(UPDATED; Red Oak, Iowa) – The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors held a closed session during their meeting this (Tuesday) morning, to discuss with legal counsel, matters in litigation or where litigation is imminent, and its disclosure would likely prejudice or disadvantage their position. Jan Norris, a resident and property owner in Montgomery County, who’s a proponent of establishing an Ordinance pertaining to the proposed Summit Carbon Solutions carbon capture pipeline project, which would run through the western third of the County.

Jan Norris speaks with the Montgomery County BOS

Following the closed session, and by unanimous vote, the county’s board of supervisors passed a resolution NOT to take action on a proposed ordinance regulating carbon capture projects. County Attorney Drew Swanson said the supervisors opted to table the ordinance following a federal judge’s recent ruling granting Summit an injunction preventing Shelby County from enforcing its own ordinances regulating the pipeline.

Although the supervisors have postponed a decision to act on an ordinance, it is still possible either the Iowa Legislature or the federal government could take action. The Iowa Utilities Board plans an evidentiary hearing on Summit’s application for the project in August.

In other business, the Board received a weekly update/report from Montgomery County Engineer Karen Albert.

The Board approved claims payable on Wednesday, in the amount of $203,143.20, and, authorization for name changes to Jill Ozuna and Tammy Hall for the Montgomery County Safe Deposit box at Houghton State Bank.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors, this (Tuesday) morning, held a Public Hearing on the previously explained, and proposed, amendment to the County Zoning Ordinance, changing a small portion of land in Pymosa Township along Eagle Avenue, from General Agricultural, to Light Industrial. The change was requested by Ron West, who has a federal firearms license to repair, manufacture and sell firearms.

Cass County Zoning Administrator Mike Kennon said the Zoning Commission, as previously reported, approved the request and recommended the Supervisors follow suite.

Ron West appeared before the Board, to explain most of what he wants to do, deals with the repair of firearms from a home-based business.

Ron West addresses the Cass County BOS (7/25/23)

Much of his business, he said, comes from trap shooters, who tend to break firing pins and want their stocks modified. No forging (hot metal work) will take place. He plans to use the extra income from his business to supplement his income for retirement. Following the Public Hearing, the Board unanimously approved the change in zoning request.

The Supervisors also discussed and passed a resolution cancelling three outstanding warrants (Checks) issued by the County, that are over one-year old. And, a resolution to allocate ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act, re: covid relief) funds to the CAM School District, was passed, in order to improve election polling place accessibility. The funds will not exceed $10,000. Deputy Auditor Sheri Karns explains the issue boils down to ease of accessibility and security.

Karns said after exploring the options with the Massena Middle School faculty, officials learned there are issues with the outside doors being wide enough, and there’s a slight lift which needs to be leveled-out, so that it’s more of a ramp. She said they currently bids for the wider door, which are around $3,000, but they don’t have a bid on the concrete, yet. That’s why they established a $10,000 ceiling for costs and materials. Parking on election day, she said, won’t be an issue, because they faculty will park in a separate lot.

In other business, the Board received a quarterly report from Cass County Veteran’s Affairs Director Mitch Holmes, and a report from the Cass County Secondary Roads Department Senior Technician Dennis Vogel. Vogel spoke about the ongoing bridge projects.

He also spoke about a couple of current and upcoming Fall concrete box culvert projects, as well as other maintenance and improvement activities.

DAVENPORT, Iowa – On Friday, July 21, 2023, a former professor at the University of Iowa was sentenced to 25 years in prison for conspiracy to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine which resulted in the death of a victim, and 20 years in prison for possessing child pornography. The sentences were ordered to be served concurrently, or at the same time.

According to court documents, since sometime in 2020, Dr. John Robert Muriello, 66, conspired with Eric Hojka of Iowa City, and others, to obtain and distribute methamphetamine in and around Iowa City. In May 2021, first responders went to Hojka’s apartment in Iowa City based on a report that a victim who had lost consciousness. Paramedics were unable to revive the victim and he was pronounced dead. An autopsy showed the victim ingested methamphetamine which caused his death. The investigation revealed the victim received that methamphetamine from Hojka. Hojka obtained the methamphetamine from Muriello, who had obtained the drugs from a supplier in California. When the police conducted a search at Muriello’s Iowa City residence in May 2021, they discovered methamphetamine and a large collection of child pornography.

In addition to the 25-year prison term, Muriello was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $12,000, a fine of $50,000, and assessments of $22,200. Muriello’s Iowa City residence was also forfeited. After his prison term, Muriello was also ordered to serve a five-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Iowa City Police Department and the Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office investigated the case.

(Guthrie Center, Iowa) – Sheriff’s officials in Guthrie County report a man from Polk County was injured Monday evening in Bayard, when he was struck by an SUV while he was putting air in the tires of his SUV. Authorities say 26-year-old Justin Lee Kaltved, of Des Moines, was transported by Panora EMS to the Greene County Hospital following the accident, which happened at around 7:30-p.m., Monday.

According to the sheriff’s report, 28-year-old Rodney James Blackmon, of Bayard, was driving a 1999 Subaru Forester westbound on 2nd Street in Bayard. He told authorities he looked to his left to see kids in the park, and when didn’t see Kaltved until it was too late. Justin Kaltved was in the open doorway of his 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee, which was parked illegally at the end of the driveway to 202 2nd Street, and working to put air in a tire, when he was hit. A report on his condition was not released.

Blackmon told deputies in addition to being distracted, the sun in his eyes also contributed to his not seeing Kaltved. Blackmon was cited for Failure to Stop in an Assured Clear Distance. Damage from the collision amounted to $5,000.

(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department reports the arrest at around 5:25-p.m., Monday, of 53-year-old Tony Dean Fizer. The Creston man was arrested at the intersection of Oak and Irving, and charged with Driving while Barred. Fizer was taken to the Union County Jail, and later released on bond.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Atlantic Police Chief Devin Hogue reports six people were arrested between July 18th and the 22nd. Three people were arrested last Saturday (7/22), in Atlantic:

• 52-year-old Ysota Rekis, and 24-year-old Tarek Bunan, both of Atlantic, were arrested for Public Intoxication. And,
• 24-year-old Geraldo Route, of Portland, OR, was arrested for Possession or Carrying of Dangerous Weapons while Under the Influence.

On Thursday, July 20th, Atlantic Police arrested 31-year-old Stephen Ross, of Atlantic. Ross was taken into custody on a Cass County warrant for Violation of Probation.

On July 19th, 34-year-old Jennifer Larson, of Atlantic, was arrested on a Cass County warrant for Failure to Appear in Court.

And, on July 18th, 34-year-old Alen Sisira, of Atlantic, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault. With the exception of Jennifer Larson, all subjects arrested were being held in the Cass County (IA) Jail as of Monday, July 24th.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The driver of a semi tractor trailer was injured when the vehicle, which was hauling meat, left eastbound Interstate 80 and went into the south ditch, near the Elk Horn Exit (Exit 173), Monday evening. The accident happened at around 5:30-p.m.

The driver of the truck, who was trapped until rescue crews arrived, was transported by Cass EMS to Cass Health in Atlantic, before being flown to a trauma center.
Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies, the Marne, and Atlantic Fire Departments, along with Cass EMS and Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Kennon assisted the Iowa State Patrol at the scene.

The DNR was notified also, about a fuel leak coming from the semi’s tractor.

Photo via Cass County EMC Mike Kennon