The Adair County Board of Supervisors are not happy with the new elevator that was installed in the courthouse, in Greenfield. The original elevator was installed in the 1980’s but received an addition/upgrade that was opened in late September, 2019, to make it more handicapped accessible. Board Chair Steve Shelley brought up the issue of the elevator during Wednesday morning’s meeting of the Board. He asked Auditor Mandy Berg what she knew about the problem with the elevator. Berg said there’s something wrong with the door, and it’s the latest in a string of problems they’ve had since it was installed.

Supervisor John Twombly asked if there was a maintenance contract. Berg responded “yes we do.”

Schindler Elevators and Escalators, with a location in West Des Moines, is responsible for repairs and maintenance.

The head of Maintenance at the Adair County Courthouse, Rich Wallace, told KJAN News the elevator was inspected by the State in March, and passed, but he was twice stuck in the lift. The problem, he says, appears to be with a motor on the door. The second time the lift was stuck with him inside. When he managed to get the doors open, the lift was six-inches below ground level. Schindler has a motor on order, but like with most things these days, the machine is made in China, and it’s unclear when the part will arrive. Wallace said one of the magistrate judges was frustrated he’s had to take the stairs most times court is scheduled. The elevator being out of service means it’s no longer handicapped accessible.

Board Chair Steve Shelley suggested the County Attorney should examine the contract with Schindler and make a determination on what their liability is, and express the County’s frustration with the apparent lack of attention to resolving the matter. In other business, the Adair County Board of Supervisors approved the reappointment of Lee Ashmore to the Veterans Affairs Commission. The Board approved a Child Abuse Prevention Grant Draw Down amounting to $2,018, and a budgeted increase in salary for Treasurer Clerk Cindy Lundy from 65% to 67% of Treasurer Brenda Wallace’ salary, upon recommendation by Wallace.

(Update) Police in Council Bluffs confirm one of their detectives was arrested by a separate agency while on duty, Tuesday. According to Capt. Todd Weddum, Detective Craig Schuetze, was arrested, on July 6th, 2021, by the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office related to an assault allegation. Schuetze has been placed on Administrative Leave pending the outcome of the criminal case. Capt. Weddum said also, “As this is a personnel matter, no further information will be released by CBPD.”

Detective Craig Schuetze (Photo courtesy Pott. Co. S/O)

Pott. County Chief Deputy Jeffrey Thuelen said Wednesday, “On Tuesday July 6th, 2021, the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office was asked to assist the Council Bluffs Police with a domestic assault investigation in the City of Council Bluffs. The accused in the assault is a City of Council Bluffs Police employee. Upon the Sheriff’s Office Investigation, and in consultation with the Pottawattamie County Attorney, Craig Schuetze, was arrested for domestic abuse assault and strangulation with bodily injury. Schuetze was booked for the charges in the Pottawattamie County jail. He was later released by the Court.

Information as to the charges and prosecution of this case will be provided by the Pottawattamie County Attorney. As the investigation is continuing no additional information will be released by the Sheriff’s Office.”

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown is still battling COVID-19 and staffing shortages.  The state’s largest long-term health facility is one of two facilities in the state listed on the outbreak list per the state’s COVID-19 website. Acting Commandant Penny Cutler-Bermudez, responding to a report in the Iowa-based Bleeding Heartland blog, says that while two residents who recently died while in the IVH COVID unit, their deaths were related to other significant health concerns and were not COVID-related. Cutler-Bermudez says the facility has had seven residents with the virus during the outbreak, but five of the seven have returned to their home unit.

Cutler-Bermudez, who is also IVH’s Licensed Nursing Home Administrator, says while staffing is a challenge, the facility continues to be rated five stars. The other long-term care facility listed classified as being in an outbreak as of Wednesday morning is Marian Home in Webster County.