Officials with the Council Bluffs Police Department said today (Wednesday), that both Council Bluffs Police and Fire Departments are investigating an apartment fire that occurred this morning at 228 Harrison Street in Council Bluffs. Officers were called to assist the Fire Department with a possible fire in an apartment in the two hundred block of Harrison Street at around 9:30-a.m. Officers arrived in the area and found that a fire had started at 228 Harrison Street Apt. 4A.

The Fire Department had started putting the fire out when they found two subjects inside the residence. Both subjects were taken to Mercy Hospital for treatment. An investigation into the cause of the fire and the condition of the two subjects found in the apartment is underway.

The Cass County Board of Supervisors held their regular, weekly meeting today (Wednesday), in Atlantic. During their session, the Board heard reports and FY 2019 funding requests from the Cass County Committee on Aging (CCCOA). Their $7,000 funding request is unchanged from previous years. It was taken under advisement.

The organization has five towns in the County who have representatives to serve on the CCCOA. Lewis, Marne and Wiota have chosen not to join at this time, but the organization hopes they will do so in the future. Locally, residents may find activities/services at the Anita Sunset Club, the Irregular Seniors of Cumberland, Massena Seniors, Griswold Golden Tigers, and the Atlantic Meal Site. The Griswold group has recently started a Tai Chi form of exercise, which has been well received.

The group works with CCCOA to serve seniors with programs such as exercise, healthy eating and assistance with insurance supplements. They have also begun to take advantage of Angels Home Health Care, which provides programs for things such as communication between doctors and patients, support groups, and dementia. Each month, a combined 250 seniors take part in some kind of gathering. CCCOA meets the fourth Tuesday of February, April, June, August, October and December, at the Atlantic Meal Site. Their meetings begin at 10-a.m.

In other business, the Supervisors appointed Judy Kennedy to fill a vacancy on the Cass County Conservation Board, and Peter T. Smith, as Pymosa Township Trustee, to fill a vacancy created by his father, Glen Smith. Glen Smith is serving in Washington, D-C., after being confirmed by the Senate to the Farm Credit Administration Board. They also received quarterly reports from Micah Lee, with Cass County Conservation, and Mitch Holmes, with Cass County Veterans Affairs. They tabled action on approving a 28-E (cost sharing) agreement with the Guthrie County Board of Health, for the sharing of environmental health services in Cass County. They also tabled action on appointing someone to the Southern Iowa Regional Housing Authority, to fill a vacancy.

They also approved the renewal of a lease agreement with Marne & Elk Horn Telephone Company. The agreement grants METC the right to install, maintain and operate certain equipment on the Courthouse Tower, and, in lieu of rent, provide a high speed internet connections and internet services, to the courthouse.

And, the Board of Supervisors set January 24^th, January 31^st, and Feb. 7^th, as the dates for Public Hearings on an Ordinance authorizing the operation of all-terrain vehicles (ATV’s) and off-road utility vehicles (UTV’s), on county roadways and trails.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The head of Iowa’s court system says “Iowans are losing access to justice” because more than 100 court jobs remain empty following budget cuts. Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Cady offered the assessment Wednesday during his annual judiciary address to lawmakers. Cady says the court system is operating with 115 “essential” positions unfilled. He adds rural Iowans are receiving fewer court services than urban residents.

Cady also says specialty courts dealing with substance abuse cannot be expanded until the Legislature increases funding. Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds highlighted the need to better address opioids in her Condition of the State speech Tuesday. Cady’s office has a roughly $175 million budget that’s been reduced in recent years. Reynolds announced mid-year budget cuts Tuesday that include $1.6 million for the judicial branch.

Harlan City Administrator Gene Gettys says “Due to the winter weather forecast for Thursday, January 11th, the City of Harlan is asking citizens to voluntarily utilize off-street parking wherever possible.” Gettys said that will assist the Public Works Department with snow and ice control on city streets.  He added, “The City of Harlan appreciates your cooperation.”

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a suspect has surrendered in Des Moines’ first homicide of 2018. Police identified the victim Wednesday as 39-year-old Cory Channon. Officers and medics sent around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday to investigate a reported shooting found Channon’s body. He’d been shot in the chest.

A few minutes later the suspect contacted police and then surrendered. Police say investigators are still interviewing the unnamed person. No arrest has been reported and no charges have been filed.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports a Deputy arrested 34-year old Vance Wayne Campbell, of Council Bluffs, Tuesday afternoon. Campbell was picked-up at the Clarinda Correctional Facility and transported to the Pott. County Jail. He was taken into custody on two outstanding warrants, one for Theft in the 4th Degree, the other for Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Also arrested Tuesday afternoon, was 30-year old John Phillip Fry, of Council Bluffs, for Public Intoxication, 3rd or subsequent offense. His bond was set at $2,000.

And, a woman from Oakland was arrested at around 1-a.m. today (Wednesday), after Deputies were called to the Casey’s General Store in Oakland, for a report of an intoxicated person. 32-year old Amber Lorraine Olsen was arrested for Theft in the 5th degree, for allegedly taking a bottle of vodka valued at slightly more than Nine-dollars from the store.

Governor Reynolds gave her Condition of the State address yesterday (Tuesday). And, although she didn’t mention it directly in her address, the Governor included full funding of the Backfill in her FY 2019 budget. Officials with the Iowa State Association of Counties (ISAC), commends the Governor for recognizing the importance of county services and keeping property taxes low. They are urging the Iowa Legislature to follow her lead and fully fund the backfill.

In 2013, Iowa state law was changed resulting in a reduction in the tax revenue that local governments receive from commercial and industrial properties. This loss of revenue is paid back to local governments by the state with funds called the backfill. ISAC President and Johnson County Sheriff Lonny Pulkrabek says “Iowa’s county governments are essential to the daily lives of Iowans,” said. “The county you live in is responsible for many of the services Iowans need – keeping our communities safe, providing services to our most vulnerable citizens, fixing potholes, plowing snow, and offering parks to enjoy with your family and friends.”

ISAC Executive Director Bill Peterson said “It’s essential to Iowa county governments that the backfill remains intact and whole. Without these funds, many counties could be faced with a tough choice: raise property taxes on their residents or cut services on which they depend.”  ISAC says they are urging Iowans to contact their legislators to let them know that their community needs the backfill. Contact information for your legislators and other advocacy materials are available at www.iowacounties.org.

More information about the backfill and how it may affect you, is also available at the website previously mentioned.