(Radio Iowa) – A northwest Iowa man will spend the rest of his life behind bars after pleading guilty to murdering his mother. Forty-two-year-old Nathaniel Kassel Rock Rapids was charged with murder in the 1st degree in the death of his mother, Jody Duskin. Kassel had earlier pleaded not guilty and was set to go on trial on October 17th. Instead, he changed his plea and was sentenced to life in prison without parole on Monday.

Duskin was found dead in her home in Sheldon in March. Court documents state that Kassel corresponded with family members saying he was planning to kill Duskin. Kassel was taken into custody in South Dakota the day after Duskin’s body was found.

Kassel had also originally been charged with operating a vehicle without the owner’s consent and possession or control of a firearm as a felon. Those charges were dismissed.

Iowans likely won’t see an immediate impact from the United Auto Workers strike that started on Friday, but if it lasts a while, there could very well be shortages of new vehicles for sale on car lots across the state. Bruce Anderson, president of the Iowa Automobile Dealers Association, says the 12-thousand-700 U-A-W workers are striking the “big three” automakers in Detroit — Ford, G-M and Chrysler.

For the time being, Anderson says Iowans should continue to have a good selection of new vehicles from which to chose.

However, he says Iowans who are looking for vehicles with very specific features or colors may run into a problem soon.

The previous four-year contract has expired. U-A-W leaders are demanding higher wages, shorter work weeks, a return to original pensions, and more job security.

Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate is visiting 70 Iowa schools this fall to encourage 17 year olds to register to vote now, so they’re ready to cast a ballot when they turn 18.

Pate’s office sponsors an annual contest. If 90 percent of eligible 17 year olds in a high school register to vote, the school gets a trophy.

Pate spoke with students in a couple of West Des Moines Valley classes Monday and has dozens more school visits on his schedule today (Tuesday), which is National Voter Registration Day. So far, 86 Iowa schools have indicated they’re encouraging students to register to vote.

Iowa is one of nine states that let 17 year olds submit voter registrations if they will be 18 by the time of the next election. Fifteen other states allow 16 year olds to pre-register, so they’re ready to vote when they’re 18. Pate says he reminds Iowa students about the Caucuses, since both of Iowa’s major state parties allow 17 year olds to be full participants in the Caucuses if they’ll be 18 by the next General Election.

As of today there are just over three-thousand 17-year-olds registered to vote in Iowa. Pate hopes the contest spurs at least eight-thousand more eligible 17
years old to go online and register.

(Atlantic, Iowa) -Cass County Meals on Wheels is celebrating its Golden Anniversary. On May 5, 1973, a presentation was made to The Leopards, a group interested in community betterment, regarding the possibility of establishing a Meals on Wheels organization to serve Cass County.  An organizational meeting was held at Cass County Hospital on July 19, 1973, to appoint an initial, temporary board of directors.  The first meeting of the Board of Directors occurred on August 1, 1973, with Tom Pluhacek elected as temporary Chairman and LaVon Eblen as temporary Secretary.  The temporary board quickly adopted bylaws, and was incorporated on September 24, 1973.  The corporation subsequently applied for and received tax-exempt status as a 501(c)(3) organization.

A statement of purpose was adopted:  “to provide home delivered meals to elderly and disabled residents of Cass County”.   One county board would govern the program for the entire county, but local committees might be needed.  The initial Board of Directors consisted of individuals representing various communities and community leaders in Cass County. Board meetings and other events would be held in different communities in the county, with local key people invited to attend.  Meals would be delivered to homes by volunteer drivers five days a week, excluding weekends and holidays. The first meals (21) were delivered on October 15, 1973, to individuals in Griswold, Lewis, Anita, and Atlantic.

The Board of Directors would like to invite all who have served the organization during its 50 years, as directors, board members, volunteer drivers, and other roles, to its annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner in October. Please call Sue Moser, Director, at (712) 250-0036, to provide her with your current contact information.  For a presentation on Meals on Wheels to your church or other organization, please contact Deb Lamb, President, at (712) 250-4791.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Auditor’s Office reports an additional candidate has filed nomination papers to run for the Atlantic City Council. On Monday, Sept. 18, Shawn Sarsfield submitted papers to run for the City’s 4th Ward Council seat.

Previously announced candidates who have filed for offices in Cass County include:

Anita City Council (vote for 2): Cheryl Sokol; Mark Harris.

Atlantic City Council – Ward 2: Jim Behrens.

Atlantic City Council – Ward 3: Pat McCurdy.

Atlantic City Council – Ward 4: Linda Hartkopf.

Atlantic City Council – At Large: Elaine Otte.

Mayor – City of Cumberland: Nancy Virginia Coughlin.

City Council – Cumberland (Vote for 2): Sandra Eversole and Scott W. Becker

Griswold City Council (vote for 3): Brenda Tietz; Amanda Hansen.

Mayor- City of Lewis: Rick Sanny; Russell Hansen

Lewis City Council (Vote for 3): Ryan Lockwood; Leland M Baxter

Mayor – City of Marne: Randall I. Baxter

Marne City Council (Vote for 3) – Wayne Preister

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Montgomery County Auditor Jill Ozuna has updated the list of candidates who have filed nomination papers for school board positions in advance of the Nov. 7, 2023 elections.

All Offices are 4-year terms Unless Stated Differently

Red Oak School Director at Large:

Director At Large —

Director At Large —

Stanton School Director at Large:

Director At Large —

Director At Large —

Villisca School Director at Large:

Director At Large —

Director At Large —

Director At Large —

SWCC Director District #2 – Montgomery, Adams, Ringgold, Union, Taylor & Page Counties:

Director At Large 4yr Term–

SWCC Director District #3 – TFV: Portion of Clarke and Mormon Trail

Director At Large 2yr Term–

SWCC Director District #4 – Portions of Decatur, Lucas & Ringgold Counties:

Director At Large 4yr Term–

SWCC Director District #7 – Portions of Decatur, Page, Taylor & Ringgold Counties:

Director At Large 4yr Term–

SWCC Director District #8 – Portions of Union County:

Director At Large 4yr Term–

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Montgomery County Auditor Jill Ozuna, today (Monday), updated the list of candidates who have filed nomination papers for city positions in advance of the Nov. 7, 2023 elections.

Red Oak City Offices- Candidates Filled

Mayor 2yr term—Shawna Silvius

Council Member Ward #1 4yr term–

Council Member Ward #3 4yr term–

Council Member At Large 4yr term—Sharon Bradley

Elliott City Offices

Mayor 2yr term –Michael Carson

Council Member At Large 4yr term—Leta Rush

Council Member At Large 4yr term—Lisa Jamison

Grant City Offices

Mayor 2yr term—John Giefing

Council Member At Large 2yr term–
Council Member At Large 2yr term–

Council Member At Large 2yr term–

Council Member At Large 2yr term-

Council Member At Large 2yr term–

Villisca City Offices

Mayor 2yr term–

Council Member At Large 4yr term– Robert Narup

Council Member At Large 4yr term–

Council Member At Large 4yr term–

Stanton City Offices

Mayor 4yr term–

Council Member At Large 4yr term- Pier Schenck-Osweiler

Council Member At Large 4yr term- Greg Hampel

Council Member At Large – TFV 2yr term—Justin Rhamy

Coburg City Offices

Council Member At Large 4yr term–

Council Member At Large 4ry term–

Council Member At Large 4yr term–