Montgomery County Deputy of Elections Josh Nelson reports the next scheduled elections for which candidates can file are the June 2, 2020 Primary for congressional, state legislative, and county offices, and the November 3, 2020 General Election. Due to changes in state law, all candidates (except Presidential candidates and candidates for the agricultural extension board) file during the same filing window in February and March. Democratic and Republican candidates must run in the June 2 Primary, with the winners moving on to the General Election ballot. Third party and independent candidates are placed directly on the General Election ballot.

Filing periods:

• State and Federal Offices: February 24 – March 13, 2020 (5:00 p.m.) File with Iowa Secretary of State.
• County Offices: Primary – March 2 – March 25, 2020 (5:00 p.m.) General – March 2 – March 20, 2020 (5:00 p.m.) File with Auditor’s Office.
• President/Vice President: July 27 – August 14, 2020 (5:00 p.m.) File with Iowa Secretary of State.
• Ag Extension Board: No first date (may file at any time). Deadline August 26, 2020 (5:00 p.m.) File with Auditor’s Office.

Information for candidates is available at the Iowa Secretary of State’s website: https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/candidates/index.html

The Cass County Board of Supervisors today (Tuesday) approved the assignment of a Tax Sale Certificate to Donna M. Hansen, of Massena. The Certificate applies to Lot 1 – Block 7, & Lot 6 – Block 6, in Massena’s First Addition, and a vacated street between the two lots. In other business, the Board heard from County Conservation Director Micah Lee. He started his report with an update on Cold Springs State Park. He said after the campground closed for the season, they had a leaky Iowa Hydrant [a hand-pump water source] galvanized line which was dug-up and replaced with a plastic line. The campground, including the shelter house, was winterized.

As far as the T-Bone Trail is concerned. Lee said since there hasn’t been much snow, they’ve been working on brush removal along the trail and some bridge decking repairs. There are still a few days of brush removal left to complete the work needed. At West Nodaway, he says they laid down a couple of more food plots and cleared about 15 acres of Cedar trees off of the property, burn the area and seed it with native grass/plants later this Fall. In the Nodaway Recreation Area, an apparent Muskrat den caused the road to sink over a foot, creating a big pothole. The area was dug out and repaired with large gravel. Lee says they hope to accomplish renovation work out there this Summer.

At the Pellett Memorial Woods north of KJAN, a split-rain fence was starting to rot out. Repairs are underway, and new, Interpretive signs and posts are being ordered for installation later on. Work continues as well at the Hitchcock House property, including the Grainery restroom, and at the Outdoor Classroom. Micah says the Conservation Department received a grant from the Schildberg Foundation for multi-media equipment in the Outdoor Classroom’s enclosed shelter. A large screen TV and Blu-Ray DVD player were purchased to replace an old tv and VCR. Users will be able to hookup a laptop computer to the device and run programs on the screen rather than by a projector.

The Outdoor Classroom is used for conservation department presentations, social events and outdoor groups. There is currently no fee charged for use of the shelter, but Lee says he agrees with the Supervisors that there should be a fee, especially in light of the electric connections, a new kitchenette, heat and water. The decision will be up to the Conservation Board. Micah said also, Cass County Naturalist Lora Kanning presented over 120 programs and saw about 2,300 people.

The Supervisors went into a closed session to interview a candidate for the County Engineer’s position, but no action was taken on hiring the individual following the session.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office issued a report today (Tuesday), on arrests and incidents dating back to January 1st. Yesterday (Monday), deputies arrested 35-year old Allen Michael Shampang, of Atlantic, on a charge of Domestic Abuse Assault. Shampang was taken to the Cass County Jail and released later that day on $1,000 bond. Last Thursday, 41-year old Travis Lee Demey, of Carroll, was arrested on two District Court warrants for Probation Violation. Demey was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held on $20,000 bond.

On Jan. 8th, an investigation into a single-vehicle accident on Highway 6 at the AT&T curve, resulted in the arrest of 67-year old Joseph Francis Emert, from Atlantic. Emert was arrested on a charge of OWI 1st Offense. He was taken to the Cass County Jail and released the following day on his own recognizance. On January 7th, Cass County deputies arrested 19-year old Devin Joel Hilliard, of Council Bluffs, on two Sheriff’s Office warrants, one for four counts of Unauthorized Use of Credit Card, and one for Theft 5th Degree. Hilliard was taken to the Cass County Jail and released later that day on his own recognizance. On Jan. 6th, 51-year old Lenny Lee Biggs, of Atlantic, was arrested on a Des Moines PD warrant. Biggs was taken to the Cass County Jail and later released to Des Moines authorities.

On Jan. 2nd, 22-year old Jessica James Harrison, of Dallas Center, was arrested in Cass County on charges of Possession of Marijuana/1st Offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. James was taken to the Cass County Jail and released later on $1,000 bond. On New Year’s Day, 58-year old Myron Lee Flathers, of Anita, was arrested on a charges of Possession of Marijuana 3rd/Subsequent (a Class-D Felony) and OWI 1st Offense. Flathers was taken to the Cass County Jail and released the following day on his own recognizance.

There were also four accidents over the past couple of weeks. Three of the incidents were weather-related, and took place on January 3rd. Authorities say at about 8:25 p.m. the Cass County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a one-vehicle weather-related accident on I-80 eastbound. A 2004 Toyota Tundra driven by 22-year old Ryker Lee Stabenow, of Marion, IA, exited the roadway and flipped into the south ditch. No injuries were reported. Damage to the vehicle was estimated at $4,000. On Jan. 3rd at around 8:53 p.m., the Cass County Sheriff’s Office responded to a one-vehicle weather-related accident on I-80 eastbound. A 2004 Chevy Impala driven by 63-year old Vicki Jo Nelson-Forbes, of Woodland Park, CO, lost control on the snow-covered road, striking the cable barrier and coming to rest on the south side of the road. No injuries were reported. Damage to the vehicle was estimated at $2,000.

And, at around 9:46 p.m., Jan. 3rd,  deputies responded to a report of a single-vehicle accident on I-80 eastbound. A 2012 Chevy Cruze driven by 33-year old Charles Lawrence Elmore, of Bellevue, NE, slid into the south ditch and struck a pole. Damage to the vehicle was estimated at $4,000. Minor injuries were reported. Upon investigation of the accident, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested Elmore on a US Marshals warrant. Elmore was held at the Cass County Jail and later released to the US Marshals Service.

On January 8th at around 10:12-a.m., the Cass County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of an accident at Richland Road and 750th Street. Officials say a 2007 Kenworth tractor-trailer driven by 58-year old Bobby Ray Jeanes, of Fontanelle, was turning southward onto 750th Street from Richland Road when the trailer began to roll, causing both the trailer and power unit to roll on its side on the west shoulder of 750th Street. No injuries were reported. Damage is estimated at $35,000. And, last Sunday at around 5:41-p.m. a single-vehicle, weather related accident happened on I-80 westbound at the 63 mile marker. A 2005 Ford Taurus driven by 19-year old Ethan J. Cherry, of Chicago, struck a guardrail and entered the north ditch. No injuries were reported. Damage to the vehicle was estimated at $3,500.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – A Feb. 18 trial start has been scheduled for a woman charged with the shooting deaths of two men and the attempted murders of two law officers in western Iowa. Pottawattamie County court records say April Montello-Roberts, of Shenandoah, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, attempted murder of an officer, burglary and robbery.

Prosecutors say Montello-Roberts helped her boyfriend, Troy Petersen in the Aug. 4 killing of Jerrot Clark and the Aug. 7 slaying of Steven Carlson. An officer fatally shot Petersen after the pair’s pickup crashed during a chase.

More State and area news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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The City of Atlantic’s Board of Adjustment, Monday morning, unanimously approved a conditional use permit application submitted by Schildberg Construction. The permit allows surface mining on the Tieg Family property at 2301 SW 7th Street just north of Schildberg’s current underground operation.

Mark Schildberg has said the changes will be minimal and gradual over the next 20-25 years. During that time span, the open pit will be moving west towards Highway 6 and then north parallel with the highway. As it becomes depleted, it will be filled in and another pit will be mined.

Gravel truck activity is expected to remain consistent with current levels. Officials say stockpiles and processing will remain in place and not change. As previously mentioned, Schildberg Construction has been working with Snyder and Associates on concept plans for a visual buffer of the area similar to what was seen in the 2003 conditional use permit.

Mark Schildberg has also stated his company is open to allowing the future, depleted site, to be transformed into another multi-use area that would service both private commercial businesses along the highway, in addition to the public recreation space to the west.

The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:06-a.m. From KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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The Cass County Democratic Party is preparing for the 2020 Caucus, which will be held on February 3rd. Party Chair Sherry Toelle says “Caucuses are gatherings of neighbors where Democrats meet to organize their precinct for the upcoming election, discuss important issues; and declare their Presidential preference. In addition to electing delegates to the county convention, caucus goers address key issues that are important to their communities, and elect local party leadership.” Cass County’s Caucus will be held on Monday, February 3, 2020. Doors will open at 6 PM and you must be registered or in line by 7 PM in order to participate in the caucus.

In Cass County, you must attend the caucus at the caucus site for your precinct. Caucus sites are: Anita, Grant & Lincoln Townships—Anita High School; all Atlantic wards—Atlantic High School; Benton & Franklin Townships—Wiota Community Building; Griswold, Pleasant & Noble Townships—Griswold High School; Lewis, Cass & Bear Grove Townships—Lewis Community Building; Marne, Brighton, Pymosa, Washington, & Grove Townships—Atlantic High School; Cumberland & Union Townships, Edna & Victoria Townships, Massena & Massena Township—CAM Middle School.

There are five main goals for the caucus: conduct party business, determine Presidential preferences, elect delegates to the county convention and committees, elect representatives to the Cass County Democratic Central Committee, and discuss resolutions to the Party platform. Toelle notes that there are two important changes to the caucus this year: Voters can sign in early on-line, avoiding lines at the caucus site; And, in the way Presidential choices are determined. To sign in early, voters MUST sign in by January 17th, at https://idp-2020-prereg.firebaseapp.com/ and then present your registration card at the caucus.

Anyone who is eligible to vote in Iowa can caucus but voters must be registered Democrats to participate in the Democratic caucus. Voters must be 18 years old by November 3, 2020 and youth who have registered to vote at age 17 can participate in the caucus. Voters can register to vote, change their address, or change party affiliation at the Caucus.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – Nurses have authorized their union leaders to call a strike at MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center in Sioux City. The union must give the hospital at least 10 days’ notice before picketing could start. The nurses also rejected MercyOne’s most recent contract offer. The two sides have been negotiating since at least June. The local’s current contract expired Sept. 1. The nurses union last authorized a strike in June 2010 but settled with the hospital before a walkout began.

(Radio Iowa) — Governor Kim Reynolds will deliver the annual “Condition of the State” message to the Iowa General Assembly later this (Tuesday) morning (at 10-a.m.) — the third year she’s done so. Reynolds offered a bit of a preview a week ago at a statehouse forum organized by The Associated Press. “We have a diverse and growing economy, even with some significant challenges, but I’m proud to say that Iowa is in growth mode,” Reynolds said. “We have one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country, more Iowans working today than at any time in our state history.”

This past summer, Reynolds indicated finding new ways to improve access to quality child care, particularly in rural Iowa, would be a priority issue for the 2020 legislative session. She’s been non-committal about what plans she may have when it comes to tax policy. “Stay tuned,” Reynolds said last week, laughing. “…We’re looking at all of it.” Reynolds has met privately with groups to discuss revamping the way the state might allocate new revenue if the state sales tax was raised — and a constitutional amendment requires a portion of that money be spent on water quality and outdoor recreation projects. “We’ve worked very hard to incorporate or hear from anybody who has ideas or interest in addressing that,” Reynolds told reporters last week.

Reynolds and Republican leaders in the legislature have repeatedly said if the sales tax goes up, it must be part of a package that winds up lowering the total amount of taxes the state collects.