A group of concerned citizens packed the Cass County Board of Supervisor’s Board Room Wednesday morning, to express their disappointment in the Board’s vote with regard to the re-appointment of Cass County Assessor Brenda Nelson. The Board was one of three governing agencies (The School Board and Mayors, being the others), to vote 2-1 against re-appointing Nelson as Cass County Assessor for a six-year term beginning January, 2016. The vote not to reappoint her was held during the Conference Board’s meeting last Thursday night.

Before opening up the public comment portion of the Board of Supervisor’s meeting, Board Chair Frank Waters…who is also chair of the Conference Board…announced he would not take comments with regard to the Assessor’s reappointment. That left the audience frustrated, but the discussion still turned toward the Assessor’s matter. One of those who spoke was Atlantic Mayor Dave Jones, who called for another meeting of the Conference Board because he wasn’t able to attend Thursday’s meeting. Waters told Jones in essence, he should have been there, and Supervisor Mark Wedemeyer agreed.

One of those in attendance was upset the Supervisors would not take comments on the Nelson matter, and questioned their reasoning. Waters explained they are two separate Boards. He said those comments can be taken at the next Conference Board meeting, which is typically held twice a year and has not yet been rescheduled.

Waters said the Conference Board can hold a special meeting before Nov. 1st, if there are enough written comments to the Board Chair (Waters) requesting the meeting. One of the comments from local realtor Melissa Ihnen, was with regard to the posting of notice about the Conference Board meeting, so members of the public can attend. Wedemeyer explained the notice is posted by Nelson in the entryway to the courthouse, but not made available to the local media unless it is specifically requested.

Afterward, each member of the local newspaper and radio stations, including KJAN, went on record and requested Conference Board Chair Water provide notification of those meetings. If and when another meeting of the Conference Board is scheduled in the near future, we will let you know, here on KJAN.

Nearly 400 Iowans took their own lives last year and all Iowans are being encouraged to take an active role in preventing further deaths. Pat McGovern, the suicide prevention coordinator for the Iowa Department of Public Health, says it starts with trying to reduce the stigma of mental illness and reaching out to those who may be in trouble.

“It is okay to ask someone, ‘Are you suicidal?,'” McGovern says. “A lot of times, that gives a sense of relief to the person who is. They may not have even called it suicide in their own mind, but it’s thinking of suicide as an option. It allows them to know that someone does care, that there is someone who notices me, who sees me for whom I am and is concerned enough to have that conversation or to ask.”

This is Suicide Prevention Week. Last year, 392 Iowans died by suicide, making it the 10th leading cause of death in the state. Since many people know someone who has taken their own life, McGovern says the tragedy is a public health issue. “One risk with suicide is something called contagion, where someone in your social circle or your near community dies by suicide, it puts others at more risk,” McGovern says. “For some reason, we see that, we know about it and it affects us all in different ways.”

Warning signs that someone might be considering suicide include: someone talking about dying, hopelessness or taking their own life, pill hoarding, buying firearms, and dramatic life changes like the loss of a job, a loved one or a move to a new community. Learn more at the website Your-Life-Iowa-dot-org or call toll-free 855-581-8111.

(Radio Iowa)

Police in Creston report two arrests on Tuesday. 14-year old Georjiarain McKown, of Creston, was referred to Juvenile Authorities on a charge of Disorderly Conduct. The teen was released to the custody of Juvenile Authorities. And, 28-year old Amber Buchanen, of Creston, was arrested on a 4th degree Theft charge. She was later released from the Union County Jail on $1,000 bond.

Creston Police said also, a resident in the 1100 block of Hillcrest Drive reported a Stihl chainsaw was taken from a garage on his property sometime on Friday, Sept. 4th. The loss was estimated at $299.

Multiple law enforcement agencies were involved in a pursuit early this (Wednesday) morning, in western Iowa. According to authorities in Cass County, the pursuit of a black Ford Escort began at around 2:30-a.m. in Pottawattamie County and made its way into Cass County on Boston Road.

Stop sticks were deployed at 560th and Boston Road in Cass County, but the suspect vehicle managed to make it back into Pottawattamie County. The chase ended between Marne and Walnut at around 2:47-a.m., near 530th and Westgate Road.

Information about the name of the suspect, why he was being pursued, and the charges filed against him, are currently not available. Deputies from Cass, Audubon, Shelby and Pottawattamie County were involved in the pursuit.