SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A teenager accused of using a BB gun to shoot his 3-year-old sister has pleaded not guilty in Sioux City. Court records say the written plea was entered Tuesday to charges of willful injury and child endangerment. A trial hasn’t been scheduled yet. The Associated Press generally does not name juveniles charged with crimes. The boy is 17.

Doctors say one BB was removed during surgery, but the other BB entered near one of the girl’s eyes and lodged next to her brain. Doctors say it was too risky to remove, so it’s been left in place. A hearing is scheduled July 18 on a defense motion to move the case to juvenile court.

Atlantic Police Chief Dave Erickson reports three people were arrested Tuesday. 27-year old Joseph White, of Atlantic, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault. 43-year old Dan Christensen, of Atlantic, was arrested for Disorderly Conduct, and 28-year old Cameron Misner, of Anita, was arrested for Public Intoxication/2nd offense, and Consumption of Alcohol in a Public Place. All three men were booked into the Cass County Jail.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The governor has appointed a law professor with experience in child protection and family law to lead the troubled Iowa Human Services Department. Gov. Kim Reynolds said in a news release Wednesday that 64-year-old Jerry Foxhoven will begin work Thursday as the department director. He replaces Charles Palmer, who announced his retirement last month.

The department has been scrutinized for months over its handling of child abuse cases, particularly cases involving the deaths of two teenage girls. The department also has been criticized for privatizing the state’s Medicaid health care program for the poor and disabled.

Foxhoven has been an administrator for the Iowa Child Advocacy Board and director of the Joan & Lyle Middleton Center for Children’s Rights. He’s been a Drake University Law School professor since 2006.

There won’t be a resolution governing the use of fireworks in the unincorporated areas of Cass County, but residents in those areas are asked to file an application for a permit. That was the word from this morning’s (Wednesday’s) Cass County Board of Supervisor’s meeting said instead of a Resolution, the County will do as other counties have done, and that is to follow the regulations set forth in Iowa Senate File 489.  (Information about the bill can be found here: https://legiscan.com/IA/bill/SF489/2017 )

Residents would be wise Green said, to familiarize themselves with the legislation. To do otherwise would risk a visit by Deputies with the Cass County Sheriff’s Department.

In other business, the Cass County Supervisors set June 30^th as the date and time for a public hearing on a proposal to enter into a General Obligation County Purpose Loan Agreement and the borrowing of not more $4.5-million dollars associated with the construction aspects of the Elite Octane Ethanol Plant.

Auditor Dale Sunderman explained it’s for the grey water supply system and road paving of Echo, Buck Creek and Glacier roads, along with a turn lane modification off of Olive Street a few miles north of Atlantic. Bid letting on the road paving is set for June 21^st. A recent RISE – Revitalize Iowa’s Sound Economy – Grant should help to reduce some of the costs, but the $4.5-million allows for an extra financial cushion, should it be needed.

The Board also passed a Resolution setting expense appropriations for Fiscal Year 2018 that begins July 1^st. The budget has already been set, so the Resolution allows the various County departments to spend their allotted dollars.