The Cass County Board of Supervisors spent a great deal of time Wednesday morning discussing space environmental concerns at the courthouse. The Board received the results of a courthouse space needs study from Al Povandra, with Carlson, West, and Povandra Architects.

Al Povandra (far right) discusses the Courthouse needs study with the Cass Co. Board of Supervisors. (Ric Hanson/photo)

The options include moving the Cass County Communications Center to the 3^rd floor of the courthouse, Expansion and Security upgrades for the County Attorney’s Offices on the 3^rd floor of the courthouse, and expanding the courthouse to the north, to make room for the Communications Center. An option discussed, but not included in the study, was to move the Comm Center off-site, to another location.

The Supervisors had also asked for an evaluation of the current Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system. During his report, Povandra said the number one priority for the courthouse should be an updated/upgraded HVAC System. That’s because the current boiler system in nearly 80-years old, and creates uneven heating and cooling to the point where the third floor is so hot in the winter, the air conditioners are running.  Associated with the boiler system, is ACM, or Asbestos Containing Materials surrounding the pipes as insulation.  He says to improve that situation, there should be an investigation into what the scope of the necessary work to remove the insulation will be and the related cost, and then to remove it. The HVAC improvements can take place afterward.

Povandra said a new HVAC system would pay for itself within about eight-years in energy savings, whereas a geo-thermal system, would pay for itself in a much longer time frame. He said the courthouse is currently 50-to 60-percent energy efficient. Another matter of concern before any thought can be given to moving the Communications Center and addressing the space needs of the County Attorney’s Office, is the accessibility of public spaces, such as restrooms.  He says those spaces, especially on the third floor of the courthouse, would need to come into compliance with the American’s with Disabilities Act – or ADA – requirements.

Povandra said any changes to the courthouse would cost “Big Bucks,” and it’s something that is not easily done. It also requires officials to convince the public it needs to happen and why. Povandra said depending on the option selected, it would cost anywhere from $800,000 to as much as $3-million dollars to make the necessary improvements. Atlantic City Councilman Shaun Shouse, who is also on the Cass County Public Safety Commission, said the Commission wants more information from the Supervisors with regard to the total amount of space needed, before they make a recommendation on a cost effective solution to current and future problems facing the 9-1-1 Center and the Attorney’s Office. There may also be a meeting between the Council and Supervisors to discuss their mutual desire for space and how both entities can cooperate in a venture, if it is proposed.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A July trial has been scheduled for a former Sioux City high school band director accused of stealing school instruments.  Online court records say 39-year-old Kevin Massey, of Sergeant Bluff, will go on trial July 23. He’s pleaded not guilty to felony theft.  Massey has resigned from his job at North High School and has agreed to pay $5,000 in restitution to the school district.

School officials became aware of the matter after another teacher shopping for musical instruments online noticed some that looked familiar. Sioux City police say Massey took the instruments to cover gambling debts. Police have recovered more than five dozen instruments from three pawn shops.

A Shelby County woman was arrested Tuesday evening in Atlantic on a variety of drug-related charges. According to the Atlantic Police Department, 28-year old Tyanna Lungren, of Shelby, was arrested for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of a Controlled Substance, as well as on a Cass County warrant for Delivery of a Controlled Substance. And, 24-year old Justin Cruz, of Bellevue, NE, was arrested Tuesday for Conspiracy to Deliver Meth and Delivery of Meth. Both suspects were booked into the Cass County Jail.

Officials with Iowa College Aid report a team of students from Treynor High School is the first-place winner in the 2nd Annual Iowa Financial Literacy Program (IFLiP) Video CLiP Challenge. Students Taylor Anderson, John Beckman, Logan Huff and Wesley Masterson, under the guidance of their teacher, Jennifer Travis, created the video, “Financial Integrity and Responsibility Begins in High School”, about the importance of making smart financial decisions.  As a result of their winning entry, Treynor High School will be awarded a $1,000 technology grant, courtesy of Iowa Bankers Association, and the students will receive $250 for their team to share, courtesy of EverFi, Inc.

Iowa College Aid, Iowa Bankers Association and EverFi, Inc., conducted the challenge during the month of April, as part of Financial Literacy Awareness Month, to promote financial education among young people. Iowa high school students were challenged with creating short videos, up to five minutes in length, to inform their peers about a financial literacy topic.

The winning video from Treynor High School, as well as those receiving honorable mention from Southeast Polk High School and Clayton Ridge High School, can be accessed from Iowa College Aid’s website, www.IowaCollegeAid.gov.  More information about the Iowa Financial Literacy Program is also available at www.IowaCollegeAid.gov, or by calling Iowa College Aid at 877-272-4456.

w/ Ric Hanson

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SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A Sioux City man who was accused of fatally shooting his two dogs has been given two days in jail.  Fifty-one-year-old Jon Holloway had pleaded guilty to reckless use of a firearm and discharging a firearm inside city limits. Prosecutors dropped two counts of animal cruelty in exchange for Holloway’s pleas. He was sentenced on Tuesday.

Police say Holloway used a rifle to shoot his two dogs on Feb. 12 in his backyard. Police say Holloway had been arguing with his sister about the dogs being aggressive.

(8-a.m. News)

Onawa, Iowa – The public is invited to the 37^th Annual Loess Hills Prairie Seminar May 31-June 2, at the Loess Hills Wildlife Management Area, northeast of Onawa. There is no fee to attend. There are more than 40 field sessions and programs covering many topics for participants of all ages. The seminar began in 1977 as part of the Western Hills, now Northwest, Area Education Agency’s role in providing education and training for K-12 educators in the areas of conservation, environmental and science education.

The seminar is regularly attended by 250 to 300 adults and students each year. Participants may attend all of or any part of the seminar’s indoor programs or field sessions.  Registration is necessary only if requesting meals or requesting the Missouri River ecology boat tour. Evening programs are held at West Monona High School in Onawa.

Attendees can kick off the seminar by volunteering with prairie management at the Loess Hills Wildlife Management Area by removing shrubs and shade from 9 a.m. to noon on May 31. The project will begin at the campground parking lot. Volunteers should bring sunscreen, bug spray, water, and loppers and hand saw if possible.

                For more information on the volunteer project, contact Doug Chafa, wildlife biologist, at 712-420-2437. The Loess Hills Prairie Seminar is sponsored annually by Northwest Area Education Agency, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Monona County Conservation Board, with additional support from many organizations and individuals. For more information, call Gloria Kistner at 800-352-9040, Ext. 6080.

w/ Ric Hanson

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Sheriff’s officials in Adams County report the arrest Tuesday of a Corning man on an assault charge. 46-year old Edward Avila was taken into custody at around 6:35-p.m. following an investigation into a physical altercation that took place Monday night. Avila was being held in the Adams County Jail on a charge of Domestic Assault causing bodily injury. His bond was set at $1,000.