Cass County Auditor Dale Sunderman reports applications for a permit to display fireworks in the rural portions of Cass County are available at the County Courthouse in the office of the Cass County Auditor. Person interested in using fireworks on their property will need to do so accordance with CODE OF IOWA 727.2 FIREWORKS, which says a permit is required for display of fireworks.

CODE OF IOWA 727.2 FIREWORKS.
1. The term “fireworks” includes any explosive composition, or
combination of explosive substances, or article prepared for the
purpose of producing a visible or audible effect by combustion,
explosion, deflagration, or detonation, and includes blank
cartridges, firecrackers, torpedoes, skyrockets, roman candles, or
other fireworks of like construction and fireworks containing any
explosive or flammable compound, or other device containing any
explosive substance. The term “fireworks” does not include
goldstar-producing sparklers on wires which contain no magnesium or
chlorate or perchlorate, flitter sparklers in paper tubes that do not
exceed one-eighth of an inch in diameter, toy snakes which contain no
mercury, or caps used in cap pistols.
2. A person, firm, copartnership, or corporation who offers for sale,
exposes for sale, sells at retail, or uses or explodes any fireworks,
commits a simple misdemeanor. In addition to any other penalties,
the punishment imposed for a violation of this section shall include
assessment of a fine of not less than two hundred fifty dollars.
However, the council of a city or a county board of supervisors may,
upon application in writing, grant a permit for the display of
fireworks by municipalities, fair associations, amusement parks, and
other organizations or groups of individuals approved by the city or
the county board of supervisors when the fireworks display will be
handled by a competent operator…

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Most students at Iowa’s three public universities would pay $300 more in the upcoming school year under a plan to increase tuition released Tuesday. The 4.4 percent increase for undergraduate in-state students would replace a tuition freeze approved by the Board of Regents last year.

Board leaders had warned lawmakers that the freeze was contingent upon receiving additional state funding. The budget signed last week by Gov. Terry Branstad gives the universities a $6.3 million increase, less than one-third of the $20.3 million they had requested.

The tuition increases proposed Tuesday would generate $19.9 million in new funding, including $14.3 million from in-state undergraduates. Annual tuition would rise to $7,178 at the University of Iowa and $7,148 at Iowa State University and the University of Northern Iowa.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump says he raised five-point-six MILLION dollars for veterans at an event in Iowa before the Caucuses. “If we could, I wanted to keep it private because I don’t think it’s anybody’s business if I want to send money to the vets,” Trump says. Trump is blasting the media for questioning how much was raised and where the money went.

“Probably libelous stories or certainly close in the newspapers and the people know the stories are false. I’m going to continue to attack the press,” Trump said. “Look, I find the press to be extremely dishonest.” Trump held a news conference this (Tuesday) morning in New York City where he read a list of all the organizations that had received donations from the Des Moines fundraiser. Trump said Americans for Independent Living in Waterloo, the Puppy Jake Foundation in Urbandale, Support for Siouxland Soldiers and Central Iowa Shelter and Services each got 100-thousand dollar checks. A fourth donation of 100-thousand dollars is planned for Projects for Patriots in Sioux City, but won’t be released until a review of the group’s filings for non-profit status is completed.

“This money was raised during a little speech that I made rather than doing a debate — the one debate I missed,” Trump said. “It was the lowest rated debate, by the way, but I won’t say that.” Trump held an event at Drake University January 28th rather than participate in a FOX News debate with the other G-O-P candidates. Trump told reporters today his staff and some volunteers went through financial records to ensure the contributions were going to legitimate groups.

“I don’t want the credit for it, but I shouldn’t be lambasted and remember this: so out of the almost $6 million that was raised, not one penny did I take for administration costs,” Trump said. “That’s unheard of.” Trump’s January 28th event was held on the Drake University campus in an auditorium with 700 seats. Hundreds who couldn’t get in the packed venue stood outside and watched the event on big-screen T-Vs. Trump made this announcement at the end of that event.

“We just cracked $6 million. Right? Six million,” Trump said and the crowd cheered. “And we have outside a list of the organizations and folks that are going to be getting this money. We’re going to divide it up.” Trump said today (Tuesday) that some pledges didn’t come through and that’s why his final list of donations is short of that six-million dollar figure. Trump told reporters he’s “never received such bad publicity for doing such a good job.”

“It’s bothersome because I love the vets and I’ve worked hard for the vets and, as you can see, I’ve given a lot of money and raised a lot of money for the vets and I think when the press portrays it differently, the press is being very dishonest,” Trump said. The Washington Post reported the one-million dollar donation Trump announced he was making in January wasn’t made to the Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation until last week.

(Radio Iowa)

Officials with the Museum of Danish America in Elk Horn say Kara McKeever of Kansas City, Missouri (& originally of Harlan), has been selected to begin as the Museum of Danish America’s Genealogy Center Manager after the planned retirement of Michele McNabb of Atlantic, this June. McNabb has served as the center’s manager and librarian for the past 14 years.

Kara McKeever

Following her graduation from Harlan High School, McKeever received her B.A. degree, Magna Cum Laude, from Drake University in Des Moines where she majored in Writing and International Relations. In 2013, she completed an M.F.A. in Creative Writing and Media Arts from the University of Missouri – Kansas City. During this period she held the position of Assistant to the Director of Creative Writing. Since then she has been the retail manager of Glacé Artisan Ice Cream.

McKeever’s roots are deep in Shelby County and the Danish immigrant experience. Her great-grandparents, Hermann and Inger Nielsen of rural Harlan, are on the museum’s Danish Immigrant Wall of Honor, and she has done research on Danish immigration in the late 19th Century. ”

McKeever will participate in the Museum of Danish America’s annual June Board of Director’s meeting, which is being held this year in Kansas City, Missouri from June 9-11. She will work with Michele McNabb over the summer as she assumes her new position.

One person was arrested following a stand-off involving a man with a large knife Monday morning, in Guthrie County. The Sheriff’s Office says 22-year old Douglas McDaniel, of Jamiaca,  was charged with Assault while Displaying a Dangerous Weapon, after he allegedly confronted with a 9-inch butcher knife, Chief Deputy Jeremy Bennett and another man. McDaniel surrendered the knife and taken into custody before being booked into the Guthrie County Jail and held on a $2,000 cash only bond.

Douglas McDaniel

The incident began when deputies were called at around 9-a.m., to conduct a welfare check on a woman residing at 301 1st Avenue, in Jamaica. When Deputy Bennett arrived, he was asked to stand-by when Rodney Hennigar spoke with his daughter in the home. McDaniel, who was in the home, confronted Hennigar and the Deputy shortly thereafter. The confrontation was followed by the brief stand-off.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports a Polk County man was arrested Sunday evening following an accident investigation. Officials say 35-year old Israel Medina, Jr., of Des Moines, was charged with OWI/1st offense, after deputies responded to a car-versus-deer accident at around 7:40-p.m. Sunday, on Oxford Road. Medina was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released the following day on his own recognizance.

And, Saturday afternoon, Cass County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a one-vehicle accident on Quincy Road approximately ¼ mile east of 740th Street. A 2002 Chevy Tahoe driven by 32-year old Erich Sean Johnson, of Massena, was eastbound on Quincy Road when Johnson lost control of the SUV, which slid into the north ditch, rolled once and came to rest on its wheels. Johnson was transported to CCMH by Cumberland Fire Department. Damage to the vehicle is estimated at $10,000; damage to fence line is estimated at $2,000. The incident remains under investigation by the Iowa State Patrol.

(Noon News)

The Cass County Sheriff’s office reports two recent drug-related and numerous other arrests. Officials say as the result of a traffic stop on westbound I-80 Monday, deputies arrested 31-year old Bradley Blake Wittman, of Flagstaff, AZ, and 23-year old Michael A. DiCicco, of Imperial Beach, CA. The men face felony charges that include: Possession with Intent to Deliver (less than 10 grams of) LSD; Possession with Intent to Deliver (more than 5 grams of) Meth/MDMA, and Failure to Affix Drug Tax Stamp. They were also charged with Possession of Xanax/1st Offense, Possession of Psilocybin Mushrooms/1st Offense, Possession of Marijuana/1st Offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Dicicco was also charged with a count of OWI/1st Offense. Both men were taken to the Cass County Jail where they remain held on $100,000 bond each.

On May 26th, Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 20-year old Sierra Deziree Weston, of Atlantic, on charges of Possession of Methamphetamine/1st Offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Weston was taken to the Cass County Jail where she was released the following day on her own recognizance.

Sunday, Cass County deputies arrested 21-year old Brian Edward Kenshalo, of Atlantic, on a charge of OWI/1st Offense. Kenshalo was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released later that day on his own recognizance.

Monday, 20-year old Sarah Jo Porter, of Cumberland, turned herself in at the Cass County Jail on District Court warrants for four counts of Probation Violation. Porter was released later that day on $2,000 bond. That same day, 54-year old Russell Alan Shearer, of Griswold, was arrested on a District Court warrant for Failure to Appear to Serve Jail Time. Shearer was taken to the Cass County Jail where he is completing his sentenced time.

(Noon News)

The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday, is expected to act on approving a Resolution “Authorizing bids for the 2016 Street and Alley Improvements.” The projects were finalized for the Fiscal Year 2016 Capital Improvement plan. Slightly more than 1.085-million dollars for the projects will be financed by the 2016 bond. $500,-thousand dollars will be used from the Local Option Sales Tax Capital Improvement Streets fund to pay for the remaining projects.

Those projects include:

• 10th St. from Sunnyside Lane to the Hospital Drive (3″ Hot Melt Asphalt [HMA] Overlay).
• Olive St. from 7th to 10th (3″ HMA)
• Maple St. overlay from 9th to 10th
• Birch St. overlay from 2nd to 3rd
• Walnut/Elm alley from 4th to 5th
• 3rd to 4th St. alley (Chestnut to Poplar)

The Alley’s include those from:

• 4th to 5th Sts. (between Walnut & Elm)
• 3rd to 4th Sts. (between Oak & Hazel)
• 8th to 9th Sts. (between Chestnut & Walnut)
• 2nd to 3rd Sts.(Between Maple & Linn)
• 8th to 9th Sts. (Between Maple & Linn, and Poplar to Locust)
• 7th and 8th Sts. (Between Poplar & Locust)
• Alley by Gade Insurance
• All alleys and downtown parking lots.

Among other business on their agenda, the Atlantic City Council, Wednesday, will hear from the City’s new Landscape Architect intern (Matt Iekel) with regard to a practical beautification plan, including detailed layouts and cost-estimates. And, they will act on the following City of Atlantic commission/board re-appointments:

• Keith Harlan, to the Airport Commission
• Doug Seemann and Christina Bateman, to the Board of Adjustment
• Steve Teague, to the Cable Television Commission
• Lucas Mosier, to the Community Promotion Commission
• Jim Crall and Janice Dickerson, to the Library Board
• Ken Kelly and Katrina Sonntag, to the Planning & Zoning Commission

And the following new appointments:

• Christina Bateman, to the Planning & Zoning Commission & Board of Adjustment
• Rod Christensen, to the Cable Television Commission.
• James Northwick, to the Library Board.

The City Council meeting takes place in the Council’s Chambers at City Hall, beginning at 5:30-p.m., Wednesday.