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Board of Supervisors meeting preview for Aug 20th: Montgomery & Cass Counties

News

August 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Red Oak and Atlantic, Iowa) – The Boards of Supervisors in Cass and Montgomery County will hold their regular (separate) meetings, Tuesday morning (August. 20th). In Red Oak, the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors meeting gets underway at 8:30-a.m. The only item of New business on their agenda, is discussion with regard to a Fiscal Year 2024-25 Family Connections Contract, with action as necessary. Their next regular meeting, is on August 27th at 8:30-a.m.

In Atlantic, the Cass County Board of Supervisors meeting begins a 9-a.m., Tuesday. There are several matters on their agenda, including:

  1. Presentation of the annual audit by Darren Welsh, with Gronewold, Bell, Kyhnn & Co. P.C.
  2. Approve the auditing firm contract for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024
  3. Monthly report by Jotham Arber, Executive Director of Cass/Guthrie County Environmental Health
  4. Discussion/action on the commercial lease with Fourth Judicial District, Department of Correctional Services for the premises located at 601 Walnut Street, Suite 1, Atlantic, IA.
  5. Approve Resolution 2024-25 Allocating ARPA Funds for the Anita Food Pantry Parking Lot Improvements in the amount of $15,000.
  6. Approve Resolution 2024-26 Allocating ARPA Funds to the City of Griswold Land of Oz Housing development Lift Station in the amount of $35,000.
  7. Monthly report by Mitch Holmes, Cass County Veteran Affairs Executive Director for the quarter ending June 30, 2024.
  8. Quarterly report by Micah Lee, Cass County Conservation Executive Director for the quarter ending June 30, 2024.
  9. Report from Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken.

The meeting will take place in-person, and is accessible on Zoom or over the phone. Details below:

Location Cass County Courthouse, Board Room, 5 W 7th St, Atlantic, IA 50022
Join Electronically https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2899195216?pwd=R0hSa2FOOTh0NUdra1ZSdVhVW
HpMUT09
Meeting ID: 289 919 5216
Passcode: 012064
Call In 312-626-6799, press *9 to indicate you wish to speak.

The Board’s next regular meeting is September 3rd at 9-a.m.

The Montgomery County Supervisors meeting will also be held in-person and available electronically or over the phone:

Via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85039693411

Call-in:

Meeting ID: 850 3969 3411

Dial by your location +1 312 626 6799 If you are calling in, Press *9 to raise your hand if you wish to speak.31

Missing Arizona teen found safe in Ankeny; 20-year-old male arrested

News

August 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Des Moines, Iowa) – Officials with the FBI say a teenager from Arizona who was reported missing earlier this month after flying to Des Moines to meet with someone she met online, was found safe in Ankeny, and a 20-year male was arrested in connection with the incident. 17-year-old Liliana Munguia was located in Ankeny Friday afternoon. The FBI arrested 20-year-old Malachi Reed, charges are pending.

As previously reported, the 17-year-old was seen on home security video leaving her father’s home in Bapchule, Arizona, at 1:30 a.m. on Aug. 5th. Later that evening, she purchased a plane ticket and flew from Mesa, Arizona, to Des Moines to meet an individual she had met online.

17-year-old Liliana Munguia

Atlantic Area Chamber Ambassadors Celebrate with The Moviehouse & Event Center

News

August 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Area Chamber Ambassadors were on-hand, Thursday, to celebrate the opening of a new business, The Moviehouse & Event Center, located in a renovated space above Brymons Interiors in downtown Atlantic. The event included a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Jennifer Miller, owner of Brymons Interiors & Moviehouse & Event center, purchased 412 Chestnut building 6 years ago from the Mason’s. The Mason’s continued to rent the top levels of the building to host meetings, but the elevator fell out of operation, and the group found other arrangements for the meetings. When the movie theater left Downtown Atlantic, Jennifer recognized the need and went to the drawing board. In March of this year, Jennifer and her daughter Cambrie began cleaning, painting, remodeling and installing equipment.

The Moviehouse & Event Center shows movies that are “current release” or “classic” movie every Saturday night. Jennifer shared that as fall and winter approach they may increase the amount of showings and possibly add a matinee. Jennifer looks forward to community feedback and requests to help guide their selections.

Pictured from Left to Right: Jeremy Butler, Chris Parks, Jennifer McEntaffer, Dr. Keith Leonard, Krysta Hanson, Kennedy Freund, Sue Liston, Ruth Sears, Colt Doherty, Jennifer Miller, Elaine Otte, Anne Quist, Dolly Bergmann, Gabby Wahlert, Lana Westphalen, Emily Symonds, Connie Wahls, Julie Waters, Alden Harriman, Kathie Hockenberry, DeeDee Kalny, Bailey Smith

The Moviehouse & Event Center is located at 412 1/2 Chestnut Street in Atlantic. For more information and movie scheduled visit their Facebook page @The Moviehouse & Events Center.

Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the KJAN listening area: Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024

Weather

August 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Today: Sunny, with a high near 84. North northwest wind 6 to 11 mph.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 59. North northeast wind 3 to 6 mph.
Tomorrow: Sunny, with a high near 83. Calm wind becoming northeast 5 to 7 mph in the morning.
Tom. Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. Light east northeast wind.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 82.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 83.

Friday’s High in Atlantic was 87. The Low this morning, was 62. Last year on this date, the High in Atlantic was 77 and the Low was 68. The Record High here on Aug. 17th, was 108 in 1936. The Record Low was 38 in 1897. Sunrise today: 6:30-a.m.; Sunset: 8:17-p.m.

Perdue Foods LLC, Recalls Frozen, Ready-To-Eat Chicken Breast Nugget and Tender Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination

News

August 16th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16, 2024 – Perdue Foods LLC, a Perry, Ga. establishment, is recalling approximately 167,171 pounds of frozen, ready-to-eat chicken breast nugget and tender products that may be contaminated with foreign material, specifically metal, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The frozen, ready-to-eat chicken breast nugget and tender items were produced on March 23, 2024. The following products are subject to recall [view labels]:

  • 22-oz. (1.38-lbs.) vacuum-sealed plastic packages containing “PERDUE Simply  Smart ORGANICS Breaded CHICKEN BREAST NUGGETS” with Best If Used By date of “03 23 25” represented on the back of the package.
  • 29-oz. (1.81-lbs.) vacuum-sealed plastic packages containing “PERDUE CHICKEN BREAST TENDERS with Best If Used By date of “03 23 25” represented on the back of the package.
  • 22-oz. (1.38-lbs.) vacuum-sealed packages containing “BUTCHERBOX Organic Chicken Breast Nuggets” with Best If Used By date of “03 23 25” represented on the back of the package.

The products subject to recall bear establishment number “P-33944” on the back of the package. These items were shipped to retail locations nationwide and sold online directly to consumers.

The problem was discovered after the firm received consumer complaints about metal wire embedded in the product and notified FSIS of the issue.

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.

FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers’ freezers. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

Consumers with questions about the recall can contact Perdue Consumer Care at 1-866-866-3703.

Griswold Football is Motivated for upcoming season

Sports

August 16th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

The start of the 2024 football season is less than two weeks away for the Griswold Tigers and they’re ready to move on from their (1-8) campaign a year ago. One of the biggest strengths for this year’s Tigers team will be the amount of depth they bring back since they had no players graduate last year. Second year head coach Seth Lembke is excited with the plethora of experience his team will have.

The leadership coach Lembke has seen from his seniors has been one positive take away from summer workouts and practice.
Griswold’s offense will be assisted by senior quarterback Bode Wyman who threw for over 1200 yards and 11 touchdowns last year. Next to him in the back field will be senior Zane Johnson with 5 touchdowns last season and sophomore Owen Johnson who picked up 334 yards rushing in 2023.

Defensively Griswold will be looking to tackling leader (46.5) senior Wyatt Petersen and sack leader (4) sophomore Owen Johnson for help with a defense that was allowing 54.5 points per game. Coach Lembke is positive with the talent that his team has stored.
Coach Lembke was candid about the recent struggle that Griswold football has had in the last decade with winning football games. Still, he believes in the capability of the 2024 Tigers team to change that.
Looking at the upcoming season for Griswold coach Lembke says fans can expect excitement and passion from his squad.
The Tigers first game of the season is on August 30th at home against the Boyer Valley Bulldogs.

Enneking Named to Hermann Trophy Watch List

Sports

August 16th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa graduate student Macy Enneking was named to the 2024 Mac Hermann Trophy Watch List, the Missouri Athletic Club announced this week. The trophy is the nation’s highest honor for collegiate soccer player of the year.  Hawkeyesports.com reports Enneking is the first Hawkeye to earn the preseason honor. The Hilliard, Ohio, native is one of five goalkeepers named to the watch list, recognizing her as one of the top players in the country at her position this season.

The watch list was compiled by members of the Division I Women’s All-America Council from a list of returning 2023 All-Americans and First Team All-Region players.

Enneking was previously named a 2024 United Soccer Coaches Player to Watch, becoming the first Hawkeye to receive that national preseason honor. Enneking was also named a Big Ten Player to Watch this season.

Enneking set a program individual record for goalkeeper shutouts last year (12.5) and helped lead the Hawkeyes to one of the top statistical defenses in program history. Iowa combined for 13 shutouts and a 0.76 goals-against average, which were both school records.

Last season, Enneking was named a Big Ten Player to Watch in the preseason before ending the season with all-region honors and an All-Big Ten Tournament Team nod. As a freshman in 2020, Enneking was Big Ten Tournament Defensive MVP and a unanimous All-Big Ten Freshman selection.

Enneking has started in goal for each of Iowa’s two Big Ten Tournament Championships in program history, as well as both of the program’s NCAA Tournament victories.

A total of 15 players will be named 2024 Hermann Trophy semifinalists on December 4 at the conclusion of NCAA Division I All-American voting. From that list, head coaches will cast votes, and three players will be named finalists. The 2024 recipient will be announced January 3, 2025, in a ceremony at the historic Missouri Athletic Club in downtown St. Louis, Missouri.

Iowa will officially re-open the season against Colorado College on Aug. 18 at the Rumble in the Rockies in Missoula, Montana. Kickoff is set for noon (CT).

 

Businessman Sentenced to 18 Months in Federal Prison for False Income Tax Return

News

August 16th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa – A businessman, formerly of Adel, was sentenced yesterday to 18 months in federal prison for filing a false income tax return.

According to public court documents, Mark Francis Davidson, 66, is the majority shareholder of a company called Collegiate Concepts, Inc., which rents dorm minifridges to colleges and college students across the United States. Beginning in 2015 and continuing until 2021, Davidson diverted over $3.8 million from the corporation to himself and failed to report this income to the Internal Revenue Service. Davidson concealed these payments from the corporation’s accountant and tax preparer by providing falsified check ledgers that falsely identified checks from the corporation to Davidson as seemingly legitimate business expenses.

After completing his term of imprisonment, Davison will be on supervised release for one year. There is no parole in the federal system. Davidson was also ordered to pay $1,449,620 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service and a fine of $20,000.

“A prison sentence should send a message to anyone who consistently underreports their income each year that it’s just a matter of time before they land on the radar of IRS Criminal Investigation (CI), and the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” said Special Agent in Charge Thomas F. Murdock of CI’s St. Louis Field Office. “We strive to ensure the integrity and fairness of the nation’s tax code, so all taxpayers pay their fair share.”

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation.

Iowa National Guard Staff Sergeant to receive Iowa Medal of Merit this Sunday

News

August 16th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Oskaloosa, Iowa) – Officials with the Iowa Army National Guard in Johnston, say an amazing story of military training put into a real-life scenario that saved a person suffering a massive heart attack. On December 18, 2023, Nathan Kessler was surveying a field in Peru, IA when he collapsed, suffering a massive heart attack. No less than five other people were in the area, but Staff Sergeant Nicolas M Darland immediately sprang into action, a critical moment in the survival of Mr. Kessler.

For this heroic deed, SSG Darland is being awarded the Iowa Medal of Merit, with his family and Mr. Kessler present. The Iowa Medal of Merit is the second highest state award next to the Iowa Medal of Valor. The Presentation will be Sunday, August 18th , at 1 PM at the Oskaloosa Armory (2260 Hwy 63) on the north side of Oskaloosa.

SSG Darland attributes his twelve-year career and military training to his effective response. SSG Darland is a true selfless servant, he holds the lessons and training he has learned as a member of the Iowa National Guard and applies them in his civilian and military career. His action in a real-world situation, resulted in the saving of not only a life but of one who is a close friend, employee, father, and husband. His actions truly distinguish himself and exemplify selfless service to the highest degree.

Council Bluffs Man Sentenced to 136 Months in Federal Prison for Drug Charges

News

August 16th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – A Council Bluffs man was sentenced on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, to 136 months in federal prison for distribution of methamphetamine.

According to public court documents, Michael Martin Meehan, 53, distributed methamphetamine to a confidential informant on two occasions in January 2023, totaling more than 150 grams.

After completing his term of imprisonment, Meehan will be required to serve seven years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Southwest Iowa Narcotics Task Force, Council Bluffs Police Department, and Carter Lake Police Department.