(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors, today (Tuesday), received a monthly report from Cass/Guthrie County Environment Health Director Jotham Arber. And,they received a weekly report from County Engineer Trent Wolken, who updated the Board of various Secondary Roads Department maintenance and activities. One of three bridge projects, he said, are complete.

He said also, they found some newer, late model ¾ ton 4-wheel drive used pickup trucks to purchase, but that it’s getting harder and harder to find vehicles to fill the Secondary Roads Department’s needs. The Board approved a Rolling Hills Wind Farm Road Use Agreement, pending the receipt of a check from Mid-American Energy, for road use and repairs. The check was scheduled to arrive sometime during the day, today (Tuesday), via UPS.

The Board passed a Resolution awarding a Farm-To-Market twin box culvert project on 710^th Street, near Cumberland, to Gus Construction. And they approved a wage adjustment for Tony Gustafson – Operator 1. The Secondary Roads Dept. employee has completed his probationary period.

In other business, the Cass County Supervisors approved the appointment of Clayton Schmidt as a township trustee, and accepted the resignation of Grove Township Trustee, Richard Carspecken.

Their final order of business was to hear a report from County Treasurer Tracey J. Marshall, with regard to County Quarterly Investments.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors, today (Tuesday), received a complaint from Tracy Hill, with the Animal Alliance Rescue/Shelter. Tracy Hill spoke with regard to semi tractor-trailers blocking the shelter’s driveway, and being disrespectful.

Hill, along with her mother, run the shelter.  She requested some kind of a sign, that would make it clear parking is not allowed in front of the shelter’s driveway. Sheriff Jon Spunaugle, she said, is supportive of the move.

She said Red Oak’s mayor is also behind the No Parking restrictions. The County’s Secondary Roads Department has agreed to post signs, with the Board’s approval, which was granted. In other business, the Montgomery County Supervisors acted to approve/ disapprove Homestead and Military Credit Applications, as presented. Zoning Administrator Barry Byers provided a Secondary Roads Department update, standing-in for County Engineer Karen Albert.

And, during the public comment portion of the meeting, the Board heard from Montgomery County resident Jan Norris, with regard to an ordinance for a proposed carbon-capture pipeline. Norris thanked the Board for making the hazardous pipeline ordinance an agenda item last week, “as you have been asked to do for months.”  Norris said “Through the process, Summit has discouraged and intimidated the multiple counties who sought to adopt local zoning ordinances. Unfortunately, the law is vague and multiple jurisdictions are potentially involved.”

“Summit,” Norris said, “Was granted the injunction filed in district court. Based on the ruling, county attorneys did their job to advise supervisors. If ordinances are passed with setbacks greater than what Summit wants to comply with, we could also expect to end up in court.”

Norris said “It is unfortunate that counties have been put in an impossible position. Unfortunate that norms are being broken, unfortunate that current safety regulations are not up to speed on this new and unprecedented project, unfortunate that big corporations that stand to make BILLIONS have spared no expense in buying influence.” She concluded with….

(Newton, Iowa) – Officials with the Iowa Department of Corrections, said today (Tuesday), an inmate from the Newton Correctional Release Center that was on escape status was apprehended by law enforcement, Monday, and is in the process of being returned to the custody of the Iowa Department of Corrections. Inmate Jermichael Jim Wells walked away from his private sector worksite on Wednesday, July 19, 2023 and was placed on escape status once it was discovered that he had absconded.

Law enforcement from the Minnesota Department of Corrections Fugitive Apprehension Unit arrested Wells near Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. He is currently in the process of being returned to the custody of the Iowa Department of Corrections.

The department would like to extend its thanks to the many partners in law enforcement that assisted in the apprehension of this individual. This includes law enforcement from the Jasper County and Iowa County Sheriff’s Department, the Iowa Department of Public Safety, the Iowa Department of Corrections 6th District Fugitive Apprehension Unit, the Iowa Department of Corrections 8th District Fugitive Apprehension Unit, and the Minnesota Department of Corrections Fugitive Apprehension Unit.

(Ottumwa, Iowa) – City officials in Ottumwa have released three of the City’s firefighters from employment, following an investigation. In a social media post, Monday, the City said “The investigation into matters related to the fire department has concluded. Based upon the results of the investigation, Firefighters Derek Fye and Dillon McPherson as well as Captain Bill Keith have been separated from the City of Ottumwa, effective immediately.

McPherson has resigned in lieu of termination and Fye has been terminated from their positions for actions and behaviors that violated department rules, safe practices, and the values and standards of the City of Ottumwa. Keith has been terminated from his position for failure to adequately lead those under his command and further displaying an attitude of indifference toward holding employees accountable to the values and standards of the department and the City of Ottumwa.

(Kimballton, Iowa) – City officials in Kimballton have ordered a Water Watch for the city. The water conservation mode is in effect now through the end of September. In a social media post, the City said “Unfortunately, due to the prolonged drought conditions and high temperatures, our well water levels have been reduced to a level to issue a water watch.” A Water Watch means residents and businesses should conserve water, under the following rules:

(Creston, Iowa) – A man from Creston was arrested Monday afternoon. Creston Police reports 22-year-old Jeremiah Lee Whitney was taken into custody for Driving While Barred. He was cited at the scene and then released.