A committee in Montgomery County tasked with filling a vacancy on the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors in District 2, has selected Mike Olsen to succeed Joshua Wiig. Wiig resigned from his Board seat on May 31st. The committee took action on his replacement Wednesday evening.

Mike Olson will serve as District 2 Supervisor until the results of the November 8, 2016, General Election are certified. However, Iowa Code states citizens of Montgomery County District 2, may request a special election to fill the vacancy by filing a petition with the Montgomery County Auditor containing 77 signatures of eligible electors within 14 days after the appointment is made.

The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office reports two Nebraska residents were arrested Wednesday, following an investigation into a disturbance in Hamburg. Sheriff Kevin Aistrope says deputies were called to the disturbance that occurred between the 1500 and 160 block of Washington Street, after which 18-year old Kassie Neeman, of Nebraska City, NE., was arrested for Trespassing. Neeman was being held in the Fremont County Jail on $300 bond.

Brandon Leckenby

Kassie Neeman

While at the scene of the disturbance, another investigation began that resulted in the arrest of 26-year old Brandon Leckenby, of Nebraska City. He faces charges that include Possession of numerous pieces of drug paraphernalia (Meth & marijuana), carrying weapons, and on a valid arrest warrant out of Boone County. The Fremont County K9 Unit and Iowa State Patrol assisted at the scene. Leckenby was being held in the Fremont County Jail on $2,300 bond while awaiting transfer to Boone County.

Jacob Hills

And, early this (Thursday) morning, 23-year old Jacob Hills, of Hamburg, was arrested in the parking lot of the Casey’s General Store in Hamburg, after Hills was found laying next to a car in front of the store. Hills was arrested for Public Intoxication and was being held in the Fremont County Jail on $300 bond.

A report released Wednesday shows nearly one-third of Iowans struggle to afford basic living expenses. Deann Cook is executive director of United Ways of Iowa, which issued the statewide study. “This report indicates that over 381,000 households in Iowa, or 31-percent of the state’s total, are unable basic cost-of-living in their county,” Cook said. Around 12-percent of Iowans are below the federal poverty line, but Cook says that federal level is “outdated” and thousands of Iowans above the line are living paycheck to paycheck.

“And, most often, they have nothing left to navigate any unexpected expenses they may have such as a car repair, an illness, or a job loss,” Cook said. Heather Hennings is the president and CEO of the United Way of Siouxland and the incoming United Ways of Iowa Board Chair. She says wages in Iowa are failing to keep up with the rising cost of living. “Sixty-eight-percent of all jobs in Iowa pay less than $20 an hour and most of those actually pay between $10 and $15 an hour,” Hennings said.

The report could fuel more debate over efforts to raise the minimum wage in the state. “There are a lot of people who are working hard, playing by the rules…and we live in a country where you think, if you do work hard, you should be able to support your family. In some cases, that’s not happening,” Hennings said. The United Ways of Iowa represents 25 local United Ways that serve more than half of Iowa’s 99 counties.

(Radio Iowa)