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Public notice: Cass County Supervisors may attend a special meeting Tuesday morning

News

September 27th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Cass County Auditor Kathy Somers has announced members of the Board of Supervisors may attend a special meeting Tuesday morning, at the invitation of the Charles E. Lakin Foundation and the Community Foundation for Western Iowa. A quorum of the Board may be present, but NO deliberations among the Board members, or action, will be taken. The meeting will take place at 10-a.m. at the Bluebird Hill Venue (56741 655th St.), in rural Atlantic.

Atlantic Area Chamber Ambassadors Visit about EMS Levy

News

September 27th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Chamber Ambassadors hosted a discussion with Erik Johnson, Cass County EMS, on Thursday, September 26th, to learn more about the proposed EMS Tax Levy to enhance emergency medical services. Johnson, who serves as the Program Coordinator for Iowa United First Aid, shared with the Ambassadors that by making EMS an essential service, taxes that are already being collected will be put into a new, separate EMS fund. EMS is not considered an essential service in Iowa, and with an Iowa law, passed 2021, county boards are allowed to ask county voters to voice their opinion on this issue.

The levy proposes an EMS levy that will allow up to 75 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value to be set aside specifically for EMS. The county vote on November 5th must receive at least 60% to pass.

Pictured Left to Right: Krysta Hanson, Kelsey Beschorner, Ruth Sears, Colt Doherty, Jim Kickland, Dr. Keith Leonard, Lana Westphalen, Dolly Bergmann, Brett Altman, Erik Johnson, Tori Gibson, Chris Parks, Scott Bennett, Jeff Christensen, Sue Liston, Gabby Wahlert, BJ Hart

Erik shared that if the EMS levy does not pass this year, funding for additional EMTS, new equipment, supplies and training may not be available in a time of need.

For more information about the proposed EMS levy, follow Cass County IA EMS Essential Services on Facebook or contact your local County Supervisor.

Southwest District Soils Judging

Ag/Outdoor, News

September 27th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa [Story by Atlantic FFA reporter Maddy Anderson]) – The Atlantic FFA chapter competed in the Southwest Iowa District Soils Judging Contest at the Armstrong Research Farm in Lewis, on Wednesday, September 25th. Atlantic FFA had 6 individuals compete in 2 teams. One team that place 9th, consisted of Lily Johnson, Frank Freund, and Hayden Kleen. Members of Team 2, consisting of Jarrett Hansen, Jacquie Freund and Rylie Vandevanter, placed 25th out of 47 teams.

The Soils Judging Career Development Event is designed towards motivating students to gain knowledge on surface features, the soil profile, land capability and productivity, evaluation of land use and management practices, and suitability of soils for non-agricultural uses. Students also develop the ability to observe selected soil properties, and use these observations to interpret and evaluate these properties for recommendations for land use.

Team members from left to right are: Jarett Hansen, Hayden Kleen, Frank Freund, Lily Johnson, Rylie Vandevanter, Jaquie Freund. (photo submitted)

After the contest took place, Lily Johnson said, “I enjoyed getting the opportunity to go study soil and learn about the different things that contribute to soils judging and was very pleased with how our team placed!”

 

USDA sued for licensing Iowa puppy mill with a history of violations

News

September 27th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(New York, NY) – The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) is suing the federal government over its alleged lax oversight of a major Iowa puppy-mill operator. The organization filed the lawsuit Thursday in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, naming as defendants the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Michael Watson, who heads the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Also named as a defendant is Tom Vilsack, the secretary of agriculture and former governor of Iowa. According to the Iowa Capital Dispatch, the lawsuit alleges that the USDA has violated the federal Animal Welfare Act by repeatedly renewing the license of Steve Kruse, an Iowa-based breeder who operates a large-scale kennel in West Point and has a long history of animal welfare violations.

The ASPCA claims the USDA routinely licenses dog breeders and dealers such as Kruse despite the agency’s direct knowledge of practices that fall far below the standards required by the Animal Welfare Act. The lawsuit seeks a court order that would force the USDA to void all current licenses issued to Kruse and his associates and prevent the agency from renewing them. The USDA had yet to file a response to the lawsuit as of the latest report.

According to the ASPCA, the USDA’s own inspection reports detail “horrific treatment of breeding dogs kept caged in Kruse’s massive West Point, Iowa operation, which typically holds more than 700 dogs.” The inspectors’ reports document observations related to dogs limping and suffering from open, bleeding wounds; dogs with untreated eye infections or severe dental issues; painful fur matting; and a lack of veterinary care. The USDA reports also allege Kruse poured hot sauce on one dog’s open wounds keep the dog from licking them, and housed other dogs in cages so small they restricted the animal’s freedom of movement. The dogs also had fecal matter on their coats and in their food bowls, the USDA inspectors alleged. During one inspection, Kruse was alleged to have thrown a bag of dead puppies at a USDA official – but he has continued to operate his dog-breeding business under USDA licensure.

Steve Kruse’s Stonehenge Kennels in West Point, Iowa, has been repeatedly cited for failure to provide adequate veterinary care. The dogs pictured here were suffering from bleeding foot injuries and an eye disorder, according to federal inspectors. (Photo taken by USDA inspectors, courtesy of Bailing Out Benji)

In addition to licensing Kruse directly, the lawsuit alleges, the USDA has knowingly and unlawfully issued separate licenses for commercial kennels on properties owned by Kruse. Those licensees are stocked with Kruse’s dogs and sell to pet retailers around the country, the lawsuit claims. Hundreds of Kruse’s dogs allegedly cycle through those businesses every month as part of what the ASPCA calls a puppy-laundering scheme that is intended to conceal the role Kruse plays in supplying puppies to out-of-state retailers. That process allegedly allows Kruse to sell puppies to retailers in jurisdictions that prohibit the sale of dogs sourced from repeat offenders.

Robert Hensley, Senior Counsel for the ASPCA, said “The USDA’s handling of Steve Kruse is emblematic of the agency’s continued failure to protect dogs in puppy mills, and the agency’s outright refusal to simply do its job. Records obtained by the ASPCA revealed that the USDA is fully aware that Kruse’s agents are acting under the control and direction of Kruse, yet the USDA continues to license these facilities, enabling Kruse to shield himself from all risks and liability when violations of the Animal Welfare Act are discovered at his properties.”

Who’s Gonna Win? – Week 5 – 09/27/2024

Trojan Preview/Who’s Gonna Win?

September 27th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

Asa Lucas, Chris Parks, Christian Adams, and Matt Mullenix take a look at 8 area high school football games each week throughout the season. We try to provide some insight into the match-ups while competing for top prognosticator and the Whosman Trophy.

Who’s Gonna Win? is brought to you again in 2024 by Rush CPA & Associates and Fareway.

Last Week:

Asa Lucas: 5-3

Matt Mullenix 6-2
Chris Parks 6-2
Christian Adams 6-2

Overall 2024 Standings:

Matt Mullenix 26-6
Chris Parks 28-4
Chrisitan Adams 25-7

Asa Lucas 24-8

Play

Trojan Preview – Week 5 – 09/27/2024

Trojan Preview/Who’s Gonna Win?

September 27th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

KJAN Sports Asa Lucas’ weekly discussion with Atlantic Head Football Coach Joe Brummer. This week we talk about the Week 4 loss against Winterset and look ahead to homecoming against Knoxville.

Play

Judge rules in state senator’s favor in dispute over a car

News

September 27th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A judge has ruled in favor of a state senator who was sued over a car he bought his daughter. State Senator Adrian Dickey of Packwood was sued by his daughter, his ex-wife and her husband. They claimed Dickey had placed a lien on the car without his daughter’s knowledge and his daughter needed the insurance money to buy a new car because the Toyota Dickey bought her had been totaled. The judge has ruled there’s no evidence Dickey defrauded or cheated his way into being the lien holder and the nearly 24-thousand dollar insurance payout will go to him. Dickey says the decision clears his name and shows the lawsuit lacked merit.

The judge also ruled on a counter-suit in which Dickey accused his daughter, his ex-wife and her husband of trying to injure his reputation. Dickey sought 120-thousand dollars in damages. The judge awarded him a dollar ($1). Dickey’s ex-wife and her husband told the Ottumwa Courier they would not appeal the decision and are happy to put this case and their interactions with the senator behind them.

Dickey says the court’s decision shows the lengths that some are willing to go to tarnish his reputation.

New federal student aid application sees 9% decline in submissions, report says

News

September 27th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Iowa Capital Dispatch) – U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst says she’s seeing increased support for a bill she introduced last year to reverse the inclusion of family farms and businesses as assets in the new federal student aid application. Ernst said the legislation is picking up steam in the wake of a Government Accountability Office report detailing decreases in completions of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) this year. The FAFSA was released to the public three months later than usual last year. After its launch, students, families and universities experienced technical issues and other problems that led many universities to push back their financial aid timelines by months.

According to the Government Accountability Office report, FAFSA submissions from first-time applicants decreased by 9% this past cycle, as of late August, and the total number of applicants dropped by 3%. About 1.6 million students started but did not complete a FAFSA application this past cycle, according to the report. Data from the National College Attainment Network states that Iowa has seen an almost 10% decrease in FAFSA submissions from last year, as of mid-September. Lower-income students were impacted the most, according to the report. There was an 11% drop from dependent applicants in the $30,001-$48,000 income range and a 6% decrease from independent applicants with $30,000 or less in income.

U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, left, spoke with higher education leaders and students March 25, 2024 at Graceland University in Lamoni. (Photo by Brooklyn Draisey/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

In a news release addressing the report, Ernst said the Family Farm and Small Business Exemption Act has received the endorsement of 24 education and agriculture groups. The bill would once again make family farms and businesses exempt from the assets definition in the FAFSA.

Governor’s School Safety Bureau team shares ideas on how to better secure school buildings

News

September 27th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Des Moines, Iowa/KCCI-TV) On the top of minds for school district leaders, law enforcement members, parents, students, and more across the country is school safety. This is especially heightened as hundreds of reports of threats have come in nationwide. On Thursday, an Iowa task force met to come up with recommendations to present to state leaders to improve infrastructural safety. The Governor’s School Safety Bureau met Thursday morning. More than a dozen school administrators, law enforcement officers, and more shared their thoughts and ideas of what’s working now and what can continue to be done. The goal is to come up with a recommendation by December 31 to present to state legislators.

Ideas stemmed from improving locks, identifying which school administrators would take on what roles if an emergency occurred, the use of the Safe and Sound reporting system, and more. In addition to utilizing a whiteboard to jot down ideas, the group also looked at some infrastructural moves made by other states’ school safety bureaus.

There are more meetings to come where other recommendations will be discussed before Dec. 31. The next meeting will be focused on what is the best way to spend funds school districts have available, what can can be done to fortify district buildings, along with what are the best practices to provide that school safety.”

Johnston CSD student arrested following an alleged threat that placed the middle school on lockdown

News

September 27th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Johnston, Iowa/KCCI-TV) –  The Johnston Middle School was briefly placed on lockdown status on Thursday afternoon after a weapon was reported in a restroom in the building. According to the district, a student reported seeing a weapon in an upstairs restroom around 2:48 p.m., and the school was placed in lockdown. All students and staff were required to stay in their current locations until given the all-clear, which came 20 minutes later when students were dismissed at 3:08 p.m.

The District cancelled all evening activities while an investigation into the incident was being conducted. The Johnston Police Department says that after a “thorough search” of the school building, no weapon was found. A student was taken into custody.