(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors gathered at the courthouse in Red Oak this (Wednesday) morning, to canvass the results of the Nov. 5, 2024 General Election. Auditor Jill Ozuna said with regard to the township positions, where there were no declared candidates, write-in nominations were accepted, and there were many names written-in. Lincoln and Washington Township candidates did file nomination papers with the assumption their names would be written-in.

There was a tie for the Grant Township write-in’s, and the name drawn by the Supervisors was Dane Belt. Ozuna then went over the election results for the Supervisors, precinct by precinct, as well as the voter turn-out data.

Board Chair Mike Olsen commented there was an excellent turnout. Auditor Ozuna backed-up the comment with some statistics.

The Board passed a resolution approving the canvass of results as presented. The official results will be turned-in to the Iowa Secretary of State’s Office. In other business, Montgomery County Engineer Karen Albert provided her weekly Secondary Roads report to the Board of Supervisors.

She said they’re also still working on their plans for the 5-year construction program, and she reminded Montgomery County residents there will be a public meeting on December 3^rd, with regard to the County’s Comprehensive Plan and discussion on a proposed Wind Turbine Ordinance.

(Note: The Sheriff’s Office today (Nov. 14th) has issued a correction to their press release, with regard to Crystal Branch. See below)

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office has released a report on arrests that occurred between Oct. 22nd and Nov. 9th. In order from most recent to the earliest:

On November 9th, 2024, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested William Edie, 53, of Atlantic, for OWI 2nd Offense.  Edie was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held pending his later release on his own recognizance.

On November 8th, 2024, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested James Wharton, 85, of Avoca, for OWI 1st Offense.  Wharton was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held pending his later release on his own recognizance.

On November 7th, 2024, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested Mikel Erickson, 33, of Omaha, on the charge of Violation of a No Contact Order.  Erickson was transported to the Cass County Jail where she was booked and held pending her later release on her own recognizance.

On November 7th, 2024, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested Shawn Assman, 38, of Waukee, on the charge of Indecent Exposure.  Assman turned himself in on the Cass County Warrant, was booked in to jail and subsequently released after posting bond.

On November 7th, 2024, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested Kyle Wilson, 29, of Hancock, on the charge of Driving While Revoked.  Wilson was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held pending his later release on his own recognizance.

On November 5th, 2024, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested Dajuan Brantley, 36, of Kansas City, KS, on warrants for Theft 1st Degree, Criminal Mischief 1st Degree and Burglary 3rd Degree.  Brantley was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held.

On November 4th, 2024, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested Michelle Evans, 58, of Bridgewater, on a warrant for Animal Neglect Causing Injury.  Evans was transported to the Cass County Jail where she was booked and held.

On November 2nd, 2024, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested Steven Steele, 67, of Massena, for OWI 1st Offense.  Steele was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held pending his later release on bond.

On November 1st, 2024, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested Julius Lee, 43, of Griswold, on two charges of Sex Offender Registration Violation as well as Child Endangerment.  Lee was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held.

**On November 13th, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office reported an arrest of Crystal Branch where she was allegedly taken into custody, booked and held pending release after time served.  The Sheriff’s Office is correcting their post to note that Branch was NOT arrested but rather cited into court for the offense.

On October 29th, 2024, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested Barrett Driskill, 39, of Afton, on a warrant for his arrest.  Driskill was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held pending his release to another agency.

On October 28th, 2024, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested Ianangi Kosuo, 31, of Atlantic, on the charges of OWI 1st Offense and Driving While Revoked.  Kosuo was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held pending his later release on his own recognizance.

On October 24th, 2024, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested Skyanne Christensen, 24, of Atlantic, on a warrant for Theft 2nd Degree.  Christensen was transported to the Cass County Jail where she was booked and held pending her later release to another agency.

On October 22nd, 2024, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested Jon Steckelberg, 55, of Adair, on a warrant for Drug Trafficking.  Steckelberg was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held pending his later release on bond.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowans will have a rare opportunity this week to get an up-close peek at one of the national Christmas trees without having to journey all the way to Washington D-C. Susan DeCourcy, a regional administrator with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, says the 74-foot-long spruce is being trucked more than four-thousand miles cross-country and it’ll make a festive pit stop in central Iowa.

“It’s a 54-year tradition in which there’s 154 national forests that provide a tree for the West Lawn at the U.S. Capitol,” DeCourcy says, “and so this year, the tree is coming from the Tongass National Forest in Alaska. It’s making its way across the country.” The truck carrying the giant tree will stop at the Bass Pro Shops along Interstate 80 in Altoona on Friday from 11 A-M to 1 P-M.

“People are going to be able to sign the side of the trailer that it’s on,” DeCourcy says, “and they’ll be able to see the massiveness of it.” In addition to seeing the tree, DeCourcy says staff from the N-H-T-S-A will be on hand to talk with folks about highway safety. “This is the time when people are going to start making travel plans, and we really want to make sure that people are traveling safely,” she says. “We’re going to take this opportunity to interact with people and share traffic safety messages with them.”

That will include topics like child car seats, teenage drivers, bicycle safety and pedestrian safety. The event is free.

(Red Oak, Iowa)  – Officials with the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital & Clinics in Red Oak, have announced Dr. Thomas Baer, a dedicated family physician from Malvern, has been honored as the 2024-2025 Iowa Family Physician of the Year by the Iowa Academy of Family Physicians. The award was presented during the installation and awards ceremony held on November 7 at Prairie Meadows Event Center. The Iowa Family Physician of the Year award is presented to one outstanding physician in Iowa who best exemplifies the tradition of the family doctor and epitomizes the finest standards of family medicine.

Dr. Baer graduated from the University of Iowa College of Medicine in 1989 and completed his residency at the Lincoln Medical Education Foundation in Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1992. He currently serves the Malvern community.

One nomination letter praised Dr. Baer’s deep commitment to his patients and his innovative approach to overcoming healthcare barriers: “Dr. Baer understands the challenges of accessing healthcare and will do whatever is necessary to address it. He noticed that some patients struggled to come in during the week, so he opened his clinic for two additional days each month to accommodate those who could not visit during regular hours. Dr. Baer’s dedication extends beyond the clinic; he is an advocate for community involvement, recognizing that a strong community contributes significantly to the well-being of its members. Dr. Thomas Baer is not just a physician; he is an integral part of the Malvern community.”

Family physicians like Dr. Baer undergo extensive training beyond medical school, which includes a three-year residency and comprehensive education in various aspects of medicine. This training equips them to care for patients at every stage of life and in diverse areas, including pediatrics, geriatrics, internal medicine, psychiatry, surgery, obstetrics, gynecology, and community medicine.

The Iowa Academy of Family Physicians, representing over 1,700 members, is a constituent chapter of the American Academy of Family Physicians, which is one of the largest medical specialty societies in the United States with a membership of more than 129,000 family physicians, family medicine residents, and medical students.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Police Department reports a man from Kansas City, KS was arrested last week in connection with a break-in at Nishna Valley Cyle on July 15, 2024. 36-year-old Dajuan Brantly faces charges that include Theft in the 1st Degree, Burglary in the 3rd Degree, and Criminal Mischief in the 1st Degree. Brantly was arrested November 5th.

An investigation into the incident continues.

(Radio Iowa) – The open enrollment period is now underway for people who get their health insurance through healthcare.gov. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Regional Administrator Shannon Hills says it is important that you take action. “This is the time for people who need health insurance to make changes to their existing plan or to apply and enroll,” she says. Hills says there are some changes for this year. “Due to a new law, the inflation Reduction Act, financial assistance is available to help people pay for their health insurance premiums,” Hills says.

She says the healthcare.gov website has also been streamlined and updated to make the process easier. Hills says the healthcare plans offer a variety of things from prescription drugs, to emergency care and more.  “They will be able to compare and contrast various healthcare plans, their costs, and to find one that meets their needs,” she says. Hill says there is also information on how to evaluate the various plans.

“On healthcare.gov there is a section called Find Local Help. So if someone would like a little bit more information or assistance in their particular area in Iowa, then they can select that Find Local Help button and be connected to an agent or broker in their area to walk through their healthcare plan options,” Hills says. “They can also call the healthcare.gov call center at 1-800-318-2596.” She says that call center is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Hills says you need to sign up by December 15th to ensure that your coverage will begin by January 1st.

(Atlantic, Iowa) [updated]  – The Cass County Board of Supervisors met Wednesday morning (Nov. 13), and canvassed the results of the Nov. 5, 2024 General Election. The approved, certified results, will be submitted to the Iowa Secretary of State’s Office for the record. In other business, the Board heard a Quarterly Report from Cass County Conservation Department Executive Director Micah Lee.

He said they have been performing general maintenance at the Cold Springs State Park.

At West Nodaway, Micah said the Food Plots were prepped for the Dove season, and some trees were planted and brush removal work was conducted.

The Board heard also from the Cass County Library Association, who requested a three-percent increase in funding from the County, for each of the libraries in Cass County. The Supervisors received a report from Lora Kanning, President of Cass County Tourism, on a new (Draft copy for now), interactive brochure.

She asked for a Cass County Tourism tab to be included on the County’s website, once the brochure is finalized. A one-time fee of $150 is needed to create a side page for the brochure. The Supervisors agreed help pay for the addition to the website. The brochure will include QR Codes to each community in the county, including recreational and other information.

And, they received a regular report from Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken, who said with (up until recently) the dry weather, they’ve been applying spot rock to the county’s gravel roads as needed, especially on Lansing Road. They’ve also replaced some rip-rap around bridge piers, and conducting culvert work. And, Wolken said the are looking for help in the Secondary Roads Department. Advertisements for one of the positions was posted a few days ago.

And, some construction projects were recently completed, including a box culvert on 620th, Bridge 24 was finished Tuesday and open for traffic.

The Supervisors approved a lease agreement (as written) with the 4^th Judicial District Dept. of Correctional Services, for County-owned property at 601 Walnut Street, Suite 1, in Atlantic. They approved also, the issuance of a county credit card with a $2,500 spending limit, to Cass County Public Safety Director Mike Kennon, and Bobbi Jo Steffensmeier. The request was with regard to dispatcher and other necessary training.

In other action, the Board approved a fiscal year 2023-24 Urban Renewal report, and a Federal-Aid agreement for the replacement of Bridge 269 over the Jim Branch, which is on the landfill road.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley is criticizing the institution where he’s served for decades for giving too much power to the office of the president. Grassley, the longest-serving Republican in Congressional history, says Congress has “violated the Constitution” by handing the White House the authority to enact crippling tariffs. President-Elect Donald Trump made global tariffs a primary focus of his campaign, and Grassley, who serves on the Senate Finance Committee, says he can do it. “I’m sorry to say that he probably does have that sort of authority based upon a couple tariffs,” Grassley says. “The only one I remember would be the 1963 tariff legislation, supposedly to be used for national security.”

During the campaign, Trump suggested he’ll sign an executive order to impose a 20-percent tax on all imports from all countries, and threatened a tax of up to 60-percent on all goods coming from China. Grassley believes the president has that power and can enact such tariffs without needing Congressional approval. “I’d rather call them countervailing duties than tariffs, but when a country goes against international trade law and subsidizes something,” Grassley says, “a president’s got the authority under this other trade bill to put on enough duties on imports to level the playing field.”

Grassley says his criticism of Congress goes back 50, even 80 years, as powers that should likely have remained under the U-S Capitol dome were shifted to the executive branch. “We have actually violated the Constitution, where it says all legislative power shall be vested in the Congress of the United States,” Grassley says, “but when you delegate too much authority for presidential action, you’re really violating that section of the code.” Recent action by the U-S Supreme Court aimed to curb the power of the executive branch, Grassley says, if that power isn’t specifically spelled out in the law. He says, “In the Supreme Court case of this year, they more or less said, ‘Congress, you aren’t doing your job, and you shouldn’t be delegating so much authority,’ and the Supreme Court’s going to be the policeman of that in the future.”

The threatened 60-percent tariff on all goods from China is particularly troubling to American companies that rely on parts from China in order to make a wide range of products, which could force a tremendous boost in prices for consumers.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa [KCCI] — Iowans for Common Sense, a new coalition, is launching an advertising campaign to stop a proposed new casino in Cedar Rapids. Their television ad, currently airing in the Des Moines and Cedar Rapids markets, asks Iowans to sign a petition supporting a statewide moratorium on new casinos. The group points to a statewide survey, conducted by UpONE Insights, that found two-thirds of Iowa voters oppose new casinos and 56% of voters support a moratorium on further casino expansion.

Iowans for Common Sense spokesperson Zachary Harnden says “The message from Iowans is clear People across the state value what our current casinos bring to their communities but do not support further expansion.”

Peninsula Pacific Entertainment and the Linn County Gaming Association jointly applied for a gaming license with the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission in August. Leaders from these organizations formally presented their applications in October. If granted a license, Cedar Crossing Casino & Entertainment Center will be built in Cedar Rapids.

The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission will vote on granting a license on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Cass County (Iowa) 4-H’ers and their families, volunteers and supporters gathered on Sunday, November 10^th to celebrate the 2023-2024 4-H year at the 2024 County Convention. Officials report 4-H leaders reaching milestones, were recognized for their service. Receiving five-year recognition were Diane Brahms of Union Leaders, Terri Hansen of Grant Guys & Gals Clover Kids, Carrie Ohms of Grant Guys & Gals Clover Kids, Toni Rieck of Grant Guys & Gals, and Laura Robinson of Washington GEM.

The 4-H Alumni Award, given to 4-H alumni that have stayed active in supporting the local 4-H program, was presented to Dale and Vickie Retallic. Dale and Vickie have been active in many parts of the Cass County Fair in all ways possible. Exhibitor, Parent, Superintendent, Volunteer, Cook, Assistant Superintendent, Grandparents are some titles they have had on the fairgrounds. They have raised two sons that are current fair department superintendents and have grandchildren now exhibiting on the grounds too. Dale and Vickie have created a deep-rooted tradition of being involved with Cass County 4-H at the county fair and continue to support youth in the program through many avenues.

Natalie Bierbaum recognized as Cass County’s newest Honorary 4-H Member. This is awarded to a member of the community who was not a 4-H member themselves but supports and assists the local 4-H program. Natalie has made photo backgrounds for youth to take photos of their awards out during fair, takes photos of many shows and award ceremonies at fair. Natalie was instrumental in the creation of our 75th Exhibitor T-shirts we got to show in this year and her help with the 75th Fair Celebration committee preparations. The Distinguished Service Award was presented to Lindeman Tractor. The team at Lindeman’s works with many of our 4-H families each month through their regular business. They stated how appreciative they are to see the next generation of our 4-H youth getting involved in the agriculture field.

They have been involved in Cass County 4-H and the county fair as far back as 1959 in multiple ways including, an entertainment sponsor, a livestock sale supporter, and a trophy donor. Behind the scenes, they provide equipment, storage, and trucking before, during, and after our Fair. During Fair week, Bob, Norma Jean, and their Lindeman’s family are often sharing meals at the food stand multiple times a day. Members and leaders of all 4-H clubs in Cass County were recognized for club activities, and project awards completed throughout the year. Intermediate and Junior 4-H members who completed a record book received project awards based on leaders’ recommendation. Record books are rated on organization, appearance, goals and learning, spelling, and grammar.

High school members turn in their record book at the club level, then leaders nominate records to be reviewed again at the county level. These project records should be well organized, neat, and show evidence of solid Citizenship, Communication, and Leadership activities. Points received determine if platinum, gold, silver, or bronze awards are given.

A ink to photos and a document that has names listed for each photo is available at: https://iastate.box.com/s/7m44pxq3an1c4m3hus4wg3epqi2ozf3q. Photos courtesy of Captured by Ashley Photography.

Awards given by clubs are as follows:

Bear Grove Blazers:

Club Awards: Top Historian Book, Top Treasurer Book, Youth Council Club Challenge Participant, Silent Auction Item

Record Book/Project Awards:

Catherine DeBord: Home Improvement, Clothing & Fashion, Star Intermediate Record Book

Alyson Dreager: Swine (platinum), Dog (platinum), Goat (platinum), Home Improvement (platinum), Photography (gold), Sheep (gold), Gold Senior Record Book

Dylen Dreager: Swine (bronze), Silver Senior Record Book

Keagen Dreager: Home Improvement

Walker Gary: Poultry (platinum), Platinum Senior Record Book

Jamie Jacobsen: Citizenship, Health

Maggie Jacobsen: Citizenship

Hunter Kardell: Swine, Visual Arts, Star Junior Record Book

Lynsie Kardell: Photography, Star Intermediate Record Book

Macie Kloewer: Rabbits

Maggie Kloewer: Food & Nutrition, Rabbits

Mia Kloewer: Bronze Senior Record Book

David Retallic: Swine (gold), Platinum Senior Record Book

Sophia Retallic: Swine, Food & Nutrition, Sewing & Needle Art, Visual Arts, Rabbits, Photography, Star Junior Record Book

Nolan Sunderman: Self-Determined

Carter Witzman: Swine (gold), Silver Senior Record Book

Benton Franklin:

Club Awards: 4-Her’s for 4-H, Youth Council Club Challenge Finisher, Silent Auction Item

Record Book/Project Awards:

Brock Henderson: Breeding beef (gold), Gold Senior Record Book

Zander Pieken: Rabbits (silver), Gold Senior Record Book

Blayre Steffen: Swine, Beef, Star Junior Record Book

Brookelyn Steffen: Self-Determined (silver), Gold Senior Record Book

Brylee Steffen: Home Improvement, Swine, Beef, Star Intermediate Record Book

C&M Champions:

Club Awards: 4-Her’s for 4-H, Endowment Donation, Silent Auction Item

Cowpokes:

Club Awards: 4-Her’s for 4-H, Youth Council Club Challenge Participant, Silent Auction Item

Record Book/Project Awards:

AJ Barber: Beef, Horse, Welding

Shelby Hansen: Dog, Star Junior Record Book

Kayedance Sturm: Horse (bronze), Silver Senior Record Book

Grant Guys and Gals:

Club Awards: 4-Her’s for 4-H, Endowment Donation, Top Window Display National 4-H Week, Rabbit Herdsmanship, Swine Herdsmanship, Youth Council Club Challenge Participant, Silent Auction Item

Record Book/Project Awards:

Macy Burg: Gold Senior Record Book

Brayden Dawson: Beef

Colby Euken: Clothing & Fashion, Photography, Vet Science, Woodworking, Swine, Agronomy, Star Junior Record Book

Ada Hansen: Communications (platinum), Platinum Senior Record Book

Isaac Hansen: Swine, Beef, Food & Nutrition, Woodworking, Clothing & Fashion, Star Junior Record Book

Mack Hansen: Food & Nutrition, Swine, Animal Science, Visual Arts, Beef, Home Improvement

Kambry Langfelt: Beef

Kylee Wessling: Food & Nutrition, Rabbits

Griswold Clubsters:

Club Awards: Beef Herdsmanship, Silent Auction Item

Record Book/Project Awards:

Raylea Amos: Beef, Star Junior Record Book

Blaine Buffington: Swine

Bristol Chambers: Beef, Star Junior Record Book

Josephine Millikan: Consumer Management (gold), Clothing & Fashion (silver), Sewing & Needle Art (platinum), Food & Nutrition (gold), Gold Senior Record Book

Grove H.O.T.:

Club Awards: 4-Her’s for 4-H, 2024 Banner Club, Silent Auction Item

Record Book/Project Awards:

Hudson Brock: Communications, Star Intermediate Record Book

Parker Brock: Silver Senior Record Book

Conner Johnson: Poultry (platinum), Shooting Sports (gold), Woodworking (gold), Platinum Senior Record Book

Lily Johnson: Communications (gold), Citizenship (platinum), Clothing & Fashion (platinum), Dairy Goats (platinum), Food & Nutrition (platinum), Leadership (platinum), Photography (platinum), Poultry (platinum), Platinum Senior Record Book

Madeline Richter: Gold Senior Record Book

Claire Schroder: Rabbits (platinum), Sheep (platinum), Gold Senior Record Book

Independent Members:

Record Book/Project Awards: Grant Petty: Sheep (platinum), Swine (platinum), Platinum Senior Record Book

Pleasant Noble United:

Club Awards: 4-Her’s for 4-H, Overall Herdsmanship, Youth Council Club Challenge Participant, Silent Auction Item, Highest club attendance at convention.

Record Book/Project Awards:

Conlan Amos: Poultry, Star Intermediate Record Book

Zoey Amos: Gold Senior Record Book

Emma Ritter: Dog

Gage Ritter: Ag & Natural Resources

Kailey Swain: Visual Arts (platinum), Goats (platinum), Poultry (platinum), Rabbits (platinum), Platinum Senior Record Book

Pymosa:

Club Awards: 4-Her’s for 4-H, Top Secretary Book, YC Club Challenge Winner, Silent Auction Item, Highest 4-H member recruitment.

Record Book/Project Awards:

Olivia Olson: Platinum Senior Record Book

Claire Pellett: Food & Nutrition (platinum), Beef (gold), Dog (gold), Health (gold), Platinum Senior Record Book

Oakley Skow: Food & Nutrition, Dog, Poultry, Photography, Star Junior Record Book

Miraylie Stuart: Beef (platinum), Platinum Senior Record Book

Union Leaders:

Club Awards: 4-Her’s for 4-H, Endowment Donation, Top Community Service Award, Sheep Herdsmanship, Silent Auction Item

Record Book/Project Awards:

Oliver Becker: Sewing & Needle Art

Tristan Becker: Beef (gold), Silver Senior Record Book

Bay Erickson: Rabbits, Visual Arts, Food & Nutrition, Photography, Clothing & Fashion, Star Junior Record Book

Gage Erickson: Visual Arts, Food & Nutrition, Clothing & Fashion

Avery Lee: Woodworking, Visual Arts, Photography, Food & Nutrition, Clothing & Fashion

Bryson Lee: Woodworking, Food & Nutrition

Eden Ohms: Clothing & Fashion, Sheep, Beef, Poultry, Food & Nutrition, Child Development, Visual Arts, Sewing & Needle Art, Star Junior Record Book

Leah Ohms: Food & Nutrition (platinum), Sewing & Needle Art (platinum), Beef (platinum), Sheep (platinum), Visual Arts (platinum), Photography (gold), Platinum Senior Record Book

Washington GEM:

Club Awards: 4-Her’s for 4-H, Goat Herdsmanship, Poultry Herdsmanship, Youth Council Club Challenge Finisher

Record Book/Project Awards:

Colton Anderson: Sheep, Star Intermediate Record Book

Maddy Anderson: Swine (gold), Platinum Senior Record Book

Natalie Boose: Visual Arts, Rabbits

Bentley Bruck: Photography (gold), Beef (gold), Platinum Senior Record Book

Jacquelyn Freund: Sewing & Needle Art (platinum), Gold Senior Record Book

Macy Freund: Home Improvement, Food & Nutrition, Sewing, Clothing & Fashion

Morgan Kirchner: Sewing & Needle Art, Poultry, Visual Arts, Clothing & Fashion, Star Junior Record Book

Quincy Robinson: Swine

Gentry Waters: Clothing

Paxton Wickard: Woodworking, Welding, Swine, Star Junior Record Book

Zach Zellmer: Swine, Rabbits, Star Intermediate Record Book

High School youth members can also apply for county level awards to show highlight the experiences they have demonstrating their leadership, communication and civic engagement through multiple project areas through their 4-H experiences.

The Merit award went to Ada Hansen of Grant Guys and Gals – She is well-rounded with her 4-H projects and leadership, citizenship, and communication capacities.

Achievement was awarded to Olivia Olson of Pymosa – Olivia has shown outstanding personal growth through participation in a variety of 4-H projects and programs.

Citizenship award going to Lily Johnson of Grove H.O.T. – Lily has learned the meaning of citizenship and has demonstrated that understanding through good practices.

Leadership this year goes to Maddy Anderson of Washington GEM – Maddy has acquired and demonstrated leadership beyond the local club level. Leadership is helping a group attain its goals.

Learning through Livestock award this year goes to Claire Pellett of Pymosa – Claire has made noteworthy progress toward maturity and leadership thorough her service as local club, county, area, and state livestock events.

There were seventeen third graders that are eligible to graduate into the 4-H program for the 2024-2025 program year. Youth who graduated from Cass County Clover Kids included: Ethan Retallic of Bear Grove Blazers Clover Kids, Parker Walter of Bear Grove Blazers Clover Kids, Bentlee Caceres of Cass County Creators, Calon Huddleson of Cass County Creators, Emma Kay of Cass County Creators, Lana Leyh of Cass County Creators, McKinley Sandbothe of Cass County Creators, Callen Waters of Cass County Creators, Olivia Weirich of Cass County Creators, Cade Wickard of Cass County Creators, Jase Ohms of Grant Guys & Gals Clover Kids, Brielle Wessling of Grant Guys & Gals Clover Kids, Breken Amos of Griswold Clubsters Clover Kids, Laena Amos of Griswold Clubsters Clover Kids, Adalyn Buffington of Griswold Clubsters Clover Kids, Natalyn Smith of Griswold Clubsters Clover Kids, Elsie Starlin of Griswold Clubsters Clover Kids

The afternoon concluded with the installation of thirteen senior level 4-H’ers onto the 2024-2025 County 4-H Youth Council. Members are Hudson Brock of Grove H.O.T., Alyson Dreager of Bear Grove Blazers, Jacquelyn Freund of Washington GEM, Ada Hansen of Grant Guys & Gals, Conner Johnson of Grove H.O.T., Lily Johnson of Grove H.O.T., Josephine Millikan of Griswold Clubsters, Leah Ohms of Union Leaders, Olivia Olson of Pymosa, Claire Schroder of Grove H.O.T., Miraylie Stuart of Pymosa, Kayedance Sturm of Cowpokes, and Kailey Swain of Pleasant Noble United.

For more information about joining the Cass County 4-H program as a 4-H member or adult volunteer, visit www.extension.iastate.edu/cass, call 712-243-1132, or email kbateman@iastate.edu to contact the Cass County Extension office.