(Radio Iowa) – Meat processors and agriculture officials are working to make sure they’re prepared for a highly-contagious swine disease. Tyson Foods, the U-S-D-A, the Iowa Department of Ag and other industry groups took part in a mock exercise last month to work on their response to a simulated African Swine Fever outbreak. Rosemary Sifford, with the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, says the agency is monitoring the spread of the disease around the world. “Dominican Republic and Haiti right now are our biggest concern in terms of proximity of the virus to the United States and the risk level,” Sifford says, “but we do also still recognize the risk level for products and people moving from other countries that have the virus in Asia and Europe.”

Among the things the groups want to work on is encouraging trucks to get washed as soon as they leave a packing plant to avoid contaminating farms. During the exercise, KatieRose McCullough, with the North American Meat Institute, says the industry found some areas it needs to work on, including:  “Identifying maybe those employees that have hogs at home,” McCullough says. “Are they being provided different PPE to be wearing in our facility or alternative clothing?”

There is no vaccine for African Swine Fever. The disease can be deadly to pigs and economies could also take a hit. Some governments ban pork imports from countries where the disease is confirmed.

(by Katie Peikes, Iowa Public Radio)

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports four recent arrests:

• On October 16th, 19-year-old Dominic Anthony Autera, of Council Bluffs, was arrested by the Cass County Sheriff’s Office for driving under suspension, and possession of a controlled substance.  Autera was transported to Cass County Jail, where he later posted bond and was released; 31-year-old Brandon Michael Pahl, of Atlantic, was arrested on a Cass County warrant for possession of a controlled substance.  Pahl was transported to Cass County Jail where he is currently being held on bond; and, 61-year-old Linda Sue Johannes,  of Corning, was arrested Saturday in Cass County, for OWI 1st offense.  Johannes was transported to Cass County Jail and was later released on her own recognizance.
• On October 14th, Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 44-year-old Jennifer Jessie Crom, of Anita, for public intoxication.   Crom was taken to Cass County Jail and where she later pled guilty and was released.

(Creston, Iowa) – Officials with the Creston Police Department report numerous arrests took place over the past week. Sunday night, 44-year-old Deanne Michelle Jackson, of Creston, was arrested at her home, for Domestic Abuse Assault. Jackson was transported to the Adams County Jail, where she was being held without bond, until seen by a Magistrate. Also arrested Sunday night, was 42-year-old Robert Todd Jackson. He too was charged with Domestic Abuse Assault. Robert Jackson was being held without bond in the Union County Jail, until seen by a Magistrate.

Late Sunday morning, 31-year-old Kenny Joe Cunningham, of Creston, was arrested in Creston for Driving While Suspended, and Possession of a Controlled Substance/2nd Offense – Marijuana. He was later released from the Union County Jail on a $2,000 cash or surety bond. Saturday night, 35-year-old Joshua Connely, of Lorimor, was arrested for Theft in the 5th Degree. He was later released on a Promise to Appear in court. Early Saturday morning, 31-year-old Logan John Connelly, of Afton, was arrested for OWI/2nd offense. He was later released on a $2,000 c/s bond.

Friday afternoon, 57-year-old James Chandler Sash, of Creston, was arrested for Theft in the 5th. He was released on a Promise to Appear. Late Thursday night, 19-year-old Khayden Jean Hooks, of Creston, was arrested for Theft in the 5th. He was cited and released from the scene. And, at around the same time and place, 20-year-old Jhon’ta Deshawn Gonnigan, of Minnesota, was arrested by Creston Police for Theft in the 5th. He too was cited and released from the scene.

(Audubon, Iowa) – The School Board in Audubon will meet in a regularly scheduled session tonight at 7, in the High School Boardroom. On their agenda, is the Second Reading of Polices in the 400, 500, 800 & 900 series, along with a Policy Review. The Board will act on approving Mid-Term Graduates (Pending completion of requirements), and on accepting the official canvass of votes from the September Special Election.

They are also expected to approve a letter of engagement with Ahlers-Cooney, with regard to the SAVE Bond Counsel and Disclosure Counsel, along with any new hires, resignations and/or letters of assignment.

Superintendent Eric Trager will provide the Audubon School Board with an update on the Building Project, Certified Enrollment numbers, and discuss school board elections, among other matters.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic City Council is expected to act Wednesday, on passing a Resolution “Approving [the] Schedule of Adoption Fees for the Atlantic Animal Shelter. The State of Iowa is currently requiring animal shelters to not only vaccinate all animals in their care, but also to spay or neuter them. That means an increase in costs to the Atlantic Shelter, which are being passed on to prospective pet owners. Currently, the cat adoption fee is $10, with an additional $55-$130 for veterinary fees. For dogs, the current adoption fee is $25, with an additional $60-$265 for veterinary fees. Under the Resolution, the fees move to a flat rate of $100 for cats and $200 for dogs.

City Administrator John Lund says the City’s fees will still be low compared to other animal adoption agencies in the region, which typically range from $60-250 for cats, and $100-500 for dogs. Lund says a secondary component of the fee schedule, is that Animal Shelter will allowed discretion on the reduction of prices on a needs-based sale of pets, that may otherwise be euthanized. Euthanization costs the City money, Lund says, and negatively impacts the Animal Shelter during a review by State officials. “High euthanizing rates are frowned upon by the state,” he says. This discretion he adds, “Will allow us to save an animal, lower costs, keep the state happy and allow those with limited means to own a pet.” The City’s Personnel & Finance Committee reviewed the matter during their meeting last week, and have unanimously endorsed the proposals.

In other business, the Atlantic City Council, Wednesday, will act on passing a Resolution approving the job description, FY 2022 compensation, and authorizing the posting for, the Assistant Parks and Recreation Director Position. Upon review, the Personnel & Finance Committee proposes compensation for the position be a salary of $41,600; 2,080 per year; $20/hour equivalent. The Council will receive an annual presentation by Library Director Michelle Andersen, and, act on approving the second reading of an Ordinance pertaining to volunteer firefighter appointments. A section of code requires the City to approve such appointments, but it has never actually been done. The Council passed the first reading of the amended Ordinance during their previous meeting, which strikes the section requiring City oversight, and leaves such matters to the Fire Chief, instead.

The Council is also expected to act on an Order re-appointing Keith Harlan to the Airport Commission. Their meeting begins 5:30-p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 20th, in the City Council Chambers at City Hall.