(Red Oak and Atlantic, Iowa) – The Montgomery and Cass County Boards of Supervisors will hold their regular (separate) meetings, Tuesday morning. In Red Oak, the Montgomery County Supervisors meet at 8:30-a.m. in their courthouse Boardroom  On their agenda is a weekly report from County Engineer Karen Albert, and action on: Moving the July 4th regular meeting, due to the holiday; approving the Recorder’s report of fees in the amount of $18,656.88 for the month of May, and approval of the Sheriff’s report of fees in the amount of $12,409.18, also for the month of May.

In Atlantic, the Cass County Board of Supervisors will meet at 9-a.m., Tuesday, in their Boardroom at the Courthouse. On the agenda is approval of a petition for the suspension of taxes for 207 W. 7th Street, in Atlantic, as allowed under the Code of Iowa. The Board will then hear a report from Cass County Zoning Administrator Mike Kennon, with regard to a fee schedule. And, Jotham Arber, Guthrie/Cass County Environmental Services Director will present to the Cass County Supervisors, a revised 28-E (cost sharing) agreement, and monthly billing plan rather than quarterly.

In other business, Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken will present his weekly report on Secondary Roads Department maintenance and activities.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City Council in Atlantic is set to meet 5:30-p.m. Wed., June 7th, in their Chambers at City Hall. On their agenda is action on passing a Resolution “Setting the dates for Fourth of July Fireworks Use.” During their meeting on May 17th, the Council discussed and determined the dates for fireworks will be expanded, effective June 30th through July 4th, from Noon until 11-p.m. each day.

The Council will then act on passing a Resolution “Authorizing and Approving a Loan Agreement and Providing for the issuance of a $90,000 General Obligation Solid Waste Management Note,” with regard to the City’s annual $85,344 fee ($12 per capita) with the Landfill, as stipulated in a 28-E agreement. That amount is payable in four-equal payments over the course of the fiscal year. City Administrator John Lund says since the City does not have the ability to shoulder the annual obligation out of the General Fund over the long-term, and bonding is “Not logical,” an agreement with a local bank (or banks) is arranged. In this case, First Whitney Bank and Trust, which has agreed to offer that service for free, thereby keeping the taxpayer costs to a minimum, according to Lund. Since the Note is still debt, public hearings and paperwork are required, under the Code of Iowa.

The Atlantic City Council will also act on a Resolution appointing Chelsie Rush, Jess Larsen and Chelsi Huddleson as Sunnyside Pool Management Board Team Leaders, making them eligible for $2,500 in an annual stipend pay, in addition to $15/hour as Pool Co-Managers, for hours worked. Another Resolution to be considered and acted upon by the Council, is that which grants compensatory hours to Atlantic Police Chief Devin Hogue, who has had to assume duties as a Patrol Lieutenant for an extended period of time, due to staffing issues. The City’s Personnel and Finance Committee met May 31st, and unanimously endorsed the granting of 158 compensatory hours to Chief Hogue, at his current rate of pay, to be used as either paid time-off or cashed out (with a value of $6,406.90).

In other business, the Council will act on the third and final reading of an amended ordinance with regard to Special (downtown) Parking Permits, and the first readings of: An ordinance discontinuing the Cable Television Commission, and the Community Promotion Commission, for reasons previously explained.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Police in Red Oak report three arrests. At around 4:30-p.m. Saturday, 32-year-old Michael Todd Archer, of Red Oak, was arrested following a traffic stop. Archer was taken into custody for Driving While License Suspended, and OWI/3rd offense. He was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $5,000 bond.

At around 10:30-p.m., Saturday, Red Oak Police arrested 30-year-old Antonia Jashae Hudson, of Red Oak, for Simple Assault. Her bond was set at $1,000.

And, at around 12:53-a.m. Sunday (today), Police in Red Oak arrested 45-year-old Jan Michael Elder on a charge of Driving While Barred, following a traffic stop. Elder was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $2,000 bond.

The Red Oak Police Department reports the arrest early Saturday morning of 38-year-old Chandra Christine Baggett of Red Oak for Public Intoxication. Baggett was arrested at approximately 1:48 a.m. in the 200 block of East Maple Street in Red Oak. She was taken to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $300 bond.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest of two people from Lewis following a traffic stop early Saturday morning. The traffic stop was conducted on Highway 34 and 4th Street in Red Oak at 1:55 a.m. on Saturday. Deputies then arrested the driver 42-year-old Christopher Rae Holz of Lewis for Violation of a No Contact Order and three Cass County Warrants for Controlled Substance Violation, Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd Offense, and OWI 1st Offense. He was taken to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $20,000 bond.

His passenger in the vehicle 35-year-old Jennifer Lynn Holz of Lewis was also arrested for Violation of a No Contact Order. She was taken to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $1,000 bond.

(Radio Iowa) – The statewide nonprofit group Iowa Rivers Revival has named Dyersville its 2023 “River Town of the Year.” The group’s executive director, Luke Hoffman, says Dyersville met all of their criteria.

The North Fork of the Maquoketa River flows through downtown Dyersville – and while for many years it was viewed by some as an inconvenience due to flooding, the community is now beginning to embrace the river and take steps to improve the riverfront area. Hoffman says the city has changed that with its water plan.

Dyersville Mayor Jeff Jacque says it’s a big honor.

The Bear Creek project was the first, and the second – – a stormwater wetland project on the North Fork just wrapped up. They’re now trying to get funding for the Dyersville Downtown Driftless Float Park project. Mayor Jacque grew up in Dyersville, and says he’s proud to see how his hometown is now embracing the water.

The Dyersville community celebrated their “River Town of the Year” Award during a public ceremony (Wednesday) the Westside Park Pedestrian Bridge.

(Radio Iowa) – Four homes in central Iowa that serve as sterling examples of mid-century modern architecture and interior design will be open for tours during a special fundraising event this weekend. Laura Porter, executive director of the Iowa Architectural Foundation, says “Midwest Modern, a Mid-Century Modern Home Tour,” will showcase these four beautiful homes in the Des Moines metro area, all built between 1952 and 1970.

The homes spotlight the iconic lines and materials of the period, she says, including one house with three angled wings and a rounded glass skylight that encircles its attic chimney. The mid-century modern style, Porter says, has a very devoted following.

The home tour event has been held since 2013. Porter says the tours provide inside views of excellent architectural examples of the era, but they also exhibit how to bring mid-century styles to homes of every decade.

She says mid-century homes have not only remained popular for their designs, but they also represent a time of innovation and creativity in architecture. Part of the proceeds from the event will benefit the Iowa Architectural Foundation’s educational programs for children and adults. Two of this year’s featured homes are in Des Moines, with one each in Clive and Windsor Heights. The Sunday tour is sold out.

CRESTON, Iowa – June 2, 2023 – Motorists who travel on Iowa 25/Sumner Avenue in Creston need to be aware of an upcoming construction project at the BNSF overpass that could slow down their trip.

Beginning on Monday, June 12, until Friday, June 30, weather permitting, construction crews will work on the BNSF overpass. This will require restricting traffic on Iowa 25/Sumner Avenue to one lane between Fremont Street and Jefferson Street. Access to Russell Street from Iowa 25/Sumner Avenue will be closed for the duration of the project.

Temporary traffic signals will be in place to assist motorists through the work zone. Vehicles and loads over 11-feet wide will need to use an alternate route.

Help keep everyone on the road safer. Drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, you should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.

June 2, 2023 (DES MOINES) – At yesterday’s meeting, the Enhance Iowa Board awarded a $790,000 Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) grant to an outdoor waterpark and ice rink project in Bettendorf.

Details for the project receiving a CAT grant follows:

Project Name: The Landing, Bettendorf

Total Project Cost: $22,937,600

Amount Awarded: $790,000

Project Description: This project will consist of an outdoor water park and ice rink. The water park will include a leisure pool, lazy river, splash deck and a water slide tower with multiple water slides. The 12,250-square-foot outdoor ice rink will include concessions and restrooms.

The Enhance Iowa Program provides financial incentives to communities for the construction of recreational, cultural, educational or entertainment facilities that enhance the quality of life in Iowa. To date, 128 CAT grants have been awarded by the board, totaling $42,830,023. The next Enhance Iowa Board meeting is scheduled for July 6, 2023.

DES MOINES, IA – A Keswick man was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for failing to pay over $700,000 in employment taxes for his business, and for making a false statement for purposes of obtaining a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan for the business.

According to court documents, during the years 2014 through 2020, Thomas Sieren, 60, was a co-owner of TCS Fabricating, Inc. and, during that time, failed to pay $703,615.69 in employment taxes to the IRS. This included the failure to pay taxes that he had collected from TCS’s employees through withholding, as well as matching contributions to Social Security and Medicare.

In 2020 and 2021, Sieren obtained two PPP loans on behalf of TCS in the total amount of $237,379. The PPP loan applications misrepresented that TCS had paid its payroll tax obligations.

Sieren will be required to pay TCS’s unpaid payroll tax obligations, together with interest and penalties. He also will be required to pay restitution of $237,379 to the United States Small Business Administration. Following Sieren’s release from prison, he will be required to serve two years of supervised release.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal made the announcement. This case was investigated by Internal Revenue Service—Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Essley prosecuted the case.