(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Board of Supervisors, today (Wednesday) discussed a request by Mensing Brothers, LLC to have better access to their cattle operation in the area of Lewis Avenue and 150th Street, northeast of Canby. Adair County Engineer Nick Kauffman explained a box culvert in the area would be costly.

The landowner said an option would be to upgrade the current Level B (dirt) minimum maintenance road, to the land to a Level A (gravel -highest level of service). He some some sort of improvement to the road/roads is important to his cattle operation.

Supervisor Matt Wedemeyer said an upgrade of the road isn’t likely.

Nick Kauffman said he only gets 10-percent of the property taxes in Adair County, which doesn’t leave him much to maintain Level A roads. The Supervisors said they understood the land owners’ concerns, but took no action during their meeting. In other business, Engineer Kauffman provided his weekly report on Secondary Roads Department activities and maintenance projects.

He said Murphy Construction has about another week or so of clean-up to do on their project, with guard rails installed on the 16th and the road open, by the 20th.

The Adair County Supervisors, Tuesday, approved Township Clerk Wages for Dianna Bower, Jackson Township Clerk, in the amount of $160.

Impacts in Adair, Adams, Bremer, Butler, Clay, Johnson, Polk, and Story counties

DES MOINES, Iowa, Sept. 4, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director in Iowa Theresa Greenfield today (Wednesday) announced that the Agency is investing more than $2.3-million in eight grants to projects in Iowa that promote rural small businesses, industry, public safety, and sanitation. The grants impact (In this area), Adair and Adams Counties.

The investments were made through five different USDA programs.

-The City of Greenfield received a $40,600 grant to purchase a vehicle through the Community Facility Disaster Grant program. This project will provide a law enforcement patrol unit for the city’s law enforcement department.

-The Southern Iowa Rural Water Association (SIRWA) received a Water & Waste Disposal Predevelopment Planning $30,000 grant to complete a preliminary engineering report for the Adams County City of Prescott’s sewer system. This project will produce, in coordination with professional engineers, a summary of the condition of the city’s wastewater utility and will include alternatives and recommendations for the system to meet water quality compliance requirements.

“From providing capital for essential public services to funding the growth of small businesses, USDA is supporting economic development in rural Iowa,” said Director Greenfield. “Under the leadership of President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Secretary Vilsack, USDA is making sure that resources reach the people who need them the most by helping to create jobs, provide water sanitation, and foster industry in rural Iowa.”

Read about the other grants and grant recipient projects, HERE.

(Harlan, Iowa) – The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office today (Wednesday, 9/4), released a lengthy report on arrests conducted from August 1st through the 31st. Most recently (The past week):

• 33-year-old Anthony Michael Bennett, of Harlan, was arrested Saturday (8/31), on an active Shelby County warrant. Bennett was also charged with Interference with Official Acts, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Poss. of a Controlled Substance (PCS). And, 52-year-old Ron Allan Beckel, of Harlan, was arrested on a Shelby County warrant.
• Last Thursday (8/29), 44-year-old Jason Robin Conway Emery, of Shelby, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault.
• On Wednesday (8/28), Shelby County Deputies arrested 39-year-old Troy Matthew Frazier, Jr., of Harlan, for Sexual Abuse – Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child, Child Endangerment – Meth Exposure, and Child Endangerment.

You can view all of the other arrests through this link: August Arrest Report

SAC CITY, Iowa (KCAU) — A western Iowa man has been sentenced for the sexual abuse a 14-year-old. On Aug. 30, 2024, 64-year-old Keith Mesner, of Sac City, was convicted of third-degree sexual abuse, according to a release from the Sac County Attorney’s Office. The victim was 14 years old at the time. Mesner is set to serve a 10-year sentence. Mesner will also be placed on the Iowa Sex Offender Registry for life.

Keith Mesner (Sac City P.D. Facebook page photo)

According to court documents, the Sac City Police Department received a report on Dec. 24, 2021, that Mesner had allegedly committed a sex act with a minor. During an investigation, the victim told investigators that the acts were allegedly committed at Mesner’s residence in Sac City in Nov. 2021.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (KCRG) – A Dubuque man was arrested Tuesday after a school resource officer realized he was carrying a gun on school grounds. According to a press releases, the officer was called to Audubon School on Lincoln Ave. (In Dubuque) at 3:20 p.m. to assist with a paternal custody issue. 39-year-old John McGee arrived at the school several minutes after dismissal and was allowed in by a staff member. The school resource officer (SRO) noticed a bulge in McGee’s shirt just above his waistline and recognized the shape to be consistent with a handgun.

The SRO disarmed McGee and took him into custody without incident. According to the press release, the weapon was determined to be an unloaded .40 caliber semiautomatic handgun. McGee was placed under arrest and charged with Carrying Weapons on School Grounds, a Class D felony.

(Des Moines, IA) – Officials with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Tuesday, announced the intent to award a Managed Care Organization (MCO) contract to Iowa Total Care. The new Iowa Medicaid contract period begins July 1, 2025, with no change in operations. Iowa Total Care has been serving Iowa Medicaid members as a MCO since July 1, 2019. his RFP and resulting contract aligns all three MCO contracts to the same contract cycle. All three MCO contracts will have a final contract end date of June 30, 2031.

“Providing access to quality health care is critical and a cornerstone of our work at Iowa HHS. Iowa Total Care has demonstrated a commitment to continuous quality improvement and innovation—making them a valued partner for Iowa Medicaid,” said Kelly Garcia, Director of the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. “We are pleased to award Iowa Total Care with this contract as they continue to meet the needs of Iowans and deliver essential medical services.”

Iowa Medicaid members will continue to receive their Medicaid benefits with the health plan they are currently enrolled in – there are no changes as a result of this contract award. Members will be able to make an enrollment selection change during the annual open choice enrollment period in Spring 2025. Iowa HHS staff will communicate with Medicaid members and providers on the continuation of service provision.

Iowa Medicaid contracts with three MCOs: Iowa Total Care, Molina and Wellpoint Iowa, Inc. to provide health care services to Iowans.

Pleasantville, Iowa [KCCI] — An off-duty deputy acted appropriately when he was forced to shoot an aggressive dog in Pleasantville on Monday, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office says. The sheriff’s office says the deputy and his fiancé were walking their dogs on East Monroe Street when two unleashed dogs “aggressively” ran up to them. The sheriff’s office says the owner of the aggressive dogs tried to restrain them, but was unable to.

Investigators say the dogs began circling the deputy and tried to bite his dogs. Investigators say the off-duty deputy feared for his safety and drew his gun. He allegedly told the owner to control the dogs, or he’d have to shoot, and the owner replied, “You may have to.” The deputy did shoot one of the dogs, a pit bull mix. Both unleashed dogs ran off after the shooting.

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office says the deputy had a legal right to carry his firearm; he gave verbal commands to the owner before firing, and the shooting is justified. No charges have been filed.