Montgomery County Auditor Stephanie Burke reports Absentee voting will begin on Monday, November 30, 2020 for the December 15, 2020 Special Election to elect a Board of Supervisor in District One to fill a vacancy. The Auditor’s office hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. for in-person voting. The last day to request and vote an absentee ballot in-person at the Auditor’s office is Monday, December 14, 2020. You must provide proof of identification before voting.

Eligible Electors must live in District One. District #1 map can be viewed at www.montgomerycountyia.gov or at the Auditor’s office. Only those voters living in District One can cast a vote in this election.

Absentee Request Forms are available on the County Website at montgomerycountyia.gov or at the Auditor’s office. Request forms will have to be completed prior to receiving an absentee ballot. Return your request form as soon as possible.

Request forms and ballots can be mailed, dropped off at the county Auditor’s office or in the official county drop box located at the courthouse. The Montgomery County Auditor’s Office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 A.M. until 4:30 P.M. If anyone has questions about voter registration, absentee ballots, or voting, call the Auditor’s office (712)-623-5127.

Three suspects were taken into custody Wednesday morning, in Council Bluffs, in connection with an investigation into a stolen vehicle. Council Bluffs Police report two of the suspects have multiple felony warrants. Items in possession of the suspects, at the time of arrest, were four loaded handguns (one was reported stolen Wednnesday morning) and two trucks that were stolen within the past 24 hours (one was taken this [Wed.]morning). The suspects were identified as 25-year-old Joshua Holmes, of Council Bluffs, along with 29-year-old Dalton Holland and 22-year-old Javon Smith, both of whom are from Omaha.

Javon Smith

Joshua Holmes (Top photo) & Dalton Holland.

Authorities say at around 8:30-a.m., Wednesday, Officers received information about a stolen vehicle in the 1800 block of Avenue C. Officers coordinated an approach while three subjects were outside the suspected stolen truck. Upon arrival, suspect Joshua Holmes entered the driver’s seat of a 2005 Chevy Silverado, and attempted to flee. The Chevy was blocked-in by Police vehicles and could not leave. Suspect Dalton Holland jumped from the bed of the truck and ran on foot. The third suspect, Javon Smith, ran from the passenger side of the Silverado. He was located about two blocks away and apprehended. Authorities say Holmes had two loaded handguns on him, and was wearing a ballistic vest. Two more handguns were found in the Silverado. A second truck, a 2018 Dodge RAM 1500, was on location and confirmed stolen.

Holmes was charged with: Theft in the 1st Degree; Possession of a controlled substance/meth; Felon in possession of a firearm; fugitive from justice; interference with official acts, and Possession of paraphernalia

Holland was charged with: Theft in the 2nd Degree; Felon in possession of a firearm; eluding a police officer, and interference with official acts.

Smith faces charges that include: Felon in possession of a firearm; eluding a police officer, and interference with official acts.

Atlantic, IA —Cass County Health System (CCHS) officials have announced increased visitor limitations for patients will begin on Monday, November 30. CCHS Chief Nursing Officer Amanda Bireline says “We truly believe that visitors are good medicine. While we know that many hospitals and clinics are not allowing any visitors, we continue to make it a priority to put ourselves in the shoes of our patients and their loved ones. We will keep allowing visitors as long as it is reasonable and feasible to do so. With increased COVID-positive patients, allowing visitors around the clock becomes a challenge.”

Bireline added “These patients need a higher level of care, which can strain staff who are juggling more than ever these days. Because of the increased spread in our community, and the increased hospitalizations, we felt it was the time to dial up our visitor limitations.”

Beginning on the 30th, the visitor policy is as follows:

• All visitors must be 18 years of age or older and in good health.
• All visitors must always wear a mask over their nose and mouth; additional PPE may be required dependent upon the patient’s diagnosis.
• Outpatients may have one visitor with them during their appointment.
• Inpatients may have one designated visitor.
• Daily visiting hours will be between 3 and 6 pm only.
• Emergency Department patients may have one designated visitor with them; visitors may be asked to leave at any time if staff deems it necessary for the health and safety of either the patient or visitor.
• Obstetrics patients will have two designated visitors/support persons who are 18 years of age or older and in good health.
• Special exceptions may be made in all departments on a case-by-case basis for pediatric patients, end-of-life patients, or other unique situations.

All visitors will be screened at the entrance before being allowed to proceed. CCHS encourages friends and family to use technology to keep in contact with their loved ones.

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a theft that occurred in Exira. Authorities said Wednesday (today) the theft occurred between November 14th and 19th. The suspect(s) took several Dewalt brand tools and Dewalt accessories (20V, 40V, and 60V; no 18V).

Dewalt stolen items include: a chain saw, 40V battery chargers, 40V batteries, 60V Flex 2.5gal portable air compressor, 60V grinder, fast charger, 20V batteries, 20V to 18V converter, 20V impacts, circular saw, 20V compact blower, 20V grease gun and battery in a case, 20V drills, 16-piece drill bit set, 20V MAX LED flashlight, and a hand held buffer.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The historically close race for Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District seat could be approaching a tie. Democrat Rita Hart has cut Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks’ lead to 35 votes out of more than 394,400 cast, with all but three of the district’s 24 counties reporting the results of their recounts. The race is the closest in the nation, and both sides expect it to tighten further as Scott, Jasper and Clinton counties finish their recounts in the coming days.

A single-digit victory for either candidate is a possibility, as is a tie, which would result in a winner’s name being drawn from a receptacle such as a hat or bowl.