As U-S led coalition forces continue air strikes targeting Islamic State Group positions, some wonder if troops will eventually be needed on the ground to finish the job against the radical forces. Congressman Steve King, a Republican from Kyron, isn’t advocating for troops, but he also doesn’t think the Iraqi Army is capable of eliminating the threat of ISIS. “The army fell apart and they ran away from the weapons that we gave them and the equipment that we gave them. And I don’t have faith that they can be put back together — not without a lot of Americans to stand shoulder to shoulder with them,” King says.

He says he’s not advocating sending in thousands of troops but says we know that if we send in equipment the Kurds will fight. King says the Kurdish people want their own state as opposed to a unified Iraq. “I am happy accepting a Kurdistan that would defend itself in that region. I think that would be a good thing for the United States, they would be an ally of ours. They’d be a counterbalance in that part of the world and they not let ISIS invade any further into the Kurdish region,” King says. “But they would not go to Damascus and they would not go to Baghdad, and I don’t think they should.”

King says it will likely take more than arming the Kurdish people to bring an end to ISIS though. He says air strikes are helping to slow down ISIS, but they aren’t enough either. “I don’t think its enough, it’s surely not shock and awe and it’s not rolling thunder, it’s pin pricks — strategic ones, though they seem to be strategic. So, it’s a start and they send a message,” King says. “If it can slow down the funding that’s coming into the ISIS war machine, that will be helpful.” King says the military intervention is buying time and he hopes to see a better plan by America and its allies to defeat the insurgents.

(Radio Iowa)

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports two Nebraska man were arrested last Friday on drug and other charges, following a traffic stop. 33-year old Tyson Hubbard, of Omaha, was taken into custody on a charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance. The driver of the vehicle, 26-year-old Bradley Levi Petermann, also from Omaha, was charged with OWI 1st Offense and Driving Under Suspension. Both were taken to the Cass County Jail and released later that day on their own recognizances.

Also last Friday, deputies in Cass County arrested 28-year old Tyler Dean Gage, of Des Moines, on two District Court Warrants for Failure to Appear. Upon his arrest, Gage allegedly attempted to smuggle a controlled substance into the jail and was subsequently charged with Possessing Contraband in a Jail. Gage was being held at the Cass County Jail on $15,000 bond.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – Leaders in Sioux City are encouraging businesses to hire veterans so it can become the first city to gain a Home Base Iowa designation. Home Base Iowa is a new private-public partnership seeking to make Iowa a job destination for veterans who’ll be relieved from active duty over the next several years. According to the federal defense department, it’s the largest drawdown of active duty forces since World War II.

The Sioux City Journal reports local officials asked employers to sign up for the initiative, making an appeal Monday at the Chamber’s annual dinner. At least 10 percent of businesses in a city, county or region must sign up to get the Home Base Iowa designation. Sioux City’s economic development director says the minimum number is about 175 for Sioux City.

Cass County Engineer Charles Marker, Tuesday, updated the Board of Supervisors on various County road, culvert and bridge projects. Marker said the box culvert project near the Marne Cemetery is finished, but due to the wet weather, the dirt that surrounds the culvert was wet and is creating a “pumping” effect, whereby ruts are formed in the dirt. Crews are working on “healing-up” the dirt before the heavy combines and grain carts start to cross the box during the harvest. The road however is open to traffic.

In the same area, the contractor for the M-56 bridge over Interstate 80, reports the old bridge deck has been removed, and they’re getting ready to install new concrete. The detour routes meanwhile are being monitored by County crews, and there have been no reports of excessive dust or ruts in the gravel road serving as a detour during construction, which primarily takes place during the nighttime hours.

Marker says mud is appearing on gravel and paved roads from various pieces of ag equipment coming into and out of the fields. County crews are trying to get that swept off the roads as much as possible, but once it dries out, the mud will turn to dust and make for some cloudy conditions as vehicles pass by. Marker says there’s not much they can do about the dirt/dust clouds at this point because there are so many roads to cover.

And, Marker was as happy as a child at Christmas when he announced they received the two, new Caterpillar motor graders they ordered earlier this summer. One the graders – which will be housed at the Anita maintenance shed – has an added benefit of a GPS unit that receives instructions by satellite on the elevation and slope of the terrain being graded. The computer onboard the grader automatically adjusts the pitch of the grader blade to level the road in accordance with the terrain. The bonus feature (valued at approximately $2,000) was added as a surprise at no extra cost by the dealer, since it was being used as a demonstration unit. If the new feature works as well as expected, future County graders would be ordered with GPS.

Marker says normally, the grader operator has to look back at a “ball indicator”-type level mounted on the machine, to make sure the pitch and angle are correct. It’s tricky, because they also have to watch the road ahead, be on the lookout for obstructions.

The Atlantic Police Department reports a Griswold man was transported to the Cass County Memorial Hospital and later to the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, following an accident just before 7-a.m. today (Tuesday), southwest of Atlantic. Tyler Johnson was injured when the pickup he was driving failed to stop in-time and crashed into the rear of a semi, driven by Brent McKee, of Neola. The accident happened as both vehicles were traveling north on Highway 6 just north of 29th Street, and approaching the entrance to the Schildberg Quarry.

Photo courtesy Mike Kennon, Cass Co. EMA

The semi slowed to make a left turn into the quarry, when it’s trailer was hit from behind by Johnson’s pickup.  McKee was not injured in the crash. Johnson’s injuries were serious, but did not appear to have been life threatening. Damage from the accident amounted to $7,000.

The Cass County Board of Supervisors gave Atlantic Parks and Recreation Dept. Director Roger Herring, permission to go ahead and locate two bike racks near the courthouse and on a portion of County-owned property in the Atlantic City Park.

The “Hitching Post” type of proposed for locations near the Cass County Courthouse and Atlantic City Park.

Herring proposed installing two “Hitching post”-style bike racks near the southeast corner of the Courthouse, or, two near the old generator room entrance on the southwest side of the courthouse. The Supervisors however, were more in favor of the southeast side location. Herring also proposed installing two posts in the City Park, near the intersection of 6th and Chestnut.

One of the proposed locations near the Cass Co. Courthouse (the exact location is yet to be determined)

In the future, two other posts will be located on the northwest side of the park, near “Santa’s Cabin,” diagonally across the street from the Atlantic Public Library, where similar bike racks have already been installed. Additional bike racks can be found at Sunnyside Park, near the tennis courts, and near the Chamber of Commerce Building (Old Rock Island Depot), at 2nd and Chestnut.

The bike racks will be paid for through a recently received grant or, out of Herring’s Park and Rec Budget, and at no cost to the County.

The Harlan Police Department Tuesday (today) issued a report on arrests and incidents. Eight individuals were arrested during the period covering Sept. 19th through the 26th.  On Sept. 26th, 37-year old Joseph Hastie was arrested on an active warrant out of Pottawattamie County for failure to appear on a charge of unauthorized use of a credit card. Hastie was taken to the Shelby County Jail where he awaited extradition to Pottawattamie County.

On Sept. 25th, 36-year old Kelly Wood and 35-year old Lisa Briggs, both of Harlan, were taken into custody when officers were called to a suspicious vehicle in the Superior Storage parking lot. Both subjects were taken to the Shelby County Jail where Wood was charged with possession of a controlled substance and Briggs was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of contraband in a secure facility.

On Sept. 24th, 45-year old Clinton Scheffler, of Harlan, was arrested when officers were called to a domestic assault in the 1000 block of Park Street. Scheffler was taken into custody and transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with domestic abuse assault for allegedly striking David Peters, also of Harlan.

On Sept. 23rd, 23-year old Anthony Bennett, Harlan, was arrested when officers were called to the area of 12th and Willow for someone forcing their way into an apartment. Upon arrival no one was found in that area. A short time later, officers were called to HyVee where the owner of the apartment had gone to be safe in making the call. As a result of the investigation, Bennett was taken into custody and transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with burglary in the 1st degree, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

On Sept. 22nd, Police in Harlan were called to Express Lube where a male subject was seen going through vehicles on the lot. As a result of the investigation and with video surveillance, a search warrant was served on the property at 2006 7th Street. 30-year old Reid Hemminger, and 27-year old Joey Ranney, Jr., both of Harlan, were arrested and taken to the Shelby County Jail. Hemminger was charged with 2 counts of burglary in the 3rd degree, attempted burglary in the 3rd, possession of drug paraphernalia, and child endangerment. Ranney was charged with possession of a controlled substance.

On Sept. 19th, 26-year old Seth Rauterkus, of Manilla, was taken into custody following a traffic stop. Rauterkus was cited for open container, passenger, and released. On Sept. 20th, 46-year old Stephen Lytle, of Harlan, was taken into custody when officers were called to a domestic disturbance in the 500 block of Farnam Street. Lytle was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with domestic abuse assault for allegedly assaulting Tina Lytle, also of Harlan.

Police also investigated a couple of theft incidents. On Sept. 24th, Harlan Police officers were called to Blake’s Auto Sound and Security for a burglary in progress. While in route the officers were advised the suspects had left. Nothing was taken as the suspects were scared off by the owner. This case remains under investigation. And, on Sept. 17th, officers were called to the 900 block of Farnam Street where Kathy Campbell reported that a truck belonging to her son, Austin Hudson, had been broken into. Several items were taken from the vehicle including the stereo, a CB radio, and a sub. The case remains under investigation.