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Cass County Board of Supervisors set to meet Tue. morning

News

February 12th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors will meet in a regular weekly session, beginning 9-a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14th, in their Courthouse Board Room. Action items on their agenda include:

  • Approving a Class C Retail Alcohol License for the Griswold Golf & Country Club
  • Authorizing Participation Agreements to receive additional, National Opiod Settlement funds.
  • Discussion on recommendations from the Compensation Board.
  • The possible appointments of persons as Brighton Township Clerk and Victoria Township Trustee, if applicants are available.

Montgomery County Supervisors to act on AFSCME contracts & other matters

News

February 12th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Red Oak, Iowa) – A regular weekly meeting of the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors takes place in the Courthouse Meeting Room, beginning at 8:30-a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023. New Business on their agenda includes the following:

  • Approve Western Iowa Tourism annual contribution of $500 for FY23/24 with action as necessary
  • Vote to accept the tentative agreement reached between the County and AFSCME Iowa Council 61 on January 26, 2023, representing employees of the Sheriff’s Office, with action as necessary
  • Vote to accept the tentative agreement reached between the County and AFSCME Iowa Council 61 on January 26, 2023, representing Secondary Roads, with action as necessary
  • Approve Resolution 23-4 Appointment of Montgomery County Representative to Southern Iowa Regional Housing Authority with action as necessary
  • Recorder’s Report of Fees for January 2023 in the amount of $18,791.33 with action as necessary
  • Treasurer’s ending fund balance for January 2023 in the amount of $11,358,006.88 with action as necessary
  • Approve Rural Service Basic Tax transfer in the amount of $9,038.14 with action as necessary
  • Approve the General Basic Tax transfer in the amount of $637.54 with action as necessary
  • Set the public hearing for FY 2023-2024 Total Maximum Property Tax Dollars Levied
  • Budget discussion with action as necessary
  • Approve the appointment of Katie VanMeter to fill the vacancy of Pilot Grove Township Clerk with action as necessary
  • Board & Committee assignments with action as necessary

The next Regular Meeting of the Montgomery County BOS will take place February 21st, at the same time and place,

CAM School Board regular monthly meeting takes place Monday (2/13/23)

News

February 12th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Anita, Iowa) – The CAM Community School District’s Board of Education will meet 6:30-p.m. Monday, in the High School Superintendent’s Office. Items on their “Consent Agenda,” include Resignation, Contracts and other, regular matters.

Discussion/Action items include: Approval of Board Policies; Approval of a Budget Guarantee for 2023-24; Approval of Excess Property; buses and excess parts, and Facilities discussion.

Following regular business, the CAM School Board will hold an Exempt (Closed) session, to discuss negotiations.

3 injured, 1 dead in eastern Iowa collision

News

February 12th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Cedar Falls, Iowa) – A collision between two passenger cars in northern Cedar Falls, Saturday night, left one person dead and three others injured. The Iowa State Patrol reports a 2013 VW Passat driven by 23-year-old Braden Williams, of Holy Cross (IA) was westbound on Cedar Wapsi Road at around 10:16-p.m.  A 1999 Chevy Cavalier driven by 18-year-old Ethan Roethler, of Janesville (IA) was traveling north on Leversee Road, and failed to yield at a stop sign. The Cavalier was struck broadside by the VW.

A passenger in one of the vehicles, 19-year-old Quincy Friedrich, of Cedar Falls, died at the scene. Three other passengers, 20-year-old Peyton Franzen, of Triopli (IA), 15-year-old Ethan Roethler, of Janesville, and 18-year-old Isabella Sellers, of Lithia, FL., were injured. Franzen and Ethan Roethler were transported by Denver Ambulance to Allen Hospital. Sellers was taken to the UIHC by Mercy One.  All of the crash victims with the exception of Peyton Franzen, were wearing seat belts.

The accident remains under investigation by the Iowa State Patrol. The Patrol was assisted at the scene by: the Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Department; Janesville PD/Fire/1st Responders; Denver Ambulance; Mercy One Ambulance; and the Black Hawk County Medical Examiner.

 

Spring is only six weeks away (we hope) – Now’s the time for a midwinter boat checkup

Ag/Outdoor, News

February 11th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Iowa DNR News) – A midwinter visit to check on the boat − no matter if stored ashore in a backyard or a marina parking lot − is a wise thing to do. Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) has four tips to ensure there are no surprises at spring commissioning.

Water is bad. The number-one concern for any boat in long-term winter storage is water. It can’t be allowed in, but if it does, the water needs a way out. Check the boat’s winter cover to ensure it still allows rain and heavy snow loads to easily shed away from the boat. Small boats should have the drain plug removed. A tight-fitting winter cover will also help keep out the critters, including raccoons, feral cats and muskrats, whose damage boat insurance policies generally do not cover.

Take it home. If you forgot to bring home life jackets when you put the boat away in the fall, it’s best to do it now. That includes throwable devices you keep near the helm. Lifejackets will last longer and stay cleaner. Store in a dry location at home. Signal flares can be kept aboard if they are in location not affected by moisture. Some handheld air horns can leave a not-easy-to-remove rust ring when stored in their upright position. Both signal devices can be put into zip top freezer bags. Other common items left on the boat during winter storage are liquid cleaners that can burst open during the freeze/thaw cycle and food, which draw vermin.

Air it out. Try to ventilate the boat, which will help keep mold and mildew at bay. If the boat is closed tightly and doesn’t have ventilation, use desiccants – often sold in bucket type containers – in cuddy cabins or living space below. Follow the manufacturer instructions and you should be able keep a fairly dry boat making spring cleanup easier and preserving the boat’s value.

Be safe. There may be ice and snow this time of year. If you need to use a ladder, ensure its firmly planted, always tie it off at the top, and have a friend hold it while ascending/descending. Never move or adjust a jack stand – call the yard for assistance. Tying off a winter cover to jack stands is also a bad idea as the stands could be yanked out from under the boat during high winds.

Winter Day camps Set for February and March

News

February 11th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Mark Your Calendars! Winter Conservation Day Camps are coming up in February and March, you won’t want to miss the fun as Cass County Extension and Cass County Conservation partner to offer these fun, hands-on camps for youth in K-5th grade.

February Snow Camp sessions are for youth in 3-5th grade. Learn about all things snow at this fun, day-long winter day camp. This camp will be offered free of charge, but pre-registration required. Snacks will be provided, but please bring a sack lunch. Don’t forget to bring your winter coats and boots, as we will be outside for a hike in the snow if weather allows!

  • February 17th – Snow Day Camp @ Atlantic Community Center 9:00am-4:00pm for 3rd -5th graders. Please RSVP by 2/13
  • February 20th – Snow Day Camp @ Anita Community Center 9:00am-4:00pm for 3rd -5th graders.  Please RSVP by 2/13
  • February 24th – Snow Day Camp @ Griswold Community Center 9:00am-4:00pm for 3rd -5th graders. Please RSVP by 2/20

March Penguin Camps are for youth in K-2nd grade. Learn about the life of a penguin while having fun with hands-on activities. Free to attend, pre-registration required. Snack will be provided. These half-day camps offer plenty of fun and learning through play and crafts!

  • March 15th, Penguin Day Camp @ Griswold Community Center 9:00am-Noon for K-2nd graders. Please RSVP by 3/9.
  • March 24th, Penguin Day Camp @ Atlantic Community Center 9:00am-Noon or 1:00pm-4:00pm for K-2nd graders. Please RSVP by 3/20

Call the extension office at 712-243-1132 to RSVP or to get more information.

First flood forecast shows only concern is in eastern Iowa

News, Weather

February 11th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The National Weather Service’s first look at the potential for flooding this spring shows most of the state in good shape. Hydrologist Jeff Zogg says eastern Iowa is the only area raising concern. “The first flood outlook for the state of Iowa for this spring is showing a near to below-normal risk of flooding. And most streams in the state the main exceptions, the Mississippi River in far eastern Iowa, where the risk is above normal,” Zogg says.

The snowpack in eastern Iowa is one part of the equation that raises the risk for the Mississippi River for flooding. “We consider a bunch of different factors when we assess the spring flood risk. We look at river levels, soil moisture, the snowpack, specifically, the liquid content, how much water is in that snowpack, frost depth, and we also consider the temperature and precipitation outlooks,” he says.  Zogg says this year’s outlook is typical of the recent pattern.

“For the past couple of years, the spring flood outlooks have been pretty favorable for the state, not really any high risk of spring flooding across the state,” Zogg says. “Some locations, maybe a little bit above normal. Kind of like this year, the Mississippi is above normal risk, not much above normal, but above normal.” The second flood outlook will be released on February 23rd and Zogg says the updates take into account the forecast ahead. “The big thing that we have to look at is the future precipitation, things like rainfall or snowfall,” he says. “Of course, much of the face on a drought, so we would welcome the rainfall, it’s just that we don’t want it all at once. We want that rainfall spread out over time.”

These flood outlooks are for the long-term potential for river flooding. “They really don’t consider things like flash flooding, it’s more of a shorter-term hazard. That’s usually in response to a localized heavy rainfall event,” Zogg says. “So, people still need to be aware of the potential for that if we have any heavy rainfall events going forward. And as people who live in Iowa for a while now, we can definitely get heavy rainfall events in the spring and summer.”

The third and final spring flood outlook will be released on March 9th.

Planned Griswold Daycare Center receives a huge financial boost

News

February 11th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Griswold, Iowa) — Officials with the Noble Initiatives Foundation in Griswold have announced the organization working to build a new childhood development center in Griswold, has received large grant to further their goal. According to NIF Board Member Steve Baier, the Foundation received a $500,000 grant through the Charles E. Lakin Foundation for their ongoing effort to raise nearly $2.6 million for a proposed 8,800-square-foot facility.

The funds will ensure completion of the facility, Baier said, which will be named the Charles E. Lakin Child Development Center of Griswold. Crews have been hard at work pouring the concrete for the foundation. When complete, the Lakin Child Development Center should be able to house nearly 100 children throughout the day, including those aged six weeks to four years old, and a separate area for before and after school care for elementary-age kids. The facility would also include four classrooms and a gym.

The childcare center will provide year-round child care, including full-time, drop-in, and before/after school care. It will be located south of the Griswold Elementary School.  Fundraising efforts for the center went public in July, 2022.

If construction goes smoothly, Baier says the hope is to have the facility up and running by the fall of 2023. An official groundbreaking is scheduled for March 25th. More information is available on the organization’s website and Facebook page.

Nebraska man arrested Friday night in Montgomery County

News

February 11th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Red Oak, Iowa) – A man from Nebraska was arrested at around 10-p.m. Friday, in Montgomery County. The Sheriff’s Office reports deputies arrested 49-year-old Rafael Hernando, of Omaha, on an active Montgomery County warrant for driving while license suspended. Hernando was being held in the Montgomery County jail on a $1,000 bond.

Reynolds says GOP governors ‘very competitive’ when it comes to cutting taxes

News

February 10th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds has set a goal of getting rid of the state income tax by the end of 2026, but Reynolds decided not to push for an interim step this year. “We would have probably taken a look at it this year, bringing it down just a little bit more, but I wanted to kind of take a look, just watch what was happening with the environment, with inflation and recession,” Reynolds said. “We would have, I think, been OK, but I just focused on education reform this year and then really taking a look at government and how we provide services to Iowans.”

Reynolds and the rest of the nation’s governors are meeting in Washington, D.C. this weekend and the governor made her comments at a forum today sponsored by the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank. Reynolds, who is chair of the Republican Governors Association, said 15 of her fellow Republican governors are proposing tax reductions in their states this year. “The great thing about Republican governors is we’re very competitive,” Reynolds said, “…which means I’m going to have to continue to cut taxes for Iowans.”

Reynolds has signed three tax cut packages since taking office in mid-2017. The one she signed a year ago has ended state taxes on retirement income and will reduce Iowa’s individual income tax to a single rate of three-point-nine percent in 2026. “But it’s not just cutting taxes and I think we’ve had some states that have had some difficulty with that,” Reynolds said. “They cut taxes, but they didn’t keep state spending in check and therefore ran into some issues down the line.”

The state budget plan Reynolds presented the legislature in January would spend just 82% of the tax revenue the state is projected to collect in the next fiscal year.

House Democratic Leader Jennifer Konfrst says the governor is in Washington, D.C. doing “a victory lap” for enacting policies that benefit corporations and wealthy Iowans.