(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Department of Corrections officials confirm M-pox or monkey pox has been detected in the state prison in Fort Dodge, but they’re not saying how many inmates are infected with the highly contagious virus. M-pox causes severe rashes and blister-like sores. It was originally found in Africa, but in 2022, m-pox spread around the world in cases linked to travel.

According to a statement from the Iowa Department of Corrections, affected individuals in the Fort Dodge prison are receiving care, with “enhanced sanitation and isolation protocols in place to prevent further spread.” Health officials say m-pox is spread through close contact with someone who has the virus or by touching surfaces or items an infected person has touched.

The Fort Dodge Correctional Facility (I-DOC photo)

State health officials confirmed the first case of monkey pox in Iowa back in 2022. The patients was an adult in north central Iowa who was likely infected during international travel.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Board of Supervisors in Atlantic, today (Tuesday), tabled a request from the Atlantic Public Library for the use of ARPA funds to repair the roof of the Library. Board Chair Steve Baier said the repairs are estimated to cost approximately $100,000. No action was taken because the Board wanted more details on the scope of the project and other sources of funding. It’s estimated the ARPA account has about $11,000 available, after bills for other projects are factored-in.

Cass County Supervisor’s mtg. 9-3-24

The Board approved the abatement of taxes on a property in Griswold, as recommended by County Assessor Shana Platt. She said a “clerical error” necessitated the abatement of taxes on 309 4^th Street, in Griswold.

And, they approved an auditing firm contract with Gronewold, Bell, Kyhnn & Company CPA’s, for the fiscal year that ends June 30, 2024. The Board received a regular report from Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken.

In other business, the Cass County Supervisors approved the appointment of two Deputy Medical Examiners – Jeals Brines, D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) and Jill Pollpeter, M.D.(Medical Doctor) as requested by the County’s Medical Examiner, Dr. Elaine Berry.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – Officials with the Glenwood Police Department say three people were arrested on drug charges over the Labor Day weekend. On Monday, 31-year-old Zachary Jolley, of Glenwood, was arrested for OWI/2nd offense, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He posted a $3,300 bond before being released from the Mills County Jail.

On Sunday, Glenwood Police arrested 19-year-old Christian Caskey, of Glenwood, for OWI/1st offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Caskey posted a $1,300 bond and was released from custody. And, 29-year-old Sabrina Castaneda, of Las Vegas, NV, was arrested in Glenwood for Possession of Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. She was also later released on a $1,300 bond.

Authorities said also, 45-year-old Noah Handley, of Glenwood, was arrested Sunday for Public Intoxication. He was released after posting a $300 bond.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – State Auditor Rob Sand’s Office today (Tuesday), released a Financial Statement pertaining to Cass County (Iowa). In brief, the statement shows:

2023 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
* Revenues of the County’s governmental activities increased 2.3%, or approximately $428,000, from Fiscal 2022 to Fiscal 2023. Property and other County Taxes increased approximately $349,000. Operating Grants and Contributions increased approximately $569,000.
* Program expenses of the County’s governmental activities increased O.5%, or approximately $65,000, more in Fiscal 2023 than in Fiscal 2022. Public Safety and Legal Services increased $48,000, County Environment and Education increased $165,000, Roads and Transportation increased $422,000, and Administration increased $506,000.
* The County’s net position increased 9.6%, or approximately $4,314,000, from June 30, 2022 to June 30, 2023.

Read the entire report, here: Cass_County_Iowa_2023_496625401942C-min

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley is predicting an extension of the 2018 Farm Bill will be in the temporary spending bill congress is likely to pass in the next few weeks to keep the government operating.  “I think we’d be better off having a five-year Farm Bill,” Grassley says, “but that isn’t going to happen.” Congress voted last November to extend the policies of the 2018 Farm Bill, which had expired on September 30th. So far this year, the House Agriculture Committee has voted for a new version of the Farm Bill, but the measure hasn’t been brought up for a vote in the full House and negotiations in the Senate haven’t produced a bill yet either.

Grassley, a Republican who serves on the Senate Ag Committee, says the new Farm Bill needs to include higher price supports for commodities like corn and soybeans. “We say it this way in the United States Senate: ‘We need more farm in the Farm Bill,'” Grassley says. “Presently it’s 85% food stamps and 15% agriculture and we think the reflection of the inflation to put more farm in the Farm Bill.” Congress has a September 30th deadline to pass budget bills, but 1997 was the last time that happened.

Lawmakers instead pass a measure that funds all government agencies. Grassley says that move should happen well before September 30th. “When you get close to shutting down the government, like let’s say the week before, there’s a lot of taxpayers’ money spent just getting ready to shut down the government,” Grassley says, “so we ought to bring some consistency to it and it should not be a controversial thing.”

After the House and Senate passed a short term spending plan last September, a handful of Republicans successfully removed Kevin McCarthy from his role as House Speaker.

(Red Oak, Iowa)  – The Board of Supervisors in Montgomery County today (Tuesday), received a regular, weekly report from Montgomery County Engineer Karen Albert.

The Board also heard comments from West Township resident Jan Norris, with regard to the South Dakota Pipeline ruling. She said passing a zoning ordinance establishing setback distances from rural Montgomery County homes is the only thing the board can do to mitigate the risk she believes residents will be forced to live with “should these hazardous liquid pipelines be allowed to be built next to our homes and through our farms.” And, she said the additional Phase II pipeline route gives Montgomery County another opportunity to be proactive. She urged the Board to “take advantage of it.”

Norris also claimed Summit Carbon Solutions’ claim about the number of easements they have reported at meetings in Red Oak and Corning, are false and misleading to property owners.

She said the recently held area meetings, show opposition to the pipeline is growing.

MC BOS mtg. 9-3-24

The Supervisors Tuesday (Today) approved of tax rebate requests for:

• The County Farm, in the amount of $4,938.
• City of Red Oak-owned property at 205 4th Avenue, in the amount of $188, and the rebate of property taxes acquired by Kimberly Lamb from the City of Red Oak, at 1210 N. 4th St., in the amount of $1,250.
• They also approved Tax Transfers from Rural Services Basic to Secondary Roads for FY 24/25, in the amount of $80,000, and from General Services Basic to Secondary Roads, in the amount of $1-million, for FY 24/25.

OAKLAND, Iowa — A Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) is set to open this (Tuesday) afternoon, in Oakland. The center will open at 1-p.m., and continue its operations until 6-p.m. Hours the rest of this week are from 8-a.m. until 6-p.m. The DRC will provide one-on-one help to people affected by severe storms, tornadoes and flooding this past Spring.

Recovery specialists will explain assistance programs and help survivors complete or check the status of their applications.

The DRC is located at the Oakland Community Center, 614 Dr. Van Zee Road.

(Creston, Iowa) – Police in Creston say a woman from Prescott reported Saturday night, that someone had stolen her car keys and work bag out of her vehicle in a parking lot at an apartment complex located at 120 Manor Drive, in Creston. The loss was estimated at $40.

(Creston, Iowa) – Authorities in Creston say no injuries were reported following a collision Monday night at the intersection of Townline Street and Sumner Avenue. According to the Creston Police report, a 2024 Ford Bronco driven by 55-year-old Jeffery Coffin, of Greenfield, was traveling north on Sumner Avenue at around 11-p.m., Monday, and had stopped at the flashing red light. The Bronco was in the inside lane, and turned west onto Townline, into the inside lane.

A 2024 Dodge Ram pickup driven by 55-year-old Scott Tridle, of Creston, was traveling west on Townline in the inside lane, and came to a stop at the flashing red light. When the pickup and SUV entered the intersection, the left front side of the pickup struck the right rear of the Bronco, causing a police estimated $2,000 (minor) damage to each vehicle.

No citations were issued.

(Radio Iowa) – A new study shows cancer rates in the Midwest are among the highest in the nation, and the number of cancer cases in Iowa is rising, while the state’s rate of cancer deaths is falling. Dr. Ben Parsons, a hematologist-oncologist at Gundersen Health System, says part of the reason for the rising numbers is lifestyle choices like alcohol and tobacco use, but obesity also plays a big role in cancer risk. “There are significant hormonal changes that happen as people carry a lot of extra weight, especially women and breast cancer, and it’s a huge deal,” Parsons says, “and I think it’s one of those ones that people don’t always think about when they’re thinking about their health.”

A report from the University of Iowa-based Iowa Cancer Registry estimates 21-thousand Iowans will be diagnosed with cancer this year, an increase from last year, while the projected number of Iowans who will die from cancer is falling. With Iowa being such a farm-focused state, Parsons says chemicals may also play a leading role in the rise in the state’s cancer cases. “If you look at the number of unregulated chemicals that are released into our society, there’s 250-plus new chemicals that have been released since 1950 and a lot of that we’re learning more and more about them,” Parsons says. “The Midwest is a large agricultural area. There’s definitely an association with glyphosate or Roundup and some cancers, especially lymphoid malignancies, like lymphomas.” Access to health care can also be a factor in cancer rates, and Parsons says some rural areas of Iowa are under-served.

“Most of our communities actually have access to a relatively high level of quality health care,” Parsons says, “and that’s really what obviously sways whether or not you’re going to have early detection, treatment, and have better outcomes associated with that.” He says some keys to staying healthy include getting annual physicals, keeping up with vaccines, and getting screened for various risks — like routine colonoscopies or mammograms. Plus, there’s exercise. “It’s encouraged to have 150 minutes of exercise every week. That can be as simple as taking a 15-minute walk a day,” Parsons says. “It doesn’t have to be what most people think of as exercise, like going to the gym and lifting weights and things like that. It’s really just getting your body moving, taking the stairs at work, parking a little further away from the grocery store, any of those little things add up.”