(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors held a Special Meeting today (Thursday), and acted on disbursements of remaining ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) – Covid Relief Funds. The Department of Treasury, Wednesday, announced ARPA Funds must be OBLIGATED, not approved by a resolution, by December 31, 2024, and methods by which governments are allowed to comply with the new definition. Supervisor Steve Green expressed his dismay with the last minute decision by the Treasury Department.

The Board approved a means to obligate the $10,150.54 balance not yet used for the Secondary Roads Radio System Project. Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken said if the funds need to be spent, he can use them in the two week time frame remaining, if that needs to be done. Supervisor Wendy Richter added to the discussion.

Following discussion, Steve Green motioned, and the Board approved, the use the remaining balance of of those funds for the Secondary Roads Department, and for the funds to be transferred when the bill arrives. They also approved paying Vision Atlantic’s ARPA allocation for the child care center, which was approved in a resolution on July 2nd, 2024. In other ARPA-related news, the Cass County Supervisors passed a resolution allocating the ARPA Fund balance from the Ambulance Purchase Project, for Emergency Medical Services Training. Board Chair Steve Baier explains…

Cass County Board of Supervisors Special meeting. Supervisor Wendy Richter joined via Zoom.

And, in what Steve Baier called “Further ARPA house cleaning,” the Board passed a resolution allocating ARPA Funds for Cass County Libraries, in the total amount of $20,291.91.

Supervisor Wendy Richter added clarification to the discussion.

The funds will be proportioned-out to all the public libraries in Cass County.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City of Atlantic’s proposed sidewalk improvement plan was updated during Wednesday evening’s meeting of the Atlantic City Council. Councilman Shawn Sarsfield said the Sidewalk Committee met Wednesday afternoon, and agreed to pick three areas where sidewalks are most in need of improvement.

For those property owners who can’t afford the cost of concrete, Sarsfield said the City may be able to help.

If sidewalks are repaired by the City, they must be ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant.

Once the sidewalks are repaired, the property owner is responsible for maintaining them. Shawn Sarsfield said the sidewalk initiative is one aspect of a five-year project, and that “Patience and understanding” will be needed by residents of the City until sidewalks in their area are repaired or replaced.

(Radio Iowa) – A new federal study pegs the average American’s life expectancy around 77 years, which is an improvement, but still lags behind the pre-pandemic report that put the average at almost 79 years. How can Iowans live longer? Shayna Schertz, a wellness education specialist at Gundersen Health, says many factors go into giving you the best chance of living a long and healthy life. “That could be a healthy diet, including fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, lean protein,” Schertz says. “Getting physical activity, such as both cardio and strength training, it’s very important as we age. Having those strong social connections, and avoiding risky behaviors such as tobacco or alcohol.” Since COVID-19, many work environments have changed as employers allow more people to work from home, which means an increase in loneliness, and that can impact how long you live.

“Many people are more isolated than they used to be. They don’t have those meaningful relationships. They don’t get out in the community,” Schertz says. “Family starts to drift apart a little bit as you age. So just having those social connections, trying to get out as much as you can.” Another factor in life expectancy falls under the banner of life fulfillment, which means different things to different people. “Staying active, staying socially connected, taking care of yourself, setting goals to keep your mind and body both sharp,” Schertz says. “Goal setting is one thing that kind of falls off as we age, and it’s an important thing in life to keep striving, keep learning, keep expanding your mental health.” Studies find women typically live longer than men. That, too, may be due to a combination of things, including genetics, getting better sleep, women tend to be more socially engaged, and they also get medical checkups on a more routine basis than men.

(Creston, Iowa) – Officials with the Creston Police Department report the arrest Wednesday afternoon, of 20-year-old Hunter Lee Bradford, of Creston. Bradford was taken into custody in the 300 block of W. Adams Streets, and charged with possession drug paraphernalia. He was cited and released at the scene, on a promise to appear in court.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – Iowa Auditor of State Rob Sand today (Thursday), released a report on a special investigation of the Cerro Gordo County Auditor’s Office for the period January 1, 2021 through April 30, 2024. The special investigation was requested by County officials as a result of concerns regarding certain transactions processed by the County Auditor, Adam Wedmore.

Sand reported the special investigation identified $663.58 of improper disbursements and $499.42 of unsupported disbursements. However, because County records were not sufficiently maintained, it was not possible to determine if additional amounts were improperly disbursed. Sand reported the $663.58 of improper disbursements identified include $640.00 of improper postage for campaign mailers by Mr. Wednore for his County Auditor’s re-election efforts using the County’s Pitney Bowes postage machine, and $23.58 of reimbursement checks issued to Mr. Wedmore for excessive mileage claimed. The $499.42 of unsupported disbursements identified includes postage using the County’s Pitney Bowes postage machine, and reimbursements to Mr. Wedmore.

Sand recommended County officials implement procedures to ensure the County’s internal controls are strengthened, including ensuring access controls are added to the County’s postage machine, periodic independent reviews of postage charges, and all disbursements are properly supported.

Copies of the report have been filed with the Division of Criminal Investigation, the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Office, the Cerro Gordo County Attorney’s Office, and the Attorney General’s Office. A copy of the report is also available for review on the Auditor of State’s website at Special Interest Reports.

Cerro Gordo Auditors Office Report