DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa State Patrol has responded to a new texting-while-driving state law by issuing 230 tickets in the past two months, far more than troopers issued all last year. The Des Moines Register reports that troopers issued less than 175 tickets for texting in 2016.

The new law took effect July 1 and lets officers issue citations if they observe a motorist texting while driving. The previous law only allowed motorists to be ticketed for texting if they also committed another traffic offense.

Maj. Randy Kunert heads the state patrol’s field operations. He says officers are using unmarked vehicles and plain-clothed troopers to catch motorists. The Legislative Services Agency says the fine for texting while driving is $30, but court costs bring the total cost to about $100.

As of today (Friday) Crossroads of Western Iowa has expanded into Atlantic, by officially merging with CASS Incorporated. For over 40 years, Crossroads has been serving the Western Iowa area teaching program clients life skills and attaining independence.

Crossroads officials say they are excited to start serving the Atlantic community in an effort to reach more people with disabilities. The merger will allow Crossroads to make more impacts in Iowa communities.

Crossroads of Western Iowa is a non-profit organization devoted to supporting adults in the community who, for various reasons, are unable to live completely on their own. Most have some sort of disability, brain injury or serious mental illness.

The newly combined organization will use the “Crossroads of Western Iowa” name. Brent Dillinger, current CEO for Crossroads of Western Iowa, will continue to oversee all of the major operations of the combined organization. Dillinger has been serving as CEO for Crossroads of Western Iowa since 2008. Under Dillinger’s helm, Crossroads has experienced tremendous growth. Today, the organization has a $20 million budget, employs more than 300 individuals and serves 350 clients.

Dillinger said “This is an exciting time for Crossroads and CASS Incorporated! This merger is a big accomplishment for both organizations. We look forward to continue the legacy of providing much needed services that CASS has been successfully providing for a number of years.”

Glenda Farrier, CEO for CASS Incorporated for the past 28 years, will retire this month. She will continue to work on special projects for Crossroads through January 2018.

By providing residential living, supported employment options and adult dayhab services, Crossroads individuals have been able to reach their full potential at home, at work and in their communities. Crossroads’ services provide meaningful life skills, a connection to the community, low staff-to-client ratios, confidentiality, clean and modern facilities, and qualified staff with ongoing training. Your loved ones are safe to grow with us.

This past July, Crossroads also merged with Cherokee Work Services located in Cherokee, Iowa. The merger has allowed Crossroads to expand services into the Cherokee Iowa area.

For more information about Crossroads of Western Iowa, please visit explorecrossroads.com or contact Rita Hamele at 712-216-2345.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports a Council Bluffs man was arrested Thursday afternoon, for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. 45-year old William John Harrisman, of Council Bluffs, was arrested at his residence in the 1900th block of 30th Avenue, and booked into the Pott. County Jail.

A speeding pickup truck was stopped Thursday evening in Pott. County, and its driver arrested on a warrant for OWI/1st offense. Sheriff’s officials say 57-year old Joel Leon Peters, of Council Bluffs, was taken into custody on the warrant, at around 9:20-p.m. in the area of Highway 92 and 360th Street.

And, an inmate at the Pottawattamie County Jail faces an Assault on a Peace Officer charge, following an incident at the Jail. Officials say 19-year old Peter Douglas Hobart, of Council Bluffs, is accused of assault a 36-year old male corrections officer, from Council Bluffs. Hobart remained in the Pott. County Jail.

A trucking company out of Massena will be collecting relief supplies for Hurricane Harvey victims, next week. Shawn Holloway, of Massena, is with Holloway and Sons Trucking. He says he’ll be parking a tractor-trailer in the parking lot of Atlantic Carriers (located north of Hy-Vee), on Sept. 7^th, in hopes of filling the trailer with items to donate to the United Way and American Red Cross, in Houston.

Holloway says he wanted to do something good in his life, and set the plan in motion to collect the necessary supplies for those in need.

(The list is as simple as clean-up supplies, non-perishable foods, personal hygiene items, kids toys and baby wipes.)

Holloway says he needs the help of residents in the area to provide those items to help residents of Texas affected by the devastating storm, begin the process of clean-up and recovery, and return to a somewhat more normal life.

He’ll be at the Hy-Vee at around 2-p.m. next Thursday to park the trailer and help load it. Anyone who wants to help the loading process is welcome to do so. The truck and trailer will be available through Saturday, or until it’s loaded. Holloway plans to hit the road and head to Houston, on Monday.

Other drop-off locations include the Darren Hardisty Shop at 207 Jackson Street, in Cumberland, with items will be accepted anytime after 5:30-p.m. or on weekends, and in Corning at the Grace Baptist Church (1801 Quincy St.), from 10-a.m. to 7-p.m., Tuesday (Sept. 5^th). The location in Red Oak is Mark Ranney’s shop across the street from Red Oak McDonald’s restaurant.

Police in Creston say a Ringgold County man turned himself-in Thursday afternoon on a Union County warrant for Probation Violation, and an Adair County warrant for Failure to Appear in Court. 30-year old Shaune William Tindle, of Mt. Ayr, appeared at the Union County Law Enforcement Center, was booked into and held in the jail on a $5,300 bond.

And, a Creston man residing in the 500 block of N. Cherry Street, in Creston, reported to Police Thursday morning, that sometime between 6:13-a.m. and 6:48-a.m., Thursday, someone slashed three tires on his vehicle. The incident happened while the vehicle was in the Super 8 motel parking lot. The loss was estimated at $400.

(8-a.m. News)

The Cass County Board of Supervisors, during their meeting Thursday morning, in Atlantic, decided to appoint a County Attorney to succeed David Wiederstein, who had earlier announced his resignation over the Board’s move to make the job a full-time position. The resignation is effective Jan.1st, 2018. No appointment was made Thursday. Instead, the Board will hash out the details on preferred qualifications, and plan to announce at a later date, when they will begin to take applications.

Cass County Auditor Dale Sunderman said once an official announcement is made on the appointment, the public does have an opportunity to file a petition for a special election. At least 97 signatures would be needed on a petition, but even then, the petition cannot be filed until after it is published. After that, there is a 14-day period before any action on appointment would be made.

The Cass County Supervisors, Thursday, also approved tax compliance procedures relating to tax-exempt bonds and approved a loan agreement, providing for the sale and issuance of general obligation county purpose bonds, and providing for the levy of taxes to pay the same, as related to the Elite Octane Ethanol plant projects.

And, the board approved the employment of Andrea Goins as Information Technology/Geographic Information Systems Coordinator. They also approved a low bid from Murphy Heavy Contracting in the amount of $451,115 for a bridge replacement project on Tucson Road, located about one-quarter of a mile west of 690th Street.