At least 320 people are needed to participate in a week-long Bible Reading Marathon that begins Monday, in Atlantic. Sheryl Iekel, event organizer, says the bible will be read on the east lawn of the Cass County Courthouse from 7-a.m. until 7-p.m. each day, Monday through next Sunday. Persons wanting to partake in reading a segment of the bible will do so in 15-minute blocks of time, beginning with Genesis and ending in Revelation.

Time may be shared or anyone may sign-up for more than one segment. In addition to readers, 80 assistants are needed for two-hour shifts, to help with registration and other matters. To participate, call or text message Sheryl Iekel at 712-249-6120, or e-mail cassbiblereading@gmail.com. Include your name, the number of people in your group who are participating, contact information and how you would like to help and/or time preference to read.

The Cass County event was approved by the Board of Supervisors earlier this month. It’s part of a 99-County Bible Reading Marathon that began with an April 26th proclamation by Iowa Governor Terry Branstad that encouraged Iowans to read the bible in front of all the courthouses in the State. The first sessions took place June 30th through July 3rd at some 50 courthouses around the State. Branstad, in his proclamation, also encouraged “Individuals and families in Iowa to read the Bible on a daily basis each year, until the Lord comes.”

The Cass County Democratic Party is sponsoring a Food Drive to help stock the shelves of county food banks. County Chair Sherry Toelle (Tell-ee) said “While we generally have done this drive in the weeks preceding the holidays, this year—due to the elections—we are holding the drive earlier than usual. People can drop non-perishable food items, household supplies, paper products, and personal care products at our Atlantic Headquarters at 511 Chestnut during regular working hours through October 15th.”

Toelle said also, “We will then distribute the items to food banks across the county. Like our school supply drive, this is a non-partisan activity that we choose to sponsor to help the needy throughout the county. We welcome donations from any citizen or group.”

Questions can be directed to Sherry Toelle at 243-4861 or the Cass County Democratic Headquarters at 243-7771.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:15 a.m. CDT

SANDUSKY, Iowa (AP) — At least 15 people have been arrested during a protest intended to block the construction of a major oil pipeline through southeast Iowa. More than 150 protesters gathered at the work site entrance of the $3.8 billion Dakota Access Pipeline in Sandusky, a Mississippi River town across the river from Illinois and five miles north of Missouri

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — Officials in Council Bluffs say they aren’t worried that a proposed new casino in Cedar Rapids will divert business away from their city’s three casinos. The Daily Nonpareil reports that local gaming officials say the casino would likely have a limited impact if it gets built.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — A former eastern Iowa jail clerk has admitted to misappropriating at least $169,000 from the Scott County sheriff’s office. The Quad-City Times reports that Jennifer Wierson, a former senior account clerk, pleaded guilty Friday to a federal charge of theft from a government receiving federal program funds. Wierson was fired in 2015.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — A late-night fire in Waterloo has destroyed a mobile home. KWWL-TV reports that the fire started around 11 p.m. Friday. The flames spread quickly and destroyed the home. Neighbors say a woman inside the house was able to get out safely on her own. Two men helped a dog get out of the home.

Iowa Department of Corrections spokesman Fred Scaletta said late Saturday evening, that a prisoner who failed to report back to the Ft. Des Moines Work Release Facility (WRF) Friday, and was listed as escaped, has been apprehended.

39-year old Ronnie Lamare Johnson was listed as escaped when he didn’t return to the facility after completing his assignment at his employer.

Ronnie L. Johnson

He was transferred to Work Release on Aug.18th, 2016. Johnson was serving a 10-year sentence for two counts of 2nd Degree Robbery out of Polk County.