(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Board of Supervisors plan to meet 9-a.m. Tuesday (June 14), in their Boardroom at the Adair County Courthouse in Greenfield. The meeting will begin with a canvass of the June 7, 2022 Primary Election. Afterward, Auditor Mandy Berg will discuss Mileage rates, and County Engineer Nick Kauffman will present a Federal-Aid SWAP funding agreement for Board Chair Matt Wedemeyer to sign.

Kauffman will also discuss his departmental budget, and present his regular Maintenance and Activities report.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors have a full plate of items to digest during their meeting Tuesday at 9-a.m. Their session takes place in their courthouse Boardroom, and via Zoom. Action items on their agenda include…

ARPA (Covid relief) funding requests from the following (Organization/presenter):

• The Atlantic Hawks R/C (remote control) Club – Dave Highfill
• Cold Springs State Park – Micah Lee
• A Resolution on approving previously discussed funds for the Cass County Drone Team and County Fire Departments.
• A Resolution (2022-30) for a Standard Agreement (re: ARPA Funds)

The Supervisors will also discuss with Treasurer Tracey J. Marshall, a new employee (or employees) for her office, and a petition to suspend abatement of taxes. They will also discuss, and possibly act on: The continuation of Zoom meetings; a Wellness Coordinator Contract and Invoice; and, the appointment of a Massena Township Clerk and Washington Township Trustee and Clerk.

In other business, the Board is expecting to hear an April & May report from General Assistance/Mental Health Coordinator Deb Schuler. The Cass County Supervisors will also canvass the results of the June 7, 2022 Primary Election.

(Zoom link)

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Since its founding in 1975, Southwest Iowa Planning Council (SWIPCO), which also operates Southwest Iowa Transit Agency (SWITA), has earned a reputation for being an outstanding community partner and transit provider in the region. Now, the organization’s efforts are being recognized statewide. Communications Coordinator C.J. Petersen reports SWIPCO will be recognized as the 2022 Organization of Character by the Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University, which annually recognizes Iowans who show the Six Pillars of Charcter Counts: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and good citizenship. Since 2005, the Ray Center has recognized more than 150 Iowans for showing good character.

Hilary Ortmann, Associate Director for The Ray Center, said “The Ray Center is proud to recognize SWIPCO with a 2022 Iowa Character Award. SWIPCO’s commitment to improve the lives of southwest Iowans through innovation and collaborative partnerships demonstrates their commitment to showing good character.” 

In honoring SWIPCO, the Ray Center noted SWITA transit professionals’ support of volunteers and stakeholders including Cass County Wellness Program Coordinator Brigham Hoegh, the City of Atlantic, and the local Food Policy Council to deliver meals to homebound community members at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic—all while continuing to operate as the sole public transit provider in southwest Iowa. Over a period of 40 weeks between spring 2020 and summer 2021, SWITA drivers and volunteers supplied food approximately 2,800 times. “When the rest of the world shut down, SWITA buses kept running,” said Transit Director Mark Lander. “Our drivers stepped up and helped get the job done.”

SWIPCO was also recognized based on its support for the southwest Iowa towns devastated by 2019 floods, which caused billions of dollars in property damage. SWIPCO’s efforts brought a combined $90 million grant package to the region, resulting in the region’s largest investment in new homebuilding in at least a generation. SWIPCO Executive Director John McCurdy said “I do not know of a more caring and devoted staff who work hard every day as a team to help our neighbors in southwest Iowa. This award is a wonderful recognition of that shared spirit of service, and we’re humbled to be recognized in this way.”

The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center provides character and leadership development strategies to improve civility and develop ethical leaders throughout the world. As the global home to Character Counts, The Ray Center utilizes public awareness and programming grounded in research to advance two programs, Character Counts and Excellence with Integrity. The 2022 Iowans of Character awards will be presented at a ceremony on July 29th.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce report “Coca-Cola Days 2022” will be held September 23rd & 24th in Atlantic. The event is the second largest collectors’ show in the United States and includes a tailgate barbecue open to the public, a Show, Swap & Sell, Coca-Cola themed raffle and many more activities for all ages. New this year, the tailgate barbecue and Show, Swap & Sell will be held at the Cass County Fairgrounds. Bailey Smith, Executive Director at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, says “With it being the 30th Anniversary of Coca-Cola Days, we wanted to make it a larger celebration and needed more space to do so. We’re excited to share what our plans are for the day as the event gets closer.”

Left to Right: Kathie Hockenberry, Bailey Smith, Ray Paullin, Dolly Bergmann and Kelsey Beschorner (Photo courtesy The Chamber)

T-Shirts for the 2022 Coca-Cola Days celebration are now available for $20 at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, 102 Chestnut Street, from 8 AM – 5 PM, Monday – Friday. The T-shirts are a District Tee with a soft, polyester and cotton blend. T-shirts can be shipped for an additional fee. For more information on Coca-Cola Days, please visit www.atlanticiowa.com, call the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce at 712-243-3017, email chamber@atlanticiowa.com, or pick up a brochure at the Chamber office.

Coca-Cola Days is sponsored by Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company and the Atlantic Community Promotion Commission.

(Creston, Iowa) – Police in Creston report a man from Creston was arrested Saturday morning on a drug charge. 68-year-old Francis Charles Weihs was arrested for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia at around 12:50-a.m., at 207 E. Montgomery Street. Weihs was later released from the Union County Jail on a $300 cash or surety bond. At around 2:45-a.m. Saturday, 46-year-old Christopher Sherman Wright, of Creston, was arrested at his residence in the 100 block of W. Ringgold Street, on charges that include Child Endangerment with Substantial Risk, and Domestic Abuse Assault. Wright was later released on a $2,000 cash or surety bond.

Saturday evening, Creston Police arrested 26-year-old Jacob Jack Davis, of Creston, for Trespassing, and on a Union County warrant Assault. He was being held on a $500 cash-only bond.

At around 1:35-a.m. Sunday, 45-year-old Shannon Lynne Cox, of Lenox, was arrested in Creston for Assault causing serious injury, and Attempted Burglary in the 1st Degree, resulting in bodily injury. She was later released from the Union County Jail on a $26,000 cash or surety bond.

(Anamosa, Iowa) – A collision Friday afternoon in eastern Iowa’s Jones County claimed the life of a man from Cascade, and resulted in injuries to a man from Hiawatha. The Iowa State Patrol reports a 2014 Chevy Equinox driven by 74-year-old Donald Leo Supple, of Cascade, was traveling westbound on Highway 64, when the vehicle crossed the center line of the road and struck an eastbound 2017 Lincoln Navigator SUV, head-on.

Supple was flown by helicopter from the scene to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, where he died from his injuries. The driver of the SUV, 58-year-old Ricky John Larkey, from Hiawatha, was transported by Anamosa Ambulance to Unity Point Health/St. Lukes Hospital. The Patrol says both men were wearing their seat belts. The crash remains under investigation.