Bid letting is set to take place early next year in Mills County, for the construction of a new, combination jail/law enforcement center. The project received the green light Tuesday night, when voters in the County approved a $6.4-million dollar bond issue.

Unofficial results from the Mills County Auditor’s Office show the bond issue referendum received just over 69-percent of the affirmative vote, 987-Yes to 441-No. A 60 percent super majority was necessary in order for the bond issue to pass. A previous bond issue for a new jail in Mills County was rejected by the voters nearly 5-years ago.

The new facility will be built on nearly three-acres of land next to the Mills County Engineer’s Office on Railroad Avenue. Supporters of the project said a new jail was necessary to replace the current facility, which was built in 1915, and no longer meets state inspection requirements.

Firefighters from Anita and Wiota were called to the scene of a structure fire early this (Wednesday) morning. Dispatch reports from the Cass County Communications Center at 3:38-a.m. indicated a machine shed or garage was on fire, near the intersection of Highway 148 and White Pole Road, or Highway 6, on the south side of the road. No other details are currently available.