The Cass County Board of Supervisors, Wednesday, is expected to act on approving the purchase of a building across the street from the courthouse in Atlantic. The building at 707 Poplar Street is currently owned and occupied by the Cambridge Law Firm.

Late last month at a meeting of the Cass County Public Safety Commission, Commissioner Gaylord Schelling, who also sits on the Board of Supervisors announced “We have a contract” for the purchase of the building. It remains to be determined whether the lower level of the Cambridge building will be used for a new 9-1-1 Center, or the offices of the County Assessor and Engineer. Moving those offices would likely open-up enough space for an expansion of the current Communications Center on the lower level of the courthouse. Discussions on how to handle the space needs of the Cass County 911 Center, along with new equipment necessary for Next Generation 911 (NG-911) services, has been ongoing for more than two-years.

The Supervisors are also expected to act Wednesday on approving a Resolution proposing the County lease a portion of the Cambridge Building to the law firm following its purchase, for more than three-years. A public hearing will need to be held on the matter before the move becomes final.

In other business, the Board will act on a Resolution approving the appointment of a deputy sheriff, and increasing the number of deputies by one. Their meeting begins at 9-a.m.

Authorities in Montgomery County report two arrests early this (Tuesday) morning. Officials say 30-year-old Stephen Ray Adams was arrested at around Midnight, for obstruction of emergency communications. Adams was transported to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $300 bond.

And, officers with the Red Oak Police department arrested 48-year-old Michelle Marie Adams on a domestic abuse assault charge. Adams was brought to the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center and held on $300 bond.

The Iowa Department of Public Safety reminds Iowans home fires spike in the winter months of December through February. The noticeable increase in home heating fires and fatal fires follows the cold temperatures. Many home heating fires could be avoided with an ounce of prevention.  State Fire Marshal investigators report placing heaters too close to combustible objects like furniture and blankets as well as leaving heaters unattended are the primary reasons for portable heater fires.

YOU CAN PREVENT MOST HEATING FIRES WITH A FEW HEATING SAFETY TIPS.

• Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from heaters.
• Never use your oven to heat your home.
• Remember always turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
• Always use the right kind of fuel and be sure you have a working carbon monoxide alarm and smoke alarms installed in your home.
• Portable heaters provide localized heat to an area and should not be used as the only source of permanent home heat.
• If you smell gas, immediately leave your home and call 911.
• Be sure your fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room.  Always use metal containers for ashes and keep them far from your home.

If you have questions about portable heaters contact the State Fire Marshal Division at 515-725-6145 or email at fminfo@dps.state.ia.us