Officials with the Cass County Health System (CCHS) in Atlantic, have announced the next “Healthy U” session will take place beginning at Noon on Thursday, Jan. 17th, in Conference Room 2 at the Cass County Memorial Hospital. During the free session, Dr. Todd Bean, Chief Medical Officer, and Carrie Schmitt, Director of Diagnostic Imaging, will make a presentation on lung health and a new lung cancer screening.

Healthy U is a monthly, free educational series. The public is invited and welcome to attend, but reservations are required as a meal is provided for all attendees. Please call 712-243-7479, to reserve your seat.

Carrie Schmitt, Director of Diagnostic Imaging

Dr. Todd Bean, Chief Medical Officer

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Officials say two occupants were hospitalized after a fire at their Des Moines home. Firetrucks were dispatched around 10 p.m. Wednesday, and firefighters found the two outside the home when they arrived. Their names haven’t been released. The front of the home was heavily damaged. The fire cause is being investigated.

The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office reports 38-year old Clinton Johnson, of Athelstan, was arrested Wednesday, in Athelstan, on a Department of Corrections warrant for Parole Violation. Johnson is being held at the Taylor County Jail without bond.

The Cass County Board of Supervisors, Wednesday morning, reviewed a recommendation from the County Compensation Board, who suggested a five-percent pay raise for Elected Officials. The Supervisors did not take any action on the recommendation during their meeting, but when it comes time to making a decision during the budgeting process, they may choose to accept the Compensation Board’s recommendation, or reduce the percentage, but they cannot go above the recommended amount. Regardless of which way they choose to act, the percentage must be the same for each of the elected officials.

Supervisor Mark O’Brien pointed out that in the last 10-years, the Board of Supervisors has approved a combined 23.5-percent in pay raises. During the same time, the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for Federal Employees has been around 13-percent. He said Cass County has given more raises than the national government. A trend toward population decline, he said, means less people will assume the tax burden for the pay increases.

The Supervisors agreed to inform elected officials that they may base their budgets on a 2.8-percent increase, at least for now, but again no official action will be taken until they begin work on the FY2020 budget.

The Creston Police Department reports one arrest occurred Wednesday afternoon. 24-year old Jordanne Beardsley, of Creston, was arrested on the 100 block of E. Adams Street, on a charge of Driving While Suspended. Beardsley wass being held in the Adams County Jail on a $300 bond.