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Cass County Supervisors approved budget amendment & 2nd Reading of EMS essential services Resolutions

News

May 31st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors this (Friday) morning, passed Resolutions with regard to an amended FY 2023-24 Budget/appropriations, and Declaring Emergency Medical Services (EMS) as an essential service. Their actions followed separate public hearings on both matters. Auditor Kathy Somers explained the reason for the Budget Amendment.

(She was referring to Trent Wolken, Cass County Engineer) On the topic of Declaring EMS an essential service, Atlantic Firefighter Bob Reynolds spoke in favor of the matter, and asked the Board for their support in putting it on the November General Election ballot. Supervisor Steve Green…

Board Chair Steve Baier reiterated the method voters will get to chose in November on paying for the service, if they approve it.

In other business, the Cass County Supervisors acknowledged the following appointments in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) Wage Rate Schedules: Sawyer Ocheltree to a Sheriff’s Deputy/K9 position at $35.10/hour, and Cameron Ward to a Sheriff’s Deputy position at $34.08/hour. They also approved a FY 2025 Employee Group Agreement with the Secondary Roads Department.

Cass County Board of Supervisors mtg, 5-31-24

In his report to the Board, Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken said some of the County’s equipment was sent to Adair County to help with removal of tornado debris in Greenfield.

He said they spent most of last Friday and Saturday lending a hand at the task, which Adair County was most appreciative of. Cass County will be reimbursed by Adair County via FEMA, for the expenses associated with a service agreement for Disaster Recover with Adair County, once the paperwork is filed.
Board Chair Steve Baier said the County didn’t go into the fray, looking to be reimbursed. He said it “was the right thing to do.”

Trent Wolken updated the Board also, on Secondary Roads Department maintenance work and activities. He said that includes normal road blading with the graders. And…

And, the Cass County Supervisors approved the re-appointment of Veteran’s Affair Commission Member Christine Short, to the three-year term (through June 30, 2027).

Atlantic Area Chamber Ambassadors Visit Randy’s Computer

News

May 31st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Chamber Ambassadors were hosted by Randy’s Computer on Thursday, May 30th, 2024. The Ambassadors gathered to celebrate the opening of their new location. Randy’s Computer was first established in Cumberland, Iowa in 2016, before they moved to their Griswold location which is currently operating as a drop and go. They made the move to Atlantic in 2021, and now in 2024 they’ve moved into their newest location at 501 Chestnut St.

Randy’s Computer is an authorized reseller of Dell, Brother, and Ubiquiti Networks products. They also feature a full-service on-site repair shop for all makes and models of computers and laptops. They are a one stop shop for anything computer with parts, models, repairs, and accessories for both business and individual needs.

Pictured Left to Right Back Row: Chris Parks, Colt Doherty, Julie Waters, Bill Saluk, Sue Liston, Jim Kickland, Elaine Otte, Jeremy Butler, Jeff Christensen, Steve Anderson, Jennifer McEntaffer and John Bricker.
Pictured Left to Right Front Row: Nina Welter, Kelsey Beschorner, Ann Quist, Lana Westphalen, Randy Roy, Michelle Roy, Alisha Wagner, Dolly Bergmann, Megan Sramek and Leanne Erickson.

Randy’s Computer is also getting very involved in the community by displaying work in the Atlantic area. They are partnering with Your Forte to showcase a variety of local artists in the community, all of which are available for sale on display. They also anticipate hosting local vendors like Brymons in their front windows, with their material also being available for sale.

Randy and his wife Michelle are very excited to be here to use their 30 years of experience to help with all your computer needs! Randy’s Computer is located at 501 Chestnut St Atlantic, Iowa 50022. For more information contact 712-590-0083 or visit their website at https://randyscomputer.com/index.php

JUNE BIRTHDAYS 2024

Birthday Club

May 31st, 2024 by Lori Murphy

June 1:

  • Elinor Ehrman of Anita (winner)

June 2:

  • Jan Steffens of Cumberland (winner)

June 3:

  • Raymond Dailey of Atlantic (winner)
  • Amy Marie Waters of Surprise, Az

June 4:

  • Charlotte Evans of Griswold (winner)
  • Linda South of Lewis

June 5:

  • Judi Nelson of Exira (winner)
  • Kayle Waters of Surprise, Az
  • Kyson Anderson of Aududbon

June 6:

  • Lorie Wolfe of Exira (winner)
  • Grayson Williams of Atlantic

June 7:

  • Dave Hansen of Brayton (winner)
  • Lucas Mosier of Atlantic

June 8:

  • Deb Freund of Lewis (winner)

June 9:

  • Joyce Struble of Exira (winner)
  • Heather Chambers of Audubon
  • Josie Fiebelkorn of Exira

June 10:

  • Nathan Hagedorn of Audubon (winner)
  • Doyle Kniesel of Griswold
  • Julie Copolewski of Atlantic
  • Nichole Waterman of Atlantic

June 11:

  • Kristi Euken of Atlantic (winner)
  • Lydia Kretzinger of Troy, Kansas
  • Laura Benavidez of Anita

June 12:

  • Robert Templeman of Atlantic (winner)
  • JoBeth Humphrey Jensen of Atlantic

June 13:

  • Paulette Cambridge of Atlantic (winner)
  • Chris Knudsen of Marne
  • Travis Meyer of Atlantic
  • Sarah Kretzinger of Troy, Ks

June 14:

  • Ryleigh Anthofer of Exira (winner)

June 15:

  • Rob Nymand of Brayton (winner)
  • Kris Ford of Bridgewater
  • Robert Nelson of Exira

June 16:

  • Marg Figgins of Atlantic (winner)
  • Diane Petersen of Audubon

June 17:

  • Lincoln Thomas of Atlantic (winner)
  • Misty Ross of Atlantic
  • Sandy Hayes of Atlantic
  • Mike Huegerich of Exira
  • Ruth Ann Bock of Hamlin

June 18:

  • Susan Wedemeyer of Atlantic (winner)

June 19:

  • Niki Jensen of Lewis (winner)
  • Hallie Wedemeyer of Van Meter, Iowa

June 20:

  • Sue Brownlee of Atlantic (winner)
  • Tim Feltner of Stuart

June 21:

  • Kaden Dreyer of Atlantic (winner)
  • Jeannie McMullen of Atlantic
  • Dave Steffen of Cumberland
  • Cailin Embree of Massena

June 22:

  • Taryn Thompson Nelson of Creston (winner)

June 23:

  • Joey Marie Teegerstrom of Elk Horn (winner)
  • Jayme Farver of Wiota
  • Dianna Hilpipre of Brayton
  • Cindy “True Red” West of Atlantic
  • Marissa Hanika of Nebraska City, Ne

June 24:

  • Shirley Weidmann of Atlantic (winner)
  • Gail Butler of Atlantic
  • Jason Lamp of Atlantic
  • Tom Paulsen of Exira

June 25:

  • No Birthdays Submitted

June 26:

  • Dean Weber of Audubon (winner)
  • Angie Redler of Marne
  • Shelly Brown of Atlantic
  • Gaylord Schelling of Atlantic

June 27:

  • Janice N Petersen of Atlantic (winner
  • Steph Petersen of Exira
  • Amy “Amos LaRuth” McCoy of Avoca

June 28:

  • Jeanie Bastin of Atlantic (winner)
  • Victor Perlacia-Monzon of Villisca
  • Barb Rabe of Audubon

June 29:

  • LaVon Sager of Atlantic (winner)

June 30:

  • Ella Mathisen of Lewis (winner)
  • Jayden Jensen of Exira
  • Elaine Martins of Atlantic
  • Mason Loving of Atlantic

Angling to go angling? Iowa hosts Free Fishing Weekend in June

Ag/Outdoor, News

May 31st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Iowans who’ve never tried fishing before can give it a whirl next weekend as part of the state’s annual free fishing weekend, June 7th through the 9th. Nate Carr, a conservation officer with the Iowa D-N-R, says it’s a wonderful pastime, plus, you might catch dinner.

“For all Iowa residents, even if you don’t have a fishing license, you can still go out and experience fishing,” Carr says. “It’s a good time to get out with your family, your kids, and friends. If it’s something that you maybe aren’t sure you’re quite committed to buying the license, it’s a good opportunity to go out and try it.”

Some Iowa law enforcement agencies are sponsoring “Cops and Bobbers” fishing events for kids and their families during the weekend.

Grassley: Verdict against Trump is a ‘political vendetta’ that will be overturned

News

May 31st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa U-S Senator Chuck Grassley predicts the felony conviction against Donald Trump will be overturned on appeal, after the former president was found guilty Thursday afternoon on all 34 counts of falsifying business records. While first emphasizing he’s not a lawyer, Grassley points to multiple issues with the case which he believes should be grounds for the verdict to be thrown out. For starters, Grassley says the trial should not have been held in Manhattan.

“The fact that they didn’t move the thing to a more politically unbiased courtroom,” Grassley says. “Now, by that I mean, where they would get a jury pool that would be made up of more than 90% Democrats, because that’s how that part of the city voted for or against the president.” Grassley, a Republican, says the defense team wanted several other people to testify but they weren’t allowed to do so, and he raises issue with the judge forbidding Trump from publicly discussing the case.

“The president’s gag order, because most gag orders are put on other people to protect the defendant,” Grassley says, “they’re not on the defendant.” The case surrounded what’s described as a hush money payment to porn actress Stormy Daniels during Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign. Grassley says Daniels should not have been given so much time on the stand to discuss her encounters with Trump.

“This business about Daniels having two days of sweeping, descriptive testimony about how he was doing things,” he says. Former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen spent a total of 21 hours on the witness stand during the trial. Grassley calls Cohen a “convicted liar” and believes 99-percent of the evidence was based on his testimony, when Cohen admitted to stealing money from Trump’s organization. Ultimately, Grassley doubts the verdict will have a significant impact on the general election in a little over five months.

“The election is a choice between failed Biden policies or a return to the strong economy and secure borders under Trump,” Grassley says, “and this is something the voters are going to have to decide November 5th.” A sentencing date of July 11th is set for Trump, who could face probation or prison time — a matter of days before Republicans are again expected to nominate him for president.

Grassley’s Thursday afternoon post on X read: “Today’s decision is another example of leftist activist prosecutors weaponizing the judicial system to carry out their political vendettas. I expect the case to be overturned on appeal.”

Schulte Named Lott IMPACT Trophy Candidate

Sports

May 31st, 2024 by Asa Lucas

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa senior safety Quinn Schulte has been named a candidate for the 2024 Lott IMPACT Trophy. The announcement was made Friday by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation.

The Lott IMPACT Trophy, entering its 21st year, is awarded to the student-athlete who best exemplifies the characteristics of Ronnie Lott by making an IMPACT on and off the field. IMPACT is an acronym for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.

Schulte (6-foot-1, 209 pounds) is returning for his sixth season in the black and gold this fall. The former walk-on started all 27 games for the Hawkeyes the last two seasons, amassing 136 total tackles, 12 passes defended and two interceptions.

The Hawkeye graduate earned honorable mention All-Big Ten recognition for his play on the field in 2023. Schulte, who is currently on a pre-dental track, was an Academic All-American and was a National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society honoree last season. The native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has been named to the all-conference academic team each of the last four years.

Off the field, Schulte has participated in several volunteer activities, including Safe Haven Animal Shelter, Community Crisis Services and Food Bank, Hazel Point School, Hawk the Vote, Center for Advancement and Student Athlete Academic Services.

Former Hawkeye linebacker Josey Jewell won the Lott IMPACT Trophy in 2017, while defensive back and return specialist Cooper DeJean was a semifinalist for the award in 2023.

The Lott IMPACT Trophy winner will be announced at a gal, black-tie event at The Pacific Club on Dec. 8, in Newport Beach, California.

Cooper Named to Lott Impact Trophy Watch List

Sports

May 31st, 2024 by Asa Lucas

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State junior defensive back Jeremiah Cooper has been named one of 42 candidates for the Lott IMPACT Trophy. The candidates for the trophy, in its 21st season, were named to the list Thursday at a luncheon in Newport Beach, California.

The watch list is comprised of 18 defensive backs, 13 defensive linemen and 11 linebackers. Cooper is one of seven Big 12 players on the list.

Named after former NFL Hall of Fame star Ronnie Lott, The Lott Trophy annually goes to the Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year, a player who has had the biggest impact on his team both on and off the field. IMPACT stands for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity, all characteristics exhibited by Lott during his illustrious playing career. 

Cooper, an El Paso, Texas, native and product of Andress High School, finished second among Big 12 players and sixth nationally with five interceptions, despite missing a pair of games due to injury. He was fourth nationally in passes defended per game (1.4), finishing the season with 15 total passes defended, including 10 pass breakups.

Cooper earned First Team All-Big 12 honors from the coaches and Associated Press in 2023 and was Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week after having two interceptions, including one that was returned 58 yards for a touchdown, against UNI.

He also tallied 45 tackles last season.

The annual winner is selected by a national voter panel, consisting of former winners, members of the media, coaches and members of the Board of Directors of The IMPACT Foundation. The winner will be announced at a gala, black-tie event at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach, California on December 8.

Use of new playground equipment at Harl Holt park on-hold; Vandalism reported at other parks in Atlantic

Ag/Outdoor, News

May 31st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Use of new playground equipment at Harl Holt Park at the corner of 16th and Olive Street in Atlantic, is on hold for now, thanks to Mother Nature. Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department Coordinator Jeff Christensen says they’re still waiting to install the playground safety/fall material.

He said he hopes to be able to have the park open by June 8th, but we’ll just have to see. Plans to install new playground equipment at Harl Holt Park, Christensen says, began about three-years ago, with former Parks and Rec Director Bryant Rasmussen.

He said the prices of playground equipment “are kind of insane, on what they cost, for what we get. That’s the reason we can’t just keep putting in brand new playgrounds everywhere, we just kind of have to save up money to get it done.” On the topic of playgrounds and other park amenities in Atlantic, Jeff Christensen said there have been many incidents of vandalism.

He said at Mollett Park, graffiti was scratched into a slide, and screws were run through the slide. The water for the raised garden beds is being turned-on and not turned-off. “It only takes one person to ruin it for everybody,” Christens says.

Parks and Rec staff are keeping busy mowing and weed-eating, in an effort to keep the parks looking great.

Heartbeat Today 5-31-2024

Heartbeat Today, Podcasts

May 31st, 2024 by Jim Field

Jim Field visits with Lora Kanning about the Trails event on Saturday, June 1, 2024 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at the Schildberg Recreation Area.  The event is sponsored by the Cass County Conservation Board, Nishna Valley Trails and the Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department.

A map of trail sites in Cass County can be found here:  https://www.atlanticiowa.com/experience/cass-county-trails-map-2/

Play

Greenfield tornado relief and recovery update

News

May 31st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Greenfield, Iowa) – Officials with the Adair/Guthrie County Emergency Management Agency has issued an update with regard to the relief and recovery process, following the May 21st tornado that caused a substantial damage and four deaths. The EMA reports:

  • There is a burning ban in the City of Greenfield until further notice.
  • A curfew remains in-place from 10-p.m. until 7-a.m. daily, until further notice.
  • Physical donations of supplies & clothing are not being accepted. Monetary donations, however are very much welcome, and can be dropped off at all branches of Union State Bank and First National Bank. You can also make an online donation through the Greater Greenfield Community Foundation’s website at https://www.greenfieldiafoundation.org/ and add a note indicating your donation is for Tornado Recovery.
  • A Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) will open Sunday and Monday to provide recovery resources for people affected by the tornado in Greenfield and surrounding communities. Trained English and Spanish-speaking caseworkers will be available at the MARC to help people create personal recovery plans, navigate paperwork, and locate assistance for their specific disaster-caused needs, such as mental health support, housing and unemployment assistance, animal supplies, assistance for groceries, rent, medicine and other items or services. The MARC, which will be located at the Nodaway Valley Elementary School is open:
    o Sunday, June 2 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
    o Monday, June 3 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
    Please use the building’s southeast entrance.
  • There is a paid contractor license fee of $100. All paid contractors must complete an application, pay the fee, submit certificates of insurance, and complete a background check at city hall prior to approaching residents. More info: https://www.adaircounty.iowa.gov/tornado/resources/
  • The Adair County website is updated with the most current information, including the free meal schedule through Monday. Local restaurants are also open and ready for your business!