(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors this (Tuesday) morning, unanimously agreed to adopt/pass Resolutions awarding ARPA (Covid recovery) funds in the amount of $50,000 for specified improvements to the Anita Child Care Center, and $120,000 for the Cass County Fire Association. Both requests had previously been discussed at length with the respective organization representatives.

Cumberland Fire Chief Jason Rouse appeared before the Cass County Board of Supervisors this (Tuesday) morning, to request ARPA funds for the purchase of new firefighter air packs and possible an air compressor, at an estimated total cost of $92,000. Rouse said currently, only nine out of the 11 airpacks they have, are fully functional. The age of their airpacks has also exceeded the industry norm.

The oldest airpack tank is dated 1988, while the newest is 2004. The other issue they have with the packs, aside from aging air bottles, is the pressure regulators. He brought one of the devices in for a demonstration…

He said the bottles would have to be replaced if they replaced the regulators with higher capacity pressure system. Rouse said they would like to replace their metal tanks with newer, lighter weight and extremely durable, carbon-fiber bottles. He said they only have one fundraiser per year (The Pork Chop Super), which, if they used all the funds from, would only allow for the purchase of one airpack.

Due to COVID, they couldn’t hold the supper in 2020, and in 2021 it was on a drive-thru pickup basis,which fortunately, “went very well.” Rather than fund all 11airpacks at once through the ARPA funds, the Supervisors favored staggering the purchases and allocation of funds over the course of three-years. The Board requested Rouse come back later with more details on cost and a plan to acquire.

In other business, the Board agreed to table any action on the hiring of a new employee or employees for the Treasurer’s Office, until the publication standards are met. It’s expected the Supervisors will be able to take action on the matter during their meeting on June 7^th.

The Board also agreed to enter into a joint participation agreement with SWIPCO, with regard to the Rural Transit System, but they tabled entering into a Business Service agreement with Mediacom for a DHS phone line, pending more detailed information and clarification.

Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken reported to the Board, an asphalt resurfacing project is underway on County Road M-56, southwest of Atlantic. A total of six-miles will be completed between today and tomorrow. Other projects, such as roadway pipe, are waiting on the ground to dry out a bit before work can continue or in some cases, begin.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Montgomery County Auditor Stephanie Burke reports, “In early May, the Montgomery County Courthouse sustained roof damage to the center most cupola as a result of strong significant wind. On Monday May 30th, several additional pieces of the cupola fell as a result of continued strong winds, damaging a nearby parked car.

“The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors have been working with a contractor as well as the county insurance carrier to remedy the issue as quick as possible. Due to the location of damage, height and complexity of the issue, an immediate fix is not possible but every effort is being made to mitigate it from being a further problem.”

Photos via the Montgomery County EMA Facebook page

Burke says “Once a complete plan is made, it will be released to the public as well as any necessary building or road closures should they be needed.” The County is also aware of the condition of the American flag at the top of the clock tower. Much like the cupola, due to the height of the flagpole and the amount of it that is torn and wrapped around the base, it will most likely require the service of the roofing company and crane service.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports six arrests from May 19th through the 30th.

• On May 30th, Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 43-year-old Todd Glade, of Atlantic, on a Cass County Warrant for Failure to Appear.  Glade was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held.
• On May 28th, 19-year-old Collin Clarken, of Atlantic, was arrested for Public Intoxication.  Clarken was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held pending his later release. And, 20-year-old Gage Mundorf, of Atlantic, was arrested for Public Intoxication.  Mundorf was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held pending his later release.
• On May 27th, 21-year-old Mikayla Waldron, of Atlantic, was arrested on warrants for Theft 2nd Degree and Unauthorized Use of Credit Card.  Waldron was transported to the Cass County Jail where she was booked and held. And, 19-year-old Dante Watkins, of Council Bluffs, on Warrants for Violation of Probation.  Watkins was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held.
• On May 22nd, Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 49-year-old Dwayne Rollins, of Atlantic, on charges of OWI 1st Offense, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of a Controlled Substance.  Rollins was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held.

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports numerous recent arrests:

• On Monday, May 30th, 49-year-old Thomas Luis Lux, of St. Joseph, MO., was arrested for OWI/1st offense, following a traffic stop on I-29 at around 11:48-p.m. His bond was set at $1,000.
• At around 3:40-a.m. Monday, 35-year-old Kyle Steve Johnson was arrested in the area of Railroad Highway & Kanesville Blvd., following a traffic stop. He was taken into custody for Driving While Barred/Habitual Offender.
• Sunday morning, Pott. County Sheriff’s Deputies charged Pott. County Jail inmate, 62-year-old Becky Marie Stander, with Criminal Mischief in the 5th Degree, for allegedly damaging property in the jail.
• A little before 2-a.m. Sunday, 28-year-old Tyzania Laisis Marlen Williams was arrested following a traffic stop on I-80 near mile marker 40, after authorities received word a vehicle was observed following too closely and unable to maintain lanes, before nearly sideswiping multiple motorists on the interstate. Williams faces charges that include Failure to Maintain control of a motor vehicle, having no valid driver’s license, and OWI/1st offense.
• At around 5-a.m. Saturday, 30-year-old Alexandra Stroman was arrested for OWI/1st offense, following a traffic stop on I-80 eastbound near mile marker 34.
• Authorities say at around 1:45-a.m., Saturday, 20-year-old Skye Marie Kay Bentley was arrested for OWI/1st offense.
• Friday night, a Pott. County Deputy arrested 67-year-old Paul R. Waggener on charges that include Failure to Maintain Control of a motor vehicle, Failure to maintain minimum speed, and OWI/1st offense. His arrest occurred during a traffic stop on I-29 northbound at mile marker 59.
• Earlier that same evening, 36-year-old Saw Kaw Thaw was arrested in Avoca, for OWI/1st offense.
• Friday afternoon, 19-year-old Marcus McCoy Masoner, JR., was arrested in Neola, for Driving While Barred/Habitual Offender.

(Audubon, Iowa) – City officials in Audubon are asking residents to please try to conserve their water usage. The request was being made due to some damage from high winds at the Audubon water plant. City Clerk Joseph Foran says the repairs should only take an estimated one or two days.