(Radio Iowa) State officials have chosen a California-based company to join two other private firms that manage Iowa Medicaid — the joint state-and-federal program that currently provides health care services to 800-thousand disabled and low income Iowans. State Medicaid director Elizabeth Matney says Molina Healthcare’s contract will start July 1st.

The state is extending its current Medicaid contract with AmeriGroup. Iowa TotalCare’s contract for managing care for Iowa Medicaid patients runs through 2025. Matney says the goal is to divide Iowa’s Medicaid members evenly among the three managed care companies.

Hospitals and other other health care providers in the state have complained that Medicaid claims are not always being paid on time. Matney says no system is perfect, but the contract with Molina sets clear deadlines.

Republican Governor Terry Branstad oversaw the shift to private management of the Medicaid program in 2016. Democrats in the legislature say the contracts ensure profits for out-of-state companies while rural Iowa’s health care system crumbles.

Cass County Auditor Sara Harris submitted her resignation from the position to the Cass County Board of Supervisors on Wednesday.

Harris had been appointed to the position by the Supervisors following the retirement of longtime Auditor Dale Sunderman in February. She was appointed in April and took the Oath of Office to fill the position until the November general election.

The Cass County Republican party held a special nominating convention on August 16th to name a Republican candidate for County Auditor and nominated Kathy Somers of Atlantic. Somers has experience in local government, having served on the Atlantic City Council for 12 years.

The resignation letter that Harris submitted to the Board of Supervisors is listed below.

Dear Cass County Board of Supervisors:

Please accept this letter as official notice of my resignation. My last day will be Monday, September 12.

I would like to thank the board for the opportunity to interview and ultimately obtain the position of auditor over two additional candidates, with Kathy Somers being one of the two. It was an honor to utilize my skills and 24-years of experience in human resources, payroll, accounting and management in the private sector to help transition the county from the decades of service provided by Dale Sunderman seamlessly in terms of service provided to the county. Our office was not closed to the public, other than a mandated audit of election results. Over the past four months I was progressing every day in learning the duties of the Auditor position despite the added pressure of the Treasurer’s office being closed for an extended period due to the exodus of the entire department staff.

It hurts to know that I will not be able to continue to improve and grow within the walls of the courthouse. I had always wanted a position within the courthouse. I remember in grade school I took a tour of the grounds and I thought at that time how it would be such a neat opportunity to represent my family and community in such a role.

Sadly, my fate has been decided for me by the Cass County Republican Central Committee with their organized effort to remove me in a referendum against the board of supervisors when they chose to place party loyalty over process and a full capability of doing the job as an auditor. I do feel that I could have campaigned and won the election but to what end? The toxic environment fueled with unnecessary drama would remain and the party powers that decided to push me out, to no fault of my own, will be more inspired than ever to continue their vendetta against the board and by association, me and my family. I love this town and community, and I would not want to see it further divided by politics. I pray for all involved that peace may come soon.

Sincerely,

Sara Harris

A mobile pantry will be held in Atlantic on September 14, 2022, from 4:00-6:00 PM at the Cass County Community Center (805 W 10th St., Atlantic, IA 50022). A mobile pantry is a traveling food pantry that delivers food directly to families in need for a one-day distribution. Mobile food pantries are available free of charge. Anyone in need is welcome, and no documentation is required. People from surrounding towns and communities are welcome. Each car can take food for up to two households. Households without transportation to the Atlantic Mobile Pantries can contact Cass County Wellness Coordinator Brigham Hoegh about delivery. Delivery is offered on a limited basis.

Atlantic 2022 Fall Mobile Food Pantries

Where: Cass County Community Center (805 W. 10th St., Atlantic, IA 50022)
2022 Dates: September 14, October 29
Time: 4:00-6:00 PM
Anita 2022 Fall Mobile Food Pantries

Where: Anita Food Pantry (208 Chestnut Street, Anita IA 50020)
2022 Dates: October 19
Time: 4:30-6:30 PM

Mobile pantry dates, times, and locations are subject to change. For the latest information on mobile pantries, local food, farmers markets, and food access, follow the Cass County Local Food Policy Council’s Facebook page @CassCountyLocalFood or contact Cass County Wellness Coordinator Brigham Hoegh at bhoegh@iastate.edu or 712-249-5870.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Cass County Deputy Auditor Dorene South, Wednesday evening, updated the current list of candidates whose names will appear on the ballot for the 2022 General Election in November. The latest additions as of the close of business at the Auditor’s Office on Wednesday, are highlighted below:
District 2 Supervisor- Mark O’Brien
District 3 Supervisor- Wendy Richter
Treasurer-Tracey J Marshall
Recorder-Mary Ward
Attorney-Vanessa Strazdas
Auditor- Kathy Somers
Ag Extension- Chad Becker
Ag Extension- David York
Ag Extension- Bradley J Pellett
Ag Extension- Jeb Peck
Ag Extension- Todd M Weppler
Soil & Water-Gregory D Zellmer
Soil & Water- John J Hansen
Edna Twp Trustee- Kevin A Stender
Edna Twp Trustee- Pat Erickson
Edna Twp Clerk-Travis Erickson
Union Twp Trustee-Richard Hoffman
Union Twp Trustee-Clarke Gerlock
Union Twp Clerk- Cheryl Christensen
Hospital Trustee-Joanne Lorence
Hospital Trustee-Mike Klocke
Hospital Trustee- Roger Herring
Hospital Trustee- Julie Pollock

ADAIR, Iowa – Officials with the U-S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa report that in Wednesday, August 31, 2022, federal search warrants were executed at the following locations in West Central Iowa:

• 300 block of Audubon Street, Adair
• 300 block of Truman Road, Anita
• 1100 block of 4th Avenue South, Denison
• 2700 block of Highway 59, Denison
• 3000 block of 370th Street, Manning

The searches at these locations were an official law enforcement action involving agents, investigators, and personnel from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

ATF spokespersons confirmed to KCIM in Carroll that the raids were at the businesses and home of Brad Wendt of Denison. Wendt is the owner of BW Outfitters in Denison and Anita. Federal agents reportedly raided Wendt’s home, his gun stores in Denison and Anita, a rural property in Manning, and a location in downtown Adair, where Wendt also serves as chief of police. Federal officials have not released any further details and indicated the warrants are part of an extensive ongoing investigation.