Sheriff’s officials in Mills County report an Oakland man was arrested Tuesday for Violation of a Protection Order. 50-year old Christopher Scott Donaldson was arrested on 192nd Street at the Mills/Pottawattamie County line at around 11:45-p.m., Tuesday. Donaldson was being held without bond in the Mills County Jail.

Arrested on Christmas Day in Mills County, was: 30-year old Drema Lynn Burson, of Glenwood, who was charged with OWI/1st offense. Burson was being held on $300 bond. And, 47-year old Michael Scott Holtz, a homeless man, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. His bond was set at $1,300.

Cass County Recorder Joyce Jensen has announced she will be retiring at the end of her 2014 term in office. Jensen has served as the County’s recorder since 1991. She was elected to the Iowa State Association of Counties’ (ISAC) Board of Directors in 1998 and served as the organization’s President in 2001. Among her other accomplishments, is being elected to the Iowa County Recorders Association Board, and serving as its President in 2007. She also serves on the Atlantic Municipal Utilities’ Board and is Chair of the 1st United Methodist Church Council.

Jensen says “Serving the citizens of Cass County has been a privilege. It has always been my hope that we continue to keep services local, and that government is accessible to all.”

Bell Ringer’s in Cass County collected more than $8,240 during the campaign held this year at three sites in Atlantic. According to Bell Ringing Chair Mark Wedemeyer, the donations, which benefit the Salvation Army’s local chapter, amounted to $8,241.91. Donations were down more than $2,360 from last year. Bell Ringing Co-Chair Teresa Kanning said donations in 2012 amounted to $10,608. In 2011, they were $8,605. Donations in 2010 amounted to $5,827 and in 2009, $5,264. Kanning said residents of Cass County have always been very supportive of the Salvation Army, and they are always grateful for every penny and dollar they receive.

Mark Wedemeyer told KJAN News he really doesn’t know why donations are down, except to say that there was one less weekend for fundraising this year, and that farmers may have been less inclined to contribute due to the decline in the price they are getting for their corn. Two years ago, corn was selling for about $7 per bushel. This year, it’s down to $4 per bushel. Kanning added that colder weather may also have contributed to the reduced number of people getting out to drop funds into the kettles.

Bell Ringing Chair Mark Wedemeyer (right) and a volunteer bell ringer. (Teresa Kanning/photo)

She said they had plenty of volunteers to ring bells this year, and several brought unique aspects to their shifts, bringing smiles to many people. Last year’s donations were used to: Aid stranded motorists with their basic needs; Assist low income families with the purchase of athletic shoes; Donate money to the Shop with a Cop and Family Dream Christmas programs, and donate supplies to the Parents as Teachers program.