(Atlantic, Iowa) – Gronewold, Bell, Kyhnn & Co. P.C. CPAs have released an audit report on Cass County, Iowa. The County had local tax revenue of $34,404,968 for the year ended June 30, 2022, which included $3,052,548 in tax credits from the state. The County forwarded $26,076,100 of the local tax revenue to the townships, school districts, cities and other taxing bodies in the County.

The County retained $8,328,868 of the local tax revenue to finance County operations, a .5 percent increase from the prior year. Other revenues included $5,475,111 from the state, including indirect federal funding of $1,067,258, charges for service of $372,870, tax increment financing of $693,994, local option sales tax of $991,382, and $133,539 for the use of money and property.

Expenditures for County operations totaled $16,473,994, an 11.5 percent increase from the prior year. Expenses included $5,679,596 for roads and transportation, $450,980 for mental health, $3,199,539 for public safety and legal services, $515,772 for county environment and education, $751,706 for debt service, $2,331,532 for capital projects, and $1,653,051 for administrative services.

A copy of the audit report is available for review in the office of the Auditor of State and the County Auditor’s office.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports two arrests: At around 1-a.m. today (Wednesday), 45-year-old Shannon Don Spangler, of Lincoln, NE., was arrested at the Lancaster County, NE. Jail, on a Mills County warrant for Failure to Appear. His bond was set at $10,000. And, Monday evening, 57-year-old David Duane Berry, of Council Bluffs, was arrested for OWI/2nd offense, following a traffic stop on I-29 at mile marker 31. ($2,000 bond)

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Board of Supervisors in Adair County, today (Wednesday), took action on a handful of matters. The Board acknowledged receipt of the 2022 SICOG (Southern Iowa Council of Governments) Annual Report. And, they approved a 10-cent per hour longevity wage increase for Dana Hoakison, a 10-year employee of the Adair County Sheriff’s office.

The Board then heard from Val Cameron w/ISU Extension & Outreach, with regard to a Child Abuse Prevention Month Proclamation and placing of signs and pinwheels in the Courtyard. The Supervisors approved placement of the pinwheels as requested.

Pinwheels for Child Abuse Prevention (File Photo)

The Board received a Quarterly report from Adair County Attorney Melissa Larson, who said she’s been keeping busy with an increasing caseload.

County Engineer Nick Kauffman presented to the Adair County Supervisors Resolutions for the Local Option Sales Tax and Bridge ratings. The Board approved both with Board Chair Steve Shelley signing-off on the paperwork. The Supervisors also approved a Contract and Performance Bond with Gus Construction for the N-25 Grand River Culvert Project.

And, Kauffman updated the Board with a weekly report on the Secondary Roads Department Maintenance and Activities.

RED OAK, IOWA – U.S. Senators Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) have announced that their offices will hold joint United States Service Academy Virtual Informational Nights on Monday, May 1 and Tuesday, May 2, for Iowa students interested in applying to one of our nation’s military academies. Every year, Ernst and Grassley each nominate 10 students to the academies.

Academy representatives will be available to answer any questions about the application and nomination process. The five academies are the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, and U.S. Air Force Academy.

Attendees must RSVP to receive meeting information. To contact Senator Ernst’s office, please email Brenda_Safranski@ernst.senate.gov or call (515) 284-4272. To contact Senator Grassley’s office, please email academy_nominations@grassley.senate.gov or call (515) 288-1145. Click here to view the Academy Nomination application.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Atlantic School District School Business Official (SBO)/School Board Secretary Sarah Sheeder has announced her resignation. She submitted her resignation on Monday. Sheeder said she has accepted a position at AC/GC schools, as a shared School Business Official.  Her contract was approved by the Guthrie Center Board of Directors Tuesday night. Her resignation letter is shown below. Sheeder is the second person in the ACSD Administration to resign. Superintendent Steve Barber has announced his resignation, effective at the end of the current school year.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – A law enforcement officer suffered minor injuries during a residential structure fire Tuesday evening, in Red Oak. Red Oak Fire Chief John Bruce the blaze at 1903 200^th Street was reported at around 6:49-p.m.

The first crews at the scene reported a heavy fire coming from the north side of the residence, with the blaze extending to the first floor. Firefighters conducted defensive exterior ground operations before moving inside the structure to suppress the fire. Three adults and one child evacuated the home without injury.

The law enforcement officer was injured while assisting with a hose hook-up to the fire hydrant. The officer was treated and released from the hospital.

Photo courtesy the Red Oak Fire Dept.

Chief Bruce said the fire begin with wind driven embers from a fire pit located about 10 yards to the north of the residence. Those embers ignited the vegetation along a fence line, and started the northwest portion of the first floor on fire. The blaze eventually breached the first-floor windows, and entered the residence. The home sustained extensive fire, smoke, and water damage.

Mutual aid was requested from the Stanton and Elliott fire departments. Additional entities at the scene included Essex Rescue, Officers with the Red Oak Police Department, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputies, MidAmerican Utilities, and the American Red Cross. Montgomery County Communications was also a part of the emergency response.