Officials with SIRWA (The Southern Iowa Rural Water Association), have expanded the Boil Water Advisory issued Monday for southeastern Cass County. The Advisory now includes customers in northwestern Adams, Montgomery, and southeastern Cass Counties, including the Cities of Grant, Carbon, Brooks, Bridgewater and Lyman. It affects customers with account numbers that begin with 047, 048, 081, 082, 084 and 005.

SIRWA says they are not getting the proper chlorine residual from their water supplier. Due to the potential for bacterial contamination, it is being recommended that the water be boiled before using for drinking or cooking or that an alternative source be used. The chlorine residual has been below acceptable tolerances in the Bridgewater and Lyman areas, since Saturday night. Due to the potential for bacterial contamination, it is being recommended that the water be boiled before using for drinking or cooking or that an alternative source be used.

IT IS RECOMMENDED NOT TO DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST. Bring all water to a boil, let it boil for one minute, and let it cool before using, or use bottled water. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, and food preparation until further notice. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water. The water may be used for bathing and other similar purposes.

The system is being chlorinated and flushed to restore the residual needed. Pending results of tests taken Tuesday and again today (Wednesday), the advisory will be lifted Thursday morning, Aug. 7th.

This advisory is a precaution until bacterial sample results are available. You will be notified when the results are available and the advisory is lifted. SIRWA is working with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to resolve the situation as quickly as possible in order to restore water service and lift the advisory.

(Corrects City to Dow City – not Denison)

A search warrant executed in Dow City early this (Wednesday) morning netted authorities numerous drug-related items and resulted in the arrest of one person. The Crawford County Sheriff’s Office says at around 5:15 am, a search warrant was executed by deputies with the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office and officers with the Denison Police Department.During the search at 105 North Howard Street, in Dow City, evidence that was seized included: Methamphetamine, a Schedule II Controlled Substance, Drug Paraphernalia, Packaging Material, US Currency, and a Digital Scale. 40-year old Billie Jo Thompson, of Dow City, was arrested. She faces felony charges that include Delivery of Methamphetamine, Possession w/ Intent to Deliver less than 5 Grams Methamphetamine, and Failure to Affix a Drug Tax Stamp. Other charges include Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance (A Serious Misdemeanor), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (A Simple Misdemeanor).(8-a.m. News)

Iowa Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds, the City of Creston and Connect Iowa officials, Tuesday, recognized the city of Creston as the fifth community to become a Certified Connected Community in the state, and the 21st in the nation. More than 30 residents and community leaders attended the celebration event at the Creston Chamber of Commerce, where results of an assessment and details of the county’s new technology action plan were unveiled. The event also included Union County unveiling its technology action plan, which will make way for greater technology use across the entire county and pave way for a brighter economic future.

Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds said “Governor Branstad and I launched the ‘Connect Every Iowan’ initiative to increase access, adoption and the use of broadband technology in Iowa.” She added “I commend Creston and Union County on completing the extensive assessment and planning process in order to be recognized as a ‘Certified Connected Community.’ I’m confident that the community will use this designation to increase the robust economic development efforts in Creston and across Union County.”

Connect Iowa’s Connected Community Engagement Program provides a framework that communities can use to work toward Governor Branstad’s goal to Connect Every Iowan. In October 2013, he announced that the Connect Every Iowan initiative would leverage the Connected program to support local broadband planning efforts in communities across the state.

Ellen Gerharz, Creston Chamber of Commerce executive director, said “Creston is extremely proud of being recognized as the fifth Certified Connected Community in the State of Iowa. It is a real testament to our many businesses and broadband providers that Creston has attained this goal.”

The city of Creston and Union County have been working over the past 2 years with Connect Iowa to assess the local broadband landscape, identify gaps, and establish goals and objectives to increase broadband access, adoption, and use for families, organizations, and businesses throughout the counties. The city of Creston was able to meet the point requirements necessary to achieve the Certified Connected Community status, while Union County continues to work toward certification.

The Connected program is a national model designed by Connect Iowa’s parent organization, Connected Nation, to establish a framework for broadband expansion planning at the community level. The U.S. Department of Commerce NTIA State Broadband Initiative program funds the Connect Iowa initiative. Connect Iowa is working to facilitate the access, adoption, and use of technology throughout the state.

(Press Release)

The Board of Supervisors in Adair County are set to meet this (Wednesday) morning, in Greenfield. On their agenda is discussion facilitated by County Treasurer Brenda Wallace, with regard to Tax Abatement requests and Resolutions. Judy Schwartz will provide the Board with a Case Management update, and V-A Director Rick Schaecher will provide his annual report.

In other business, the Board will receive and act on agreement s with various contractors from County Engineer Nick Kauffman, for numerous County road projects, most of which are culvert-related. The Adair County Board of Supervisors meeting begins in the boardroom at the courthouse, at 9-a.m.