(Atlantic, Iowa) Today (Wednesday, August 28, 2024) at 5:00 p.m., marked the final day for candidates to file nomination papers to run for public office.  Cass County Deputy Auditor Sheri Karns has released the final list of names of candidates who filed the appropriate documents to get their name on the ballot for the November 5, 2024 General Election.

See the final list of candidates here: 2024 Cass County General Election Candidate Listing by Office

The Auditor’s Office reminds voters in Cass County there are three public measures on the ballot for November.

2024 General Election Public Measures

All the public measures need 60% to pass. Information with regard to Federal and State candidates or referendums will be announced after they are certified and made available to the Auditor’s Office.

Absentee ballots can now be requested by returning an absentee ballot request form to the Auditor’s office in person or by mail.

(Radio Iowa) – A district court judge has denied a request to dismiss a state lawsuit against TikTok. Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird filed the lawsuit that says TikTok is lying to parents about the frequency and severity of inappropriate videos that it shows to kids. TikTok argued the state did not have standing to bring the case.

The judge ruled the case can move forward, but did rule against a request from the A-G for an injunction against the company. The ruling says the state has not yet produced any evidence to show an Iowan has viewed and been harmed by such videos.

(Radio Iowa) – Charles City Police released more information today (Wednesday) on a death investigation that began last week. Charles City Police were dispatched to a residence just west of the Floyd County Courthouse, shortly before noon on August 22nd. Chief Hugh Anderson said upon entry to the home, two people were found dead.

Charles City Police announced today (Wednesday) that 85-year-old John Flint and 85-year-old Jo Anne Flint, both of Charles City, died in an apparent murder-suicide.

C-C-P-D says no further details will be released at this time.

(Radio Iowa) – A state panel voted 2-1 today (Wednesday) to take three Libertarian candidates for Congress off the November ballot. Republicans filed the challenge, saying the Libertarian county conventions didn’t follow state law. Secretary of State Paul Pate, a Republican, voted to remove them from the ballot.

“It’s not an ideal situation but the rules are the rules, and I as the commissioner of elections don’t get to make them up. I get to enforce them as they are. And I think this is not an easy process.” Republican Attorney General Brenna Bird also voted to remove the Libertarian candidates from the ballot, while Democrat State Auditor Rob Sand, voted to keep them. Sand says issues with internal political party business aren’t a basis for removing candidates from the ballot.

“Both parties have the ability to appeal that. Why are we here today doing the opposite? Because they want to enforce a two party system divide Iowans and limit their choices?,” Sand says. Libertarian Party of Iowa Chair Jules Carter says she’s disappointed in the decision but not surprised.  “It is about silencing us. Yes, it is about making sure that they are better position to win. If you want to win, how about you campaign, not silence other people,” Carter says.

The three candidates say they’ll run write-in campaigns if their names can’t be on the ballot. First Congressional District candidate Nicholas Gluba, 3rd District candidate Marco Battaglia and Fourth District candidate Charles Aldrich won’t be on the ballot unless they successfully appeal the decision in court by September 3rd.

(Radio Iowa) – Some Iowa schools have had police officers walking their halls for decades, while others are new this fall to S-R-Os, or school resource officers. Le Mars police officer John Vickery covers that community’s five public school buildings as well as the Gehlen Catholic Schools. Vickery says law enforcement is -not- his primary concern.

“Making sure that everybody, the students, the staff here, and all of our buildings are safe,” Vickery says. “I’m doing my best to make sure all of our buildings are secured, that there’s really one main entry point for them while they’re here, to make sure that we can keep everybody safe in their learning environment.” Another priority as an S-R-O, according to Vickery, is to establish and cement good relationships with everyone he encounters.

“I’m here to try to build up relationships between the students, the staff and the police department, not only to benefit us here, while I’m in the schools, but also outside of the schools,” he says. “If they were to deal with an officer outside of the schools, we’ve built up some sort of relationship to better help them come to us with issues they may have, and also for us to be able to help them.” Vickery was the S-R-O when Le Mars Police launched the program in 2018 and he’s now beginning his third term in the position. Still, he says it takes time for students to get comfortable with a police officer in their school.

“At first, everybody was kind of reluctant,” he says. “They felt that I was here to enforce laws and to kind of crack down on everybody and they’re starting to realize more that I’m here for that relationship, for that safety side of things, and being able to just interact with them and let them get to know me. They’ll ask me all kinds of random personal questions, and for the most part, I’ll answer them.” Vickery says the most challenging part of his job is when he has to deal with students from a law enforcement perspective. He says good kids will sometimes make bad choices and while he tries to give them the benefit of the doubt, he still has a job to do.

DES MOINES, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Public Safety reports one person died and six others were injured in a crash that occurred during a pursuit this (Wednesday) morning, in Des Moines.

Authorities say at around 1-a.m., an Iowa State Patrol trooper attempted to stop a speeding blue Hyundai on Interstate 235 near Keo Way, in Des Moines. The driver refused to stop, exited Interstate 235 at the 31st Street exit, headed south, and then turned east onto Grand Avenue. The trooper slowed down as the fleeing vehicle sped away, heading the wrong way down Grand Avenue. A short time later, the trooper encountered a crash at Grand Avenue and 7th Street involving the fleeing Hyundai and a Jeep Cherokee. The two occupants of the Jeep Cherokee suffered minor injuries.

There were five occupants in the Hyundai. Four of the occupants, to include the driver, suffered injuries ranging from minor to severe. The fifth occupant, a passenger, died in the crash. The Hyundai was reported stolen. The 16-year-old driver had outstanding warrants for his arrest and a firearm on his person.

The crash is still under investigation.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Waste Reduction program recently helped some of the families who were hit by flooding in Clay County. Iowa Waste Exchange Coordinator Shelly Codner says they were able to send unneeded mattresses and beds from Iowa State University to Spencer. “It’s actually a program by the After Five Kiwanis in Spencer. It’s called “Sweet Dreams for Spencer”, and they’re trying to get a bed and a mattress to every child whose families lost their homes during the flooding. The Iowa Waste Reduction Program was created to find ways to use items that are no longer needed to keep them out of the landfills. Codner says the beds from I-S-U filled an important need and was an economic benefit to Spencer.

“Spencer would have avoided purchases with regard to mattresses and beds,” she says. Codner says Sukup Manufacturing donated the trucks to move the beds to Spencer. “Sukup went down to aim and picked up the mattresses. We loaded them with Iowa State staff, myself and volunteers, and then Sukup hauled them up to Spencer, and they had volunteers on that end that unloaded them,” she says.

says this was one of the more rewarding projects they worked on, knowing the need for those who have suffered from the flooding.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – Officials with Landus, an Iowa-based agriculture solutions company, Wednesday, announced the purchase of Wickman Chemical in Atlantic, an independent Iowa-based agricultural chemicals provider, to expand its chemical products and services offerings. A press release said Landus’ acquisition of the company represents its continued commitment to delivering innovation to the farm and empowering our farmers with the tools they need to succeed.

Wickman Chemical, founded by Erich and Tammy Wickman in 1998 grew into one of the region’s prominent agricultural chemical suppliers.  Landis and Conduit President and CEO Matt Carstens said “Our purchase of Wickman Chemical reinforces our business strategy to bring the tools and innovation farmer-owners need to thrive.” He complimented the Wickman’s on the growth of their operation and dedications to their farmer customers. Carstens added, “We welcome both their team and customers from across Iowa and Kansas to Landus and look forward to building upon the great reputation of service Erich and Tammy established.”

The purchase agreement is in effect as of October 1, 2024, with Erich Wickman remaining with the company as a Chemical Marketing Specialist. Tammy Wickman will exit to focus on family and the farm. Wickman Chemical employees will remain in their roles to continue providing premium service to farmers, only now as Landus employees. The company will experience no major operational changes other than Wickman Chemical customers having access to all services provided by Landus.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Board of Supervisors approved numerous administrative matters on their agenda this (Wednesday) morning, including:

A Courtyard use permit for September 27th for a Mainstreet Greenfield pancake and sausage rally event, and an IMWCA (Iowa Municipal Workers Compensation Association) Board of Trustees ballot (there are 3 candidates for three open seats on the Board). Board Chair Jerry Walker…

The Supervisors acknowledged the receipt of two Manure Management Plan updates from Rose Acre Farms and Westlake Swine from Orient. They passed a Child Abuse Prevention Grant Draw down in the amount of $132.31, and, the Supervisors acknowledged receipt of a letter from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, with regard to Violations and/or Non-Compliance. Auditor Mandy Berg said the letter did not pertain to any COUNTY violations, but rather situations in Stuart and Greenfield.

Supervisor Jodie Hoadley reported on discussion that took place during a recent ISAC (Iowa State Association of Counties) Conference, with regard to legislative issues and ISAC’s stance on the issues. For example…

Other topics for discussion at the ISAC Conference included security in the courtrooms and related costs to the counties, Emergency Management funding and governance, the Emergency Medical Services levy and the TIF districts. Mandy Berg presented to the Board a Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Report, with regard to Opiod Funds.

And she presented to the Board an agreement with Windstream for Fiber/Internet connection to the Courthouse.

The Board approved the agreement as presented. Adair County Engineer Nick Kauffman presented for the Board’s approval, and Board Chair Jerry Walker’s signature, the following:

A Resolution awarding a Farm-to-Market (FM) Hot Melt Asphalt (HMA) crack sealing project,
The final voucher for the N-36 Lee (Township) Reinforced Concrete Box (RCB) culvert project
The front page of the N-7 Eureka (Township) Bridge Plans.
And, a Contract and performance bond for the N-22 Washington (Township) Culvert repair/Revetment project.

The Board approved all documents presented. Kauffman then made his weekly report on Adair County Secondary Roads Department maintenance projects and activities.

(Oakland, Iowa) — A local automobile dealership has donated $100,000 toward the Riverside School District’s capital campaign. According to reports, Keast Motors in Oakland presented the school district with a check Tuesday morning. The funds will be used for the second phase of the campaign, intended to make multiple improvements to the school’s athletic facilities, plus an addition to the agriculture program.

Riverside Superintendent Dr. Stephanie Anderson told reporters that donations like the one from Keast go a long way in making capital projects possible, that would otherwise be difficult to budget for as a school district. Plans call for replacing the football field with natural grass, installing wells to water the football, softball, and baseball fields, installing a satellite concession stand with restrooms near the softball and baseball fields, and obtaining a greenhouse for the district’s agricultural program.

The total estimated cost of phase two is $710,000.

Photo from the Riverside Community School District’s Facebook page.

Phase one of the capital campaign was completed in the summer of 2023. That phase included a new Riverside welcome sign, a “We R Riverside” donor recognition wall, a digital marquee sign, parking lot improvements, landscaping and repairs to the baseball and softball fields, and adding a retaining wall and landscaping for the safe room. For more information on the campaign or how to contribute, visit goriversidepride.org.