(Radio Iowa) – The four Iowans elected to serve in the U-S House for the next two years must await the election of a House speaker today (Tuesday) before they can be sworn into office. All four have said they back California Congressman Kevin McCarthy for House Speaker, but he may not have enough G-O-P support to win the job. Republican Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks of LeClaire alluded to the potential stalemate in a video statement last (Monday) night.

“Back in our nation’s capital where I’m hoping to be sworn in tomorrow on January 3rd,” Miller-Meeks said. “…Tomorrow should be interesting, but hoping that we have a very uneventful day.”

Congresswoman Ashley Hinson of Marion and Congressman-elect Zach Nunn of Bondurant have praised McCarthy for his role in getting fellow Republicans elected to a majority of seats in the U.S. House. A spokesperson for Republican Congressman Randy Feenstra of Hull says Feenstra also supports McCarthy for speaker.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors held their annual organizational meeting today (Tuesday), and voted to retain Steve Baier as Board Chair for 2023 and Mark O’Brien as Vice-Chair. They also voted to hold their regular weekly meetings on Tuesday’s at 9-a.m. They removed a clause in their schedule, which had stated they would meet on the last business day of the month, instead of Tuesday. Therefore their meetings will take place every Tuesday, unless otherwise necessary to meet on another day of the week.

The meeting on Jan. 3rd was the first official session for Board Member Wendy Richter, who was elected in the November General Election, when she ran unopposed.  The Board voted to set mileage reimbursement for County Employee Business travel at 50-cents per mile, with the exception of the Sheriff’s Civil Processor, which was set at the Federal rate of 65.5-cents per miles.

The Medical Examiner’s fee, was set in accordance with the Code of Iowa, at the current rate. The official county newspapers were retained the same as last year. The Board tabled action, for the second week in a row, on approving a five-year lease with the Cambridge Law Firm, for the upper story of the County-owned building at 707 Poplar Street. The decision to table was made because Supervisors O’Brien and Pettinger want to speak with the law firm’s owners or representatives…something they have not yet had a chance to do, because of the holidays.

The lower half of the building houses the Cass County Communications Center.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors today (Tuesday) held their annual organizational meeting, with the election of officers. The Board voted to appoint Mike Olson as Board Chair, and Charla Schmid as Vice-Chair, for 2023. They also moved to appoint board members and alternates to numerous committees or boards. In other business, they voted to keep the schedule for their regular Board meetings the same in 2023 and in the past year, that being at 8:30-a.m. on Tuesday’s.

The Board also acted to approved the Montgomery County Employee’s Holiday Schedule for 2023, and designated the three, Official County Newspapers, which are unchanged from the past year.

The Board then adjourned the Organizational Meeting and opened their regular session, at 8:45-a.m. During the meeting, they acted on administrative resolutions. Elected officials administered the Oath of Office to their respective office deputies and assistants, and the Board approved a Hungry Canyons Alliance annual membership fee of $5,000. They’re next regular session will take place 8:30-a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023.

(Creston, Iowa) – Officials with the Creston Police Department today (Tuesday), said there were four arrests over the holiday weekend.

Friday night, 21-year-old Antoinette Clement, of Creston, was arrested at her residence on a charge of Domestic Abuse Assault/1st Offense. Clement was taken to the Union County Jail where she was released after seeing the Magistrate.

At around 2:26-a.m. Saturday, 53-year-old Catherine Ann Scadden, of Creston, was arrested at the Creston Union County Law Enforcement Center for OWI 2nd Offense. Scadden was taken to the Union County Jail where she was later released on $2000 cash or surety bond. And, at around 10:45-p.m., Saturday, 21-year-old Malachi Shon Elms, of Orient, was arrested in Creston for Public Intoxication and Disorderly Conduct-Fighting/Violent Behaviior. Elms was taken to the Union County Jail where he was released after seeing the Magistrate.

Monday night, 20-year-old Zoe Paulette Marie Parmenter, of Creston, was arrested at her residence for Harassment/3rd Degree. Parmenter was transported to the Union County Jail where she was released on $300 cash or surety bond.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City Council in Atlantic has a short agenda for their 5:30-p.m. meeting Wednesday, at City Hall. Mostly, their business consists of action on administrative matters, such as:

• An Order to Approve First Whitney Bank & Trust as the City’s Official Bank for the City Checking Account for 2023.
• An Order to Approve the Atlantic News Telegraph as the City’s Official Newspaper for Legal Publications in 2023.
• A Resolution (#01-23) “Amending the City of Atlantic Personnel Policy, by repealing and replacing Series 200 Code 203 “Drug Free Workplace,” with New Code numbered as the same.”  The language in the final line of the Resolution changes from “Failure to do so will result in immediate dismissal from your position,” to “…immediate termination of employment.”

In his report to the Council, City Administrator John Lund will discuss a Legislative Briefing, a FY 2024 Budget Update, and a January 18th Council Work Session and Budget Workshop, meeting. There will also be a report from Mayor Grace Garrett, and regular Council Committee reports, prior to a Public Forum.