(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds and the five Republicans in Iowa’s congressional delegation are calling on federal officials to release details about the F-B-I’s search of former President Donald Trump’s Florida home. Senator Joni Ernst is skeptical. “It doesn’t seem right,” Ernst says, “and it just doesn’t seem to be on the up and up.” Ernst says the American people deserve answers.

“Obviously no one knew that this was going to happen or occur,” Ernst says. “Like to know what’s behind it. We need clear answers coming from the (Attorney General) Merrick Garland on why this was executed the way it was executed (and) what they were looking for.” Ernst says Republicans are skeptical, in part, because the Department of Justice and F-B-I have been sitting on the sidelines when they should have investigated threats to Supreme Court Justices.

“The great fear and the concern that I’m hearing from the American people and something that I share is that we are now seeing the weaponization of the Department of Justice and the FBI,” Ernst says. Governor Kim Reynolds tweeted that the Biden Administration is taking our nation down a dangerous path. Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Ottumwa says it’s time for Washington to focus on the crimes happening at the border and in U.S. cities and not waste taxpayer dollars investigating political rivals.

Ernst says it appears the search may be related boxes of presidential records and classified material Trump took to Florida that should have been turned over to the National Archives.  “If it’s something that simple, then tell us,” Ernst says. “Tell us these are things that should go to the Archive, but we haven’t heard a direct answer on that yet.” Senator Chuck Grassley says Americans have a right to be skeptical about the search of a former president’s home. Grassley says without transparency, the F-B-I and Department of Justice risk damaging their credibility.

Republican Congressman Randy Feenstra of Hull says the F-B-I must immediately provide a full accounting of facts. Republican Congresswoman Ashley Hinson of Marion says if voters elect a GOP majority in the House this November, Republicans will provide rigorous oversight of the Biden Administration and ensure they are serving the American people, not targeting them. Democrats like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi say no one is above the law, even presidents, and the investigation should be allowed to run its course.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors met Tuesday morning and heard from Assured Partners representative Katie Schmit, Account Manager with Assured Partners, who discussed the County’s Partial Self Fund Plan with Tristar, and changing to a new self-funding plan. She recommended a company called Auxiant out of Cedar Rapids.

Currently, 26 out of 27 counties do partial self-funding and 11 of those use Auxiant and Schmidt said they are very pleased. Claims will be paid to the providers instead of how it is currently being paid to the employees. They will still be paid on a weekly basis. Employees will have their own portal and ISAC will provide employee training. The new company will integrate with current software that is used with Tristar.

The annual admin fee is $10.00 per employee. The flex plan portion has an annual fee of $200.00 an $5.00 per employee. There is a one time set up fee of $1000.00. A Motion by Mark O’Brien was seconded by Steve Green to approve a contract with Auxiant carried unanimously. It will take effect January 1, 2023.

Engineer Trent Wolken recommended the end of the probationary period for Garrett Schwanke, hired in May 2022, to be ended and payrate be increased. Motion by Hartkopf and seconded by Pettinger to approve that the end of the probationary period status for Garrett Schwanke end effective August 16, 2022, and payrate be set at $23.00/hour. Carried unanimously.

Wolken reported unforeseen circumstances have arisen since adoption of the approved Secondary Road Five Year Program and previous revisions, requiring changes to the sequence, funding, and timing of the proposed work plan. Cass County Engineer presented Resolution No. 2022-39 that initiates and recommends modification of named projects. The Resolution was adopted as presented.

Resolution no. 2022-040 was presented on behalf of the Cass County Sheriff’s Office to authorize specific employees to be named on an account with First Whitney Bank and Trust to conduct transactions. Spencer Walton, Darby McLaren and John Westering will be named on the account as the only authorized users. The Resolution was adopted as presented.

(Thanks to Auditor’s Deputy Sheri Karns for the meeting minutes)

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports five arrests from over the past week. Today (Tuesday), 44-year-old Angie Frances Bothwell, of Glenwood, was arrested at the Mills County Sheriff’s Office on a warrant for Theft in the 5th Degree. Bond set at $300. Sunday morning, 21-year-old Christian Joevanny Perez Chavez, of Omaha, was arrested for OWI/1st offense ($1,000 bond).

On Saturday, 21-year-old Alan Giovanni Villalobos Madera, and 23-year-old Ariana Rose Dibernardo, both of Omaha, were arrested on separate OWI/1st offense charges. Bond set at $1,000 each. And, on August 4th, 25-year-old Cody Ray Cloyd, of Omaha, was arrested for OWI/1st offense.

An injury accident was reported August 2nd in Mills County. Authorities say 40-year-old Sean Kinsley, of Red Oak, was driving a 1998 Mazda westbound on Highway 34 at around 5:45-a.m., when he apparently fell asleep at the wheel. The vehicle veered off the road near Highway 59 and into a ditch, before continuing down the embankment into a section of trees. The vehicle came to rest after colliding with a tree. Kinsely was transported by helicopter to the hospital. His vehicle sustained severe damage.

The Glenwood (Iowa) Police Department reports the arrest on Monday, of 39-year-old Kyle Zeigler, from Glenwood. Zeigler was arrested on a Mills County Warrant for 5th Degree Theft. His cash-only bond was set at $300.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – A man from Pottawattamie County was sentenced on drug charges in Council Bluffs U-S District Court, Friday.  Authorities say 50-year-old Geno Lee Campos was ordered to serve seven-years (84 months) in prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. Campos must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.

On July 4, 2021, Campos was the front seat passenger of a car stopped by the Iowa State Patrol for speeding on Interstate 80 in Council Bluffs. In Campos’ backpack, law enforcement
found approximately 17 grams of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Campos was also in possession of a loaded revolver that he placed underneath the passenger’s seat. Campos was prohibited from possessing firearms.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Iowa State Patrol, Council Bluffs Police Department, Pottawattamie County
Sheriff Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement investigated the case. This case was prosecuted by the United States
Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Secondary Roads Department is advising residents of the county of a scheduled crane walk at the Rolling Wills Wind Farm from County Roads T-28 to T-27. The scheduled walk will take place today (Tuesday). from about 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, for crossing of the County Road Cedar Avenue between County Road 250th and County Road 260th.

It should take 15-30 minutes to cross Cedar Avenue. Traffic control will be in place before and during the crossing process. See the attached map for details (click on the map to enlarge). If anyone has any questions or concerns please contact Todd Moseley at (662) 216-0620.