About 11-hundred “military federal technicians” who are part of the Iowa National Guard soon will be furloughed one day a week for 11 consecutive weeks, because of the so-called “sequester” cuts in the federal budget. Colonel Greg Hapgood, a spokesman for the Iowa Guard, is one of the employees who will be going without pay for 11 days over those 11 weeks. “A federal technician is in some respects a federal civilian employee Monday through Friday, but they’re also a military member of the Iowa National Guard, for the most part,” Hapgood says. “We do have some that are purely civilian federal technicians, but the vast majority are what we would call dual-status technicians that are both a member of the Iowa National Guard and work for the federal government, for the Department of Defense.”  

The furloughs for those 11-hundred Iowa Guard personnel start July 8th and will end September 30th, which is the last day of the current federal fiscal year. “The 1100 that will be furloughed, the vast majority of those will be either between the headquarters of the Iowa National Guard and also at our Air National Guard units which have a number of technicians in Sioux City, Fort Dodge and also here in Des Moines,” Hapgood says. “But it will be felt in all four corners of the state.” The Iowa Guard has facilities in 43 Iowa communities.”The furloughs will affect, roughly, less than 10 percent of our force, but it will make some of our processes more time-consuming,” Hapgood says. “Things may be slower than usual, whether it’s acquiring logistics or doing personnel actions or the wide variety of things we do with our federal technicians.”  

Hapgood says the Guard will be prepared to deploy whenever activated, regardless of the furloughs. “The Iowa National Guard, though hindered by these furloughs, we still will be able to maintain readiness to the best possible degree and also respond to the state in a timely manner.” The Iowa National Guard dates back to Iowa’s territorial days, with Iowa Militia units forming in 1846 to help fight on the U.S. side in the Mexican War.

(Radio Iowa)

Officials with Miller Orthopedic Specialists in Omaha have announced a new physician has joined their staff. Bradley B. Copple, DPM, has joined Dr. Inderjit S. Panesar to create a Podiatry team which will serve the Omaha/Council Bluffs area. Copple is an Omaha native who practiced with Methodist Hospital’s Foot and Ankle Center/Dept. of Orthopedics for four-years, before joining Miller Orthopedic Specialists.

With the latest addition of Dr. Copple, Miller Ortho now has five orthopedic surgeons, a hand and vascular surgeon, and now, two podiatrists who will diagnose and treat patients with pain and conditions related to bones, joints, muscles and tendons.

For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call 402-991-9958, or visit www.millerortho.com.

The Atlantic Police Department reports an Audubon County man was arrested today (Thursday) on a warrant out of Shelby County.  38-year old Christopher Snyder, of Audubon, was arrested on a warrant charging him with 5th degree theft. Snyder was brought to the Cass County Jail and turned over to Shelby County deputies for transportation to the jail in Harlan. Also arrested this (Thursday) morning, was 62-year old Thomas Harrelson, of Atlantic. The A-PD says Harrelson was taken into custody for Interference with Official Acts. He was booked into the Cass County Jail and held pending an initial court appearance.

On Wednesday, police in Atlantic arrested 26-year old Jared Joyce, of Atlantic, and 24-year old Jay Pedrin, of Audubon. Both men were charged with Simple Assault and booked into the Cass County Jail.

(9-a.m. News)

The City Council in Walnut will hold a regularly scheduled meeting this evening. On their agenda for the 5:30-p.m. session, is the consideration of, and possible action on: Resolutions calling for the transfer of funds from: the Local Option Capital Improvements Fund into the General Fund, the transfer of Tax Increment Financing funds into the Debt Service Fund, the transfer of funds from the General Fund into the Fire Department Equipment and Ambulance Trust Funds.  

The Council will also consider and possibly act on a resolution approving and adopting the Pottawattamie Countywide Multi-jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. Other business includes discussion with regard to: the regulation of agricultural spraying within the City Limits of Walnut; a Law Enforcement Services contract with the Pott. County Sheriff’s Dept.; a possible Streetscape Enhancement Project; and the Walnut Antique Show, including the use of pubic streets and rights-of-way, camping fees at the City Park, and residential trash collection during the June Antique Show. 

The Council may also act on a recommendation for a replacement on the Board of Adjustment, with that person’s term to expire in June, 2018.