(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors, today (Wednesday) passed on a voice-vote, a Resolution to fund the County’s seven Fire Departments/Associations, with the exception of Anita (Which has already been granted funds). The money is coming from the first half of the County’s share of the ARPA (COVID-relief) payment from the State of Iowa via the Federal Government. When a formal Resolution is adopted during the Board’s meeting next week, it will provide a total of $75,000 to each department. Supervisors Steve Green made a motion on the distribution of funds…

The plan allows the funds to be paid out of the current Fiscal Year, as well as FY 2023 and 2024. The Board heard an ARPA request from Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies Ben Bartholomew and Kyle Quist, who spoke on behalf of the Sheriff’s Office, Atlantic P-D and County Fire Departments. Bartholomew said their Drone has been used countless times under a multiple circumstances, to aid law enforcement and fire department personnel.

He said they would like to acquire a larger, more well equipped drone to supplement their smaller, easier to carry and launch drones that are kept in an on-duty vehicle. Deputy Quist said Montgomery and Mills Counties are looking to acquire the same or a similar drone. Cass County’s drone, he said would feature several new tools not currently available to the Drone Team.

The men requested funds for the Cass County Drone Program to purchase a new drone with features the current unit doesn’t have. The Board approved the Drone Team request for $29,500. The Cass County Supervisors tabled until next week, an ARPA funds request from the Cass County EMA until more information is obtained with regard to ambulance radios. In other business, the Board acted on passing a Resolution with regard to Courthouse Office Hours. Board Chair Steve Baier reads from a portion of the Resolution…

In the event of a unforeseen circumstances, such as one person getting sick or on vacation in a two-person department, Baier said that single employee is entitled to a lunch break, and a note on the door explaining the temporary closure is acceptable.

The Resolution falls on the heals of last week’s decision by Cass County Treasurer to reschedule the hours of her office due to a shortage of staff due to resignations and a forthcoming retirement.

(Radio Iowa) – Davenport police say an officer fatally shot a man early this (Wednesday) morning during a scuffle. Police were called to a Casey’s on Davenport’s west side shortly before 1 A-M where the clerk said a suspicious man appeared to be tampering with the convenience store’s air conditioner. The officer talked with the man, got his name and learned he had outstanding warrants.

The confrontation became physical, shots were exchanged — and the unidentified man was killed. The officer had non-life-threatening injuries and is now on administrative leave. The Scott County Sheriff’s office and D-C-I will investigate.

(Sioux City, Iowa) – Officials with the Iowa Department of Corrections report 27-year-old Richard Allan Martinez, who was convicted of Robbery 2nd Degree and other charges in Crawford County, failed to report back to the Sioux City Residential Treatment Facility as required, Tuesday.

Martinez is a white male, 5-feet 7-inches tall. He weighs about 172 pounds. He was admitted to the work release facility on 12/17/21.  Persons with information on Martinez’s whereabouts should contact local police.

Richard Martinez (IA-DOC photo)

(Glenwood, Iowa) — A citation report filed by the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals shows a 30-year-old resident at the Glenwood Resource Center died of dehydration. According to KETV, the report alleges that a “lack of training and communication” led to the man being given lower fluids than were ordered for him several times over a one-month period. The report said the agency fined the Glenwood Resource Center $10,000 in the man’s death.

The report says the man “experienced a hospitalization in November 2021 due to dehydration and acute kidney injury.” The citation reads “Based on interviews and record review, the facility failed to ensure nursing staff provided appropriate training to staff and care to clients to ensure implementation of client health care plans.”

Read the public report here.

In January, the facility was fined for not ensuring adequate staffing and failing to report potential abuse, per the DIA. The facility is scheduled to close in 2024.