DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — A Dubuque woman who authorities say stole more than $48,000 from her elderly aunt has been given two to five years of probation. Dubuque County District Court records say 54-year-old Kathryn Billmeyer was sentenced last week and was ordered to pay back the money to her aunt’s estate. Billmeyer had pleaded guilty to theft and dependent adult abuse-exploitation.

Prosecutors say Kathryn Billmeyer used her aunt’s money to make more than $48,000 in purchases from November 2016 to May 2018. Kathryn Billmeyer held a power of attorney and had control of her aunt’s accounts. Prosecutors say Billmeyer’s daughter, Anna, used the woman’s credit card to buy nearly $1,600 worth of items. She, too, was sentenced to probation.

Empowering Adair County Foundation’s (EACF) annual grant application deadline is fast approaching. Completed grant application forms, along with ten copies, are due to Adair County ISU Extension, 154 Public Square, Suite C, Greenfield, Iowa 50849, by 4:30pm on October 15, 2019. Completed application forms can be dropped off to the office or mailed. Mailed forms must be post marked no later than October 15th for the grant application to be accepted.

Grant applications will be scored and reviewed by the Empowering Adair County Foundation Committee members. Applications are scored on the following criteria: Completeness of Application; Benefit to Adair County Residents; Support of Entrepreneurial Activity, Community and Leadership Development; Identification of Community Needs; and Addressing Community Needs. EACF’s Strategic Plan emphasizes entrepreneurial development, community development and volunteer leadership and training. In conjunction with the primary areas of focus, foundation grants will be considered in the following areas: Tourism/Beautification; Public Services; Economic Well-Being; and Recreation/Entertainment/Arts/Culture.

EACF makes grants to the following eligible organizations/groups:

• I.R.S. 501(c)(3) ‘tax exempt’ organizations
• 170(b) ‘unit of government’ organizations
• Organizations providing services within Adair County (operating and organized in compliance with applicable laws prohibiting discrimination)

EACF was formed in 2005 to coordinate and provide philanthropic support for community betterment and to enhance the quality of life for communities in Adair County. The Foundation is governed by a 9-member board representing all areas of Adair County. EACF has one grant cycle annually with an October 15th application deadline. For more information and links to forms and grant details, visit the website http://www.extension.iastate.edu/adair and scroll down the homepage to the EACF logo and links. A Six Month Progress Report must be completed by all grant recipients within six months of receiving grant funds. A Grant Final Report, along with the completion of the project/program, must be submitted within twelve months. All Grant Final Reports must include photos of each project/program in progress, along with the completed result.

If you have received EACF grant funding in the past, that project must be completed and a Final Report must be submitted before you can apply for more grant funds. For more information regarding EACF’s grant program, contact Deena Wells, Adair County ISU Extension at 641-743-8412 or dwells@iastate.edu.

Atlantic, IA – The September session of Healthy U will be held Wednesday, September 25, 2019, at Cass County Health System. The program, Eye Health will be presented by Jesse Himebaugh, MD. Dr. Himebaugh is a specialist in cataract surgery, corneal transplantation, external eye and corneal disease, LASIK and PRK surgery, and the medical and surgical treatment of eye disease.

Dr. Jesse Himebaugh

A native of Utah, Dr. Himebaugh received his bachelor’s degree in micro-biology from Brigham Young University and his medical degree from University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Dr. Himebaugh completed a one-year internship in internal medicine at the University of Utah and a three-year residency in ophthalmology at West Virginia University. He completed his formal medical training with a fellowship in cornea, external disease and refractive surgery at the Washington University School of Medicine. Dr. Himebaugh is board-certified through the American Board of Ophthalmology. American Board of Ophthalmology.

Healthy U will be offered at noon on Wednesday, September 25th. Healthy U is a free educational series at Cass County Health System held monthly in Conference Room 2. The public is invited and welcome to attend, but reservations are required as a meal is provided for all attendees. Call 712-243-7479 to reserve your seat.

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children is asking for help from the public to locate a missing teenager. 14-year-old Lamy Walker was last seen on May 4 in Omaha, NE. Authorities believe that he may still be in the local area. Lamy is described as 5 feet 3 inches tall with brown hair and brown eyes.

Lamy Walker

Anyone with information about Lamy is asked to contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678 (1-800-THE-LOST) or the Omaha Police Department at 1-402-444-5600.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa father whose 12-year-old son struck a 4-year-old boy while driving the man’s car has been sent to prison. Black Hawk County District Court records say 34-year-old Jesse Azbill pleaded guilty Friday to child endangerment and aiding and abetting serious injury by auto. He was sentenced to seven years.

Police say Azbill had given his son permission to drive the vehicle, and Azbill was in it when the little boy was struck Aug. 6 while riding a bicycle in Waterloo. The boy was taken to University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics in Iowa City for treatment. His name hasn’t been released.

The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports Azbill told the court Friday that he was sorry and said: “I will never let a kid get behind the wheel again.”

Atlantic Police, Atlantic Fire and Rescue, Medivac Ambulance and Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to an accident this (Monday) morning, and 2nd Street and Sunnyside Lane. A collision between a semi and a pickup occurred at the intersection, at around 10:40-a.m.  Atlantic Police Lt. Paul Wood said the pickup was traveling west on 2nd Street, and was attempting to turn left onto Sunnyside, when the northbound semi pulled into the intersection and struck the left rear extended quarter panel of the pickup, which had dual rear tires.

Ric Hanson/photos

The driver of the pickup complained he wasn’t feeling well following the collision, and was transported to CCMH to be checked-out. The driver of the semi, registered to Two-M Trucking, was not hurt. The tractor portion of the semi sustained damage to its large chrome bumper, and a portion of the grill. The damages were estimated at $3,000 altogether. The names of the drivers were not immediately released.

Members of the Atlantic City Council will meet 5:30-p.m. Wednesday, in their chambers at City Hall. Among the action items on their agenda, is a Resolution “Committing Financial Support to Shift ATL for Housing Rehabilitation.” On Sept. 4th, members of the Community Development Committee met with leaders of the non-profit Shift ATL organization, to discuss a formal partnership. The committee concluded a specific level of financial support prior to identification of a project would not be appropriate at this time, but a formal resolution of the City’s intent to financially support the organizations future housing rehabilitation efforts would be the first step in recognizing the partnership.

The Council will also hold a Public Hearing on authorizing Mayor Dave Jones to make an application to the Federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Water/Sewer Program for Water Improvements, on behalf of Atlantic Municipal Utilities (AMU). The costs of the project are anticipated to be $1.097-million. The City will apply for a $493,997 CDBG, with AMU matching $603,773. The CDBG application must be submitted on or before Oct. 1st. City Administrator John Lund says the project completes a stated priority of AMU, and benefits low-to-moderate income residents. The City will work with SWIPCO (Southwest Iowa Planning Council), to complete and file the application. Following the Public Hearing, the Council will act on a Resolution directing the Mayor to commence with the application process.

In other business, Mayor Jones is expected to proclaim Sept. 17th through the 23rd as “National Constitution Week,” and the month of September as “National Recovery Month,” to bring awareness to the millions of Americans who suffer from mental and substance abuse-use issues, and to promote healthier lifestyles. 2019 marks the 30th year of the endeavor.

Three people have filed to run for city office or school board seats in Cass County. Deputy Auditor Sheri Karns reports: Kevin McCunn has filed papers to run for re-election to the Massena City Council: Richard L. Clark has filed nomination papers to run for a seat on the Lewis City Council; and, Ryan Askeland has filed papers to run for an At Large position on the Griswold School Board. The deadline to file nomination papers for the Nov. 5th City/School elections, is 5-p.m. Thursday, Sept.. 19th.

Cass County Auditor Dale Sunderman reminds persons interested in running for City and/or School Elections:

• You must file Nomination papers with the correct office during the filing period.
• You cannot file papers after the filing period ends.
• Candidates may run for both a city office and a school office at the November 5, 2019 City/School Election

The following elections will be held on November 5, 2019:

2019 School Board Elections – File with the School Board Secretary or Community College Board Secretary

2019 City Elections – File with the County Auditor

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports two arrests and one prisoner transfer-in. A Sheriff’s Deputy responding to a complaint. theft and disturbance that took place in Shelby late Saturday night and early Sunday morning, arrested 54-year old Amy Lou Payne. Payne was taken into custody for Harassment in the 3rd Degree by Communication/Personal Contact. She was transported to the Pott. County Jail.

Friday, afternoon, a traffic stop in Council Bluffs, resulted in the arrest of the driver, 42-year old Tammy Michelle Ortiz, on a Driving While Barred/Habitual Offender, charge. She was also wanted on a warrant for Failure to Appear. Ortiz was transported to the Pott. County Jail and turned over to Corrections staff.

And, a man being held at the Polk County Jail, in Des Moines, was transported to the Pott. County Jail, Friday afternoon. 43-year old Chase Andrew King, of Omaha, was wanted on a Pott. County warrant for Violation of Probation.

More State and area news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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