Des Moines, Iowa – The Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau reports 36-year-old Kathryn Hosmer, of Davenport was charged with five counts of Insurance Fraud – Presenting False Information (Class D Felony), one count of Forgery (Aggravated Misdemeanor) following an investigation by the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau. The charges against the Hosmer stem from an investigation that began in October of 2022.

According to criminal complaints filed by the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau, Hosmer provided fraudulent documents to an insurer in connection with an insurance claim.  On January 15, 2023, Hosmer was arrested in Muscatine and booked into the Muscatine County Jail. Hosmer posted a $25,000 bond and was released.

Kathryn Hosmer

Iowans with information about insurance fraud are encouraged to contact the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau at 515-654-6556.

Note: A criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Photo courtesy of the Muscatine County Jail.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors met this (Tuesday) morning, in a regular session. At the start, they tabled action on extending a five-year lease agreement with the Cambridge Law Firm for the third straight time, and discussion/action on General Assistance Guidelines, because the County Attorney has not had time to review the proposals and relevant data. The Board also once again tabled action on appointing a Brighton Township Clerk, because there is no candidate.

The Supervisors received a monthly report from Cass/Audubon County Environmental Health Director Jotham Arber, who said things began to slow down during the Month of December, and that they got all of the requested soil Percolation tests/soil analysis tests for rural septic systems completed this past year. Water test kits were mailed out to rural residents this month.

Jotham said also radon tests are also available.You can request the from the Environmental Health Department for $10. It was suggested the tests be made available at the Auditor’s Office, but no decision was made on that during Tuesday’s meeting. Arber said 64% of the tests for Radon in Cass County come back as higher than 4 picoCuries per liter. Seven in ten homes across Iowa also have higher than the USDA’s radon action level for mitigation of the lung cancer inducing concentration of the odorless/colorless/tasteless, radioactive gas.

The Board adopted unanimously, an annual resolution for livestock facility construction evaluations when a permit is requested, and the use of the Master Matrix. Their action is essentially a formality, since the State has the final say over such facilities being built. Any recommendations made by the County with regard to a particular livestock facility construction request, will be considered when State officials decide on approving a construction permit request.

The Cass Supervisors approved also, changes to the County Employee manual. Cass County Conservation Director Micah Lee provided the Board with a Quarterly report on maintenance and activities. County Engineer Trent Wolken reports they are continuing to stockpile road rock for use this Spring, before the 75-cent per ton increase that’s coming in February.

In other business, the Board approved the appointments of Atlantic Mayor Grace Garrett to SWIPCO for 2023, with City Admin. John Lund as Alternate, and Chelsea McCunn to the County Zoning Board of Adjustment.

DES MOINES, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Corrections reports Emondre Montrell Henderson, who was convicted of Robbery 1st Degree in Polk County, left the Fort Des Moines Residential Correctional Facility without permission Sunday afternoon, and has not returned.

Henderson is a 25-year-old black male, height 5’9″, and weighs 153 pounds. He was admitted to the work release facility on September 22, 2022.

Emondre M. Henderson

Persons with information on Henderson’s whereabouts should contact local police.

(Griswold, Iowa) – The Griswold Community School District’s Board of Education, Monday evening, approved two new hires and one resignation. Superintendent Dave Henrichs…

The Board held a public hearing on the 2023-24 School Year Calendar, during which there were no comments, and one slight change, with regard to the Thanksgiving holiday.

And, they approved the Modified Supplemental Amount (MSA) and Plan for Dropout Prevention and At-Risk Programs. Essentially, the District is requesting $47,825 in aid for those programs, Henrichs said. He said also, District Staff and parents will receive a survey in the next few months with regard to a possible four-day school week, as part of the Board strategy to attract and retain staff. If the idea comes to fruition, it wouldn’t even happen at the minimum, the 2024-25 School Year.

Henrichs said with an increase in Open Enrollment numbers, the Board has also been looking at ways to improve the District’s Sports and Activities programs.

In other business, the Griswold School Board discussed and reviewed various other policies from other school districts, with regard to retirements, and asked administrators to start work on a policy for the District and determining how many people would be eligible, and coming up with a cost estimate. Any payments made in the future would have to come from the Management Fund if it’s called an “Early Retirement” or “Retirement Plan,” versus the General Fund. Administrators will check into the legality of handling the funds in that manner.

A retirement package, Henrichs said, is supposed to be a “Financial tool” for the District to use, and not an employee benefit.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowans who need help filling out their income tax forms can take advantage of a free service through the Iowa State University Extension starting next week. Becky Koppen (COP-in) oversees the R-S-V-P or Retired Senior Volunteer Program in Hamilton County. Koppen says low- to moderate-income Iowans can make use of VITA, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance.

“People who qualify can call the VITA number and make an appointment to have someone assist them with their taxes — for free,” she says. Through the program, certified community volunteers prepare taxes with computer software and can offer help with special tax credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, and Credit for the Elderly or Disabled. Iowans can call now to schedule an appointment.

“This begins January 23rd and goes through the end of March,” Koppen says. “It’s just a great program to help people get those taxes done.” The program is offered in many — but not all — Iowa counties. Learn more by calling 800-906-9887 or by visiting: www.irs.gov/vita.