A Creston man suffered fatal injuries following a head-on crash near Creston on Wednesday night.

The Iowa State Patrol reports the accident occurred at 11:52 p.m. on Highway 34, 1 mile west of Creston. Troopers determined that a 2006 Chevy Impala driven by 25-year-old Todd M Murray of Creston was eastbound on Highway 34 and for reasons unknown crossed the centerline of the roadway and collided head on with a 2021 Kenworth Semi driven by 42-year-old William J Caraway of Bondurant. Both vehicles left the roadway and came to rest in the ditch. Murray was wearing a seat belt but suffered fatal injuries in the crash.

Powers Funeral Home transported Murray from the scene to the State Medical Examiner’s Office. Caraway was not listed as suffering any injuries.

Atlantic, IA —The CCHS Board of Trustees approved bids for their upcoming remodel and construction project.

CCHS Chief Financial Officer Abbey Stangl noted that the board was very happy to see local and regional companies on the list of approved bids. “We’re very fortunate that we are able to work with a number of local contractors. That’s a win for us, a win for them, and it’s a win for the community, too.”

The project encompasses a wide range of updates, remodels, expansions, and some new construction. Although the pandemic initially seemed like a roadblock, it has proven to be an optimal time for the project. “Overall, the bids came in at less than our projections, which confirmed for us that pursuing our master facility plan construction project at this time was a fiscally smart move. Since we’ve been planning this for years, we are able to complete this multimillion-dollar project with cash. We aren’t bonding for these funds, and we’re not raising anyone’s taxes, either. This is a situation where we’re able to reinvest in our facilities because our community has ardently supported us. It’s our turn to give back to our patients and community, and these construction projects all center around improving our patient experience.”

Bids were awarded to the following companies.

• Badding Construction
• Veit Company, Inc.
• Precision Concrete Services, Inc.
• Seedorff Masonry, Inc.
• McDermott & Sons Roofing
• Atlantic Glass Company
• Poindexter Flooring, Inc.
• Servco Equipment Company
• Mahoney Fire Sprinkler, Inc.
• Camblin Mechanical, Inc.
• Drees Plumbing & Heating, Inc.

Construction is expected to begin immediately and last through 2021.

The Glenwood Police Department reports the arrest of 25-year-old Natalie Rogers of Omaha, NE on Wednesday for OWI 2nd Offense. Rogers was taken to the Mills County Jail and later released on $2,000 bond.

On Wednesday the Montgomery County Auditor, Recorder, and Treasurer issued a Notice of Intent to fill a vacancy on the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors. Those positions form the Supervisor Appointing Committee which will be filling a vacancy for Montgomery County Supervisor District 1. The appointment will be made on Wednesday, October 21st in the basement meeting room at the Montgomery County Courthouse in Red Oak.

Persons that interested in the appointment must submit a letter of interest, resume, and references (optional) no later than October 13th at 4:30 p.m. Those items must be sent to Carleen Bruning, Recorder, 105 E Coolbaugh Street, PO Box 469, Red Oak, Iowa 51566. They can be mailed, hand-delivered, or put in the drop box located at the Courthouse. Residency in District 1 for at least 60 days is required.

Interviews of all eligible candidates will be conducted by the committee on October 20, 2020 at 5:30 p.m. in the courtroom at the Courthouse in Red Oak. The meeting will be open to the public and also by Zoom.

The citizens of Montgomery County may request a special election to fill the vacancy by filing a petition with the Montgomery County Auditor containing 80 signatures of eligible electors within 14 days after the publication of notice or within 14 days after the appointment is made.

The appointment made by the committee will be valid until January 1, 2023 unless a special election is called for.

Ian James Lybarger

Council Bluffs Police released updated information in regards to an Officer involved shooting at the Manawa Center Drive Wal-Mart this past Friday, September 18th.

Detectives have requested that arrest warrants be issued for 29-year-old Ian James Lybarger of Omaha charging him with Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer (Class D Felony), Leaving the Scene of a Personal Injury Accident, Operation of a Motor Vehicle Without Owner’s Consent, and Theft 5th Degree. Lybarger was identified as the driver of a white Mazda CX-9 that had stolen plates and attempted to flee from Officers when confronted at Wal-Mart last Friday. Council Bluffs Police Officer John Kuebler attempted to remove Lybarger from the Mazda, resulting in Kuebler being dragged several feet before he fired one round from his handgun at Lybarger. The round struck the Mazda, but did not hit Lybarger.

At the time of the incident Lybarger was already wanted on an outstanding felony warrant out of Douglas County, NE for Theft by Receiving.

Anyone with knowledge of Lybarger’s whereabouts are encouraged to contanct CBPD Detectives at 712-328-4728 or to call 9-1-1.

Officer Kuebler remains on administrative leave while the DCI finalizes their independent investigation of the incident.

DES MOINES – Today (Wednesday), Governor Reynolds announced awards to 65 applicants for the Coronavirus Relief Fund Employer Innovation Fund Grant.  The program will assist local employers, nonprofits, community colleges, high schools, private universities, and the University of Iowa provide postsecondary training and education to Iowans whose employment has been impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic.  More than $4.3 million has been awarded to the winning projects. 

“Future Ready Iowa’s Employer Innovation Fund is centered around a grassroots effort to solve local workforce challenges while helping Iowans find economic opportunity in their community. The winning projects address barriers for Iowans who have lost their jobs due to the pandemic by providing training opportunities that will build on our economic recovery,” said Gov. Reynolds. “These programs not only help those affected by the pandemic, they will also focus on recruiting our minority and underrepresented communities to help us diversify our workforce and provide equal chances for success for all Iowans.”

The Coronavirus Relief Fund Employer Innovation Fund grants can be used to cover the cost of training, books, and equipment as well as often providing much needed wrap-around support that address other barriers some Iowans face when trying to obtain skills training.

“Once again, employers, nonprofits and educators have come up with amazing and innovative solutions to help their fellow Iowans by creating training opportunities in high demand occupations,” said Director Beth Townsend, Iowa Workforce Development.  “From IT, healthcare, advanced manufacturing to first responders, these programs will help expand our skilled workforce, diversify our workplaces and help those most affected by the pandemic.” 

The Future Ready Iowa goal is to have 70 percent of Iowans in the workforce with education and training beyond high school by 2025.  Approximately 60 percent of Iowa’s current workforce meets this education and training criteria.  Visit www.FutureReadyIowa.gov for more information.

The Atlantic School District has had a number of recent COVID-19 cases at different buildings in the district. Atlantic Superintendent Steve Barber issued a statement to staff and parents on Wednesday in regards to the situation.

“We continue to be notified of positive COVID-19 cases for both staff and students at multiple locations. Our partnership with Cass County Public Health is a good one, and as we are made aware of new positive cases, we work collaboratively with them in determining the appropriate response.  Public Health will be in direct communication with individuals who are determined to be in close contact with a positive case.  Additionally, the District will be communicating with those individuals who are affected by these positive cases. We continue to follow the CDC and IDPH guidelines as the spike in cases have occurred in Cass County. I would encourage everyone to follow our mitigation strategies of social distancing, hand-washing, mask usage, disinfecting, and other strategies to help stop the spread.”