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Two arrests reported in Creston Tuesday

News

June 17th, 2020 by admin

The Creston Police Department reports two arrests on Tuesday.

At 11:03 a.m. Officers arrested 28-year-old James Reinier of Des Moines for Driving While Suspended. The arrest followed a traffic stop at Townline and Division Street in Creston. He was released from the Law Enforcement Center on a Summons to Appear.

At 4:23 p.m. Officers arrested 68-year-old Christopher Rehmeyer of Creston at his residence for Possession of Paraphernalia. He was held in the Union County Jail on $300 bond.

Creston police also received a theft report on Tuesday afternoon. A resident on North Maple street reported that sometime during the overnight hours someone stole his Stihl backpack style leaf blower from the backyard of his residence. The loss was estimated at $500.

Atlantic City Council meets tonight

News

June 17th, 2020 by admin

The Atlantic City Council is set to meet tonight at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The Council has a long list of resolution and ordinances to take a look at.

Some of the highlights include discussion on the North Urban Renewal District establishing an Urban Renewal Area and providing division of taxes levied on property in the addition to the district.

They will also consider an order to close the alley by Fireside Lounge to 7th Street for a street dance on July 11th from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

They are also set to discuss setting the dates for 2020 fireworks use in the City of Atlantic.

Iowa COVID-19 update (6/17/20)

News

June 17th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

The number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in Iowa continues to trend lower from the peak on May 6th. IDPH dashboard data this (Wednesday) morning, show two more deaths occurred in the State Tuesday, for a total of 670. The data began to show a plateau the week of June 1st, and a slow but steady decline since then.

The current number of positive cases (as of today) is 24,263 (10.4% of the individuals tested, which is up from 3.9% on Tuesday). Buena Vista (8,061), Crawford (3,631), Louisa (3,178), Woodbury (2,940) and Tama (2,538) Counties are in the top five list of counties in Iowa having the highest number of COVID-19 positive cases.

Persons testing negative amount to 207,920, and the number of those who have recovered amount of 15,118.

RMCC data (Regional Medical Coordination Center) show statewide: 188 people are hospitalized with COVID-19 (down from 193 on Tuesday); seven less people are in an ICU (64); and two more were admitted to a hospital, for a total of 18 in the past 24-hours. The number of patients requiring a ventilator is 47. IN Region 4 (Southwest/western IA), the only change is that two people were admitted to a hospital in Tuesday, and two are on ventilators. Otherwise, the number of hospitalized patients (9) and those in an ICU (5), are unchanged.

Long-Term Care facility (LTC) outbreaks are down to 35 across the State. Nearly 2,200 LTC staff and/or patients have tested positive (1,194), at least 715 have recovered from COVID-19, and there have been 350 deaths reported at those facilities.

(For a County-by-County breakdown of the positive and recovered cases, as well as any COVID-19 related deaths, go to https://coronavirus.iowa.gov/pages/case-counts)

 

Adair County Board of Supervisors set for electronic meeting this morning

News

June 17th, 2020 by admin

The Adair County Board of Supervisors is set to meet on Wednesday morning for a regular session via an electronic meeting at 9:00 a.m.

It’s a fairly short agenda but they are set to update COVID-19 procedures and discuss a Child Abuse Prevention Grant draw down.  They will also hear from County Attorney Melissa Larson and County Treasurer Brenda Wallace about Crestland Cooperative bankruptcy money.

County Engineer Nick Kauffman will address a number of departmental policies and handbook changes. He will also discuss payment for rock contracts with Shildberg Construction Co. and report on maintenance and activities.

The dial in number for the meeting is 605-313-6157 with access code 526272#

Pence praises Winnebago and Trump in northern Iowa speech

News

June 16th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

FOREST CITY, Iowa (AP) — Vice President Mike Pence offered an optimistic view of the nation and heaped praise on President Donald Trump during a speech at recreational vehicle manufacturer Winnebago Industries in Forest City. Pence few to Mason City on Tuesday and lunch with Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds spoke at Winnebago. Pence focused most of his speech on efforts to reopen the economy after many businesses ceased operations to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Pence also touched on the death of George Floyd, calling it a “tragedy and a disgrace” but adding “there’s no excuse for the rioting” that followed the black man’s death after a white Minneapolis officer put a knee on his neck for more than eight minutes.

Iowa governor confirms plan for felon voting executive order

News

June 16th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds confirmed Tuesday that she plans to sign an executive order that would automatically restore voting rights to convicted felons before the November general election. Reynolds told reporters in Osage that her staff is working on an executive order. Mason City radio station KGLO reports the governor said, “We’re working on that right now.”

Reynolds was in northern Iowa, Tuesday, to meet with Vice President Mike Pence. She met with Black Lives Matter members on Monday to discuss an executive order. Iowa is the only state in the nation that automatically denies felons the right to vote.

Investigators seeking to determine what killed Iowa inmate

News

June 16th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

FORT DODGE, Iowa (AP) — Investigators are trying to determine what caused the death of 59-year-old inmate at the Fort Dodge Correctional Facility who was found dead Sunday in his cell. The Iowa Department of Corrections said in a news release Tuesday that it has requested the state’s Division of Criminal Investigations to look into the death of Thomas Andrew Daleske.

The state medical examiner is also conducting an autopsy. Daleske had been serving a 45-year sentence for multiple charges related to sexual abuse of a child from Warren County.

Cass County Supervisors News

News

June 16th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

The Cass County Board of Supervisors met at 9-a.m. Tuesday. According to the agenda minutes, during their session, the Board approved an application from Larry Ellison for a permit to display fireworks on July 3rd, 2020 to Larry Ellison.  They also approved the plans for Bridge #392 on Boston Road, and authorized the board members to sign the title sheet.

In other actions, the Supervisors certified the following annual base salaries for FY2021 to the auditor:

  • Sheriff’s First Deputy: John Westering      $69,445.00/year.
  • Treasurer’s Deputies:   McDermott, Ashley   $52,939.00/year; Nichols, Bethany    $52,939.00/year; Symonds, Julie A.   $52,939.00/year.
  • Recorder’s Deputy:      Wallingford, Marci  $52,317.00/year;
  • Auditor’s Deputies:     Karns, Sheri        $52,939.00/year;  Anstey, Mary        $52,939.00/year

And, “Since FY2013 the position of jail administrator has been given to the first deputy sheriff.  Rather than hire a jail administrator, the sheriff and board determined it was more practical for the first deputy sheriff to perform jail administration duties and authorized supplement pay for the first deputy.  The amount was set at $5,000, including social security and IPERS.  The county sheriff has requested that said supplement pay be continued for FY2021.”

The Board then approved, for fiscal year 2021, supplement pay for Chief Deputy Sheriff John Westering, in the amount of $5,000 (including county share of social security and IPERS) for performing jail administration duties. And, they set the FY2021 compensation schedule (Base wages) for extra help and clerks appointed by the principal county officers.

Secondary Roads: (Union scale except as noted) Laborer $19.93/hr; Maintenance $21.55/hr.; Road Equipment Operator 1 $21.85/hr.; Road Equipment Operator 2 $22.22/hr.; Dragline Operator 3 $22.87/hr.; Working Foreman $23.25/hr.; Yardman $22.10/hr.; Mechanic $23.70/hr.; Shop Foreman $24.36/hr.; Rodman $20.74/hr.

Office                     Employee

  • Secondary Roads:   Wolken, Trent       110,000.00/year
  •                                Hansen, Richard    66,124.00/year
  •                                Ray, Alice               52,939.00/year
  •                                Vogl, Dennis          25.19/hour
  • Zoning:            Hansen, Richard           5,612.40/year
  • Courthouse:        Proehl, Daniel           18.90/hour
  • Weed Commissioner: Vogl, Dennis      30.00/hour
  • Veteran Affairs:   Holmes, Mitch           50,507.00/year
  • Attorney:          Groves, Beverly            53,488.00/year; Maureen, Doherty              30,000.00/year (3/4 time); Jensen, Eva  42,424.00/year
  • Information Tech.  Goins, Andrea        64,864.00/year
  • Treasurer:         Bintner, Abigail           44,924.00/year; Wittrock, Brandi     47,732.00/year
  • Gen. Assistance    Schuler, Deb           30,963.00/year
  • M H Advocate       Schuler, Deb          30,963.00/year

And, in accordance with union agreement, the Board set the following compensation schedule for base pay rates for FY2021:

  • Sheriff’s assistant $22.92/hr.: Joni Knudsen and Billie McLaren;
  • Sheriff’s civil processor $23.48/hr.: Stephanie Witzman;
  • Jailers $19.64/hr.: Dorothy Cable, Sherri Hansen, Linda Marxen, Susan Meier, Susan Page and Darcy Schwanke; and
  • Lead Jailer $21.14/hr.: Stacey Misner.

8 new COVID-19 cases reported in Pottawattamie County, Tuesday

News

June 16th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Pottawattamie County Public Health (PCPH) officials said Tuesday there were eight new cases of COVID-19. One person is from Crescent, the rest are from Council Bluffs. Two cases are epi-linked, while others were tested between June 11th and 14th. All eight are between the ages of 18 and 40.

An additional 41 persons have recovered from COVID-19 in Pott. County, which is the highest number of recoveries reported by PCPH in one day. A person is considered to be “Recovered,” after they’ve completed a 10-day isolation period, have improved symptoms, and have been fever-free for three days. There were 323 recoveries as of Tuesday’s report.

As of Tuesday, 210 persons were self-isolating, and six were in a hospital. Officials say 152 of the positive cases are the result of community spread. Here are the demographics of those who tested positive:

  • Males: 290
  • Females: 286
  • Age 17 & under: 41
  • Age 18-40: 261
  • Age 41-60: 178
  • Age 61-80: 83
  • Age 81 or older 13.

Audubon County Fair postponed until July 2021

News

June 16th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

The Audubon County Fair has been postponed. In a social media post Tuesday evening, Fair officials said “For several weeks, the Audubon County Fair Board, ISU Extension and Outreach Audubon County, and our local FFA chapter advisers have been working hard with one goal in mind: how to host a safe county fair amid the uncertainties and regulations put in place due to Covid- 19.

This year, Audubon County Fairboard has decided to postpone the typical Audubon County Fair until July 14-18, 2021. Due to the circumstances surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic and the extensive precautions to ensure the health and safety of fair-goers, volunteers, and exhibitors, we feel we are unable to host our typical fair.”

The Fair Board reports also, that since they value youth and all the hard work they have put in with their animals and static projects this year, the Fair we will be hosting a 4-H/FFA livestock show in a modified format with specific guidelines in place.

Shows are as scheduled:
Wednesday, July 15- Dog & Pet Show
Friday, July 17- Sheep & Goat, Horse, and Rabbit Show
Saturday, July 18- Swine and Poultry Show
Sunday, July 19- Beef Show & Support Auction

Specific details regarding livestock arrival times and stalling information will be sent out to exhibitors who have submitted their fair entries on or before the deadline. Officials ask that the arena seating for the livestock shows be reserved for relatives and/or those with a special interest in an exhibitor’s project. The Board says “This will allow us to practice safe social distancing. We will be working on ways to live stream the shows for others to view this year.”

No livestock will be sold at an auction at the fair. Youth should talk with your species superintendent for specifics if you still have a need to sell your market animal. Instead, there will be a Support Auction for all our 2020 market livestock exhibitors. Each exhibitor has worked hard with their projects and a support auction allows the community to show their support for the exhibitor.

Static Judging will also look different this year. Exhibitors will be required to drop off their projects at the Agri-Hall on Tuesday, July 14th for judging. Due to social distancing concerns, there will be no face-to-face judging with static projects for this year. Exhibitors will be capped at 10 static projects. After judging on Wednesday, the projects will be showcased in the Agri-Hall. There will be safety precautions in place to allow the public to view the displays throughout the fair dates.

There are plans to have some sort of a concession stand at the horse arena and the livestock pavilion. Details are still being worked out. Plans are also being drawn up to have a Clover Kid Day on August 8th. Look for more information to come from the Extension Office on details for this day.

The Fair Board says “We know that 2020 has been very different for us and we are doing our best to navigate through these challenges the best we can. The Audubon County Fair Board would like to thank all the supporters, sponsors, and partners for their support of the Audubon County Fair. Thanks for helping us MAKE IT COUNT! We hope to see everyone at next year’s fair, July 14-18, 2021.”