(Shelby County, Iowa) – Several area fire departments responded to a house fire mid-day Friday (today), at 1622 Peach Road, near Kirkman. Crews from Kirkman, Irwin, Harlan, Defiance, Westphalia and Earling. According to Fire Chief Roger Bissen, it’s believed the fire was electrical in nature, but they will investigate further, on Monday. No one was home when the blaze broke out, and no injuries were reported.

Photos via the Shelby County Emergency Services Association FB page

(Atlantic, Iowa) – For the second year in a row, Cass Health, in Atlantic, is one of the nation’s overall top 20 critical access hospitals as determined by the Chartis Center for Rural Health. Cass Health CEO Brett Altman said “Though the award is called ‘Top 20,’ we understand that for each of the past two years we have actually been in the Top 10 on that list of hospitals. This puts Cass Health in the top 1% of 1,353 critical access hospitals in the country, which is a remarkable accomplishment. What really amazes me is that our team has achieved this status for two years in a row, during an incredibly challenging time for healthcare organizations.”

This esteemed group of hospitals was selected from the Chartis Center for Rural Health’s 2022 Top 100 Critical Access Hospital list, which was released earlier this year. The determining factors for the top hospitals are based on the results of the Hospital Strength Index and its eight performance measures, based solely on data for: inpatient market share, outpatient market share, quality, outcomes, patient survey results, cost, charge, and financial efficiency.

Altman says “Our vision is to be the best rural hospital in the country, and each year we are growing closer to that goal. By staying committed to delivering a superior experience to every patient and family, we hope to continue this trend. Not only are we grateful for our incredible staff, but also, we are thankful for our patients. Every time our patients give us top scores on patient surveys it helps us attain recognition such as this.”

The rankings were recently announced by the National Rural Health Association (NRHA), and an awards ceremony will be held during NRHA’s Critical Access Hospital Conference in September in Kansas City, Missouri.

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – A man from Omaha being held in the Lancaster County, NE. Jail, was transported to Iowa, Thursday. The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports 31-year-old Billy Ray Morgan, Jr., was being held in the Pott. County Jail on Iowa Felony warrants charging him with Theft in the 2nd Degree, and Burglary in the 3rd Degree (Vehicle-related). His bond was set at $7,000.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – After a more than two-hour meeting during which tempers flared at times, the Cass County Board of Supervisor’s, Friday, approved the hiring of Stacey Mueller as new Driver’s License Examiner employee for the Cass County Treasurer’s Office. Mueller has extensive experience in dispatching, both for the Iowa State Patrol and Cass County Sheriff’s Office/Atlantic P-D.

The Supervisors and Treasurer Tracey Marshall butted heads over Marshall having hired an employee (prior to Mueller), allegedly without having the position approved by the Supervisors before the employee was hired. Last week, the Board did approve the hiring of that employee as a Driver’s License Examiner at $18 per hour with full benefits, which is still a lower rate than what was requested by Treasurer Tracey Marshall. Marshall was not happy with how that employee was treated by the Board.

Supervisor Mark O’Brien said any perception of a “toxic environment”the employee referenced, was the Treasurer’s Office itself, as evidenced by Marshal’s alleged attitude toward the Board.

O’Brien said the Board doesn’t try to control what goes on in Marshal’s office. They are trying to get her to comply with what the County’s H-R Attorney says the County needs to do, which is what he said, she hasn’t. Supervisor Steve Green said he believes all the County employees are Probably worth more than we can pay them,” however…

Green and Marshall disagreed over how the position was advertised after the Driver’s License Examiner left, and how quickly the position was filled. In the end, though, the Board agreed to approve the hiring of Stacey Mueller at a rate of $19.00 per hour effective May 6^th, with an increase to $20/hour on June 6^th, and upon full certification as a driver’s license examiner, a wage of $22.25 (her current wage as a dispatcher). Her County benefits will carry over into her new position.

The Board also approved a Proclamation declaring May as Mental Health Month. And, while not on the agenda, the Board held public discussion over the matter of Cass County becoming a Second Amendment Sanctuary. Cary Short, who is opposed to the Sanctuary position, spoke with the Board about the matter during their meeting April 19^th, handed out information with to open and concealed carry laws. He asked if the Board and Sheriff had requested and received a variance stating the courthouse is an open carry site except for the second floor, where the courtroom is located.

Supervisor John Hartkopf asked if Short was aware that an amendment that has passed two general assemblies, will be on the ballot. He said the amendment is “Stricter than the U-S Constitution.” That touched-off verbal sparing between the men.

No other persons offered to speak on the topic, which is expected to come up for discussion again at a later date.