When the Atlantic City Council gathers for their 5:30-p.m. meeting Wednesday, at City Hall, they’ll start off their session by recognizing three City employees for their ongoing years of service. Atlantic Police Sergeant Spencer Walton will be recognized for his 10-years of outstanding service and in keeping the community safe. Youth Services Librarian Julie Tjepkes has served the Atlantic Public Library for 32-years, and, even though she’s past her 30th Anniversary, the Mayor, Library Director Michelle Andersen, and Library Board, feel she should be recognized for the 30-year milestone, and to thank Tjepkes for helping Atlantic Youth pursue the joy of reading, and multi-media. And, Adult Services Librarian Diane McFadden is being honored, Wednesday, for 30-years of service in helping adults enjoy the many varied materials available at the Library.

In other business, the Atlantic City Council will act on passing a Resolution “Approving the Transfer of Funds for the Second Quarter of Fiscal Year 2018-2019.” City Administrator John Lund says the City has routinely transferred money between its 62 separate funds, in accordance with rules established by State Statute. The transfers are always outlined directly in the City’s Annual Budget approved by the Council each year, however, the auditors are requesting that a separate resolution occur, as the transfers take place. Lund says the transfers are a critical component of making the City’s budget work effectively, in addition to creating transparency on what is actually being spent in each of the line items in each fund.

The Cass County Board of Supervisors will act, Tuesday, on the resignation of County Attorney Michael Hooper. On Friday, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds announced she had appointed Hooper as a District Judge for the Fourth Judicial District, which covers Audubon, Cass, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie and Shelby Counties. He was appointed as the Cass County Attorney last year, succeeding David Wiederstein, who announced in August 2017 that he would no longer serve as part-time Attorney, effective Jan. 1^st, 2018.

Hooper was unopposed in the November General Election. The Supervisors will receive his resignation, and discuss/act on a procedure to fill the future vacancy in the Attorney’s Office.  View his letter of resignation here: Letter of resignation

The two procedures are:

• By appointment of the board of supervisors, or,
• By special election to fill the office for the remaining balance of the unexpired term.

In other business, the Board will act on appointing a Lincoln Township Trustee to fill a vacancy position, and on approving a permit for the Dollar General Store in rural Griswold, to sell cigarettes, tobacco, alternative nicotine or vapor products.

They will also begin work on the Fiscal Year 2019-2020 County Budget. Their meeting begins at 9-a.m., in their Boardroom at the Cass County Courthouse.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — A Dubuque woman has pleaded guilty to stealing from the same relative her mother is accused of victimizing. The Telegraph Herald reports that 18-year-old Anna Billmeyer pleaded guilty last week to theft. Her sentencing is scheduled for March 4. Her mother, Kathryn Billmeyer, has pleaded not guilty to theft and abuse of a dependent adult. Kathryn Billmeyer’s trial is scheduled to begin Feb. 12.

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

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

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LE MARS, Iowa (AP) — A Sioux City man accused of robbing a Le Mars bank has pleaded not guilty. Plymouth County District Court records say Phillip White entered written pleas Friday to charges of robbery and theft and conspiracy to commit robbery and conspiracy to commit theft. His trial has not been scheduled. Prosecutors say White robbed Iowa State Bank in Le Mars on Dec. 12. A woman accused of driving the getaway vehicle, 35-year-old Karen Merrick , also has pleaded not guilty. She also is a Sioux City resident.

The Creston Police Department reports two arrests. At around 2:30-a.m. Saturday, 18-year old Corbin Loudermilk, of Creston, was arrested in the 200 block of E. Montgomery Street, on charges that include Disorderly Conduct, Interference with Official Acts, and two-counts of Harassment in the 1st Degree. Loudermilk was being held in the Union County Jail on a $4,300 bond. And, at around 11:40-a.m. Friday, 32-year old Anthony Keeler, of Creston, was arrested for Driving While Barred. Keeler was then cited and released from the scene of the traffic stop.

The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:06-a.m. From KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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A blaze near Coburg in Montgomery County caused extensive damage to a home, Saturday night. According to reports, the fire at 2635 Highway 48 (about seven-miles south of Red Oak), was called-in by a passing motorist at around 10:30-p.m. When firefighters arrived, flames were seen coming from the southeast corner of the first floor. They contained the flames to one room of the home. No injuries were reported. Authorities said the fire was apparently due to an electrical malfunction.

The Red Oak Fire Department received mutual aid from the Elliott, Stanton, and Essex Fire Departments. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Red Oak Police, MidAmerican Energy, Montgomery County Communications and the American Red Cross all assisted at the scene.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Legislature is set to convene today (Monday) for the 2019 session with Republicans continuing to hold a majority of seats in the House and Senate. Leaders say property tax reform, privatized Medicaid funding, the method of choosing judges, and training more people for today’s workforce are among issues they’ll consider. The session may be defined by how willing Republican leaders are to push policies strongly supported by their conservative base. Further limits on abortion and expansion of gun rights also are likely issues, along with required budget bills.

(Radio Iowa) — Republican Kim Reynolds says she wants to be known as “the opportunity governor.” Kim Reynolds inherited a half-term as governor when Terry Branstad resigned in May of 2017. On Friday, she will take the oath of office for a full, four-year term as governor. Reynolds is relishing the gift of time voters gave her in November. “I don’t have, like, 17 months or a year to get something done,” Reynolds says. “We have four years to really be strategic and think about what we want to do.”

Reynolds says she has the time now to follow through on priorities like dramatically increasing the number of Iowams who have college degrees or technical training beyond high school. “Somebody asked me: ‘What do you want to be thought of, as the governor?’ And I said: ‘Well, hopefully the opportunity governor,” Reynolds said. “I do believe that we’re putting in place an environment that will help Iowans reach what they’re capable of doing and I think that just lifts the whole state up.” Reynolds has assembled a new leadership team within the governor’s office and she’s replacing some state agency administrators. And Reynolds aims to tackle the “antiquated technology” in state government.

“Technology, at any position that I’ve been in, that’s been something that really kind of energizes me and it’s just the future and government is always lacking when it comes to innovation and technology,” Reynolds says, “and so I think there’s a better way.” The governor jokes most state computers are running on COBOL — widely viewed as an out-dated computer language. Upgrades are expensive, but the governor says it’s something to start discussing.  “We collect a lot of data, it just doesn’t talk and we can’t use it in the manner that we should,” Reynolds says. “…It’s not about replacing people, but it’s making us better and more efficient and allowing us to do our jobs in a better manner.”

Part of Reynolds’ job, as governor, is to deliver the annual “Condition of the State” speech to legislators. That happens tomorrow (Tuesday) morning, starting at 10. Inauguration festivities are on Friday. She’ll take the oath of office on Friday morning. Open houses will follow at the governor’s mansion and the state capitol, then there will be TWO inaugural balls in Des Moines Friday night.