(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors, Tuesday morning, received a request for County participation in helping the Anita Locker receive an economic development grant. Supervisors Board Chair Steve Baier said he wrote “a general letter of support” for the grant, because other projects that have flourished under similar grants.

Scot and Cheryl Bailey, along with their son Jackson, own the Anita Locker. Scot and Cheryl appeared before the Board to explain the need for funds to update their facility, especially in light of business coming from the Minden Locker, which had to close due to damage from the April 26^th tornado.

Cheryl Bailey said they applied for a matching grant from the IEDA (Iowa Economic Development Authority) in the amount of $41,500.

She said they have applied for a CIS (Cooperative Interstate Shipping) license, which allows participating state-inspected meat and poultry establishments to ship products across state lines. To qualify for the CIS program, a meat processor must have fewer than 25 full-time employees and comply with all federal food safety, sanitation and facility regulations. Anita Locker has six employees, including two full-time and two part-time, and if the locker can update it’s compressor, that would bring in more business and allow them to hire three-to-four more people.

The Board took no action on the request at this time. In the interim, Supervisor Steve Green suggested the Bailey’s check with SWIPCO and/or CADCO to obtain other, possible sources of funds, including a loan. Supervisor Mark O’Brien said providing funds might “Open-up a can of worms” to the private sector. Supervisor Wendy Richter….

The Cass County Supervisors also heard a request for the use of ARPA funds for a proposed Griswold Splash Pad. Griswold City Administrator Sheryl Owen said they have $112,000 from their CD account to use for the project, but would like extra funds to really get the ball rolling. The project would be located where the current wooden playground is, in Griswold.

There will also be a green space for a play area. Owen said with the opening of the new daycare center, and housing development, the addition of a splash pad would be a welcome site for families moving into the area.

Supervisor Steve Green said he would be in favor of granting the funds, if the project was further along. The Board also considered a request by the City of Griswold/Noble Initiative Community Foundation, for $227,400 for a lift station at the Land of Oz Housing Development project.

Sheryl Owen said the City has already, technically, invested $1.1-million dollars in the project, including $500,000 directly from the City. The Board discussed the matter for a considerable amount of time and considered the request, but took no action at this time. Owen said they would like the board to act on the request by no later than the end of June, as the completion date is expected sometime in July or August, depending on the weather.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – On May 7, 2024, The Cass County Board of Supervisors signed the proclamation stating that May is Mental Health Awareness Month in Cass County. As the number one area of concern in the 2022 Health Improvement Plan, Cass County has continuously worked to spread awareness of Mental Health. Members of the Cass County Coalition for Mental Wellness attended to show their support those members included representatives from Cass County Extension, Public Health, Zion Integrated Behavioral Health, Healthy Cass, Senior Life Solutions, Southwest Iowa Region Mental Health & Disability Services, VA Nebraska-Western Iowa, and Family Crisis & Intervention.

To help promote Mental Health, the Cass County Coalition for Mental Wellness will host a Mental Wellness Panel on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at the Griswold Community Building (601 2nd Street, Griswold, Iowa 51535). A free meal will be provided at 5:30 pm. The presentation will begin at 6:00 pm. Community members of all ages are welcome to join as we discuss resiliency strategies, emotional support for our youth, and local resources for therapy and crisis situations. No pre-registration is required. This event is sponsored generously by the Healthy Cass County Coalition with funding from the Healthiest State Initiative Grant and Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company. If you have any further questions, please contact Grace McAfee at (712) 250-8170 or mcage@casshealth.org.

To find out more about Mental Wellness Events happening across Cass County in May be sure to follow the Healthy Cass Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/HealthyCassCounty.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Board of Supervisors in Montgomery County, Tuesday morning, passed a Resolution to “Dissolve payroll deductions for non-county approved benefits program.” Their action followed an update from Marcus Taylor with Milestone Financial Group, who recommended terminating the deductions with the end goal to stop “policy deferral.” Supervisor Donna Robinson read the Resolution, which said in-part:

Auditor Jill Ozuna….

The Board then held a public hearing on the proposed vacating of an alley in the unincorporated Town of Stennett. Having hear received no comments, written or spoken objecting to the move, the Board closed the hearing and voted to approve an amended resolution vacating the alley, located between East Depot and Wayne Streets, in Stennett. Auditor Jill Ozuna explained the reason for the “Amended” resolution.

Marcus Taylor speaks w/the Montgomery County Supervisors, 5-7-24

And, the Board heard a weekly updated on Montgomery County Secondary Roads Department maintenance and activities, from Engineer Karen Albert.

The Montgomery County Board of Supervisor’s next meeting is on May 14^th at 8:30-a.m.

(Pottawattamie County, Iowa) – Officials in Pottawattamie County, today (Tuesday) confirmed “Ten days after tornado activity devastated several areas of Pottawattamie County, another tornado touched down east of Minden in the late-night hours of May 6th.” Early assessments indicate seven properties, and a hog confinement were impacted by the latest storm. No injuries were reported.

Officials say there was no major damage to homes in the area, but several outbuildings and trees were destroyed. Power poles were snapped in the storm as well. The area experienced temporary power disruptions. Power was restored in Neola before midnight and restored in Minden as of 3:00AM on May 7th. The National Weather Service has deployed a field assessment team to survey the damage and to estimate the tornado’s rating, peak winds, length, width, and track.

May 6, 2024 tornado path

Federal Disaster Declaration Request
Teams comprised of local and state emergency management personnel, FEMA, and the Small Business Administration (SBA) will fan out and conduct a Joint Preliminary Damage Assessment (JPDA). The assessment, according to officials, is the formal validation assessment of data submitted by local officials and impacted residents and business owners to support the governor’s request for federal assistance. After the JPDA is completed across the several impacted areas of the state, FEMA will make its recommendation to the President. Local officials are hopeful to be informed of a positive determination in the coming days.

How to Help
Currently, all communities in the county have received sufficient donations of household items. If you would like to volunteer, Emergency Management has partnered with Samaritans Purse, who is continuing to organize volunteers to assist in impacted areas throughout the county. To sign up to volunteer call 531-242-2206. On-site safety meetings are required before volunteering.

How to Request Help
If you are still in need of assistance around your house and property you can call 833-747-1234 to speak to a Samaritans Purse representative. Disaster survivors can also access food items, hygiene products, and household resources from multiple locations.
• Crescent City Hall, 102 W Florence Street, Crescent, Iowa
• Neola Area Community Center, 110 4th Street, Neola, Iowa
• Charles E. Lakin Foundation, 705 N 16th Street, Council Bluffs, Iowa
• Treynor City Hall, 11 West Main Street, Treynor Iowa

Additional Multi-agency Resource Centers (MARCs) are being planned. Locations, dates, and times will be announced in the coming days.

(Radio Iowa) – Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg is urging Iowans to vote for a proposed amendment to Iowa’s Constitution. “You might remember, back when Governor Reynolds ascended, there was a dispute about whether she could appoint a new lieutenant governor,” Gregg said. “There’s a constitutional amendment that’s going to be on the ballot in November that’s going to clarify that.” Reynolds was sworn in as governor in mid-2017 after long-time Governor Terry Branstad resigned to become U.S. Ambassador to China.

Tom Miller, who was Iowa’s attorney general at the time, issued an opinion saying Reynolds — who was lieutenant governor — did not have the authority under the state’s constitution to pick a successor in mid-2017. Reynolds said she disagreed with the attorney general’s assessment and picked Gregg to take the role of lieutenant governor. The proposed amendment makes it clear governors have that authority.

“I think it’s important for good government that we have absolute clarity on the line of succession here in Iowa,” Gregg said.  Gregg is Iowa’s 47th lieutenant governor. The state’s lieutenant governors used to be elected independently, but after the passage of a constitutional amendment in 1988, candidates for governor AND lieutenant governor have been running together as a team, just like presidents and vice presidents.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Glenwood Police Department reports two arrests took place Monday (May 6th):

• 35-year-old Amanda Elrod, of Glenwood, was arrested on two Mills County warrants. Her cash-only bond was set at $12,000.
• 32-year-old Matthew Prunty, of Glenwood, was arrested on a Mills County warrant. His bond (Cash/Surety) was set at $2,000, but Prunty was released on his Own Recognizance.

The Guthrie Center School Board today (Tuesday), announced the appointment of Mr. Brian Sauser as the new 9-12 Principal for AC/GC High School. Mr. Sauser currently serves as a Special
Education Teacher and Head Football Coach at Ames High School. He brings with him over 25 years of teaching and leadership experience. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education
from Loras College, and a Master’s degree in Education Administration from Grand Canyon University. Mr. Sauser is excited to use his experiences and background to lead our high
school.

In his personal life, Mr. Sauser is supported by his wonderful family: his wife Mandy, who works as a special education consultant for Heartland AEA, his daughter Emma (24) who is a CPA in Dallas, TX, his son Dodge (21) who attends Kennesaw State in Atlanta, GA on a football scholarship, and his son Dallas (19) who attends Iowa Central and plays football there. They also share their home with two beloved dogs, English Bulldog “Frankie” and French Bulldog “Chico”.

GC CSD new 9-12 Principal Brian Sauser & his family. (Photo supplied)

Mr. Sauser states, “When we’re not traveling the country to see our kids we absolutely love country music and attending concerts when we can! Football has been and continues to be a huge part of our lives, but personally I also really enjoy Powerlifting, officiating high school and college basketball, umpiring high school baseball, and decked out pickup trucks! 🙂 I am incredibly excited to be a part of an amazing, high achieving, very successful school district. The amount of pride the community has for all activities and events at the high school is amazing. It is an honor to be chosen to lead and work to continue to advance ACGC High School to new heights, while being a part of this great community!”

Mr. Sauser replaces current principal, Mr. Ethan Lensch, who recently accepted the principal position at Western Dubuque High School.