By Shane Goodman | Times Vedette

Guthrie County will continue with its practice of not having outdoor ballot drop boxes for absentee ballots, according to Guthrie County Auditor Dani Fink. 

“Iowa code on ballot drop boxes is very specific, and I do not feel a drop box is necessary for the amount of absentee ballots we process,” Fink told the Times Vedette.

The Greene County Board of Supervisors agreed with the decision of Greene County Auditor Billie Jo Hoskins to keep their outdoor absentee ballot drop box on the east side of the courthouse building.

The Greene County Republican Central Committee sent a letter to Hoskins, dated April 25, signed by 15 committee members and State Senator Jesse Green, requesting that the drop box be removed, according to a story in the Jefferson Herald. The letter stated that the drop box “has outlived its purpose and should have been removed once Governor Kim Reynolds ended the pandemic in February 2022.”

According to the Herald story, the letter cited an Iowa election law requirement that only the voter, a housemate, or immediate family member or caregiver may send in a ballot by mail or deliver it directly to the auditor’s office. An exception exists for people with disabilities who may designate a delivery agent or a relative or household member to return their ballot. The letter stated that 28 of Iowa’s 99 counties use ballot drop boxes. Iowa law requires that the drop boxes be emptied four times a day, including on Saturdays and Sundays.

“Voters can drop their ballots off in person at our office, or place them back in the mail,” Fink said in reference to Guthrie County. “This is a decision each county makes for themselves, and they have to follow the code set by the State.”

Special to the Times Vedette

Iowa Connections Academy, a tuition-free online public school serving students in grades K-12 across the state, celebrated the graduation of more than 235 high school seniors during an in-person commencement ceremony on May 18 at CAM High School in Anita, alongside their school administrators, teachers and family members. Graduation speakers included valedictorian, Cecilia Baldwin. 

The graduating class from Iowa Connections Academy collectively received more than $400,000 in scholarships. The Class of 2024 local graduates include Hailey Lee.

Iowa Connections Academy Class of 2024 consists of graduates from many cities and towns across Iowa including Anita, Des Moines and Council Bluffs. Among the graduating class, 48% plan to attend two-or four-year colleges or universities, 22% plan to enter the work force, 11% plan to pursue vocational training and 4% plan to take a gap year.

Iowa Connections Academy currently serves approximately 1,400 students in grades K-12 across Iowa in partnership with CAM Community School District. “Our ongoing partnership with Iowa Connections Academy continues to support the students in our community and provide them with an excellent education and welcoming community,” said Superintendent Paul Croghan.  

Iowa Connections Academy provides students and families with support from skilled teachers and a curriculum that emphasizes academic excellence and the development of fundamental life skills. As a full-time online program, the school is committed to helping students explore their career interests and guiding them toward future success. The school also provides flexible learning plans that can be tailored based on a learner’s specific needs.

Special to the Times Vedette

Johanna Judith Dorhout of Panora was among 3,484 graduates who received degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln during commencement exercises May 3, 17 and 18. Dorhout earned a bachelor of science in education and human sciences with distinction from the College of Education and Human Sciences. The graduates are from 64 countries; 46 U.S. states and Puerto Rico; and about 230 Nebraska communities. For the full list of May graduates, visit https://go.unl.edu/grads-may24.

Special to the Times Vedette

Edward Jones Financial Advisor Dave Grove recently qualified for the Edward Jones recognition conference, Momentum, which celebrates the contributions and achievements of 819 successful financial advisors from the firm’s more than 19,000. The event will be held May 20-23 in Orlando, Florida, and includes financial advisors from both the U.S. and Canada.

The Momentum conference recognizes high-achieving financial advisors who have embraced the momentum it takes to build and sustain a successful practice through leadership, service, advice and guidance. Attendees will be immersed in learning opportunities and a collaborative environment designed to propel them to even greater heights.

Edward Jones is a leading financial services firm in the U.S. and through its affiliate in Canada. The firm’s more than 19,000 financial advisors serve more than 8 million clients with a total of $2 trillion in client assets under care at the end of December 2023. Edward Jones’ purpose is to partner for positive impact to improve the lives of its clients and colleagues, and together, better our communities and society. Through the dedication of the firm’s approximately 54,000 associates and our branch presence in 68% of U.S. counties and most Canadian provinces and territories, the firm is committed to helping more people achieve financially what is most important to them. The Edward Jones website is at edwardjones.com, and its recruiting website is careers.edwardjones.com. Member SIPC.