(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors will hold their regular, weekly meeting beginning 9-a.m. Friday (May 31), in their Boardroom at the Cass County Courthouse, in Atlantic. On their agenda for the meeting, is two Public Hearings, followed by action on resolutions to approve, the Amended Cass County Fiscal Year 2023-24 Budget, and Declaring Emergency Medical Services (EMS) an essential service in Cass County.

The Board will then act on the appointments of Sawyer Ocheltre to Sheriff’s Deputy /K9 position (retroactive to May 1st), in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement Wage Rate Schedule of $35.10 per hour, and Cameron Ward to Sheriff’s Deputy position (retroactive to May 29), also in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement Wage Rate Schedule of $34.08 per hour.

The Cass County Supervisors will act on approving a Fiscal Year 2025 Employee Group Agreement with the Secondary Roads Department, and the re-appointment of Veteran Affairs Commission Member Christine Short to a three-year term through June 30, 2027. They will also discuss updating the Cass County Comprehensive Plan.

Other business includes:

• A weekly report from Trent Wolken, Cass County Engineer
• Approve Five-Day Special Class C Retail Alcohol License for Backpocket Brewing LLC, from July 22, 2024 – July 26, 2024
• 14. Approve Iowa Retail Permit for Cigarette/Tobacco/Nicotine/Vapor for 21st Century Coop C-Store from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025
• 15. Approve Iowa Retail Permit for Cigarette/Tobacco/Nicotine/Vapor for Dollar General 20294 in Griswold from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025
• 18. Supervisor Committee Reports
• Approve claims

Next Meeting: Tuesday, June 18, 2024

(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department reports the arrest at around 6:15-a.m. today (Thursday), of a man charged with 3rd Degree Sexual Abuse. Authorities say 21-year-old Jodie Ray Perkins, II, of Creston, was arrested at the Union County Law Enforcement Center. Perkins’ bond was set at $10,000.

And, around 10:40-p.m. Wednesday, Creston Police arrested 32-year-old Shanda Faith Kile, of Creston, in the 500 block of Livingston Street. Kile was taken into custody on a Union County Warrant for Harassment in the 1st Degree, and Assault causing bodily injury or mental illness. Shanda Kile was subsequently released on a $3,000 bond.

(Iowa News Service) – Advocates for Iowa’s older population are calling on seniors to vote in Tuesday’s primary election and have identified their priorities for candidates seeking their support. There are three ways to vote in Tuesday’s primary. Voters can choose to cast a ballot by mail, vote early in person at their county auditor’s office, or the old-fashioned way, by going to polling places and filling out a paper ballot on Election Day. Brad Anderson, state director of AARP Iowa, said whatever method they choose, there is power in numbers for the state’s older voters.

“One thing we know for sure is that older voters will dominate the overall turnout,” Anderson pointed out. “During the last primary election in 2022, 77% were 50 or older.” Anderson said because Iowa’s older voters turn out in high numbers at the polls, AARP is telling candidates exactly what is important to the state’s seniors and what it takes to win their support. He pointed out retirement and health care-related issues top the list. Anderson added the group has laid out a list of priorities for the candidates, reminding them three of four voters in Tuesday’s primary will be 50 or older and their votes could decide the election.

“Older voters care deeply about the future of Social Security,” Anderson observed. “They also care about Medicare and making sure Medicare is intact. And then finally, they care deeply about lowering the cost of prescription drugs.” Anderson stressed despite recent steps taken as part of the Inflation Reduction Act to reduce the prices of some prescription medications, cost remains a hurdle for many older Iowans.

The polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, June 4th.

ATLANTIC, IA – Cass County Public Health will host a new session of A Matter of Balance beginning Monday, June 10. This free class is designed to help decrease falls and help older adults manage their fears about falling.

A Matter of Balance is an award-winning program to help older adults learn to manage their concerns about falling, make changes to reduce the risk of falling, and increase their physical activity. It includes 8 weekly two-hour sessions for a small group of 8-12 participants led by trained facilitators.

Cass County Public Health has been offering this program since 2018 because falls among adults aged 65 and older are common, costly, and preventable. According to the CDC, falls are the leading cause of injury for adults ages 65 years and older, with 1 in 4 older adults reporting falling every year. Falls are the leading cause of injury-related death among adults ages 65 and older. The age-adjusted fall death rate increased by 41% from 2012 to 2021. Over 30% of older adult Iowans reported a fall in the past year, totaling over 157,000 individual older adult falls.

For more information, or to sign up, call Cass County Public Health at 712-243-7443.