Ten’s leading scorer — was held to eight points on 3-of-11 shooting on his home court. The Hawkeyes have lost five of their last six games.

Central Iowa water utility plans for dry summer

News

March 8th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Even as central Iowa residents continue to deal with winter, one utility is warning that it could ration water this coming summer. The Des Moines Water Works tells television station KCCI that it anticipates a dry summer ahead and may ask customers to reduce water use.

If Des Moines faces drought conditions, customers may be asked to voluntarily cut lawn watering. But if a drought persists, mandatory cuts will be enforced. The utility says that under mandatory cuts, anyone going over a set amount of water could pay four times the normal rate.

(Podcast) 8-a.m. News, Saturday 3/8/2014

News, Podcasts

March 8th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

With KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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(Podcast) Saturday morning News – 3/8/2014

News, Podcasts

March 8th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

A Podcast of the 7:06-a.m. News with KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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Bluffs man arrested on a weapons charge in Red Oak

News

March 8th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Police in Red Oak report the arrest of a Pottawattamie County man on a weapons warrant. 23-year old Michael Anthony Budka, of Council Bluffs, was arrested in Red Oak on a Pott. County warrant for Carrying Weapons. Budka was brought to the Montgomery County Jail, where he was being held on a $2,000 cash bond.

Nebraska, Iowa move to daylight-saving time; “Spring Forward”

News

March 8th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — It’s time to spring forward again, as the country makes the switch to daylight-saving time. Like those in almost all other states, Nebraskans and Iowans will trade an hour of sleep starting Sunday morning for an extra hour of sunlight in the evening.

The government expanded daylight-saving time in 2007 in an effort to save energy. It now begins on the second Sunday in March and continues until the first Sunday in November. The official change occurs at 2 a.m. Sunday, local time, although people often set their clocks ahead one-hour before going to bed Saturday night. Daylight-saving time ends Nov. 2nd.

Loverboy, The Guess Who & Three Dog Night to perform at Loessfest

News

March 8th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Three rock bands with a long history of hits have been chosen to perform at the 2014 Loessfest along the riverfront, in Council Bluffs. The May 25th event at the Tom Hanafan River’s Edge Park opens with a concert by Loverboy, The Guess Who and Three Dog Night. The concert will be free and open to the public.

Other events associated with the festival will run through June 8th. An estimated 30,000 people turned out to see the Beach Boys over Memorial Day weekend last year at the inaugural Loessfest. Several additional events will be announced between now and the start of the festivities.

The concert is sponsored by the Iowa West Foundation, American National Bank and ConAgra Foods.