(Montgomery County, Iowa) – A traffic stop at around 12:34-a.m. today (Sunday) on Highway 34 resulted in the arrest of a woman from Mills County. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports Deputies conducted a traffic stop on the highway, at the Mills/Montgomery County line, and upon further investigation, arrested 22-year-old Dezirae Marie Kuhl, of Glenwood, for Possession of a Controlled Substance/1st offense.

Kuhl was transported to the Montgomery County Jail and held on a $1,000 bond.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – When the Atlantic City Council meets at 5:30-p.m. Wednesday, they’ll have a lot of items to act on. First up, is approval of a Class-C Liquor permit for Weiztel’s Restaurant. The Council denied the license during their Aug. 5, 2022 meeting. Weitzel’s appealed and a hearing was held with an Administrative Law Judge, who ruled in Weitzel’s favor, and reversed denial of the liquor license. The Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division (ABD), has informed the City that the matter needs to be placed back on the Council’s agenda for approval.

The Atlantic City Council will also act on passing a Resolution approving the Amended Calendar Year 2022 Budget for Atlantic Municipal Utilities (AMU), and the Utility must follow suit. AMU General Manager Steve Tjepkes has stated the “Wholesale market prices of power increased 67% in 2022,” which resulted in “much higher purchased power costs ($1.8-million),” hence the need to amend AMU’s budget filed with the State of Iowa, that reflects the additional costs. Along the same line, the Council will act on approving the CY 2023 Budget for AMU, which has already been approved by the Utility’s Board of Directors, and is essentially a formality.

In other business, the Council will act on three Mayoral appointments:

• The appointment of David Schwab to the Atlantic Library Board of Directors. The move will fill a position left open by the resignation of Adam Skog, whose term would have expired on July 1, 2024.
• The Council will act to approve Bill Garrett to the Atlantic Airport Commission. Garrett was appointed by the Council in Dec., 2021, to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Dr. Trewet.
• And, they will act on appointing Kyle Steffens to the Planning and Zoning Commission, as a replacement for Geoff Barrick, who has resigned, and whose term expires April 1, 2027.

A public hearing will take place during the Council’s meeting, Wednesday, at City Hall, with regard to the sale of the 301 Maple Street property to Mr. Jaime Joyce, in the amount of $10,000. A house on the City-owned lot was demolished as part of the City’s effort to cut down on blighted properties and open up the parcel for purchase. Joyce – who owns JJ Design, LLC – proposes the construction of a building with the purpose of warehousing, sign assembly, graphic application on vehicles, and his business vehicle housing. The Council previously acted to approved a site plan for the building and the property was rezoned.

A public hearing will also be held with regard to the vacating of City Right-Of-Ways (ROW) on properties abutting Palm Street, whereby the property owners disagree on the use of the public ROW. The Council is being advised by City Administrator John Lund, to reach a consensus on the proper use of the property, to benefit the City and act accordingly, with deferred action, only if they refer the matter to the Planning and Zoning Commission.

And, the Council will hold the Third and Final Readings, Wednesday, on previously reported amended ordinances pertaining to: Billing for Storm Water Utility; Zoning Regulations for the area of 4 State Street, and 601 East 8th Street. Their final order of business is to act on a Resolution establishing the procedures for Collection, Interest and Penalties, for Delinquent Storm Water Bills, with regard to the proposed new billing schedule.

(Norwalk, Iowa) – Officials with Greg Young Chevrolet, in Norwalk, and Deter Motor Company, in Atlantic, have announced the sale of the GMC/Chevy/Buick, Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep and RAM dealership in Atlantic is complete. The official word came on the Greg Young Facebook page:

“Excited AND grateful. That’s what we are today as we have anotherBIG ANNOUNCEMENT from The Gregg Young Automotive Group…Today (Friday) we added our 8th Gregg Young location in beautiful and bustling Atlantic, IA!

We couldn’t be more thankful for the continued support from our friends, family, customers & partners.

And a big congratulations to Matt Miller, our new General Manager of our Atlantic stores. You’re hard work, constant perseverance & dedication to going the Extra Mile every single day has led you here. We can’t wait to see what you bring to Atlantic.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – A traffic stop late Friday night in Red Oak, resulted in a man’s arrest for Operating [a motor vehicle] While Intoxicated.  Red Oak Police report 22-year-old Jacob Christopher Cashatt, of Red Oak, was arrested in the 1400 block of Broadway Street, at around 11:26-p.m. and charged with OWI/1st offense. He was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $1,000 bond

(Radio Iowa) – A panel of national Democratic Party leaders has voted to eliminate Iowa’s Caucuses from its leading position in the party’s next presidential campaign.

President Biden recommended that South Carolina’s Primary be the first voting event for Democrats in 2024. Biden, in a letter to party leaders, said Caucuses prevent shift workers and others from participating because they’re held at a specific time and the party should no longer let states hold presidential caucuses. Scott Brennan, a former Iowa Democratic Party chairman, is one of only two members of the national party’s Rules and Bylaws Committee that voted this afternoon against Biden’s recommendation.

“The characterization of Caucuses set forth in his letter did not reflect any acknowledgement of the historic changes we propose to the Caucuses,” Brennan said. “We recognized that that the Caucuses, as they were, no longer aligned with 20th century democracy.”

Iowa Democrats have proposed mail-in voting in the weeks leading up to its 2024 Caucuses, with the results to be announced on Caucus Night. Brennan said dumping the Iowa Democratic Party’s Caucuses sends a clear signal.

“Make no mistake, Republicans in Iowa will seize this opportunity double down on Caucuses and feed the narative that Democrats have turne their back on Iowa,” Brennan said. “…We are creating a self-fulfilling prophesy of electoral failure and creating a Fox News bubble for our presidential candidates in which they have no opportunity or responsibility to meet and communicate with voters in red-leaning states in the middle of this country.”

The panel is keeping New Hampshire and Nevada in the group of early voting states — and adding Georgia and Michigan to the group.

“Iowa’s Democratic Caucuses have advanced diverse, historic and often unlikely presidential candidates over the years, including Jimmy Carter, Barack Obama and Pete Buttigieg,” Brennan said. “…Instead, two very large, very expensive states are being added to the mix. This will surely favor frontrunner and billionaire vanity candidates.”

Other members of the committee expressed enthusiasm for the changes. Minyon Moore, co-chair of the Democratic Party’s Rules and Bylaws Committee, said grouping South Carolina, New Hampshire, Nevada, Georgia and Michigan in the early window of election contests makes sense.

“We feel strongly that this window that reflects our values paints a vibrant picture of our nation and creates a strong process that will result in the best Democratic nominee,” she said.

Stuart Applebaum of New York, a vice president of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, said the states that kick off the presidential nomination process must reflect the economic, geographic and racial diversity of the party.

“I think that the story that we are telling with these selections is a story we can be proud of,” he said. “This is what our party looks like. This is what America looks like.”

Biden, in his letter, said his goal in reshaping the 2024 calendar is to ensure voters of color and union members have an earlier voice in choosing a nominee earlier in the voting process. Susan Swecker, another panel member voting on Biden’s plan, is a former Democratic National Committee staffer who voted to dump Iowa’s Caucuses and approve Biden’s list.

“This party has historically understood where this country was going, where the growth was going, where the demographics were going,” Swecker said, “and Joe Biden is reflecting that now.”

If the Democratic National Committee ratifies this plan early next year, Iowa Democrats would violate party rules if they hold Caucuses before March.

(Creston, Iowa) – Officials with the Creston Police Department report a man riding an electric bike suffered suspected serious/incapacitating injuries, Friday evening, when he ran a stop sign and struck the side of a pickup truck, shattering the passenger side window of the truck.

The accident happened at around 3:33-p.m. at the intersection of Spruce and Howard Streets, in Creston. Police say 18-year-old Logen Quinn, of Creston, was riding the electric bicycle north on Howard Street, when according to witnesses, he failed to stop at the intersection with Spruce. Quinn was knocked-off his bike during the collision, and landed on the street. The impact caused the front wheel of the bike to be knocked-off of the frame.

Quinn  was transported to the Greater Regional Medical Center Emergency Room in Creston, before being transported to Mercy Hospital by helicopter. The driver of the 2006 Chevy Silverado pickup, 39-year-old Raymond Anthony Harris, of Creston, was not hurt. His vehicle sustained about $500 damage. Damage to the e-bike was also estimated at $500.

DES MOINES, Iowa (Dec. 2, 2022) – The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Friday, confirmed a positive case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Buena Vista County, Iowa.

The virus was found in a commercial turkey flock.

Commercial and backyard flock owners should prevent contact between their birds and wild birds. Sick birds or unusual deaths among birds should be immediately reported to state or federal officials. Biosecurity resources and best practices are available at iowaagriculture.gov/biosecurity. If producers suspect signs of HPAI in their flocks, they should contact their veterinarian immediately. Possible cases must also be reported to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship at (515) 281-5305.

(Des Moines, IA) The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announces today (Friday) the first influenza-related deaths confirmed as occurring during the 2022-23 influenza season: both elderly people (81 years and over) from northern Iowa with underlying conditions. The current flu season began on October 3, 2022.

Influenza strains, along with other respiratory viruses are circulating the state. The most recent HHS flu report shows the virus at a moderately high level of activity in the state. Iowa hospitals are reporting high patient admission rates. Iowans can help reduce the burden on hospitals and health care providers by taking a few simple precautions.

Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself and our family from severe illness, hospitalization and death. Iowans should also follow simple practices to keep themselves and their family members healthy during respiratory virus season.

Practical Tips to Stay Healthy:

• Get vaccinated for the flu and COVID-19.
• Stay home if you are sick.
• Clean high touch surfaces in your home frequently with household disinfectants.
• Practice hand hygiene frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or hand sanitizer.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, or if a tissue is not available, cover them with upper shirt sleeve, not a hand.
• Avoid social gatherings if you or your children are ill.
• Keep children home from daycare or school who have fever, cough, congestion, runny nose, or sore throat, and until they are fever-free for 24 hours without medications that reduce fever.

If you or a loved one is sick and needs medical care contact your pediatrician or healthcare provider. Your provider can offer advice on whether your child needs to be evaluated in person, tested for COVID-19 or flu, and the best location for care. Iowans should not visit Emergency Department for cold and flu symptoms, sore throats, ear infections, minor burns or injuries, sprains and strains, rash or other skin irritations.

Additional Flu and COVID-19 Vaccination information:

• Vaccinate your children ages 6 months and older against influenza as soon as possible.
• Vaccinate your children ages 6 months and older against COVID-19; children 5 and older who had their primary series more than 2 months ago should receive an updated COVID-19 booster as soon as possible.

Iowans with questions about vaccines should speak to their health care provider. Find a vaccine provider here: or https://www.vaccines.gov/.

(Radio Iowa) -Things are going to get pretty windy across the state today (Friday). Jeff Zogg of the National Weather Service says this impacts every county. “There’s a pretty strong cold front that’s going to be moving across the state later on today into this evening. And especially behind that, the winds are going to pick up. We have a wind advisory for the entire state for later this afternoon into this evening,” Zogg says Zogg says there could be some pretty powerful gusts.

“Northwest winds 25 to 35 with gusts of 50 to 55 miles per hour possible,” he says. You might want to be sure everything in your yard is secure. “With those winds, definitely has the possibility to blow around unsecured objects — including holiday decorations if they’re out– and tree limbs could be blown down and there could be some power outages as a result of that,” Zogg says. You can also say goodbye to the warm temperatures.

“This will be the warmest day that we’ll see for a little bit. Highs on Saturday across the state will range from the lower 20s to the middle 30s,” Zogg says. Those driving high-profile vehicles this afternoon and evening should use caution in the high winds.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – It’s not just kids who have Christmas wish lists. This holiday season West Central Community Action in Atlantic has put together a Countdown to Christmas Wish List. West Central Community Action serves all of Cass County and works with all three Cass County school districts. West Central facilitates a variety of services, primarily for lower income people, including Head Start early education, Childcare Resource and Referral, the Family Development and Self Sufficiency program, and Low-income Energy Assistance Program (which helps with heating and utilities costs). Besides programs, the West Central Community Action location in Atlantic offers a clothing closet and a toiletries pantry.

Their Wish List for 2022 focuses on stocking the clothing closet and toiletries pantry for winter. Healthy Cass County encourages those looking for opportunities to give locally this holiday
season to donate items on West Central’s Christmas Wish List—whether that’s just a few items, a whole lot of one item, or an item for each day in December. West Central welcomes donations at their location in downtown Atlantic (304 Chestnut St., Atlantic, IA 50022) during open hours (Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM).

Those looking to donate after collecting items throughout December are encouraged to donate on December 27 after 9:00 AM. West Central also appreciates cash and check donations and gift cards to area businesses selling toiletry items. Questions can be directed to West Central Community Action at 712-243-5421. West Central Community Action in Atlantic’s Countdown to Christmas Wish List:

December 1 – Snow Fun – Waterproof gloves or mittens
December 2 – Cozy Feet – A pair of warm socks or winter boots
December 3 – A roll of toilet paper
December 4 – Dish soap
December 5 – Hand soap
December 6 – Deodorant
December 7 – Laundry detergent
December 8 – Another roll of toilet paper!
December 9 – All-purpose household cleaner
December 10 – Paper towels
December 11 – Deodorant
December 12 – Another roll of toilet paper!
December 13 – Toothpaste
December 14 – Box of feminine hygiene products
December 15 – Deodorant
December 16 – Dish soap
December 17 – All-purpose household cleaner
December 18 – Body lotion
December 19 – Box of feminine hygiene products
December 20 – Deodorant
December 21 – Another roll of toilet paper!
December 22 – Keep those feet cozy – another pair of warm socks or snow boots
December 23 – Snow Fun – Another pair of gloves or snow pants for kids (high need)
December 24 – More laundry detergent!

For information on community wellness events or resources, follow Healthy Cass County on Facebook @HealthyCassCounty. Healthy Cass County is a community-focused volunteer network formed to promote the health and well-being of Cass County residents. Reach out to Cass County Wellness Coordinator Brigham Hoegh at bhoegh@iastate.edu or call 712-249-5870 for more
information. Healthy Cass County welcomes participants from across Cass County.