Summer 2020 has been far from typical, but Healthy Cass County wants to make sure kids are “still havin’ fun!” Healthy Cass County is asking for community donations for “Still Havin’ Fun Summer 2020,” a project to get outdoor toys to kids throughout Cass County. (A list of suggested items is below).

Healthy Cass County welcomes new and used toys, as well as monetary donations. “We know folks may have ordered items for fairs or parades that are no longer happening,” commented Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bailey Smith. “If they’re kid-friendly, those items might be great to donate!” Cass County Wellness Coordinator Brigham Hoegh noted, “Big thank you to The Lions for already
donating $250 to this project!”

Still Havin’ Fun! Summer 2020 Donation Wish List:

• Chalk
• Balls (Soccer, basketball, football, beachball, etc.)
• Frisbees
• Bubbles
• Biodegradable water balloons
• Jump ropes

New and gently-used donations are welcome through August 10. Healthy Cass County is partnering with organizations that work with youth to distribute toys to children throughout the county in August.
For the most up-to-date list of donation sites, visit www.extension.iastate.edu/cass/.

Donation sites as of July 15:

• Nishna Valley YMCA (1100 Maple St., Atlantic) Mon – Fri 4:30 AM – 8 PM.\
• Cass County ISU Extension Office (805 W 10th St., Atlantic) Mon- Fri 8 AM – 4:30 PM.
• Anita Public Library (812 3rd St., Anita) Mon. 12-6 PM, Wed. 10 AM – 6 PM, Fri. 12-5 PM, Sat. 9 AM – 12 PM.
• Cumberland Care & Share (Methodist Church) (317 Monroe St., Cumberland) July 15, August 5, 3-4 PM.
• Griswold Public Library (505 Main St. Griswold) Mon., Wed., Fri. 10AM-12PM, 1-4PM.

Those interested in in making bulk or monetary donations should contact Cass County Wellness Coordinator Brigham Hoegh at bhoegh@iastate.edu or 712-249-5870.

Healthy Cass County, Cass County ISU Extension, and the Cass County Local Food Policy Council have updated a the Cass County Urgent Need Resource Guide. The guide can be found on the Cass County ISU Extension website.

Cass County Public Health Director Beth Olsen says “We want everyone to know about all the help available in Cass County. We have excellent resources and support available throughout Cass County.” The organizations collaborating on the document are asking for assistance in making sure the document reaches everyone in Cass County.

Healthy Cass County is a community-focused volunteer network formed to promote the health and well-being of Cass County residents. Follow Healthy Cass County on Facebook @HealthyCassCounty (https://www.facebook.com/HealthyCassCounty/). Reach out to Cass County Wellness Coordinator Brigham Hoegh at bhoegh@iastate.edu or call 712-249-5870 more information.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum announced that on July 16, 2020, 34-year old Walter Greenwood Stokes, and his 34-year old wife, Brittany Leah Lynne Stokes, were sentenced to prison for possession of firearms while prohibited. Walter Stokes was sentenced to 70 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release, while Brittany Stokes was sentenced to a year and a day in prison followed by three years of supervised release. A third defendant, Laura Edith Chedester of Omaha, Nebraska, is awaiting sentencing on August 20, 2020.

The Stokes were convicted by jury on March 3, 2020. Walter Stokes was found guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm and Brittany Stokes was found guilty of being a drug user in possession of a firearm and of falsifying a government document in the acquisition of a firearm. The jury heard evidence that Woodbine Police Department along with the Logan Police Department served a search warrant on the Stokes’ residence located in Woodbine, Iowa.

The search by law enforcement recovered 25 firearms, and over 14,000 rounds of ammunition. Five loaded semi-automatic assault type rifles were located in the master bedroom of the home. Evidence showed that Walter Stokes had built several of the assault weapons from parts obtained by Brittany Stokes. Evidence was also heard by the jury about an extensive history of drug use by the couple and that Walter Stokes had felony convictions dating back to 2003.

The investigation was conducted by the Woodbine Iowa Police Department, Logan Iowa Police Department, Council Bluffs Police Department, Harrison County Sheriff’s Office, Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum announced on Monday, July 13, 2020, Brent Rawson, age 55, of Council Bluffs, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose to 188 months in prison for receipt of child pornography. Rawson was ordered to serve eight years of supervised release to follow his prison term and pay $100 special assessment to the Crime Victims’ Fund.

The charges were the result of an investigation initiated from two internet service providers who submitted tips to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that a user of their service uploaded suspected images of child pornography. An investigation of this  information led law enforcement to execute a search warrant at Rawson’s Council Bluffs rsidence. Law enforcement located a laptop, cell phone, and two hard drives, which were taken as evidence and analyzed. The forensic analysis revealed Rawson possessed and received numerous images and videos of child pornography.

This investigation was conducted by the Douglas County Sheriff Office and the Omaha Federal Bureau of Investigations Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum announced on Thursday, July 16, 2020, Matthew Carson, age 37, of Council Bluffs, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey to a total of 10 years in prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Carrying a Firearm During a Drug Trafficking Crime. He was ordered to serve five years of supervised release to follow his prison term and pay $200 to the Crime Victims’ Fund.

The charges stemmed from two traffic stops of Carson by Council Bluffs Police Officers. On August 8, 2019, Carson drove without a valid driver’s license and was found in possession of 24 grams of  methamphetamine. On September 25, 2019, Carson was found in possession of 20 grams of methamphetamine and a loaded firearm.

This investigation was conducted by the Council Bluffs Police Department and prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.