The latest report by Iowa’s largest utility companies shows more than 39 million dollars in past due bills. In addition, more than one thousand households were involuntarily disconnected. A federal program called LIHEAP provides protection from those signed up from having the power shut off between November 1st and March 31st. Iowa’s LIHEAP director Jerry McKim says he is concerned about those not in the program, but he says they have some protection too.

“The law says if you haven’t had a payment agreement that you broke in the last 12 months, the utility — not might– they must allow you a minimum of 12 months to pay off you past due balance,” according to McKim. He says if you have concerns, you can seek help from the customer service office of the Iowa Utilities Board. “They’re the state agency that has authority over every utility in the state for electric and gas on disconnection procedures and payment plan rules, so that’s where you would go if you think you are not being treated fairly,” McKim says.

McKim says state law requires utility companies to take into account household income when setting up a 12 month repayment plan. McKim says fewer people applied for LIHEAP assistance this year, so there are funds available for those who qualify.

(Radio Iowa)

The Cass County Board of Supervisors has approved the appointment of Jamie Arnold as Assistant County Attorney. The action came during their meeting held this (Friday) morning, in Atlantic. Arnold had previously been an Administrative Assistant to County Attorney David Wiederstein, while he was waiting for his license to practice law in Iowa to be approved by the State. He also serves as Attorney for the City of Atlantic.

In other business, the Board agreed to accept a bid from Metal Culverts out of Maryville, MO., for the County’s supply of Stock pipe and project pipe. Stock pipe is used for smaller projects such as under small driveways or road crossings. Project pipe is intended for larger construction projects. Cass County Engineer Charles Marker said they received three bids for the supplies, with the lowest from Metal Culverts, in the amount of $109,840.56. The bids, he said, were very close among the three companies who vied for the contract. The board approved a contract with the low bidder for the pipes.

Cass County Engineer Charles Marker (left) & Supervisor Gaylord Schelling w/a map of County pipe/bridge projects.

Marker said with the passage of the Iowa Gas Tax, the County will be able to do four more bridge projects this year. He rolled out a map showing the locations of bridge projects intended to get underway this year, about three of which are contract, meaning they are handled by outside contractors, and a few more which will be taken care of by County crews. Marker said in addition to the estimated 5-to 700-million dollars the County is expected to receive from the State once the tax goes into effect March 1st and the revenue is divided among the State, counties and cities, he was able to get a great deal on used steel from the county engineer in northwest Iowa’s Ida County. He says they can use the steel for floor support beams on four additional bridges in the County. Decking is placed on top of the beams to make up rest of the bridge.

The Supervisors gave Marker the go ahead to purchase the steel at 22-cents per pound, which is 26-cents less than what they would normally have to pay. He said that saves the County about $50,000.

The Board also held a hearing on the Adoption of Cass County Code, which is essentially a re-compiling of the County Ordinances in accordance with Iowa Law. County Auditor Dale Sunderman explained the County Code is essentially the same, with the exception of a section that was removed because it is covered elsewhere in Iowa law. The parts removed in Section 3 of the Code include an ordinance “Establishing a school infrastructure Local Option Sales and Services tax,” an ordinance “Providing for the registration and documentation of retail sales of keg alcoholic beverages.”

Following the hearing, the Board approved the 1st reading of the adopted code. The 2nd hearing will take place during the Board’s meeting on March 4th.

Police in Glenwood report 39-year old Jonathan Swaim, of Glenwood, was arrested Thursday on charges that include Assault Use/display of a weapon, two-counts of Assault with weapon on a peace Officer, and, Interference with official acts. No other details about the circumstances surrounding his arrest were provided. Swaim was being held in the Mills County Jail on $11,000 bond.

Police in Creston say a man from Lenox was arrested Thursday night in Creston. 20-year old Mario Pantoja was charged with Possession of Marijuana. He was later released from the Union County Jail after posting a $1,000 bond.

A traffic stop in Red Oak early this (Friday) morning resulted in two arrests. Red Oak Police say the driver, 28-year old Jeffrey Allen McClarnon, of Clarinda, was arrested at around 5:30-a.m. in the 700 block of North Broadway, for driving while suspended. He was also cited for having no insurance. A passenger in the vehicle, 26-year old Joshua Grady Washburn, of Council Bluffs, was found to be in possession of a controlled substance/marijuana, and drug paraphernalia. He was taken into custody on those charges.

Since his record shows prior convictions for controlled substance violations, Washburn was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance/3rd or subsequent offense. He was also found to be wanted on a Taylor County warrant for Failure to Appear in court on a Possession of Marijuana charge.

McClarnon was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $300 cash bond, while Washburn was being held on $1,000 cash bond and on the Taylor County warrant.

(8-a.m. News)

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