(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Police Department reports a man from Kansas City, KS was arrested last week in connection with a break-in at Nishna Valley Cyle on July 15, 2024. 36-year-old Dajuan Brantly faces charges that include Theft in the 1st Degree, Burglary in the 3rd Degree, and Criminal Mischief in the 1st Degree. Brantly was arrested November 5th.
An investigation into the incident continues.
(Radio Iowa) – The open enrollment period is now underway for people who get their health insurance through healthcare.gov. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Regional Administrator Shannon Hills says it is important that you take action. “This is the time for people who need health insurance to make changes to their existing plan or to apply and enroll,” she says. Hills says there are some changes for this year. “Due to a new law, the inflation Reduction Act, financial assistance is available to help people pay for their health insurance premiums,” Hills says.
She says the healthcare.gov website has also been streamlined and updated to make the process easier. Hills says the healthcare plans offer a variety of things from prescription drugs, to emergency care and more. “They will be able to compare and contrast various healthcare plans, their costs, and to find one that meets their needs,” she says. Hill says there is also information on how to evaluate the various plans.
“On healthcare.gov there is a section called Find Local Help. So if someone would like a little bit more information or assistance in their particular area in Iowa, then they can select that Find Local Help button and be connected to an agent or broker in their area to walk through their healthcare plan options,” Hills says. “They can also call the healthcare.gov call center at 1-800-318-2596.” She says that call center is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Hills says you need to sign up by December 15th to ensure that your coverage will begin by January 1st.
(Atlantic, Iowa) [updated] – The Cass County Board of Supervisors met Wednesday morning (Nov. 13), and canvassed the results of the Nov. 5, 2024 General Election. The approved, certified results, will be submitted to the Iowa Secretary of State’s Office for the record. In other business, the Board heard a Quarterly Report from Cass County Conservation Department Executive Director Micah Lee.
He said they have been performing general maintenance at the Cold Springs State Park.
At West Nodaway, Micah said the Food Plots were prepped for the Dove season, and some trees were planted and brush removal work was conducted.
The Board heard also from the Cass County Library Association, who requested a three-percent increase in funding from the County, for each of the libraries in Cass County. The Supervisors received a report from Lora Kanning, President of Cass County Tourism, on a new (Draft copy for now), interactive brochure.
Cass County Board of Supervisors meeting on Nov. 13, 2024
She asked for a Cass County Tourism tab to be included on the County’s website, once the brochure is finalized. A one-time fee of $150 is needed to create a side page for the brochure. The Supervisors agreed help pay for the addition to the website. The brochure will include QR Codes to each community in the county, including recreational and other information.
And, they received a regular report from Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken, who said with (up until recently) the dry weather, they’ve been applying spot rock to the county’s gravel roads as needed, especially on Lansing Road. They’ve also replaced some rip-rap around bridge piers, and conducting culvert work. And, Wolken said the are looking for help in the Secondary Roads Department. Advertisements for one of the positions was posted a few days ago.
And, some construction projects were recently completed, including a box culvert on 620th, Bridge 24 was finished Tuesday and open for traffic.
The Supervisors approved a lease agreement (as written) with the 4th Judicial District Dept. of Correctional Services, for County-owned property at 601 Walnut Street, Suite 1, in Atlantic. They approved also, the issuance of a county credit card with a $2,500 spending limit, to Cass County Public Safety Director Mike Kennon, and Bobbi Jo Steffensmeier. The request was with regard to dispatcher and other necessary training.
In other action, the Board approved a fiscal year 2023-24 Urban Renewal report, and a Federal-Aid agreement for the replacement of Bridge 269 over the Jim Branch, which is on the landfill road.
ALISON “Ali” TUPPER, 46, of Atlantic, died Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at the Exira Care Center. A Memorial service for ALI TUPPER will be held 10:30-a.m. Saturday, November 16, 2024, at the United Church of Christ in Atlantic. Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Atlantic has the arrangements.
Public visitation with the family will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, November 15, 2024, at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Atlantic.
(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley is criticizing the institution where he’s served for decades for giving too much power to the office of the president. Grassley, the longest-serving Republican in Congressional history, says Congress has “violated the Constitution” by handing the White House the authority to enact crippling tariffs. President-Elect Donald Trump made global tariffs a primary focus of his campaign, and Grassley, who serves on the Senate Finance Committee, says he can do it. “I’m sorry to say that he probably does have that sort of authority based upon a couple tariffs,” Grassley says. “The only one I remember would be the 1963 tariff legislation, supposedly to be used for national security.”
During the campaign, Trump suggested he’ll sign an executive order to impose a 20-percent tax on all imports from all countries, and threatened a tax of up to 60-percent on all goods coming from China. Grassley believes the president has that power and can enact such tariffs without needing Congressional approval. “I’d rather call them countervailing duties than tariffs, but when a country goes against international trade law and subsidizes something,” Grassley says, “a president’s got the authority under this other trade bill to put on enough duties on imports to level the playing field.” 
Grassley says his criticism of Congress goes back 50, even 80 years, as powers that should likely have remained under the U-S Capitol dome were shifted to the executive branch. “We have actually violated the Constitution, where it says all legislative power shall be vested in the Congress of the United States,” Grassley says, “but when you delegate too much authority for presidential action, you’re really violating that section of the code.” Recent action by the U-S Supreme Court aimed to curb the power of the executive branch, Grassley says, if that power isn’t specifically spelled out in the law. He says, “In the Supreme Court case of this year, they more or less said, ‘Congress, you aren’t doing your job, and you shouldn’t be delegating so much authority,’ and the Supreme Court’s going to be the policeman of that in the future.”
The threatened 60-percent tariff on all goods from China is particularly troubling to American companies that rely on parts from China in order to make a wide range of products, which could force a tremendous boost in prices for consumers.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa [KCCI] — Iowans for Common Sense, a new coalition, is launching an advertising campaign to stop a proposed new casino in Cedar Rapids. Their television ad, currently airing in the Des Moines and Cedar Rapids markets, asks Iowans to sign a petition supporting a statewide moratorium on new casinos. The group points to a statewide survey, conducted by UpONE Insights, that found two-thirds of Iowa voters oppose new casinos and 56% of voters support a moratorium on further casino expansion.
Iowans for Common Sense spokesperson Zachary Harnden says “The message from Iowans is clear People across the state value what our current casinos bring to their communities but do not support further expansion.”
A new rendering of the proposed Cedar Crossing casino in northwest Cedar Rapids. CREDIT PENINSULA PACIFIC ENTERTAINMENT
Peninsula Pacific Entertainment and the Linn County Gaming Association jointly applied for a gaming license with the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission in August. Leaders from these organizations formally presented their applications in October. If granted a license, Cedar Crossing Casino & Entertainment Center will be built in Cedar Rapids.
The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission will vote on granting a license on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025.
(Atlantic, Iowa) – Cass County (Iowa) 4-H’ers and their families, volunteers and supporters gathered on Sunday, November 10th to celebrate the 2023-2024 4-H year at the 2024 County Convention. Officials report 4-H leaders reaching milestones, were recognized for their service. Receiving five-year recognition were Diane Brahms of Union Leaders, Terri Hansen of Grant Guys & Gals Clover Kids, Carrie Ohms of Grant Guys & Gals Clover Kids, Toni Rieck of Grant Guys & Gals, and Laura Robinson of Washington GEM.
The 4-H Alumni Award, given to 4-H alumni that have stayed active in supporting the local 4-H program, was presented to Dale and Vickie Retallic. Dale and Vickie have been active in many parts of the Cass County Fair in all ways possible. Exhibitor, Parent, Superintendent, Volunteer, Cook, Assistant Superintendent, Grandparents are some titles they have had on the fairgrounds. They have raised two sons that are current fair department superintendents and have grandchildren now exhibiting on the grounds too. Dale and Vickie have created a deep-rooted tradition of being involved with Cass County 4-H at the county fair and continue to support youth in the program through many avenues.
Natalie Bierbaum recognized as Cass County’s newest Honorary 4-H Member. This is awarded to a member of the community who was not a 4-H member themselves but supports and assists the local 4-H program. Natalie has made photo backgrounds for youth to take photos of their awards out during fair, takes photos of many shows and award ceremonies at fair. Natalie was instrumental in the creation of our 75th Exhibitor T-shirts we got to show in this year and her help with the 75th Fair Celebration committee preparations. The Distinguished Service Award was presented to Lindeman Tractor. The team at Lindeman’s works with many of our 4-H families each month through their regular business. They stated how appreciative they are to see the next generation of our 4-H youth getting involved in the agriculture field.
They have been involved in Cass County 4-H and the county fair as far back as 1959 in multiple ways including, an entertainment sponsor, a livestock sale supporter, and a trophy donor. Behind the scenes, they provide equipment, storage, and trucking before, during, and after our Fair. During Fair week, Bob, Norma Jean, and their Lindeman’s family are often sharing meals at the food stand multiple times a day. Members and leaders of all 4-H clubs in Cass County were recognized for club activities, and project awards completed throughout the year. Intermediate and Junior 4-H members who completed a record book received project awards based on leaders’ recommendation. Record books are rated on organization, appearance, goals and learning, spelling, and grammar.
High school members turn in their record book at the club level, then leaders nominate records to be reviewed again at the county level. These project records should be well organized, neat, and show evidence of solid Citizenship, Communication, and Leadership activities. Points received determine if platinum, gold, silver, or bronze awards are given.
A ink to photos and a document that has names listed for each photo is available at: https://iastate.box.com/s/7m44pxq3an1c4m3hus4wg3epqi2ozf3q. Photos courtesy of Captured by Ashley Photography.
Awards given by clubs are as follows:
Bear Grove Blazers:
Club Awards: Top Historian Book, Top Treasurer Book, Youth Council Club Challenge Participant, Silent Auction Item
Record Book/Project Awards:
Catherine DeBord: Home Improvement, Clothing & Fashion, Star Intermediate Record Book
Alyson Dreager: Swine (platinum), Dog (platinum), Goat (platinum), Home Improvement (platinum), Photography (gold), Sheep (gold), Gold Senior Record Book
Dylen Dreager: Swine (bronze), Silver Senior Record Book
Keagen Dreager: Home Improvement
Walker Gary: Poultry (platinum), Platinum Senior Record Book
Jamie Jacobsen: Citizenship, Health
Maggie Jacobsen: Citizenship
Hunter Kardell: Swine, Visual Arts, Star Junior Record Book
Lynsie Kardell: Photography, Star Intermediate Record Book
Macie Kloewer: Rabbits
Maggie Kloewer: Food & Nutrition, Rabbits
Mia Kloewer: Bronze Senior Record Book
David Retallic: Swine (gold), Platinum Senior Record Book
Sophia Retallic: Swine, Food & Nutrition, Sewing & Needle Art, Visual Arts, Rabbits, Photography, Star Junior Record Book
Nolan Sunderman: Self-Determined
Carter Witzman: Swine (gold), Silver Senior Record Book
Benton Franklin:
Club Awards: 4-Her’s for 4-H, Youth Council Club Challenge Finisher, Silent Auction Item
Record Book/Project Awards:
Brock Henderson: Breeding beef (gold), Gold Senior Record Book
Zander Pieken: Rabbits (silver), Gold Senior Record Book
Blayre Steffen: Swine, Beef, Star Junior Record Book
Brookelyn Steffen: Self-Determined (silver), Gold Senior Record Book
Brylee Steffen: Home Improvement, Swine, Beef, Star Intermediate Record Book
C&M Champions:
Club Awards: 4-Her’s for 4-H, Endowment Donation, Silent Auction Item
Cowpokes:
Club Awards: 4-Her’s for 4-H, Youth Council Club Challenge Participant, Silent Auction Item
Record Book/Project Awards:
AJ Barber: Beef, Horse, Welding
Shelby Hansen: Dog, Star Junior Record Book
Kayedance Sturm: Horse (bronze), Silver Senior Record Book
Grant Guys and Gals:
Club Awards: 4-Her’s for 4-H, Endowment Donation, Top Window Display National 4-H Week, Rabbit Herdsmanship, Swine Herdsmanship, Youth Council Club Challenge Participant, Silent Auction Item
Record Book/Project Awards:
Macy Burg: Gold Senior Record Book
Brayden Dawson: Beef
Colby Euken: Clothing & Fashion, Photography, Vet Science, Woodworking, Swine, Agronomy, Star Junior Record Book
Ada Hansen: Communications (platinum), Platinum Senior Record Book
Isaac Hansen: Swine, Beef, Food & Nutrition, Woodworking, Clothing & Fashion, Star Junior Record Book
Mack Hansen: Food & Nutrition, Swine, Animal Science, Visual Arts, Beef, Home Improvement
Kambry Langfelt: Beef
Kylee Wessling: Food & Nutrition, Rabbits
Griswold Clubsters:
Club Awards: Beef Herdsmanship, Silent Auction Item
Record Book/Project Awards:
Raylea Amos: Beef, Star Junior Record Book
Blaine Buffington: Swine
Bristol Chambers: Beef, Star Junior Record Book
Josephine Millikan: Consumer Management (gold), Clothing & Fashion (silver), Sewing & Needle Art (platinum), Food & Nutrition (gold), Gold Senior Record Book
Grove H.O.T.:
Club Awards: 4-Her’s for 4-H, 2024 Banner Club, Silent Auction Item
Record Book/Project Awards:
Hudson Brock: Communications, Star Intermediate Record Book
Parker Brock: Silver Senior Record Book
Conner Johnson: Poultry (platinum), Shooting Sports (gold), Woodworking (gold), Platinum Senior Record Book
Lily Johnson: Communications (gold), Citizenship (platinum), Clothing & Fashion (platinum), Dairy Goats (platinum), Food & Nutrition (platinum), Leadership (platinum), Photography (platinum), Poultry (platinum), Platinum Senior Record Book
Madeline Richter: Gold Senior Record Book
Claire Schroder: Rabbits (platinum), Sheep (platinum), Gold Senior Record Book
Independent Members:
Record Book/Project Awards: Grant Petty: Sheep (platinum), Swine (platinum), Platinum Senior Record Book
Pleasant Noble United:
Club Awards: 4-Her’s for 4-H, Overall Herdsmanship, Youth Council Club Challenge Participant, Silent Auction Item, Highest club attendance at convention.
Record Book/Project Awards:
Conlan Amos: Poultry, Star Intermediate Record Book
Zoey Amos: Gold Senior Record Book
Emma Ritter: Dog
Gage Ritter: Ag & Natural Resources
Kailey Swain: Visual Arts (platinum), Goats (platinum), Poultry (platinum), Rabbits (platinum), Platinum Senior Record Book
Pymosa:
Club Awards: 4-Her’s for 4-H, Top Secretary Book, YC Club Challenge Winner, Silent Auction Item, Highest 4-H member recruitment.
Record Book/Project Awards:
Olivia Olson: Platinum Senior Record Book
Claire Pellett: Food & Nutrition (platinum), Beef (gold), Dog (gold), Health (gold), Platinum Senior Record Book
Oakley Skow: Food & Nutrition, Dog, Poultry, Photography, Star Junior Record Book
Miraylie Stuart: Beef (platinum), Platinum Senior Record Book
Union Leaders:
Club Awards: 4-Her’s for 4-H, Endowment Donation, Top Community Service Award, Sheep Herdsmanship, Silent Auction Item
Record Book/Project Awards:
Oliver Becker: Sewing & Needle Art
Tristan Becker: Beef (gold), Silver Senior Record Book
Bay Erickson: Rabbits, Visual Arts, Food & Nutrition, Photography, Clothing & Fashion, Star Junior Record Book
Gage Erickson: Visual Arts, Food & Nutrition, Clothing & Fashion
Avery Lee: Woodworking, Visual Arts, Photography, Food & Nutrition, Clothing & Fashion
Bryson Lee: Woodworking, Food & Nutrition
Eden Ohms: Clothing & Fashion, Sheep, Beef, Poultry, Food & Nutrition, Child Development, Visual Arts, Sewing & Needle Art, Star Junior Record Book
Leah Ohms: Food & Nutrition (platinum), Sewing & Needle Art (platinum), Beef (platinum), Sheep (platinum), Visual Arts (platinum), Photography (gold), Platinum Senior Record Book
Washington GEM:
Club Awards: 4-Her’s for 4-H, Goat Herdsmanship, Poultry Herdsmanship, Youth Council Club Challenge Finisher
Record Book/Project Awards:
Colton Anderson: Sheep, Star Intermediate Record Book
Maddy Anderson: Swine (gold), Platinum Senior Record Book
Natalie Boose: Visual Arts, Rabbits
Bentley Bruck: Photography (gold), Beef (gold), Platinum Senior Record Book
Jacquelyn Freund: Sewing & Needle Art (platinum), Gold Senior Record Book
Macy Freund: Home Improvement, Food & Nutrition, Sewing, Clothing & Fashion
Morgan Kirchner: Sewing & Needle Art, Poultry, Visual Arts, Clothing & Fashion, Star Junior Record Book
Quincy Robinson: Swine
Gentry Waters: Clothing
Paxton Wickard: Woodworking, Welding, Swine, Star Junior Record Book
Zach Zellmer: Swine, Rabbits, Star Intermediate Record Book
High School youth members can also apply for county level awards to show highlight the experiences they have demonstrating their leadership, communication and civic engagement through multiple project areas through their 4-H experiences.
The Merit award went to Ada Hansen of Grant Guys and Gals – She is well-rounded with her 4-H projects and leadership, citizenship, and communication capacities.
Achievement was awarded to Olivia Olson of Pymosa – Olivia has shown outstanding personal growth through participation in a variety of 4-H projects and programs.
Citizenship award going to Lily Johnson of Grove H.O.T. – Lily has learned the meaning of citizenship and has demonstrated that understanding through good practices.
Leadership this year goes to Maddy Anderson of Washington GEM – Maddy has acquired and demonstrated leadership beyond the local club level. Leadership is helping a group attain its goals.
Learning through Livestock award this year goes to Claire Pellett of Pymosa – Claire has made noteworthy progress toward maturity and leadership thorough her service as local club, county, area, and state livestock events.
There were seventeen third graders that are eligible to graduate into the 4-H program for the 2024-2025 program year. Youth who graduated from Cass County Clover Kids included: Ethan Retallic of Bear Grove Blazers Clover Kids, Parker Walter of Bear Grove Blazers Clover Kids, Bentlee Caceres of Cass County Creators, Calon Huddleson of Cass County Creators, Emma Kay of Cass County Creators, Lana Leyh of Cass County Creators, McKinley Sandbothe of Cass County Creators, Callen Waters of Cass County Creators, Olivia Weirich of Cass County Creators, Cade Wickard of Cass County Creators, Jase Ohms of Grant Guys & Gals Clover Kids, Brielle Wessling of Grant Guys & Gals Clover Kids, Breken Amos of Griswold Clubsters Clover Kids, Laena Amos of Griswold Clubsters Clover Kids, Adalyn Buffington of Griswold Clubsters Clover Kids, Natalyn Smith of Griswold Clubsters Clover Kids, Elsie Starlin of Griswold Clubsters Clover Kids
The afternoon concluded with the installation of thirteen senior level 4-H’ers onto the 2024-2025 County 4-H Youth Council. Members are Hudson Brock of Grove H.O.T., Alyson Dreager of Bear Grove Blazers, Jacquelyn Freund of Washington GEM, Ada Hansen of Grant Guys & Gals, Conner Johnson of Grove H.O.T., Lily Johnson of Grove H.O.T., Josephine Millikan of Griswold Clubsters, Leah Ohms of Union Leaders, Olivia Olson of Pymosa, Claire Schroder of Grove H.O.T., Miraylie Stuart of Pymosa, Kayedance Sturm of Cowpokes, and Kailey Swain of Pleasant Noble United.
For more information about joining the Cass County 4-H program as a 4-H member or adult volunteer, visit www.extension.iastate.edu/cass, call 712-243-1132, or email kbateman@iastate.edu to contact the Cass County Extension office.
KJAN/Atlantic, .08″
Atlantic (7.1 miles N/NE), .08
.6 mile S of Anita, .07″
College Springs, .28 (as of 8-a.m.)
1.5 miles E of Council Bluffs, .69″
Near Elk Horn (IA), .07″
Logan, .91″
Missouri Valley, .68″
Mondamin, .78″
New Market, .03″
Pacific Junction, .76″
(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Education has released its annual ranking of schools. The Department’s Information Bureau chief Jay Pennington says it’s the first time the School Performance Profiles had used an updated state plan for school accountability and support. “It includes information such as proficiency rates in key areas such as mathematics, science and language, art. It also includes information about the growth of students year to year,” he says. Thirty-five schools were listed as “in need of comprehensive support and improvement,” the lowest performance level. Pennington says that’s similar to what the previous system showed.
“You’re seeing year to year about the same number of schools, although the makeup or who those schools are identified are different. You know, one thing to point out between the two versions is that we do have 16 schools that are actually exiting that comprehensive or lowest five percent status, which I think those schools would celebrate,” Pennington says . He says there were 15 schools that are carrying over that comprehensive designation from the prior year, and 20 new additional schools that are that now have that status. Pennington says schools are targeted for a particular student group within a school.
“As an example, it could be Hispanic students or students eligible for free or reduced price lunch. But within this new system, we did see a slight increase in the number of schools and percent of schools that are being identified for students with disabilities in particular,” he says. Pennington says more than 93 percent of the 351 schools within the state were identified for having students with disabilities under performing. There were other cases where there was a decrease in the reason why schools were identified. “So just in contrast, we did see a decline in the number of schools that were identified for students from low-income backgrounds, students that are black or African American, Hispanic or multi-racial,” Pennington says.
He says the report is the beginning of the process and the department has a school improvement team that will work directly with schools on a school improvement plan.
Pennington encourages you to check out your school district ranking and the other information. “It also includes a lot of other rich data beyond the accountability information, so the tool should be really used to not only analyze the results, but also think about engage with district leaders and school leaders about their performance of students within their community,” he says.
You can see the full report at: iaschoolperformance.gov.
(Iowa Capital Dispatch) – Corn harvest in Iowa is four days ahead of last year’s harvest and nearly two weeks ahead of the average harvest schedule, according to the Iowa crop progress and condition report. The report for Nov. 4 through Nov. 10 shows south central Iowa lags behind the rest of the state with more than 15% of its corn still in the field. Overall, 95% of Iowa’s corn harvested for grain has now been harvested.
Iowa’s harvest is comparable with the other top corn-producing states in the country — two of which, Texas and North Carolina, have completed their harvests for the season.Iowa has had a rapid harvest season due to a warm and dry September and October. The above-average amounts of rain the past two weeks, however, have slowed down harvesting and resulted in just three days last week that were suitable for field work.
Justin Glisan, the State Climatologist, said in his report for the same period that average rainfall in Iowa was 1.14 inches, more than double the normal of 0.52 inches. Rain over the past two weeks has helped alleviate some of Iowa’s drought conditions according to the U.S. Drought Monitor’s Thursday report, which showed a 37% decline in the percentage of the state in severe drought conditions. Now, 6% of the state has no observed drought conditions.
Soil moisture conditions similarly improved with 50% of topsoil moisture rated as adequate for the week. Glisan also reported the state’s average temperature was 8.9 degrees above normal, a trend that has persisted through harvest season.
According to an Iowa State University Extension and Outreach newsletter, soil temperature and moisture conditions are nearing suitable levels for fall nitrogen application. The ISU mesonet shows soil temperatures across the state in the upper 40s and lower 50s. Other field activities for the week included fall tillage and baling stalks.
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