Atlantic, IA —The Cass County Health System Board of Trustees voted on February 17, 2021, to set a tax rate of $2.25 per $1,000 of taxable property valuation for the fiscal year 2022 county budget. The current rate is $2.30, and the previous year was $2.50. CCHS Chief Financial Officer Abbey Stangl says “Year after year, our board continues to decrease our tax rate as part of our commitment to the residents of Cass County. They are attentive to being good stewards of taxpayer funds. Seeing the health and future projections of our organization, they did what’s right for us and our community by lowering the rate. It’s always a balance, and we appreciate their thoughtfulness and research into this matter every year.”

The board of trustees considers a number of metrics when setting the tax rate including the continued downward trend in healthcare reimbursement, dedication to managing operating expenses, offering competitive costs, and employee engagement and retention.

CCHS CEO Brett Altman praised the board for their decision saying, “Our goal is to provide a superior experience to our patients, families, and communities, and our vision is to become the best rural hospital in America. Part of that process and growth is being supportive of our community because we wouldn’t be here without the loyalty of our patients. This relationship is very reciprocal – the more our community chooses to keep their healthcare local, the more we can invest in the future of healthcare in Cass County, and the more we can lower our tax asking each year.”

FOREST CITY, Iowa (AP) — A school bus driver in northern Iowa has resigned following her arrest on a charge of second-offense drunken driving while she was transporting three young school children. The Mason City Globe Gazette reports that 44-year-old Rebecca Anne Spencer resigned earlier this month from the Forest City Community School District. That came days after she was arrested around 8:30 a.m. March 12 after the school van she was driving was stopped. The arresting officer said he stopped the van for speeding, but smelled alcohol as he spoke to Spencer. The Iowa State Patrol says Spencer failed field sobriety tests, and a breath test measured her blood alcohol content at 0.244 percent.

Glenwood Police are reporting three recent arrests. On Thursday (March 25th), 29-year-old Jamilla Havrum, of Council Bluffs, was arrested for being a Fugitive from Justice (No bond), and Possession of a Controlled Substance ($1,000 cash/surety bond). And, 28-year old Zachari Smith, of Council Bluffs, was arrested on two Pottawattamie County warrants for Probation Violation (No bond), and Voluntary Absence for custody ($1,000 cash/surety bond). In addition, Smith faces a Mills County charge for Possession of a Controlled Substance ($1,000 c/s bond).

And, on Wednesday, 32-year-old Heather Beaman, of Glenwood, was arrested by Glenwood Police, for Domestic Abuse Assault. She was being held without bond until seen by a Magistrate.

Officials with the Atlantic Police Department, Thursday, reported two arrests took place over the past couple of weeks. On Sunday (March 21st), 40-year-old Nicole Anaya, of Atlantic, was arrested for OWI/2nd offense, and Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana. And, on March 9th,  19-year-old J.R. Berdon, of Atlantic, was arrested on a Cass County warrant for Failure to Appear. Both subjects were transported to the Cass County Jail and booked-in.

Shenandoah Police said one person was arrested this (Thursday) morning, following an incident on the 1000 block of 8^th Avenue. Authorities say 47-year-old Victor Ingrim, of Shenandoah, was arrested at around 7:15-a.m., for 4th degree criminal mischief and 2nd degree harassment.

When officers arrived on the scene, they found Ingrim near the door to a residence, yelling. He was placed under arrest and transported to the Page County Jail, where bond was set at $2,000 bond.

City officials in Griswold are warning of an e-mail scam. On a social media post, the City asked residents to ignore an e-mail purportedly from Mayor Brad Rhine. The fake message asks the receiver to purchase gift cards from the Mayor.

Griswold officials say “The City has been made aware of an email scam that hackers are using a fraudulent email for Mayor Rhine asking you to purchase gift cards. This is not from Mayor Rhine or the City of Griswold. If you have questions, please feel free to call City Hall at (712)778-2615.”