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Cass County Supervisors have a busy agenda for Tuesday (4/16)

News

April 15th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors will hold a regularly scheduled meeting beginning at 9-a.m. Tuesday, April 15th, at the Cass County Courthouse. Their agenda is posted below:

1. Call to order
2. Approve Agenda
3. Approve minutes from the March 26, 2024 Public Hearing on Proposed Property Taxes for Fiscal Year 2025
4. Approve minutes from the April 2, 2024 regular board meeting
5. Public Comments
6. Quarterly report by Micah Lee, Cass County Conservation Executive Director
7. Monthly report by Jotham Arber, Executive Director of Cass/Guthrie County Environmental Health
8. Discussion/action on Cass County Condemnation in Eminent Domain Proceedings being referred to as Cass County Eminent Domain Compensation Commission to clarify the purpose of the commission as outlined in Iowa Code 6B.4
9. Approve Resolution 2024-10, Allocating ARPA Funds to Replace a Drone for the Sheriff’s Department in an amount not to exceed $14,000
10. Approve Resolution 2024-11, Allocating ARPA Funds to Purchase a Radio System for Secondary Roads in an amount not to exceed $100,000
11. Report by County Engineer Trent Wolken
12. Set the Date of Public Hearing to Vacate Chicago Road west of 770th Street for April 23, 2024 at 9:15 AM
13. Approve Resolution 2024-12 Vacating a Non-Traveled Portion of Lyman Street
14. Discussion/action on using Local Option Sales Tax (betterment) to fund the Anita Food Pantry Parking Lot’s concrete in an amount not to exceed $25,000
15. Monthly report by Debbie Schuler on General Assistance and Mental Health for the month of March
16. Accept resignation of Tonia Larsen as Brighton Township Clerk, and appoint her as Brighton Township Trustee effective April 16, 2024
17. Appoint Kathleen Pace as Brighton Township Clerk effective April 17, 2024
18. Accept resignation of Duane Ortgies as Victoria Township Trustee effective April 16, 2024
19. Appoint Alice Williams as Victoria Township Trustee effective April 17, 2024
20. Appoint David Williamson to the Cass County Eminent Domain Compensation Commission effective April 16, 2024
21. Supervisor Committee Reports
22. Filed Reports: Clerk of Court, Treasurer’s Quarterly Report
23. Approve claims
24. Adjournment
25. Next Meeting: A public hearing and special meeting Tuesday, April 23, 2024

Join Electronically
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2899195216?pwd=R0hSa2FOOTh0NUdra1ZSdVhVWHpMUT09
Meeting ID: 289 919 5216
Passcode: 012064
Call In: 312-626-6799, press *9 to indicate

Public Hearing in Atlantic, Wednesday, on FY 25 City of Atlantic Budget

News

April 15th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – A public hearing on the adoption of the FINAL Fiscal Year 2025 City of Atlantic Budget will be held Wednesday evening. The hearing takes place as part of a regularly scheduled meeting of the Atlantic City Council.During their session, Mayor Grace Garrett will administer the Oath of Office to Atlantic Police Officer Kelby Smith. Afterward, the Council will hear a presentation from local Trees Forever representative Dolly Bergman, with regard to a recent award. The Mayor is then expected to sign an Arbor Day Proclamation.

In other business, the Council will act on:

  • A resolution “fixing the date of meeting for a public hearing on the receipt and approval of proposals for the disposal and development of certain City-owned Real Property in the Southeast Urban Renewal District.”
  • The first reading of an Ordinance pertaining to RAGBRAI commercial and non-profit vendor booth permits, clean-up deposits, electrical service and the use of motorized vehicles in event venue areas. The Ordinance, when passed, would be in effect until 5-p.m. July 23rd, 2024. The event will take place in Atlantic July 22nd and 23rd.
  • A Resolution “Setting the date for a public hearing on a proposed Ordinance, vacating the street located between 3009 Palm Street and 3101 Palm Street.
  • A Resolution “Adopting the wages for Seasonal/Part-Time Parks & Recreation and Airport Employees”
  • and a Resolution “Setting Salaries for Appointed Officers and Employees of the City of Atlantic,” for the Fiscal Year that runs from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025.

The Council is also expected to act on approving Orders pertaining to a Grant Management Services Agreements and a Development Agreement – with SWIPCO – for an Upper Story Rehab Grant for 300 Chestnut Street, and a Community Catalyst Grant for 207 Chestnut Street. They are also expected to hold the first reading of an Ordinance Amending the City’s Ordinances, with regard to the “Abatement of Nuisance[s] by Written Notice of Collection Costs,” followed by a waiving of the second reading, and a holding of the third and final reading.

They will also review, and then likely act on approving, the contract and bonds for the Sunnyside Park Splash Pad Project.

A PDF of the Council’s meeting packet is available here: City Council Agenda Packet Attachments 04-17-2024-min

2 from Nebraska arrested in Mills County

News

April 15th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports two men from Nebraska were arrested on separate charges over the past few days. On Sunday (April 14), 29-year-old Mauricio Davila, of Bellevue, NE, was arrested in Mills County for Public Intoxication. Davila was arrested at around 7:08-a.m. in the area of 221st St. and Barrus Road. His bond was set at $300.

And, at around 11:25-p.m. Friday, Mills County Deputies arrested 58-year-old Jerry Lee Combs, Sr., of Omaha, NE, following a traffic stop on 180th Street. Combs was taken into custody for OWI/1st offense, and Reckless Driving. His bond was set at $1,300.

DCI investigates death of Eldora, Iowa juvenile

News

April 15th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

ELDORA, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation (DCI) reports that at around 5:27-p.m., Sunday, Police in Eldora and Hardin County Sheriff’s Deputies, responded to a 911 call from the 800 block 12th Street in Eldora. The caller reported someone had been shot. Upon arrival, officers placed a 12-year-old male into custody. A 13-year-old female was found deceased at the residence.

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation was called to assist and the investigation remains ongoing. Upon completion of the investigation, all information will be forwarded to the Hardin County Attorney’s Office for review.

Heartbeat Today 4-15-2024

Heartbeat Today, Podcasts

April 15th, 2024 by Jim Field

Jim Field visits with Cass County Extension Director Kate Olson about “Extension Week.”

Play

2 arrested in Creston over the weekend; 1 theft reported

News

April 15th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department says there were two arrests over the weekend, and one reported theft. Saturday evening, 30-year-old James Dean Michelson, of Woden, Iowa, was arrested at Creston Union County LEC. Michelson was charged on a Polk County Warrant with Escape from Fort Des Moines, a Department of Corrections Warrant for Escape Fort Des Moines, and two counts Possession of Controlled Substance-Methamphetamine 3rd Offense. He was being held in the Union County Jail, awaiting extradition to Polk County.

A little after 2-a.m., Sunday, 25-year-old Emanuel Artistides Cisneros, of Texas, was arrested at 303 W. Adams, in Creston. Cisneros was charged with OWI 1st Offense. He was later released on a $1,000 cash or surety bond.

Sunday, night, a woman from Creston reported to police that someone entered her unlocked vehicle while parked behind her residence in the 800 block of W. Mills Street. Her purse, with $100 cash was stolen, as well as two debit cards, her car keys, and a cellular device. The loss was estimated at $300.

Iowa DOC reports Work Release Escape in Waterloo

News

April 15th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Waterloo, Iowa) – Officials with the Iowa Department of Corrections, Sunday, said 20-year-old Daeonnis Gates, who was convicted of Intimidation with a Dangerous Weapon and Willful Injury in Black Hawk County, failed to report back to the Waterloo Residential Correctional Facility as required, Saturday. Gates stands six-feet tall and weighs 188-pounds. He was admitted to the work release facility on March 12th, 2024.

Persons with information on Gates’s whereabouts should contact local police.

Daeonnis Javir Gates (I-DOC photo)

For more information on the state’s work release program, please see Iowa Code 904.901-904.910

It Takes a Village Fundraiser continues in Elk Horn (IA)

News

April 15th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Elk Horn, Iowa) – The Danish Windmill is continuing its It Takes A Village fundraiser. All tour admissions generated on Sundays in April will be donated to local daycare facility, Kids in the Village. General admission is $5.00 per person for those ages 13 and up, and free for kids age 12 and under. Tour the windmill for a good cause. View ther new exhibits and see the windmill in action. If there is enough wind, we will even be grinding.

The Windmill has partnered with local businesses to ensure food options for each Sunday. On April 21, Master Griller’s food truck will be down at the windmill from 11 – 2 selling brisket and pulled pork sandwiches with cheesy potatoes and baked beans. On April 28, Spartan Pizza’s food truck will be at the windmill from 11 – 5 serving their signature wood-fire pizzas and their limited special, the Viking! Enjoy a great meal outside with the windmill turning in the breeze.

In addition to tours of the windmill, there will also be some Vikings giving tours and demonstrations in the Vikinghjem. Axe throwing kits will be out there, too. All that and more, on Sunday April 21 and April 28. Come tour the windmill and help raise funds for “Kids in the Village,” a vital organization in the Danish Villages.

Clark Expected To Be Taken In WNBA Draft Tonight

News, Sports

April 15th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The W-N-B-A Draft is tonight (Monday) at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York City. There has been much speculation that Iowa’s Caitlin Clark is expected to be the first selection of the draft by the Indiana Fever. Clark became the all-time leading scorer, man or woman, in college basketball this season and set several more records. The draft begins at 6:30 p-m Central time and will air on E-S-P-N.

Clark made an appearance this weekend on Saturday Night Live on N-B-C. She sat at the show’s “Weekend Update” desk and lampooned a cast member who’s told several jokes about the W-N-B-A — and this year’s N-C-Double-A women’s basketball tournament.

Ripple effects in Iowa from collapse of Key bridge likely to be minimal

News

April 15th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Supply chain experts say the bridge collapse that closed the Port of Baltimore last month likely will -not- have a major impact on Midwestern manufacturers, even though it could be the end of May before the port reopens. Frank Montabon, a professor of supply chain management at Iowa State University, says farmers buying equipment could see cost increases related to the collapse, but the average consumer likely won’t, as firms adjust their supply chains. “That gets to the idea of resiliency. Can you deal with some sort of shock?” Montabon says. “Some companies are great at it and have figured that out very well. Some companies, for whatever reasons, they don’t want to take the time and energy to be ready for that.”

Henrik Sternberg, also an I-S-U professor of supply chain management, says domestic impact from the collapse will be small, but overseas may be a different story.  “What this means is that the lead time to the overseas customers will get roughly three times longer,” Sternberg says, “and with a longer lead time, then for some time, the products will be less competitive.”

The Maryland port moved nearly 81-billion-dollars in foreign-bound cargo last year, part of which came from major ag equipment manufacturers like C-N-H Industrial and John Deere. Replacing the bridge may cost 400-million dollars and take several years.