(Atlantic, Iowa) – A petition to the Cass County Board of Supervisors for the suspension of taxes for 207 W. 7th Street in Atlantic, failed to garner any support from the Board, this (Tuesday) morning. Board member Steve Greene had suggested tabling the matter until more information is available, but Supervisor Wendy Richter said there was no reason for the Board to act, because the petitioner failed to meet the March 1st filing deadline, according to Iowa Code. The request died due to lack of action by the Supervisors.

The Board heard a report from Cass County Zoning Administrator Mike Kennon, with regard to Zoning Ordinances and starting projects without acquiring the the proper permits in advance.

Kennon asked the Board about the fees for building permits, and if they should be raised.

He said that’s something the Board might want to look at in the future.

Board Chair Steve Baier said people looking to build a home in the County should make sure BEFORE they start negotiating a price on the property, it meets the zoning requirements. Kennon said also, there are also zoning changes that are being proposed in the next couple of weeks that will cost the County about $100 altogether, for publishing of permits and other relevant information.

Cass/Guthrie County Environmental Health Director Jotham Arber presented the Board a revised 28-E agreement and monthly billing arrangement, rather than quarterly.

The 28-E increased the County’s base-rate share for services from $7,000 to $15,000. The rate had not changed since 1991. The Board opted to have the agreement reviewed by the County Attorney for action before the July 1st deadline.

And, Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken updated the Supervisors on Secondary Roads Department maintenance and activities. Wolken said they are almost finished hauling contract rock in the Atlantic District. There’s about 20-miles remaining. He spoke also about the status of some bridge projects.

He mentioned also, they’re still waiting on some equipment, including two motor graders.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors, Tuesday morning, met in a regular weekly session, and received reports from County Engineer Karen Albert, and Assessor Sharon Dalton. Dalton spoke with regard to a homestead credit (House File 718 signed into law on May 4th) for Senior Citizens who own their own residence.

(Eligible claimants who own the home they live in and are 65 years of age or older on or before January 1 of the assessment year are now eligible for an additional homestead tax exemption.)

The $3,250 credit will go into effect for the assessment year that began January 1, 2023 and appearing in the Sept., 2024 tax roles. For assessment years beginning on or after January 1, 2024, the exemption is for $6,500 of taxable value. An exemption is a reduction in the taxable value of the property rather than a direct reduction in the amount of property tax you pay. The credits are funded by the Counties, according to Dalton.

The Iowa Department of Revenue amended the Homestead Tax Credit and Exemption (54-028) to allow claimants to apply for the new exemption. Applications are due July 1st to your local assessor. If the exemption is granted, the exemption will be allowed for future years without future filing as long as the claimant continues to qualify.

Engineer Karen Albert briefed the Montgomery County Board on Secondary Roads Department activity.

In other business, the Board approved moving their July 4th meeting to July 5th at 8:30-a.m. , due to the holiday. They also approved Recorders and Sheriff’s fees for the Month of May ($18,656.88 & $12,409.18, respectively).

And, the Montgomery County Supervisors thanked Kathy Burson, Deputy Auditor, for her 27-years of service to the County. Burson is retiring from the position.

The Board’s next regular meeting is 8:30-a.m., June 13th.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with the Atlantic Police Department, today (Tuesday), issued a report on arrests and other incidents that occurred from May 23rd through June 5th.

• There were two arrests on Monday (June 5), in Atlantic: 20-year-old Dante Watkins, of Atlantic, was arrested for Violation of a No Contact order; 41-year-old Wainy Ruben, of Atlantic, was arrested for OWI/2nd offense, and Driving While License Denied or Revoked.
• On Sunday, officers with the A-PD arrested 27-year-old Austin Goodman, of Underwood, for OWI/3rd offense.
• Last Saturday, 21-year-old Brady Fulk, of Atlantic, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia; 36-year-old Jeffery Knight, of Atlantic, was arrested for Public Intoxication and Disorderly Conduct; and, 60-year-old Craig Lang, of Atlantic, was cited into court for 5th Degree Theft (Shoplifting), and released at the scene.
• On Friday, June 2nd, 37-year-old Daniel Jensen, of Atlantic, was arrested for: Domestic Abuse Assault (impeding air/blood flow); Child Endangerment; Burglary in the 2nd Degree; Criminal Mischief in the 4th Degree, and Dominion/Control of a firearm/offensive weapon by a Felon.
• 61-year-old Donald Rose, of Atlantic, was arrested May 31st, for Public Intox.
• There were three arrests on May 30th: 41-year-old Jennifer Claussen, of Atlantic, was arrested for OWI and Driving While License Denied or Revoked; 18-year-old Dakota Allmer, of Lewis, was arrested for Harassment in the 3rd Degree and Intimidation with a Dangerous Weapon; and 26-year-old Weneity Seker, of Atlantic, was arrested for PCS/Marijuana.
• On May 28th, Atlantic Police arrested 49-year-old Keith Zarbano, of Atlantic, for Interference with Official Acts, and Trespassing.
• The previous day (May 27), 31-year-old Alejandro Torres, of Horizon City, TX, was arrested in Atlantic for Disorderly Conduct.
• On the 24th, 43-year-old Kantauo Mark, of Atlantic, was arrested for OWI/3rd offense.
• And, on May 23rd, 24-year-old John Roberts, of Stuart, was arrested for Public Intoxication.

All subjects except Craig Lang, were booked into the Cass County Jail. As of today’s date (June 6, 2023), the following subjects, Dante Watkins, Wainy Ruben, Dakota Allmer and Daniel Jensen, remained in the Cass County Jail.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa’s largest city is winning national accolades. The newest list of Best Places to Live in America from U.S. News and World Report ranks Des Moines 19th this year, though Iowa’s capitol city has ranked as high as fourth in previous years. The magazine sites a range of elements that put Des Moines in the Top 20, including cultural events and festivals, elegant homes, a “buzzy” downtown and, according to the article, the people are “the nicest you’ll ever meet.”

Topping the list this year is Green Bay, Wisconsin, followed by Huntsville, Alabama and Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina.

https://realestate.usnews.com/places/iowa/des-moines

(Clarinda, Iowa) – Clarinda Police Chief Keith Brothers reports 40-year-old Cynthia Joanne Butler, of Clarinda, was arrested at around 7:40-p.m., Friday, following an investigation into the distribution of methamphetamine. Butler faces a felony delivery of methamphetamine charge, possession of methamphetamine, failure to have drug tax stamp, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Cynthia Butler was being held at the Page County Jail on $10,000 bond.

Note: “All defendants are presumed innocent under our system of criminal justice until found guilty in a court of law.”

(Red Oak, Iowa) – An investigation into a single-vehicle accident Monday afternoon, resulted in an arrest. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports 56-year-old Robert Laverne Newell, Jr., of Red Oak, was arrested following the accident, which occurred west of Red Oak, at 200th Street and Fernwood Avenue. Newell was arrested at around 3:45-p.m. for OWI/1st offense. His bond was set at $1,000.

(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department reports the arrests at around 5:30-p.m. Monday, of 22-year-old Breck Nathaniel Loe, of Creston. He arrested at the Creston Union County LEC (Law Enforcement Center) on two Union County Warrants for Violation of No Contact/Protective Order-Contempt, and Failure To Appear on a Domestic Abuse Assault-injury or mental illness 1st Offense charge. Loe was being held in the Union County Jail on a $1,300 cash only bond.

RED OAK, Iowa – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Ranking Member of the Senate Small Business Committee, Monday, announced her Small Business of the Week: Classroom Clinic of Carroll County. Throughout this Congress, Ranking Member Ernst plans to recognize a small business in every one of Iowa’s 99 counties.

“Telehealth access has become a valuable tool for families to reach a provider, especially in our rural communities. I’m recognizing Sue and her team at Classroom Clinic for their outstanding efforts to provide mental health care to our young Iowans,” said Ranking Member Ernst.

Psychiatric nurse practitioner Sue Gehling founded Classroom Clinic in 2019 to help address the mental health needs of students and provide additional support to teachers and staff. Sue spent most of her life in rural Iowa and saw an opportunity to serve the future generations in Iowa schools through her small business. Using a team-based approach to the telehealth model, the Classroom Clinic provides rural school districts with the ability to increase mental health services for students. Today, Classroom Clinic has worked with four districts, including seven schools, and has provided mental health care services to over 250 Iowa students.

Senator Ernst joined her colleagues in introducing the bipartisan Protecting Rural Telehealth Access Act, an effort to ensure Iowans continue to receive critical care through telehealth services on a permanent basis.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa City leaders are expected to vote today (Tuesday) to approve a two-year pilot program that would end fare requirements on city buses, making it free to ride starting this fall. The plan is in Iowa City’s strategic plan and has been widely supported by city council members. City Councilor Megan Alter says it aligns with the city’s goals to reduce barriers in the city while also helping meet carbon reduction plans.

Iowa City Transit’s rider number still lag behind pre-pandemic levels. Last year’s ridership stood at just 26-percent of what it was in 2019. The department hopes free busing will help increase demand. Bus fares make up about eight-percent of Iowa City Transit’s revenue.