A process that began in 2011 to update the Cass County Communications/9-1-1 Center has reached full circle, with the facility coming online this week. It’s not been an easy road, with countless discussions held over whether the County should farm out dispatcher services, whether the center should be expanded and relocated in the courthouse to prepare for the Next Generation of communications equipment, or whether a separate facility was in order.

The Board of Supervisors, Public Safety and 9-1-1 Commission ultimately decided to purchase a building across the street from the courthouse and renovate the lower level to accommodate the dispatchers, equipment and the Emergency Management Director and 9-1-1 Director.

Cass County 9-1-1 Director Rob Koppert told the Board of Supervisors during their meeting this (Wednesday) morning, that the process was well worth the time and effort it took to bring it to fruition. Koppert thanked the Board of Supervisors for “Allowing us to have a nice place to work in, and the room to actually [be able to] stand up and stretch [without hitting another dispatcher]. We could have spent a million more to have a Taj Mahal, but we got a really great center for what you guys gave us, and I really thank you guys for that.”

Koppert said the County got its money worth out of the project. He said “We’ve got the County a very fiscally responsible 9-1-1 Center that is functional, and truly something to be proud of.”

A western Iowa woman who was convicted last year in a disturbing kidnapping and torture case has died in prison. Rebecca Beyer of Council Bluffs was sentenced to life in prison last July after being convicted of abusing her developmentally impaired stepson. The 47-year-old Beyer died on Monday of natural causes from a form of skin cancer, according to the Iowa Department of Corrections.

Beyer was arrested in 2013 after the 20-year-old victim told police he’d be kept locked inside a garage, attached to a wall with a dog leash and burned with forks, spoons and an iron that had been heated on a stove. The victim’s father and stepbrother, James Beyer and Ryan Smith, were also arrested in the case. Smith accepted a plea deal and was sentenced to two years probation. The Pottawattamie County Attorney’s office reports the case against James Beyer is still pending.

(Radio Iowa)

The Cass County Board of Supervisors today (Wednesday), signed a proclamation recognizing April as “Child Abuse Prevention Month,” in Cass County. The request to do so came from the County Child Abuse Prevention Council. Wendy Richter, Co-Chair of the Council along with Kate Olson, said there are several things they’re doing to bring awareness of Child Abuse and Prevention to the public eye.

Kate Olson holds one of the “Pinwheels for prevention,” bringing awareness to child abuse & prevention.

That includes the sale and display of “Pinwheels for Prevention,” a banner to be placed near the entrance to the Courthouse, and the planting of pinwheels outside the courthouse. Richter said funds raised from the sale of pinwheels will be used for the various projects geared toward prevention. The organization is also working with libraries in Cass County to get resources on good manners for kids, and parenting resources. They will also provide libraries with a list of recommended resources.

Kate Olson said there will also be a coloring contest during the first part of April in all the local schools. The libraries have agreed to post the pictures created during the month of April. After the presentation by Richter and Olson, Cass County Auditor Dale Sunderman read the proclamation later signed by each Supervisor.

In other business, the Cass County Supervisors approved a 5-year contract with Medivac Ambulance. The County will share the cost of services with the City of Atlantic, 60/40, with the City picking up the largest portion of the cost. For the next year, the total cost amounts to $84,000, which is the same as it has been for the past 5-years. Afterward, from July 1st 2016 through June 30th 2020, the annual rate shared by the City and County is $92,000. And again, the City will pickup up 60-percent of the cost.

ONAWA, Iowa (AP) – The Onawa City Council has put off a decision on what to do about a St. Bernard that’s called a “gentle giant” by its owner and a potential menace by some other residents of the western Iowa community. Sioux City television station KCAU reports that dozens of people packed the council meeting Tuesday to learn Zhivago’s fate. The 3-year-old, 200-pounder has gotten loose twice but hasn’t bitten anyone. Police say he’s a dangerous animal who should be seized. Owner Billy Parker says Zhivago is a “gentle giant” and a therapy animal who poses no threat.

Council members discussed changing city ordinances so that a tall fence could be installed to help keep the dog in his yard. The members delayed a final decision until their April 14 meeting.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – A western Iowa county supervisor has been accused of drunken driving. The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office says 31-year-old Justin Schultz was arrested early Sunday morning after a deputy pulled him over.  The Daily Nonpareil reports that three tests showed Schultz’s blood alcohol level was above the legal limit.

At Tuesday’s Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors meeting in Council Bluffs, Schultz declined to comment about the arrest and said he was working with an attorney.