The Cass County Board of Supervisors today (Tuesday), approved a 2.8% increase in wage for County Engineer Charles Bechtold for Fiscal Year 2020. Supervisor Steve Green said other counties are paying their Engineers with years of experience more than Bechtold, so it’s fair his wage should be adjusted just like the three elected offices were compensated earlier this year. He said when the Board discussed raises in January, they talked about a dollar amount being the same as the three elected offices on the second floor [of the courthouse].

Those offices received an increase of $1,661. Green said Cass County was “Kinda leading the charge at one point,” where wage increases are concerned, many county engineers’ pay has gone up 3% . In Cass County, the top floor offices received a 2.8% increase. Green said “We would be remiss not to at least do 2.8% with the County Engineer. Green said Bechtold is talented and has 30-years experience compared to other engineers.

The Supervisors then moved to set Bechtold’s salary at $111,024/year, which he said was agreeable. In other business, the Cass County Supervisors heard from Kenner Baxter, Cass County Tourism representative, with regard to advertising in local papers and eventually on radio, to promote what’s happening in Cass County. They plan to feature two ads per week in the local paper and two shoppers per month, through August, plus an Ad in a “Staycation Guide.” The total cost of which amounts to $2,930, which stills leaves money in their budget for radio ads. She said they will also turn the Ads into flyers for distribution around the County. No action was needed from the Board for the advertising, since it is in the Tourism Committee’s budget.

The Supervisors today (Tuesday), approved the final payment for the Valley Business Park loan, from the CABEDA (Cass-Audubon Border Economic Development Agreement), in the amount of $59,200 to purchase the property. Last fall, the County made two advance payments for around $500,000 each, according to Auditor Dale Sunderman. The County acts as a flow-through agency for the funds.

DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation has interviewed the two Iowa City Police Officers involved in an incident that resulted in shots being fired by both officers following their response to a burglary alarm at around 2:30-a.m. May 9th.

Authorities say Officer Travis Neeld, an Iowa City Officer for 10 years, and Officer Alex Stricker, an officer for 9 years, responded to two burglar alarms at the Pizza Hut and Second Act businesses on the south side of the city. While investigating, officers located 34-year old Michael Arturo Cintron Caceres, in the area of the businesses. A foot chase ensued and Caceres was located in a fenced area at Big Ten Rentals, 1820 Boyrum Street, where the shooting occurred.

The investigations into the alarms and the events surrounding the shooting are continuing and both officers remain on administrative leave in accordance to police department policy. Caceres has been charged with two counts of Robbery 1st Degree for previous incidents unrelated to Thursday’s events.  He remains hospitalized in stable condition.

FORT MADISON, Iowa (AP) — A southeastern Iowa city council has taken a step toward making the city a future stop for Mississippi River cruise ships. The Fort Madison council approved further talks between city staffers and Viking Cruise Lines representatives. The Swiss-based company is planning seven-day cruises that would start in St. Louis and end in St. Paul, Minnesota. Viking also has talked to Dubuque about building a dock.

Viking would conduct its 11-stop cruises from July until October, with two weekly stops in Fort Madison where passengers could get off to see the local sights. City Manager David Varley and Mayor Brad Randolph told the Fort Madison council last week that Viking has agreed to contribute $500,000 toward dock construction. The city would spend $1.2 million more.

Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater reports four arrests over the past week. On May 10th, 34-year old Ashley Marie Richards, of Stuart, was arrested on a warrant. Additional information was not provided. That same date, 38-year old Jennifer Marie Woollums, of Greenfield, was arrested on a court ordered Mittimus for Theft in the 3rd degree. She was ordered to serve a sentence of 90 days, less credit for time already served.

On May 6th, 38-year old Daniel John Veach, of Winterset, was arrested on an Adair County warrant for Escape from Custody. Veach was also cited for Theft in the 5th degree, for allegedly committing theft of merchandise valued at less than $200, from the Greenfield Shopko, Interference with Official Acts, for allegedly attempting to escape from law enforcement while being questioned as a main suspect in a theft case, and Theft in the 5th degree by allegedly stealing a pair of handcuffs from law enforcement while escaping custody. Veach was released the following day on a $1,000 cash or surety bond.

And, on May 5th, 29-year old Jose Hernandez Mata, of West Liberty, was arrested for Theft in the 1st degree and Driving While Barred. Mata was observed by a deputy walking on the side of the road on Highway 25, near 290th Street, at around 2-a.m., carrying a gas can. He waived down the deputy and said his name was Armando Mata. He said also, that he ran out of fuel. Mata was transported to the Casey’s store in Greenfield to fill the gas can. During questioning, he told the Deputy that he was on his way from Omaha to Des Moines, when he got lost.

Earlier that same evening, there was a broadcast from Taylor County about an Hispanic man who attempted to get into a vehicle with some younger females. When the females’ mother came home, Mata took off in a silver Ford F-150 that had been reported stolen by the Iowa City Police Department. The vehicle was valued at $18,000. The license plate on the tan Ford F-150 Mata was getting fuel for, came back as the same one reported stolen. A check of records confirmed the pickup had been stolen. As Mata was placed in the Deputy’s vehicle, he admitted the name he provided the Deputy, was in-fact, that of his brother. He then confirmed he was Jose Mata.

Mata remains in the Adair County Jail on a $12,000 cash-only bond.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — A man has been given 25 years in prison for being intoxicated when his pickup truck struck a minivan in Waterloo, killing a baby inside. Black Hawk County District Court records say 37-year-old Derrick Johnson was sentenced Monday. He’d been found guilty of vehicular homicide while intoxicated. He also was ordered to pay restitution of $150,000.
Authorities say Johnson was involved in an Aug. 2, 2017, collision that killed 7-month-old Liam Mwanje, who was inside the minivan when it overturned. Other children in the minivan were injured.
Police say Johnson was speeding, failed to halt at a stop sign and was distracted and looking in his rearview mirror. Police also estimated that Johnson’s blood alcohol level was as high as 1½ times the legal limit at the time of the collision and say he had cocaine in his system.

AMES, Iowa – May 14, 2019 – The Iowa Department of Transportation is requesting public input on the proposed bridge replacement on U.S. 169 over the Middle Fork Grand River, 5.3 miles south of Iowa 2, in Ringgold County. The proposed project provides for removing the existing bridge and replacing it with a precast concrete beam bridge that is 125 feet by 40 feet. Through traffic on U.S. 169 would be detoured during construction using Ringgold County Road P-46 and Ringgold County Road J-55.

For general information or to make a comment regarding the proposed improvements, contact Scott Suhr, transportation planner, Iowa DOT District 4 Office, 2210 E. Seventh St., Atlantic, Iowa 50022, phone 712-243-3355 or 800-289-4368, email scott.suhr@iowadot.us.

Comments must be received by May 28, 2019 to be considered.