The Cass County Board of Supervisors are expected to approve an agreement with an Omaha architectural firm Wednesday morning, with regard to the partial renovation of the basement at 707 Poplar Street. The lower level of the building, which was purchased late last year, will be used for the Cass County Communications Center in the near future. The agreement is with Carlson-West-and Povandra Architects.

In other business, the Supervisors will hear a quarterly Conservation Department report, review and possibly take action on the County Compensation Board’s recommendations for a compensation schedule for annual compensation of the auditor, treasurer, recorder, sheriff, county attorney, and supervisors for FY2015, and approve a schedule for the same. They’ll also discuss and act on whether to allow or disallow  family farm credits, and to approve agricultural Land credits in accord with the Code of Iowa.

The Board may also act on making an appointment to fill a vacancy term on the Cass Co. Board of Health. Their meeting begins at 8:30-a.m., Wednesday.

The Atlantic Public Library recently received a $500 donation from the Trevor Frederickson Memorial fund to help complete their new Dr. Seuss area located in the children’s section.

Melanie Petty (Left) presents a check to Librarian Julie Tjepkes. (Photo supplied by Petty)

Reading was an important part of Trevor’s life. He took part in many summer programs at the library when he was young and continued to enjoy reading from then on. Melanie Petty with the Frederickson Memorial Fund, says they hope many children will get to enjoy the fun space that the library is putting together and that they too will find a love of reading to last them a lifetime.

A district court judge has sentenced a Mills County man to as much as 50-years in prison for the death of 13-month old. The Daily NonPareil says 23-year old Colby Puckett, of Pacific Junction, received his sentence today (Monday), in connection with the Feb. 2012 death of Aliyanna Lenae May. Pucket had earlier pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. He must serve at least 35-years in prison before he is eligible for parole. The court also ordered Puckett to pay more than $9,000 in restitution to the victim’s family, and $150,000 in restitution to the state.

Court records indicate Puckett was baby-sitting the 13-month-old girl and two of her siblings, ages 3 and 2, while their mother was taking a college class. Puckett – who was dating the baby’s mother – told a Mills County Sheriff’s Office deputy that he had placed Aliyanna on a bed and she fell off. She died the next day.

Doctors found extensive injuries to her eyes and brain, which they said was more consistent with abuse, and not a fall. The Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office performed an autopsy, which determined Aliyanna had died as a result of the head injuries. Her death was ruled a homicide.

Authorities arrested Puckett on Feb. 8th, 2012.

FONDA, Iowa (AP) — A police chief in northwest Iowa has been cut off from emergency dispatch communications following a dispute with a county sheriff over the proper response protocol for emergency calls. Pocahontas County Sheriff Bob Lampe recently issued a memorandum that says employees should not communicate with Fonda Police Chief Alex Leu on radio traffic.

The Des Moines Register reports Leu posted about the situation on the Facebook page for Fonda, a city about 90 miles east of Sioux City. He listed his city-issued cellphone number with the post. Lampe says Leu is not authorized to respond to emergency medical calls outside of city limits. Leu, who is a state-certified emergency medical technician, disputes that. He says he can often get to a scene quicker than a county deputy.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest on Thursday of a Council Bluffs man. 48-year old Timothy Andrew Frieze was taken into custody on a Sheriff’s Office warrant for Theft 2nd Degree (Motor Vehicle) (a Class-D Felony) and Operating without Consent (Aggravated misdemeanor). Frieze was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released later that day on his own recognizance.