DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Des Moines police say a suspect in a homicide earlier this month is no longer facing charges. Police announced Tuesday that new evidence led them to drop a first-degree murder charge against 27-year-old Michael Jermaine Jacobs. He was accused of shooting 36-year-old Sean Newman in September in a neighborhood near Drake University. The new evidence found inconsistencies in statements from a witness but police did not release more information. Thirty-three-year-old Whitney Davis is still charged with first-degree murder in the case.

Atlantic Fire responded to a house fire at 311 Cedar Street, at about 1:15 p.m. Tuesday. Fire Chief Tom Cappel says when he arrived, the house was basically fully involved, with heavy smoke and flames were emitting from the south side of the residence out of a window and one door with a window.

Ric Hanson/photos

Heavy smoke was also coming out from underneath the gutters. Crews knocked down the flames and ventilated the roof along with the interior. The cause remained undetermined as of late Tuesday afternoon. Cappel said there was no one living in the home, and no electricity or gas was hooked-up.

Assisting the Atlantic Fire Department on the scene was Officers with the Atlantic Police Department, Cass County Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Kennon, and Cass County EMS.

(Radio Iowa) – The prolonged pandemic is making a Iowa’s already-bad hunger situation even worse, according to the head of the food bank that serves 55 of the state’s counties. Michelle Book, C-E-O of the Food Bank of Iowa, says she’s losing hope for an economic turnaround and plans on the situation not improving until perhaps early in 2022. “We were all hopeful that we would see another stimulus check and that we would see additional unemployment support between now and the election and it just doesn’t look like that’s going to be reality,” Book says. “Families continue to be pinched. Unemployment remains at all-time highs.”

Demand for food in Iowa was high prior to the onset of the COVID-19 crisis, and it’s only continued to rise. “Food insecurity is double today from what it was March 1st, triple for households that have children,” Book says. “So, the need continues to be strong. We are forecasting that we’ll have an extended food insecurity issue at least through December of 2021.” September is being observed as Hunger Action Month nationwide and she’s urging Iowans to get involved.

“We’re asking the public to take action,” Book says. “We have more awareness items showing up on our social media. We’ve been talking to a lot of partners. We really believe that acting together, all of us, we can end hunger one helping at at time.” About 175,000 Iowans struggle with hunger in the 55 counties the Des Moines-based Food Bank of Iowa serves. It moves 1.2 million pounds of food -per month- through a distribution center, to 625 partner agencies, including food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and schools. Donations can be made online at foodbankiowa.org

(Radio Iowa) – The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports most state employees will pay slightly higher monthly premiums next year if they get their health insurance through the State of Iowa. Officials expect 54-thousand state employees and their eligible dependents to be covered by one of two plans offered by Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Under one option, called Iowa Choice, an employee will start paying seven percent of the premium costs for an individual plan next year and 10 percent of the premium for a family plan. Under the National Choice plan, a state employee will start paying 15 percent of the premium on an individual policy. The cost for a family plan under the National Choice option will remain the same, with an employee paying 17 percent of the monthly premium.

The Gazette reports the state Executive Council approved the higher premium costs on a two-to-one vote. State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald voted no. He objected to having employees pay more for their health care benefits in a year when families are trying to navigate the pandemic.

Atlantic Fire responded to a house fire in Atlantic at about 1:20 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. The fire was being battled at 311 Cedar Street. No further details are known at this time.

Photos Ric Hanson

The Cass County Board of Supervisors, today (Tuesday) discussed at length the matter of speed limits to and from the new Schildberg rock quarry located south/southwest of Atlantic (including a portion of 620th Street).  Two of the three county residents who attended last week’s Supervisor’s meeting, were present to learn what the county intends to do to try to mitigate the roadway safety issues associated with increased truck traffic to and from the quarry south of Atlantic. After considerable discussion, including a report from County Engineer Trent Wolken, who suggested a 45-mph speed limit on certain roads near the quarry, the Board’s consensus was to take action and establish a lower speed limit on the roadway designated as hauling routes (40 mph) and to place additional signage.  A resolution will be considered at next session.

Cass County Auditor Dale Sunderman reports the State allocation for Cass County from the CARES Fund was a maximum of $162,734.90 for COVID-19 related expenses.  On September 8th, the board adopted resolution to request reimbursement, subject to establishing the amount to be requested.  In a webinar on Sept. 9th, it was learned that the State is permitting the full allocation to be requested with the submission of the first claim.  The Board passed a resolution by Cass County to request reimbursement for eligible costs related to the COVID-19 public health emergency from the Iowa COVID-19 Government Relief Fund.

Sunderman also presented an Urban Renewal report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020.  Local governments are required to complete and submit an annual report showing all TIF activity within each of their urban renewal areas during the preceding fiscal year..  Cass County had one active area: the 2017 Cass County Agribusiness Urban Renewal Area.  Sunderman reports $2.848-million of the original debt (bonds and loans) was outstanding as of July 1st, 2019.  The only interest was paid was in FY2020.  Collection of TIF revenues begin in FY21.  July 31, 2020 ending URA/TIF fund balances were a combined total of slightly less than $30,080.

Atlantic, IA — Atlantic Medical Center, RHC is offering flu shots through a by-appointment drive-thru service this fall. CCHS Chief Clinic Administrator Tammy Bireline says “We’re trying hard to keep our patients and staff healthy by practicing social distancing whenever possible” Bireline adds, “We know that the waiting area by our Immunization Room can become congested during the fall when we have lots of patients here for their annual flu vaccine, which is why we’re encouraging people to take advantage of appointments at our drive-thru clinic instead.”

Appointments are available on the following dates:

• Wednesday, September 16 from 2 to 6 pm
• Friday, September 18 from 8 am to noon
• Monday, September 21 from 8 am to noon
• Wednesday, September 23 from 2 to 6 pm
• Friday, September 25 from 8 am to noon
• Monday, October 12 from 8 am to noon
• Wednesday, October 14 from 2 to 6 pm
• Friday, October 16 from 8 am to noon

Appointments for drive-thru flu shots can be made by calling 712-243-2850. Patients will be registered and give a verbal consent over the phone prior to their appointment. The flu shot drive-thru is behind the 1500 East 10th building, where the current Test Iowa drive-thru is located.

The CAM School Board met Monday evening, and heard from shared Superintendent Paul Croghan, with regard to an extension of the Summer Lunch Program. Late last month, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will extend several flexibilities through as late as December 31, 2020. The flexibilities allow summer meal program operators to continue serving free meals to all children into the fall months. The unprecedented move will help ensure – no matter what the situation is on-the-ground – children have access to nutritious food as the country recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Croghan said the move helps parents and the District, alike.

In other business, the CAM School Board approved the Homecoming Highway Relay.

Croghan says the Cross County students participating in the event will be safe thanks to the efforts of the Cass County Sheriff’s Office.

The CAM School Board approved the 2018-19 Audit report, Monday, and contracts for a few individuals, including a couple Bus Drivers and a fill-in Guidance Counselor.